please help! (Columbus, Savannah, Wilmington Island: for sale, real estate market, 2011)

[sspekks]

my husband is getting relocated with his job and i am in need of some advice on where to buy a house. we have 2 small children so schools are very important. we don't like cookie cutter neighborhoods and are more on the artsy side. i am worried about crime because we are originally from jacksonville fl (where the crime is extremely high) but have been in raleigh nc for the last 3 years and have become spoiled from the lack of. our price range is as much as 185,000 and around 1700 square feet with a fenced yard (2 dogs and 2 cats). any suggestions that i could use as search tools would much be appreciated....

[ellie]

Fortunately for you, most artsy young families are scattered throughout the city. I'd start by looking in the neighborhood just south of Ardsley Park (which many folks call Ardsley, just out of vanity) in the 60 something numbered streets and along Columbus Ave. There are probably a few homes in your range there, though the prices can go much higher.

You should also check Wilmington Island.

Crime in most residential neighborhoods is not that bad. Just stay out of areas that are "transitional".

Add: I did a quick search of zipcode 31406 and found this cutie. http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...406_1110839070

There are probably more.

[WanderingImport]

Midtown area or Wilmington Island IMO. The further north you get in Ardsley Park, the more expensive it gets, generally speaking.

[sspekks]

what about school disticts? is there anything i seriously need to avoid?

[zumzum35]

I would look in to Richmond Hill, GA ... it is just south of Savannah. The schools are great! low crime, only downfall is that although there are alot of artsy people, there is no artsy neighborhoods per say.

[bgnzsavnh]

Originally Posted by sspekks

what about school disticts? is there anything i seriously need to avoid?

The public school system has many Specialty and Charter schools with open enrollment
This depends on your child. If your child is college bound, the Savannah-Chatham County Public Specialty Program Schools and Charter Schools offer a better program. The AP and IB and Early College programs are very successful

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools
Savannah Arts Academy Named Governor's Cup Award Winner | www.savannahtribune.com |

Savannah Arts Academy is one of the top schools in the state

YouTube - Nabucco Overture


Below is the list of public high schools and the programs that will be offered after all of the school reform and sales tax-funded construction projects are complete:
Westside high: 9-12 (sales tax-funded new building, opening scheduled for 2011)
Coastal High: 9-12, biological/environmental sciences (opening scheduled for 2011 at the current Coastal Middle site)
Beach High: 9-12, medical/allied health, AVID (sales tax-funded building replacement)
Groves High: 9-12, small learning communities, AVID, maritime sciences
Jenkins High: 9-12, small learning communities, AVID, engineering
Johnson High: 9-12, small learning communities, international baccalaureate
Savannah High: 9-12, law and criminal justice, liberal studies, mass communications
Windsor Forest High: 9-12, small learning communities, international baccalaureate
Bartlett: 6-12, advanced learning (opens 2010)
Savannah Arts Academy: 9-12, fine and performing arts
Woodville Tompkins Technical and Career High: 9-12, career and technical education prep programs
Early College: 9-12, college prep, dual enrollment, AVID
West Chatham Preparatory Academy Charter School


Local Schools Receive State Recognition for High Performance
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[tarasbrats]

You may want to the check the Pooler area, Godley Station area of new homes -- a family-style neighborhood. It's about 20 minutes from downtown, good highway access to all Savannah areas, airport and schools. Just know Savannah has a buyer's real estate market, so there are vast numbers of property on the market at real steal prices. For example, condos downtown that were selling for $750k last year just sold for $350k+ last week.

One son lives in Richmond Hill, a really cool family-centered, neighborly town with great schools about 30 minutes south of Savannah. Their darling 3-BR house was built by Henry Ford for his workers when he had a plantation in what was then called "Ways Station," now Richmond Hill. It's for sale -- 3BR, LR, DR, Kitchen with granite countertop, $150K on about an acre of land. They want to build a bigger home. Email them if you're interested -- kjung@centurytel.net

Another son lives in Springfield (Effingham County) not as neighborhood friendly, but great schools.