To you long time Savannahians (Wilmington Island, Isle of Hope: real estate, foreclosures, rentals)

[elkelives]

This one is directed to all you long time Savannahians, re moving to Savannah.
My grandparents lived in Ardsley Park, my dad graduated from Savannah High, my happiest childhood memories are reading on my grandparents' porch glider in a rain storm, playing in Daffin Park, and driving to Tybee with my granddad. This was circa 1960, however. I loved their 1920's bungalow--still my ideal for most beautiful house of all time. I am looking for a retirement house--we are currently in Michigan after living in Beaufort for 7 years, and my husband demanded we go back up north, hates the summers, can't deal with the bugs (2 ER visits for bug bites, for goodness sake.) We have been up here 5 months and I hate it. Well, that's a little strong, but I will not live here another endless bleak freezing snowbound winter.

Have been looking real estate in SC again, but still keep dreaming of Savannah. Beaufort is too small, and I miss that feeling of being connected to somewhere, and I realize most my most connected feelings are to Savannah. When we lived in SC, my husband did a lot of subbing (music) in Savannah so we went to churches downtown, Skidaway, and Isle of Hope. We did not move to Savannah then because my mom sent us the story of the debutante getting shot in the square and I also thought that it might be a little too "Georgia" for my Yankee husband, and SC is full of imports. All my family is from Georgia (Savannah and St Simons) so I thought a fresh start in SC, and it was nice.

Fast forward to now, when I am thinking about buying a place to live in 7 months of year and maybe rent out a few months if we kept this place? Where would you long time Savannahians recommend for someone who is pushing 60, would like a walkable neighborhood, isn't crazy about driving, and would like access to SC for work (still have a job there.) Would you go back to Hardeeville, or would you move to Savannah? I have a cousin on Wilmington Island--would this be a good location? When we subbed on Isle of Hope, it was about an hour 3/4 to Beaufort, although it was gorgeous. My cousin's mother-in-law had a place on Coffee Bluff and a place downtown. My problem with the islands is that I am sick of the car and wish I could just walk somewhere or take my bike--in Beaufort, I would go a week without driving, just bike everywhere, and it was great.

I go online and look at property, and I see neighborhoods I sort of remember--my dad's friend lived in Windsor Forest, for example, but mostly we just hang around Ardsley Park and that is what I miss. But Isle of Hope was very pretty, too. I honestly wish I could afford Tybee, but they don't allow dogs on the beach, which husband is irritated by. On the other hand, we're getting older, so urban pioneering is probably not a great idea. We are real fixer upper types and always buy foreclosures, but my husband just got badly injured doing tree trimming work, so maybe those days are over.

Any ideas as to where to look? Thanks in advance.

[ellie]

Just get a place in Ardsley Park, then. Or Parkside.

[Newsboy]

What's that neighborhood around Habersham Village called? Sounds like it would be ideal for you. Lots of cute bungalows in the 50 and 60 streets between Abercorn and Waters.

Also Baldwin Park, Thomas Square, Daffin Park, Gordonston ...

[WanderingImport]

The real question is.. What is your budget?

[pink caddy]

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

The real question is.. What is your budget?

Now you did it! Took a pin and put it next to that red balloon

[Padgett2]

You aren't going to be able to duplicate that feeling that you remember. Things have changed.

At your age, you can still do a lot of walking. Will you still feel like that 10-20 years from now? Do you plan to stay in Savannah that long?

As far as renting your house out for a few months, I think that would work only at Tybee. Be sure to get one that has air conditioning.

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by Padgett2

You aren't going to be able to duplicate that feeling that you remember. Things have changed.

At your age, you can still do a lot of walking. Will you still feel like that 10-20 years from now? Do you plan to stay in Savannah that long?

As far as renting your house out for a few months, I think that would work only at Tybee. Be sure to get one that has air conditioning.

Lots of people do short-term rentals all over Savannah, but mostly downtown.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Lots of people do short-term rentals all over Savannah, but mostly downtown.

...and Tybee.

[elkelives]

Thanks, I appreciate the comments. I don't know what I will feel like 10-20 years from now. I am looking for a place to end up, so yes, it would need to be workable 10-20 years from now. I guess from what I have seen, I don't have the money for Ardsley Park anymore. Guess I was looking for suggestions that were similar but more affordable. I wish I did have endless funds, believe me. Thanks, Newsboy, I appreciate the positivity and the specifics. Ellie, thank you for the Parkside suggestion, and I have located the helpful maps now.

I guess I was just looking for something I could cope with, and trying to get out of this climate for next winter. It sounds as though Savannah has changed, indeed.