Need honest objective thoughts from those who love living in Savannah. (Wilmington Island: best neighborhood, apartment complex)

[asj_0109]

I'm not looking for biased opinions of my lifestyle or your hatred for the Savannah area...just some friendly locals' thoughts on things

My partner (21) and I (22) are looking to move to Savannah this late summer/early fall. We have a 6 year old son. We both just graduated and are applying for teaching positions. I know several people have commented on the schools, but we've researched and we're not too concerned with that aspect for us or our son.

Here's the thing...being that we are young and have a son we want a good area for us and him. Since we are not a "traditional" family, are there areas of Savannah you would recommend for us?

She and I are looking to visit at the end of the month. Are there any spots we should check out on our visit?

Thanks is advance!

[Padgett2]

Before anyone can help you with an area, we would need to know about what you could afford to spend for housing every month. Willl you rent or buy?

[asj_0109]

We will be renting when we first move down. We're thinking we would prefer to stay between $750-$850 but can do $1000 per month for rent. We're just concerned with where the best neighborhood dynamics will be for us mostly.

[Padgett2]

That's not going to get you much in Savannah. The neighborhoods will not be "the best" Maybe about middle to lower class neighborhoods.

Try for an apartment complex for the first rental. I am sure there is a site that will give you the names of many of them. See what would suit and then get back and ask about the ones that you have found.

Good Luck!! Our School system is like a lot of others across the country. There has been major cost cutting done. Contact the Savannah-Chatham County BOE for available openings. Also, the are several private schools that might be hiring. A lot will depend on your specialty.

[asj_0109]

Unfortunately we've settled on the fact that we'll have to do an apartment at first. I'll do some research and see what I can find.

As far as the schools, we're both applying elementary. And we know there will be open positions for next year. We're meeting with some principals at the end of the month. So hoping that helps.

[Newsboy]

I'm guessing you are a lesbian couple? If not, I apologize. But if so, I think you'll find Savannah am incredibly accommodating community. There'si very much a "live and let live" attitude among the people here: nobody really cares much about your personal life. Just as an an example, I spent much of tonight hanging out with a fellow from Santa Monica, CA who was in town working on a movie shoot. He was amazed - OVERWHELMED! -- by the energy and openess of the people on the streets of historic Downtown Savannah. This from a guy born and raised and employed by the entertainment industry in Los Angeles! Savannah is a remarkable city -- I don't think you'll have any ptoblem feeling right at home here.

[asj_0109]

Yes, we're a lesbian couple. From what I've seen/heard/read, we'll be fine in the downtown area. What about other areas? We found one apartment we know we're going to visit on our trip this month. It's a 3b/2ba for $1050 a month. It's on Whitemarsh Island. How will we fair here? What's the area like?

[Padgett2]

Whitemarsh Island is a great place. It's not as big as Wilmington (the next one to the east) and most of the shopping, etc is on Wilmington. The areas elementary schools would be close by, so that if you could get on one of them, you would have a good thing going for you.

Your son would go to school on the Islands and he would have many playmates. If you lived in the downtown areas, he would not be as fortunate. It's really not the place for young children. Too much concrete sidewalks and not enough play space.

[Newsboy]

Whitemarsh Island is an excellent choice. The new Islands High School cluster is actually on Whitemarsh, though most of the better shopping, restaurants, neighborhoods, etc are on adjacent Wilmington Island (where I live). The two are pretty seamless though; not islands in the traditional sense. You'll see when you come look around. Halfway between downtown and the beach. Very family oriented, buy with quite a few singles / gay people as well. Especially in my neighborhood on Wilmington, where I've got gay male friends raising a teenage son. You won't be alone, not by a longshot.

[asj_0109]

Yea, we're not planning on living downtown. We've found a few more apartments we like. I know one was in Pooler near the airport. And one was a little south west (west of Georgetown) close to I95. What are these areas like?