Home buyers who want to experience the early 18th century on a daily basis should start their search in the Savannah Historic District, which encompasses most of downtown Savannah. Originally Georgia’s state capital before Atlanta, Savannah remains one of the most desirable cities in the entire Southeastern United States thanks to its historic homes and neighborhoods.
A Long, Rich History
Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, who designed Savannah around a series of city squares to provide room for military service members to run drills. The original four squares turned into 24 over the years, 22 of which are still maintained today though they are now used as public parks and cultural centers. All residents of Historic Downtown Savannah are within walking distance of the city’s squares.
These squares serve another important purpose: over the years, they’ve prevented excessive growth, and Savannah is still one of the most well-designed and comfortable cities in the entire world. Because downtown Savannah was declared a landmark district in 1966, many residents live in the city’s original homes restored to their 18th century roots.
K-12 and Higher Education
K-12 students attend Brock Elementary School, Hubert Middle School, and Beach High School. High school grads can go on to attend one of Savannah’s numerous colleges and technical institutes including the Savannah College of Art & Design, commonly referred to as SCAD.
Cultural Events
As Georgia’s fifth largest city, Savannah always has plenty of things to do. The Department of Cultural Affairs organizes seven major festivals open to the public each year including the Savannah Music Festival in March and the ever-popular Savannah Film Festival around Halloween, which included Abigail Breslin, Jeremy Irons, and Natalie Dormer as honored guests in 2013.
Residents can also catch theater productions at the Black Box Theater, an intimate venue that seats 100. Live shows including Les Misérables and Grease show up to five times every week at the Historic Savannah Theater, which first opened in 1818.
Savannah is also home to numerous museums including the Savannah History Museum, SCAD Museum of Art, and Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Working with a Savannah real estate company, prospective home buyers should be able to find a property next door to one of Savannah’s cultural attractions.
Parking and Transportation
Historic Downtown Savannah is a cultural hub, so it has plenty of public parking including the Robinson Garage and AAA Parking. Whitaker St and Drayton St are one-way north-south streets that keep traffic flowing, and Oglethorpe Ave is the main east-west route through the historic district.
Shopping and Food
Even though the city dates back to the early 18th century, Savannah is comprised of a variety of diverse neighborhoods, and residents can easily find new foods and shops to explore. The Olde Pink House gives residents a taste of traditional Southern food while Sushi Zen Downtown specializes in Japanese cuisine.
Nearby Cities and Attractions
Even though home buyers will immediately fall in love with the city, their Savannah real estate company representatives will be ready to list hundreds of fun and memorable activities for the entire family. Positioned right on the coast, Savannah is a short two-hour drive from Charleston, SC and Jacksonville, FL, both of which have plenty of cultural events and shopping opportunities of their own. There is never a lack of fun events, making Historic Downtown Savannah a charming neighborhood with character.