A Living in Savannah Question

OmToast · #1 07-14-2006, 07:10 AM

So, here I am, apartment hunting in Savannah, and it is SUCKING!!! I seek guidance from anyone familiar with the city regarding "safe" places to live. I'm looking, specifically, for an apartment in town.

One of the things that made me fall in love with the place is the integration and diversity -- I love that parts of the city are gorgeous and pristine, and I love that other parts aren't. I especially love that these varying city bits are completely intermingled. But my apartment choices seem to be thus:

1. Nice apartment in apparenty crappy neighborhood.
2. Crappy apartment in so-so neighborhood (most fall into this category)
3. So-so apartment in outlying, kind of dull neighborhood (Ardsley Park)
4. Nice apartment in nice neighborhood (only 1 that I can afford, by Lafayette Square)
5. Imminently affordable "Apartment Communities" which are completely lame and require a commute via car

I don't know what to do. I am emphatically NOT fearful of people, and I feel that the opinions I've gotten have been very biased, like property owners in dismal locations with crappy properties telling me that the neighborhood was great, or people renting/living in Ardsley Park and outlying areas telling me that living in town is a death sentence. I'm less inclined to believe the latter, but would still like an honest, unbiased opinion about living in downtown Savannah.

Help? :impatient

Squirlz · #2 07-14-2006, 08:24 AM

I have no help for you as I have never been there, just wanted to say after seeing "Midnight in the Garden" I always wanted to visit Savannah.

So get an extra room okay?

OmToast · #3 07-14-2006, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squirlz

So get an extra room okay?

No problem! Do you have any living situation preference (see above 1-5) for your visits?

It is, by the way, every bit as fantastically weird as the movie portrays it -- at least insofar as the aesthetic and some of the people I've met so far. I dig

Squirlz · #4 07-14-2006, 09:02 AM

Something sleazy in the historic district. I want there to be a wino right out of Central Casting that you have to step over to get out your front door.

OmToast · #5 07-14-2006, 02:29 PM

Ok Squirlz, I feel I may have disappointed you in my apartment selection this afternoon -- it's a smallish 1 bedroom outside of the historic district... presently occupied by a nun

But I'll hang some red drapes and see about getting a futon!

SoCar S · #6 07-14-2006, 02:36 PM

I use to live on Park and Drayton and can honestly say I never had any problems even thought it was sketch. I lucked out once and got a place on Jones though. Was kinda a dump, but heck it was right there. It's very hit or miss all through the historic district. Lived out on Wilmington at one point, but the commute wasn't very fun. (Didn't have my MINI of course)

OmToast · #7 07-14-2006, 03:33 PM

I'm officially in Ardsley Park, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay the hell up on E. 44th, next to Daffin Park.

It's a nice apartment, decent neighborhood, and it'll at least give me a year in which to get to know the city and possibly find a place closer to the action.

There was a FANTASTIC 3rd floor apartment on Abercorn, right next to Lafayette Square, that I'm already kicking myself for not taking, but I'd like to keep my savings as intact as possible.

I kind of figured that it wasn't as bad as people were telling me... Especially at the point I asked one owner about the neighborhood and her response was; "Well, theres a lot of white folks on this block"

SoCar S · #8 07-14-2006, 05:28 PM

I had a bunch of friends that lived in Ardsley area. I have to say I really liked it. It is really hit or miss downtown. Plus you have the "SCAD Wannabes" that are willing to pay $1200.00 a month plus. Sav. is really strange in that it has changed and become somewhat "SoHo"ish... I was there about 4 months ago sitting in the Merc. and said to a friend, okay so where did all the beautiful people come from...... SCAD when I was there was very very different. Heck the class before me blew-up the civic center front doors prior to graduation in rebellion of the fact that no student government would be allowed.... Well then Paula goes and gets a divorce several years later and walla the school mysteriously changes.... heh heh sorry for the rant.

SouthernMINI · #9 07-14-2006, 05:41 PM

I remember my time in Savannah. It was St Patrick's Day! Gosh, it was so much fun, I will never forget it! Shoot, well maybe I just cant remember all of it! But, it was still a blast! Good luck in your new adventure! Have a blast trust me you will always remember something!

biz · #10 07-14-2006, 05:43 PM

Thats what I think. Id love to retire there.

SpiderX · #11 07-14-2006, 05:45 PM

I have a lot of old friends that live there and maybe they will help you out..... PM me

fillelectrique · #12 07-14-2006, 05:46 PM

I live in Savannah for 5 years, My parents lived there and my little sis and her soon-to-be hubby live there. It is my second "home-city."

what do you need to know?

Places that i lived:
O-House Dorms (Downtown)
W. Charlton, on Pulaski Square (Downtown)
49th and Paulsen (Ardsley)
Drayton and E. Harris (Downtown) - Across from the famous Pinkie Masters, the best dive bar ever!
48th and Ash (Ardsley)

fillelectrique · #13 07-14-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCar S

Heck the class before me blew-up the civic center front doors prior to graduation in rebellion of the fact that no student government would be allowed....

ah, the class of 91! i remember that. fun-fun!

oh how the times have improved SCAD greatly. I'd go back in a heartbeat... better technology, better classes, more facilities, more trips abroad... and Savannah is reaping the benefits! I'm happy for that little ol' once-a-total-dump town to be happy, clean and still a blast to hang out in.

OmToast · #14 07-14-2006, 06:26 PM

I was thoroughly impressed with the school -- well, the building arts/architectural history department -- when I interviewd 2 years ago (I subsequently deferred). They had a lot going on and buckets of resources. Plus, the arch. history program is pretty hands-on and more technically geared, rather than academic.

So... is Ardsley Park any fun? Is there anything at all up there? I am still terminally unfamiliar with the city, so I'm clueless...

SoCar S · #15 07-14-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fillelectrique

ah, the class of 91! i remember that. fun-fun!

oh how the times have improved SCAD greatly. I'd go back in a heartbeat... better technology, better classes, more facilities, more trips abroad... and Savannah is reaping the benefits! I'm happy for that little ol' once-a-total-dump town to be happy, clean and still a blast to hang out in.

Okay - So what class?

I to would go back in a heartbeat - for all the reasons you mention. Actually I couldn't agree more about all the comments... The city (which was boarded up not to long ago) has grown and grown and is now pretty trick in my opinion as opposed to when I was there.

Ardesley Park.... Great place to live, downtown is where stuff goes on.

fdavid · #16 07-14-2006, 07:52 PM

LOVED savannah! I went to SCAD and loved the place! (this was back in 95). everytime I get a chance I go visit. I am currently plannig a trip with my wife with the Mini. Should be fun!
OmToast good luck in Savannah ; )

OmToast · #17 07-15-2006, 06:19 AM

Wow -- it's practically a class reunion in here

Thanks guys

jymontoya · #18 07-15-2006, 06:45 AM

I graduated from SCAD last year... I lived downtown in the dorms for one year, then moved out to the Ardsley Park area. Ok... where to begin!? The downtown is cool to be at as long as you are with a group of people at night. Even some of the more lit up areas can be very dangerous if alone. I really liked living downtown, but for me, I wanted a garage, and a safe place to live. I personally know of over a dozen people who were robbed. Some point blank with a gun in their face, some actually stabbed with knives.... some who came home to broken windows and empty houses.

For this reason, I seeked something in a safer part of town. The safe parts of Downtown are REALLY expensive. Even with a roommate, your looking at a insane amount of rent for what you get. That's why I moved 10 blocks or so out to the Ardsley Park District... Actually I live at 45/46th and Bull. I was on the border of the dangerous zone, but never had any trouble, and I got a garage to keep my car in! 3 bed, 1 bath house for $800 (went up to $1000 the last year cause of property value increase) As I was an Industrial Design Major, and an Interaction Design Minor, I was very close to the GulfStream Center of Design (ID and Furniture Building), so this was awesome for me. Plus I was only 4 minutes from downtown, and you'll learn about savannah, thats nothing. Not that I'm condoning it or anything, but you could drive around ***** faced, and as long as you dont hit anything, you wouldnt likely get in trouble. Also, a cab fare is only a few to five dollars from Ardsley to a safe area... more or less if you have people to share the cab. And, you didnt say if you are going to SCAD or not, but if you are, they offer SCAD Transportation to or from any building to or from any SCAD building. The wait can be anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, but its free and safe... So, any other questions, feel free to ask. I know Savannah is far from a "driving town" but i think you'll find it's easier than most believe. My roommate rode his bike from our house in Ardsley to every class he had downtown. He didn't mind it one bit. So, I hope you see there are a lot of options. I still know some people down there if you are in the need of any hookups? ;-) Have a good one.

OmToast · #19 07-15-2006, 06:59 AM

jymontoya -- excellent info, thanks!

I will, in fact, be a grad student at SCAD, so it's good to know about the shuttle service. I didn't realize it was so extensive

I figure that I'll be biking to class/library/town. It didn't seem that far, and I need a little more exercise in my life. Do the shuttles, by chance, have bike racks?

62Lincoln · #20 07-15-2006, 08:39 AM

OmToast, did Born2slow work out the job situation?

http://www.northamericanmotoring.com...ad.php?t=60783

kseckel99 · #21 07-15-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmToast

So, here I am, apartment hunting in Savannah, and it is SUCKING!!! I seek guidance from anyone familiar with the city regarding "safe" places to live. I'm looking, specifically, for an apartment in town.

One of the things that made me fall in love with the place is the integration and diversity -- I love that parts of the city are gorgeous and pristine, and I love that other parts aren't. I especially love that these varying city bits are completely intermingled. But my apartment choices seem to be thus:

1. Nice apartment in apparenty crappy neighborhood.
2. Crappy apartment in so-so neighborhood (most fall into this category)
3. So-so apartment in outlying, kind of dull neighborhood (Ardsley Park)
4. Nice apartment in nice neighborhood (only 1 that I can afford, by Lafayette Square)
5. Imminently affordable "Apartment Communities" which are completely lame and require a commute via car

I don't know what to do. I am emphatically NOT fearful of people, and I feel that the opinions I've gotten have been very biased, like property owners in dismal locations with crappy properties telling me that the neighborhood was great, or people renting/living in Ardsley Park and outlying areas telling me that living in town is a death sentence. I'm less inclined to believe the latter, but would still like an honest, unbiased opinion about living in downtown Savannah.

Help? :impatient

My daughter and son-in-law are in Savannah and I can ask her for her opinion. She is out on 204 area in Georgetown. It's a nice area. Richmanhill is nice. She said it's quieter and. Stay away from the south side she says. Out on the island, beautiful but EXPENSIVE! I just called her and that's what she said. He's away doing his soldier thing.
My wife and I love Savannah but she mentioned they have a very high murder rate per capita. Won't stop us from visiting, but wanted to mention what she said. When Ben is home she doens't worry about moving around town as the Rangers tend to take care of themselves, but I forgot to ask her if she goes downtown by herself very often. I think she has mentioned she goes with a few of the other wives.
Good luck. If you see a a Red/W Mini with an MU Skins license tag on one of my visits please say high. I'm going up in a few weeks to visit and help out around the house with a few 'dad' chores.

ATCQL · #22 07-15-2006, 11:04 AM

Although i can't help you with a place to live,i can highly recommend a place to eat.Johnny Harris BBQ on Victory Blvd.best Brunswick Stew i have ever had.By the way that was in 1973 and i understand its still open.Q

QWKSLVR · #23 07-15-2006, 11:08 AM

YES...I AGREE...RICHMOND HILL IS VERY NICE...GREAT SCHOOLS, TOO..IF NEEDED...GEORGETOWN AREA IS NICE TOO....OUT NEAR 204
AND 95 IS HENDERSON...NICE COMMUNITY AND REAL CLOSE TO ALL
KINDS OF SHOPPING..EATERIES TOOOO..AND REALLY NOT TOO FAR TO
TRAVEL TO WORK OR SCHOOL..HEY CONSIDER IT A 'MINI ROADTRIP'
EACH DAY YOU HEAD INTO TOWN..!!

SoCar S · #24 07-15-2006, 02:15 PM

I to lived in the dorms for one year - UGH! OHouse .. Had to get out of there. I can honestly say, I never experienced any problems even living on Park and Drayton and never had a single person I knew have anything happen. And believe me .. We where out at all hours of night. Must have been lucky.

Your driving comment is great .. slow and around the squares always got us home ..

heh heh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jymontoya

I graduated from SCAD last year... I lived downtown in the dorms for one year, then moved out to the Ardsley Park area. Ok... where to begin!? The downtown is cool to be at as long as you are with a group of people at night. Even some of the more lit up areas can be very dangerous if alone. I really liked living downtown, but for me, I wanted a garage, and a safe place to live. I personally know of over a dozen people who were robbed. Some point blank with a gun in their face, some actually stabbed with knives.... some who came home to broken windows and empty houses.

For this reason, I seeked something in a safer part of town. The safe parts of Downtown are REALLY expensive. Even with a roommate, your looking at a insane amount of rent for what you get. That's why I moved 10 blocks or so out to the Ardsley Park District... Actually I live at 45/46th and Bull. I was on the border of the dangerous zone, but never had any trouble, and I got a garage to keep my car in! 3 bed, 1 bath house for $800 (went up to $1000 the last year cause of property value increase) As I was an Industrial Design Major, and an Interaction Design Minor, I was very close to the GulfStream Center of Design (ID and Furniture Building), so this was awesome for me. Plus I was only 4 minutes from downtown, and you'll learn about savannah, thats nothing. Not that I'm condoning it or anything, but you could drive around ***** faced, and as long as you dont hit anything, you wouldnt likely get in trouble. Also, a cab fare is only a few to five dollars from Ardsley to a safe area... more or less if you have people to share the cab. And, you didnt say if you are going to SCAD or not, but if you are, they offer SCAD Transportation to or from any building to or from any SCAD building. The wait can be anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour, but its free and safe... So, any other questions, feel free to ask. I know Savannah is far from a "driving town" but i think you'll find it's easier than most believe. My roommate rode his bike from our house in Ardsley to every class he had downtown. He didn't mind it one bit. So, I hope you see there are a lot of options. I still know some people down there if you are in the need of any hookups? ;-) Have a good one.

fillelectrique · #25 07-15-2006, 02:32 PM

Started in 93, then was forced to finish highschool (booo!) and then returned from 94-98. Double major in Photo and GD.

I work with a bunch of SCAD grads in Atlanta too. They're all early 90's grads.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCar S

Okay - So what class?

I to would go back in a heartbeat - for all the reasons you mention. Actually I couldn't agree more about all the comments... The city (which was boarded up not to long ago) has grown and grown and is now pretty trick in my opinion as opposed to when I was there.