Moving to Georgia in early 2017 (during tax season) (Savannah, Thomasville: rent to own, crime rate)

[Belle4]

We're a family of 4, soon to be 5 or 6, looking to move to a safe neighborhood in GA. We're not interested in schools, as we homeschool - but homeschool community info would be nice. Also, we're white (with a bunch of stuff mixed in).

Interested in:
-driving distance to the beach (or closer) - this is almost only a preference, but the beach is my rejuvenation spot, so need to be able to visit at least a few times per year...so the closer, the better
-3+ beds, 1.5+ bathrooms (prefer 2 full)
-safe
-low cost of living
-rent to own (if this is a viable option, can cut our rooms down to 2 bedrooms)
-prefer single family homes, but willing to work with anything but a trailer/manufactured home
-playground within walking distance preferred, but can work with driving distance

MUSTS:
-30 mins or less (driving time) to a Walmart (fiance works at one here - he plans on transferring)
-$900 or less per month IF everything is included or based on income housing
-either washer & dryer hook-ups or washer & dryer included
-anything but all carpet

Dealbreakers:
-crime rate is anything like DC or Detroit, MI
-more than an hour's drive to a Wally World (Walmart)
-cost of living is prohibitively high/rent too high
-nothing for the kids to do outside

We can deal with ghetto if need be, due to financial constraints, but would prefer to get OUT of the ghetto.

We *might* be able to afford better closer to moving time, but won't know til then. If there's any information needed that I forgot, please let me know. We are Christian, and church hunting, so if there are any recommendations aside from charismatic, assembly of God, pentacostal, new age, etc, please let me know.

Thank you.

[flyonpa]

Where is work? That is 1st thing to do before you start looking for where to live?

Work From Home? Long Distance Trucker? Need Airport? ....

[Belle4]

Work is listed in my OP:
"-30 mins or less (driving time) to a Walmart (fiance works at one here - he plans on transferring)"

[Belle4]

All we really need is close proximity to a walmart, with playground, pool, other shopping, etc, being bonus points. Won't need an airport, either...in fact, we prefer the country. Just don't know how feasible that'll be for us when we move.

[Airforceguy]

I think the Savannah area might be a good pick. I would look at suburbs of Savannah like Pooler, Port Wenworth or Bloomingdale. Plus being in Savannah you are only 20-30 minutes from the coast depending on where you live.

[Belle4]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

I think the Savannah area might be a good pick. I would look at suburbs of Savannah like Pooler, Port Wenworth or Bloomingdale. Plus being in Savannah you are only 20-30 minutes from the coast depending on where you live.

Thank you for naming the cities. It's pretty time consuming trying to find them when you don't live in the area or know about them. I'll check them out.

[Southern man]

If you want a smaller town that will have everything you want, look at Thomasville. Short drive to the Gulf. Very nice town.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by Airforceguy

I think the Savannah area might be a good pick. I would look at suburbs of Savannah like Pooler, Port Wenworth or Bloomingdale. Plus being in Savannah you are only 20-30 minutes from the coast depending on where you live.

Absolutely agree with Airforceguy here. You may also consider looking into Brunswick and Augusta.

[Belle4]

Originally Posted by Southern man

If you want a smaller town that will have everything you want, look at Thomasville. Short drive to the Gulf. Very nice town.

I've heard the Gulf isn't swimmer friendly. Is it only certain beaches or does that apply to the entire Gulf? I have thought of the Gulf, but when I heard the water's not for swimming in, I nixed the idea.

[Southern man]

St. George Island,Panama City, Destin, are recognized as some of the finest beaches in the USA. I don't understand what you mean by "swimmer friendly".