Is Savannah, Georgia for me? (transplants, find a job, college)

[kristenwithacamera]

Hey, y'all. ;]

I just recently spent some time down in Savannah and absolutely loved it.
I am from the NYC area (no need to be too specific because I've lived in 4 different places in the area in the last 3 years) and am no longer enjoying living here.

In comparison to NYC, I found that Savannah was full of very friendly people (and not just in the historic district. Also on Tybee and on the Southside, (toward Midtown) where I was staying) and life runs at a completely different pace from the New York minute. (Which I liked. The New York minute is an unnecessary rush that causes a lot of unnecessary stress.)

I've been reading a lot on these forums and on other websites to obtain more information and advice about Savannah and I've got to tell you... Those negative comments can really bring someone looking into moving into the area down! It is very discouraging to hear some of the negativity, especially for someone who loves the area and had a wonderful time there.

I will soon be graduating from college with a BA in Psychology and am wondering what kind of opportunities there would be for a person with that degree in Savannah. I've read all about the nepotism, but I do not want to believe that it is so bad down there that no one who isn't local can get a job if they don't already have an in.

I have a lot more to say and would love to talk about Savannah further with some locals. (Please do not redirect me to the other forums. I see them. I know where they are. I'd like to have a conversation that is unique to me and my interests.)

[ellie]

Don't know about jobs in your field, but sure, Savannah is alright if you keep your expectations in line with reality. There are plenty of interesting and creative people living here. Not everyone finds their niche, but those who do wouldn't live anywhere else.

[pink caddy]

[quote=kristenwithacamera;28793308]Hey, y'all. ;]



In comparison to NYC, I found that Savannah was full of very friendly people (and not just in the historic district. Also on Tybee and on the Southside, (toward Midtown) where I was staying) and life runs at a completely different pace from the New York minute. (Which I liked. The New York minute is an unnecessary rush that causes a lot of unnecessary stress.)
QUOTE]

I don't necessarily agree with this contrast. Perhaps being part of 8.3 million ppl in NYC gives an appearance of "unnecessary" rushing and too fast a pace but it's part of a culture of competive (in work related matters) environment. I find the active and competive ppl here in Savannah much the same. You just can't "lay back" in either city, and be totally involved in your job or business.

[Newsboy]

Take all the negativity with a grain of salt. The biggest haters are people who moved here with unrealistic expectations (it's paradise!) and then turn on the city when the realities of living here sets in (bugs!) ... and locals who feel it is their civic duty to talk down Savannah so others won't make that mistake.

Sounds like you know what you're getting into. Lots of NYers have made the move.

[gentlearts]

Try to find a job here, and come on down. Give it a try. At your age you can hop around the country for awhile and see how you like a few different places.
The IS a lot of nepotism, but plenty of transplants find work here too.

[masonbauknight]

I grew up in Savannah and now live in the New York metro area. One thing about City-Data forums: everyone has different ideas about what makes a "good city." You might really be fine in Savannah, which is no longer the backwater southern town it was when I was growing up. However, it is a small city and has its flaws. Every city does. By all means listen to upbeat Newsboy (a Savannah booster), but also to Elie and Padgett (two Savannahians who offer a nice dose of reality). Best of luck to you.

[smarino]

Savannah is a neat place. I lived there for a while and loved the fact that they had an actual art scene. It's also a beautiful town. Like any real Southern city, it has it's peculiarities when it comes to who runs what, but isn't it like that everywhere? People in the South just are not too concerned about it. It's that way, and the land is littered w/ the bones of those who came to get things going "like it is back home". I ended up moving from there to Daytona, Fl because it was a lot cheaper to live, and the beaches were right there, not a long drive away. I never cared for that Tybee area. It looked a little too ingrown to me. Please note, large areas of the city are what I wouldn't wish to live in due to crime. The Historical District is the only place I really loved, and housing is way overpriced in my opinion. Daytona is fun, but I sure miss arts and culture, so we're going to go up to Savannah soon just to soak up some of it.