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Home        Vol  VI    Issue 30           April 19, 2011         Previous Issues

 

 

In Seductive Savannah, Georgia, Retirees Discover a Treasure Trove of Historic Homes, a Lively Cultural Scene, Old Fashioned Southern Charm and Nearby Ocean Recreation

Cost of Living:  Below the National Average

 

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In 1733, General James Oglethorpe, a representative of England's King George II, came upon the mouth of the Savannah River and founded the town of Savannah (population 135,000).  The fledgling community soon became the colonial capital of Georgia and was the site of the bloody Siege of Savannah during the Revolutionary War.  Cotton production eventually brought the city great wealth, but in 1864, during the Civil War, General Sherman captured Savannah and offered it to President Lincoln as a Christmas present.  After the boll weevil wrecked havoc on King Cotton in the early 1900s, the city lost its way as historic buildings were bulldozed and the population declined.   Alarmed by what was happening to their home, citizens banned together in 1979 and began a preservation push.  Their efforts were helped considerably by the 1994 publication of the best selling novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  Soon Savannah and its treasure trove of historic buildings were attracting national attention.

 

Today tourists come to this elegant metropolis to experience its diverse culture, eclectic culinary scene, mild climate and old fashioned Southern hospitality.  Savannah, once on the decline, is now happily flourishing as an architectural showcase and is fiercely proud of its rich heritage and romantic character.  It is distinctly Southern in a way towns just a state away are not, overflowing with Ivy and wisteria, bountiful gardens behind ornate wrought-iron gates and grand antebellum homes.  Tall oak trees draped in Spanish moss create a slightly eerie landscape, and a hint of mystery tingles the senses.  Of the people who call the city home, 34% are age 45 or better, and more of them vote Democratic than Republican.  The cost of living is 10% below the national average.   

Savannah is recognized as the first planned city in the country, and in 1966 it was named a National Historic Landmark District, claiming one of the nation's most valuable living collections of 18th century and 19th century architecture.  There are 100 separate neighborhoods in six general sections, and the famous, utterly charming downtown, a source of civic pride and a model of restoration excellence with its 22 distinct original squares, resembles a small, orderly European colonial city with cafes, churches, art galleries, fresh food markets, boutiques, parks, micro breweries, river views and pedestrian traffic.   This delightful historic urban center, with its tree-lined streets, has no tall buildings and is very walkable.  A great restaurant seems to be on every corner, and the clip-clop of horse drawn carriages reminds one of a more gracious time now long gone.

Even with all of its charm, Savannah real estate is reasonably priced, although old, rambling mansions that were falling apart 30 years ago can now be found selling for millions of dollars.  The median home price is $150,000, and most neighborhoods are lush and tidy.  The downtown area is arguably the most popular place to live (and one could do so without ever venturing into the rest of the city).   Nicely restored Victorians (homes, not people) with a wraparound porch, steep gables and a parlor can be found in the mid-$100,000s.   Renovated 3-story Greek Revivals with a private porch, a carriage house and a walled garden start at roughly $300,000.     Small, charming 1920s restored condominiums with hardwood floors and off-street parking can be found for $125,000.   Of course, many homes - condos, town homes and single family homes - in the downtown district go for much, much more. 

Not everyone lives downtown, however, and an area popular with retirees is the Southside neighborhood where homes are newer, ranch-style and generally more affordable, with prices starting in the low-$100,000s for modest but well kept dwellings.     Ardsley Park, Savannah's first suburb, is full of lovely mansions and bungalows.  Several beautiful gated golf communities, including Southbridge, Savannah Quarters and The Enclave, offer elegant living and resort-style amenities.  

Savannah has 26 manufactured home parks, with prices starting at around $15,000 for an older, 2 bedroom home.  Apartments are also available and start at about $600 per month for a simple, one bedroom unit.  More commonly rents in the $700-$800 per month range for larger, nicer one bedroom units, and $800-$900 a month for 2 bedroom units.  

 

Savannah, Georgia


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The annual taxes on a $150,000 home are approximately $1,845.     Homeowners age 62 and better who earn less than $10,000 per year receive a $10,000 school tax exemption.  If their income does not exceed $30,000 they may qualify for a partial exemption from state and county property taxes.   Homeowners who are age 65 or better and who earn $10,000 or less per year may have $4,000 of their property's value exempt from state and county taxes as well.   There is also a standard homestead exemption.  Social Security is exempt from state income tax, and people age 62 or better may receive a tax adjustment on income of less than $40,000 per year.

Civil War era cemeteries, 150 year old churches and 10 museums ensure that there is always something to explore.  There are ghost tours, home tours, garden tours, trolley tours, river festivals and riverboat cruises.   The city boasts a thriving arts culture, thanks in large part to the Savannah College of Art and Design.  With 70 buildings throughout the city, SCAD makes its presence known, and it presents the Savannah Film Festival, the Sidewalk Arts Festival and a fashion show each year (Savannah has been named a top arts town by at least one national publication).   The school also has athletic events.  The Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, the Savannah Theater and the Savannah Shakespeare Festival add to Savannah's cultural identity.

The open air City Market, which dates from the 1700s, has an eclectic selection of shops, galleries, art studios and specialty food retailers.  Three WalMarts add more shopping options.  Two culinary schools offer classes and routinely send eager new chefs out into the community (TV chef Paula Deen resides here, too).  Live Oak Public Library has three branches, one an old Carnegie library, and all have free public wifi access.   Savannah remains a port city, and the waterfront is great fun for people watching, dining and shopping.  Known as "Savannah's beach," pretty Tybee Island is just 20 minutes east and provides sand and surf, not to mention seafood festivals, sand art competitions, wine festivals and a celebrity or two.

 

 

Savannah has three major hospitals, one of which is award-winning.   Memorial University Medical Center, noted for its clinical excellence in 2011, is a teaching hospital and has nearly 500 beds.  It is also a Level I Trauma Center and accepts both Medicare and Medicaid patients.  St. Joseph's Hospital has 215 beds and also accepts Medicare and Medicaid patients.  Candler Hospital has 235 beds and accepts Medicare and Medicaid patients as well.  For military retirees, the city has an outpatient clinic (the nearest VA hospital is in Charleston, South Carolina, 85 miles north).

Catham Area Transit (CAT) provides local bus service, and the company says that 90% of residents are within walking distance of a bus stop.   The fare is $1.50 (seniors ride for $.75).  There is also a free trolley in the downtown district, and a ferry service traverses the river.  Amtrak has trains to Miami and New York City, and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is just west of the city.  Major airlines include Delta, Continental Express and U.S. Airways.

The city's Recreation Services Department manages the Golden Age Program ($5 per year), a program for the 55+ crowd that is carried out at 12 separate senior centers.   There are classes of all kinds, as well as congregate meals, guest speakers, trips and more.  Meals on Wheels also has a strong presence.

Summer temperatures are in the 70s, 80s and 90s.  It is humid - the city ranks well below the national average on the comfort scale, a combination of temperature and humidity.   Winter temperatures are usually in the 50s and 60s.   It rains 3 to 7 inches each month (with the highest amounts in the summer), and the sun shines 215 days of the year.  The city has seen its share of hurricanes and tropical storms and on average is at least brushed by a major storm every two years.  The air quality and water quality are both below the national averages.   

Retiring in Savannah does have some drawbacks.  The city has a higher than average crime rate, a problem that may be traceable to its higher than average poverty rate.   Much of Savannah is undergoing a renaissance, but not all areas of the city have been renovated and some neighborhoods should be avoided.  Six million tourists descend each year, clogging restaurants and inns.  The city is prone to flooding, although four canals have been built to mitigate the problem.   Open containers of alcohol are allowed year round in the downtown district, which some people may find objectionable.

 

And yet nearly everyone who comes to Savannah falls in love with it.  Its drawbacks are not insignificant, but weighed against its authentic Southern style, beautiful homes, nearly mystical trees, river setting, abundant senior centers, energetic cultural scene and richly textured history, Savannah is a tempting spot for retirement, indeed.

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