Savannah also referred to as the Hostess City of the South, is a welcoming place with beautiful architecture and close proximity to the ocean.
This coastal town also has a ghastly odor and an overabundance of tourists.
From historical tours to crime rates, we take you through the pros and cons of living in Savannah, GA.
Contents
Pros of Living in Savannah, GA
1. History
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia.
Established in 1733, it has long been a port city with a diverse mix of people coming in.
Any town that has been around this long would certainly have stories to tell and Savannah does not disappoint.
Due to proximity to the ocean and towing the state line between Georgia and South Carolina, Savannah has played an important role.
This dates back before Georgia became a colony and now as a state.
Live the timeline in person through a plethora of museums and statues across the city.
2. Ghost Tours
Speaking of stories, there is a whole tourism culture around ghosts.
Savannah is voted one of the most haunted cities in America and for good reasons.
There are so many stories of not only dramatic deaths but also creepy happenings in establishments around town.
To start, there’s a statue of a woman looking out at the river who waited years for the return of her beloved.
Then, there is a restaurant that was also once an inn where another woman leaped to her death over the actions of her lover.
We are just getting started.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it helps gain a new perspective on an old place.
3. Food Scene
Whether you live nearby or just visiting, one enormous bonus is the multitude of cuisine to try.
Considering Savannah is the biggest city for a long distance, it is nice to be able to try new things once you are there.
This is also a haven for restaurants that aren’t chains, which provides more diverse options for a cultured palate.
This riverside destination has plenty of seafood options at economical and luxury pricing.
Let’s not forget the candy shops!
4. Tybee Island
Even though Savannah is on the water, there is not a beach off the strip.
Boats for shipping and tourism glide along the river that leads out to the ocean.
There is, however, a nearby place where you can do some swimming.
Tybee Island is a short drive from downtown with plenty of beach access, hotels, and even the occasional swing to watch the water.
Pack up snacks before you leave, though.
Options are limited for shopping once you get there.
5. City of Squares
This area was originally meant to be a debtors’ prison.
Sending prisoners overseas was going to be a way to alleviate the overcrowded jails in London.
James Oglethorpe was tasked to design a layout that revolved around squares.
He took the job so his friend would be included in that first group to set sail.
The king had different ideas and sent paying customers instead.
The design was still implemented and stands as a testament to innovation.
Sightseeing has never been less confusing.
6. Walkability
With good design comes good sidewalks.
It has yet to be determined if Oglethorpe had envisioned a place that was easy to walk in or not, but that is what he created.
The small squares all over the city make getting outside quite easy.
Sidewalks are plentiful and unobstructed.
Cars are not nearly as necessary here as in many other cities around the US because of how quick everything is to get to.
Shops, restaurants, and even places of worship are surrounded by crosswalks and places to rest along the way.
7. Public Transportation
When it’s too far to walk everywhere, there’s public transportation.
Unlike other major cities where everything costs so much, you can hop on a trolley here for next to nothing or even a shuttle for free!
Nothing feels as welcoming as touring around the city without needing cash or a card.
Savannah wants you to enjoy being there and not be boggled down by your car.
8. Savannah College of Art and Design
SCAD is one of the most well-known schools of its kind in this corner of the US.
What a place to be inspired!
All around is either nature or a meticulously designed city.
Not to mention the hoards of people coming around all year.
To add to the experience, SCAD is in the midst of downtown.
So, you can literally leave class and walk across the street to a historic diner or catch a theatrical performance.
Cons of Living in Savannah, GA
1. Lingering Odor
On a first drive into the city, you would be quickly taken aback.
Not by the beauty of all the greenery, but instead by the horrendous odor.
Nose hairs are singed crossing into Savannah and you have no idea why.
There has been a ring of stink around the area for as long as many can remember.
It is so overwhelming that passengers cannot really focus on anything else.
Luckily, the stench wares off the closer you get to the riverwalk.
2. Tourists
Living in a popular place for travelers can be exhausting.
Much of the year has good weather, so people flock to Savannah year round.
Leisurely strolls along River Street have to happen very early in the morning to beat the crowds.
If you live downtown, noise from late-night parties would be annoying.
There are also shady characters that can escalate a situation.
You just never know what the town will attract.
3. Parking
It’s a good thing Savannah is so walkable because parking is tough.
Because of tourists and limited space, it is increasingly difficult to find a place to park.
The fees associated with parking are affordable, so it is not that parking eats into your budget really.
The problem is you might have to park a very long distance away from where you are trying to go.
Feeling the sting of only a few available spots hits differently when you have any mobility issues or are in a rush.
4. Weather
Being so far south means it is warmer longer.
That also comes with extreme heat for extended periods of time.
Coming from a cooler region, this might be a nice change of pace.
Living here, though, is another story.
Being by a river and ocean with heat welcomes in the high humidity.
Going outside means sweat and lots of it.
At least there is a place to go swimming!
But once you are out of the water, it is nothing but sweat back to the car and on the way home.
5. Extreme Weather
If bringing extra changes of clothes due to the humidity was not enough punishment from mother nature, we bring you tropical storms and hurricanes.
One big part of coastal living is being at the forefront of whatever the ocean wants to throw your way.
Luckily, Savannah does not usually have a problem with hurricanes, but no one told the insurance companies that.
Premiums are high and flood protection is mandatory.
6. Distance Traveling
As popular as this Georgia town is for tourism, you would think getting there would be easier.
Savannah is basically a small town with big town needs.
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is about a four-hour drive north.
There is an airport in Savannah, but it is so expensive compared to the one in Atlanta.
Renting a car to get a cheaper ticket often defeats the purpose in the end.
7. Housing
People from all walks of life come to Savannah and fall in love.
Some are so especially touched that they want to move here permanently.
Demand has driven up the prices of rentals all across town.
That is a big problem when you realize there are not a lot of high-paying jobs locally.
So, many are being pushed out.
Mortgages are increasingly more difficult to obtain, too.
Influx makes the market so tight with very little wiggle room in terms of what is available.
8. Unaccessible
If you are in a wheelchair or need mobility assistance, Savannah might be a tough place for independence.
Walkability does not always mean convenience for wheelchairs.
Ramps, elevators, and other alternatives are not readily accessible everywhere in the city.
Getting down to the riverwalk would also prove the most challenging.
Pros and Cons of Living in Savannah, GA – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Savannah, GA | Cons of Living in Savannah, GA |
|---|---|
| 1. History | 1. Lingering Odor |
| 2. Ghost Tours | 2. Tourists |
| 3. Food Scene | 3. Parking |
| 4. Tybee Island | 4. Weather |
| 5. City of Squares | 5. Extreme Weather |
| 6. Walkability | 6. Distance Traveling |
| 7. Public Transportation | 7. Housing |
| 8. Savannah College of Art and Design | 8. Unaccessible |
Savannah Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Savannah Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savannah's crime rate?
The city is generally considered a safe place to live.
With more partiers comes more police.
However, both property and violent crimes come in on the high side.
A large percentage of those crimes happen at night around downtown.
If you are in the area, stay extra vigilant.
What kind of tree is in all the Savannah photos?
You are probably thinking of the oak trees that are covered in Spanish moss.
Legend has it that a Native American woman died prematurely and her husband cut her braid before placing it on a tree.
The hair spread out and became Spanish moss.
One of the best places to see it is Forsyth Park.
Is Savannah LGBTQ+ friendly?
Upon driving into town, one of the first things you will see is a rainbow flag hanging from a residential building.
As you continue through, it is common to see those flags on businesses.
Being in the south has not damped the free spirit of Savannah, since the city also hosts several LGBT-friendly events, including Pride, throughout the year.
Is there a homeless population in Savannah?
Yes.
The past few years have seen an increase in homelessness, so the city has had to step in.
Shelters and programs have been created to tackle this problem head-on.
Was Forrest Gump filmed in Savannah?
Yes, the park where Tom Hanks sits waiting for the bus is still there, but the bench has been moved to a local museum.
If you are in Chippewa Square, you can make out where the placement was.
Since there is no marker, it takes a keen eye to figure it out.
Or you can pull up the scene online.
The smell from the paper mill in Garden City is leftover from 50 years of a factory plus you have the salt water of the river, and the smell of tons of diesel trucks coming in and out of the ports.
I am a disabled veteran and I grew up here so I do have mobility issues from time to time but downtown there are handicap ramps to make it easy for wheelchair users to get around, and a handicapped person can go to the Hyatt and take the elevator down to the street level on River Street.
Our city is very accessible for wheelchair users and those with walkers through the cobblestones on River Street and the bricks can present a hazard to those in wheelchairs and those who use walkers briefly.
We do have a housing shortage we do have about 2,000 homeless people and we also have a great homeless Authority as well as a great housing Authority to assist people with those issues.
Our cost of living is quite cheaper than many places including Charleston.
We have great dining experiences tourism art and musical performances year-round many of them free plus lovely warm weather.
There is no place in Savannah that I fear to walk no neighborhood I won’t drive into but I am also not an ignorant person.
We are friendly here and always do our best to help tourists so they stay in safe areas or travel in numbers which is basically common sense.
I love Savannah!
I have travelled into Savannah every day for 17 years and have never smelled a thing. Coastal areas here and elsewhere have a salt smell but that is normal. I guess it could depend on what road you travelled in on as Raynoir has paper mills throughout southeast GA and they do emit an odor at their vicinity but to suggest there is a lingering odor over the city is just bad reporting.
I agree with you on the odor issue.
Thinking of leaving Florida and the high rents and ghastly political climate any advice for a single female healthcare worker looking to relocate.
Reading between the lines indicate you are more to left than center. This a small town with traditional values. They accept everyone. But don’t expect then locals to cater to your demands. My advice is to move to Santa Fe, NM. Much more progressive and LBGTQ accepting.
My sister and her husband just moved to Savannah from Santa Fe. Their daughter moved there after living in Santa Fe for a short time. I have lived in Santa Fe for 12 years. Became a liberal after moving here and happy about it. Love it here and will stay but wonder about life in Savannah for my sister. She has always been an outspoken liberal, traveled all over the world and lived in California before Santa Fe and now Savannah. I think Savannah is beautiful and love the food but I can’t stand humidity and bugs. Guess I am in the right place but will miss my sister.