In defence of Savannah

[WanderingImport]

Finally, some data I can sink my teeth into.

[nortonguy]

Yeah, the ranking of GA cities in financial power. Excluding suburbs of larger cities(Gainesville, Hinesville, Warner Robins).

1. Atlanta
2. Augusta
3. Savannah
4. Columbus
5. Macon
6. Athens
7. Albany
8. Valdosta
9. Brunswick
10. Rome

[scubashawn68]

I think maybe some people need to get out and check out the rest of the country. I lived in Savannah for a few years. The crime was horrible and the education too. The main reasons why I felt my family needed to move. I simply wanted better education for my son.
Savannah does have its good points. Lots of history and and beautiful historic district.

[coffewithwhiskey]

Originally Posted by Hot_Mike

oh really, when did this happen?

The Savannah River Parkway is nothing more than US Route 25 with a better paving job. DOT didn't add anything new to that route other than a name change. Being from the area, it always confuses me when people make a big deal out of it, like the road didn't exist prior to 2009.

[coffewithwhiskey]

Originally Posted by Smashed

Yea, I've always paired Savannah with other coastal cities like Charleston, Wilmington, Mobile, Myrtle Beach, etc.

In fact you could say there are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd tier coastal cities in the south. Houston, New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville would be the 1st tier. The first cities I mention would be in the 2nd tier.

norton- do you have a link for the GDP stats? I've been looking for them.

Also: here's an interesting tidbit about Savannah's labor force:
Six industries account for nearly three-quarters of the jobs in Savannah: manufacturing (9.1%), retail trade (11.7%),
professional and business services (12.5%), educational and health services (13.4%), leisure and hospitality
(12.7%) and state and local government (12%).

So the biggest employer in Savannah isn't tourism or shipping, its the educational and medical industries.

I don't know where you're getting your data from, but Savannah is the second biggest port on the east and gulf coasts and the largest port on the Atlantic for Asian cargo. It is much larger than Jacksonville. Savannah is very much a "first tier" port on the east coast that is only bested by NY/NJ.

EDIT: Quoted wrong person.