Engel & Völkers Savannah Relocation Guide

RELOCATION GUIDE
Savannah, Georgia

Greatness is fueled by passion. At Engel & Völkers, our passion is to create an
unforgettable experience that is discreetly tailored to each of our clients, wherever
they are in their home journey. We invite you to drop in, browse and see how
one of our professional advisors can assist you in achieving your real estate goals.

Welcome to Savannah
It is a pleasure to welcome you to Savannah, Georgia. For over thirty-five years we have been dedicated
to Savannah’s real estate industry and a contributor to its professional organizations such as historic
preservation and community revitalization.
Savannah is an ideal community for individuals, families, and businesses. Our residents enjoy an
unparalleled quality of life, while our economy and employment base show strength in manufacturing,
health care, distribution, tourism, military, film, port operation, and retail sectors.
Savannah charms its residents and visitors with its quirky culture and reputation for Southern hospitality
and grace. The area’s rich history is carefully preserved and blended with a casual and cultured lifestyle
appealing to newcomers and locals across generations. That’s why many of the city’s more than 14.5
million annual visitors decide to relocate after experiencing all that Savannah has to offer.
Dedication to professionalism and focus on superior service has been paramount to my personal and
professional success. Along with my team of outstanding associates and support staff we’ve offered
the best Savannah’s real estate industry has to offer. For over 35 years, our well-trained advisors have
been opening the door of the Coastal Empire, specializing in the marketing, listing and selling of new
and resale luxury homes, residential communities, condominiums, homesites, land, and investment
opportunities. We know the market, we know the community and we believe in excellence.
President / Licensed Partner

Community Guide
Beauty, art, climate, and culture all contribute to Savannah’s
appeal. With its fair share of classic southern neighborhood
with historical charm, Savannah offers coming for everyone.
From golfing communities overlooking the march to historic city
centers each Savannah neighborhood offers something unique.

Downtown
HISTORIC DISTRICT
Lined with oak trees and draped with Spanish
moss, Savannah’s Historic District is the heart of
this coastal city. Dotted along the Historic District’s
cobblestone streets are restaurants, boutiques,
museums, historic landmarks and more, giving the
neighborhood a relaxing and exciting atmosphere.
VICTORIAN DISTRICT
The beautiful Victorian Architecture is being
restored in this area. Many opportunities await
home buyers for personal residences or real estate
investment properties and for passersby to admire
all the beautiful homes with their ornate details.
STARLAND DISTRICT
Named after the old Starland Dairy which centered
a large preservation effort for the area. This
neighborhood blossoms with a culture of creativity.
Find coffee shops, vintage stores and art galleries
along a walk in the vibrant Starland District.
Midtown
ARDSLEY PARK
This charming neighborhood is lined with trees
and home to beautifully landscaped squares
while being just a stone’s throw away from local
restaurants and boutiques. Homes in Ardsley Park
feature architectural styles from Colonial to Spanish
Mediterranean and include grandiose mansions,
quaint bungalows, and everything in between.
PARKSIDE
This charming area radiates hometown warmth
and familiarity. The name comes from its Beaux
Arts-inspired Daffin Park. As one of Savannah’s
largest parks families and sports teams can be
found tossing baseballs and frisbees across the
green everyday. This community also plays host to
an annual neighborhood-wide yard sale.

East &
The Islands
WHITEMARSH ISLAND
Located between Savannah and Tybee this island
community offers a mix of big retail and local
shops. Gated or traditional communities, single
family and condos and lots of waterfront properties
lie in all price points here.
WILMINGTON ISLAND
With a close proximity to downtown and an easy
trip to the beach, this community of primarily
residences has just enough of a business district to
make it immensely convenient for homeowners.
TYBEE ISLAND
A beautiful twenty minute drive from downtown,
Tybee Island known as Savannah’s beach.
Beachfront homes, back island bungalows and
condos are beckoning home buyers from all over
the world. Hollywood is fond of Tybee Island
judging by the big budget films made there and the
many Hollywood celebrities that own on Tybee.
Southside
ISLE OF HOPE
A coastal riverside community in Georgia’s
tidewater zone, with streets and neighborhoods
following a horseshoe-shaped bend in the
Skidaway River. From grand historic homes along
The Bluff with views of the Isle of Hope Marina to
quaint homes in the middle of the peninsula, Isle of
Hope offers much variety and a quiet lifestyle.
COFFEE BLUFF
Once the site of two antebellum plantations this
area today is home to a few hundred families and a
small group of Carmelite nuns who live in a historic,
waterfront monastery.
SKIDAWAY ISLAND
Upscale gated communities featuring private
country clubs and deep-water marinas are nestled
among the natural grandeur of Skidaway Island’s
salt marshes and maritime forests. Made up of
3 Atlantic barrier islands, the Wassaw National
Wildlife Refuge here is only accessible by boat.

The West
POOLER
Pooler is located on the northern most point
of Chatham county and is known for its recent
growth and development. Home to Savannah’s
international airport Pooler offers countless new
neighborhoods in a convenient location.
GEORGETOWN
One of the first master planned communities in
Savannah, Georgetown now includes a variety of
single-family homes and condominiums, plus two
schools and community center with plenty of family
activities in and around the neighborhood.
SOUTHBRIDGE
A short drive west of downtown Southbridge
offers a variety of newer, larger homes. A large golf
course and community resort center encourage
plenty of neighborly interaction.
Neighboring
Counties
RICHMOND HILL
Located in Bryan County this area features
beautifully planned suburban neighborhoods
with many newer builds. Nearby schools and its
proximity to I-95 make this waterfront community a
unique place in the greater Savannah Area.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY
Surrounded by green ranches and family farms.
Many of the organic farms, horticulturists and
ranchers who participate in the weekly Forsyth
Farmers’ Market in downtown Savannah grow
produce, raise grass-fed cows, and package their
own preserves and honeys in this community.

Social Calendar
Looking for the best Savannah events and attractions? From art exhibits and live entertainment to
festivities on historic River Street, amazing SCAD art festivals, home and garden tours, sporting events,
and music festivals, there is always something fun and exciting going on in Savannah. No matter what your
interests may be you’re sure find lots to see and do in Historic Savannah from this list of annual events.
SPRING
SAVANNAH GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
IRISH FESTIVAL
STOPOVER MUSIC FESTIVAL
TYBEE IRISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH CHALLENGER USTA PRO CIRCUIT
TENNIS
SAVANNAH SCOTTISH GAMES
TYBEE ISLAND BEACH BUM PARADE
SANDARTS FESTIVAL
GREENING OF THE FOUNTAINS
ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND CELEBRATION
SAVANNAH MUSIC FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH TOUR OF HOMES AND GARDENS
PUBLIX SAVANNAH’S WOMEN’S HALF
MARATHON
TYBEE ISLAND WINE FESTIVAL
TYBEE ISLAND MARDI GRAS
NOGS TOUR OF HIDDEN GARDENS
HISTORIC SAVANNAH FOUNDATION’S
PRESERVATION FESTIVAL
SEAFOOD FEST ON THE RIVER
SIDEWALK ARTS FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH ASIAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL
TELFAIR GALA
SUMMER
REVIVAL FEST
BIG RIVER FILM FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH VOICE FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL
TYBEE ISLAND LABOR DAY BEACH BASH

BACON FEST
SAVANNAH JAZZ FESTIVAL
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS ON THE RIVER
FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS ON TYBEE
FALL
PICNIC IN THE PARK
ST.VINCENT’S ACADEMY HISTORIC TOUR OF
HOMES AND TEA
SAVANNAH GREEK FESTIVAL
JEWISH FOOD FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH PRIDE FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH SPEED CLASSIC
CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE AND MOTORING
FESTIVAL
ROCK N’ ROLL MARATHON
SAVANNAH FILM FESTIVAL
TELFAIR ART FAIR
WINTER
TASTE OF SAVANNAH
SAVANNAH FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL
HOLIDAYS ON BROUGHTON
SAVANNAH HARBOR BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS
CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER
DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES
CITY MARKET HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE
NEW YEARS EVE FIREWORKS ON THE RIVER
TYBEE NEW YEARS EVE FIREWORKS
TYBEE ISLAND POLAR PLUNGE
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PARADE
SAVANNAH BLACK HERITAGE FESTIVAL
SAVANNAH HOCKEY CLASSIC
GEORGIA HISTORY FESTIVAL
CRITZ TYBEE RUN FEST
GRAY REEF OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL
AMERICAN TRADITIONS COMPETITION
SAVANNAH BOOK FESTIVAL

Culture & Southern Charm
With ornate architecture, manicured parks and horse-drawn carriages around every corner downtown,
Savannah is brimming with plenty of culture. Everything from American Impressionism exhibitions, unique
museums and plenty of live music and theater the culture of Savannah offers an exciting lifestyle.
ARTS
Savannah has always been a haven for creative
minds, providing inspiration for native son Johnny
Mercer, who penned the classic song “Moon
River,” and countless writers including Conrad
Aiken and Flannery O’Connor. The city remains
just as culturally relevant today. With over 60 art
galleries and museums to visit, the downtown area
is bustling with activities for artists and collectors
alike. The local film scene is lively with Savannah as
the setting to many major movies and series. With
the help of the Savannah College of Art and Design
the arts are evermore prevalent, hosting events
such as the annual Film Festival and Sidewalk Arts.
SPORTING
Savannah has the perfect setting and climate to
lead an active lifestyle all year round. With events
throughout the year such as the annual Rock &
Roll Marathon or enjoying a local minor league
baseball game with the Savannah Bananas at
Grayson Stadium. The Savannah area has over 20
country clubs and more than 90 golf courses in the
surrounding area to entertain the avid golfer. Sport
fishing and hunting can be enjoyed just outside
and along Savannah’s coastal area and waterways.
NATURE
Famous for its towering oaks and Spanish moss
Savannah is known for its touch of nature. Within
Historic Downtown Savannah there are 22 parks
to explore. Outside of downtown there are plenty
of outdoor activities to enjoy, from boating on the
Wassaw Sound to walking trails on Skidaway
Island. Tybee Island is just a short drive away
where you can enjoy three miles of sandy beach.
CUISINE
Savannahians love food and celebrate more
than classic southern dishes. The popular Greek
Festival and Shalom Y’all Jewish Food Festival
are perennial favorites, while the new Savannah
Food and Wine Festival has attracted attention
from world-class chefs. Local favorites showcase
the food that, for generations, the city has been
known for. In the Downtown Historic District some
restaurants have been open for hundreds of
years while new establishments are just opening
beckoning Savannah’s culinary culture.
NIGHTLIFE
When the sun goes down in Savannah the nightlife
is just beginning. Enjoy live music from street
musicians and bars while strolling downtown with
the famous to-go cups. Nightclubs and bars stay
open until 3a.m so one may dance the night away.

Safety & Services
With a $227 million budget and over 1,700 employees, Chatham County provides a wide range of services
to include serving social needs, business development, employee training, recreational opportunities,
public safety, court services and roads and bridges construction and maintenance.
HIGHWAYS
Extending from Maine to the tip of the Florida,
Interstate 95 is conveniently located just 11 miles
from Savannah. It is easy to reach and follows
connects travelers all along the east coast. Atlanta
is just 250 miles away via I-16 which connects to
I-75 near Macon, Georgia. Travelers can reach
nearby coastal cities to the north and south
conveniently such as Hilton Head, South Carolina
and Charleston, South Carolina from I-95.
BUS TRANSIT
The Chatham County Transit offers bus, shuttle
and ferry transportation throughout Savannah
and Chatham County making the city accessible
without a car. Downtown DOT shuttles offer visitors
and residents fare-free transport across 24 stops
throughout the Savannah’s Historic District. You
can even hitch your bike on the front.
RAIL TRANSIT
Savannah is serviced by Amtrak’s Palmetto train
which offers daily service from Savannah to New
York. Additionally, the Silver Star and the Silver
Meteor connect to Washington DC, Charleston,
Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami.
WATER TRANSIT
The Chatham County Transit, in partnership with
the City of Savannah, also operates the Savannah
Belles Ferries. Providing a free water ferry service
between Downtown and Hutchinson Island to
connect the convention center with multiple pickup
and drop off spots located along the riverfront.
HEALTHCARE
Savannah has two nationally recognized medical
centers, Memorial Health University Medical Center
and St. Joseph’s Candler Health Center. These
hospitals advanced medical technology attract
people from all over southeastern Georgia and the
southern coast of South Carolina.
STEPHENS-DAY TAX EXEMPTION
Throughout Chatham County as the value of your
private residence grows, homeowner’s receive a
matching tax exception. Doing so freezes county
property tax at the original sale price of the home.
SAVANNAH/HILTON HEAD
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
In a convenient location just off I-95 and I-16
Savannah/Hilton Head International is the center
for air travel in the coastal regions of Georgia and
South Carolina. The airport exemplifies gracious
southern hospitality and service with more than
60 nonstop daily departures to more than 30
destinations. The 8 scheduled airlines include Air
Canada, Allegiant, American Airlines, Frontier,
Delta, JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines, and Delta.
Plus, with Savannah’s close proximity to Atlanta’s
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest
airport in the world, making Savannah widely
accessible globally, with a short one hour flight.

Educational Opportunities
Savannah offers many choices for private schools and offers a public school system abounding with
choice programs. Ranked as one of the top college towns in the United States, Savannah offers many
opportunities for those seeking higher education or need choices for their children and their futures.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
Of the 55 public schools serving Chatham
County’s students and their families, three
elementary schools, eight middle schools, eight
K-8 schools, eleven high schools. Together, they
served more than 38,000 students in the 2017-
18 school year. The SCCPSS continues to grow
with innovative opportunities and improved facility
offerings. Advanced placement, dual enrollment,
gifted programs, STEM Education, Career
Pathways, Twilight High School and college credit
programs are growing in popularity. SCCPSS are
using instructional technology to bring teaching to
life and providing students with the tools they will
need to be successful in college and their careers.
KINDERGARTEN/ELEMENTARY
Full-day kindergarten programs are offered at the
system’s elementary schools and K8 schools.
Children must be 5 years old on or before Sept.
1 to enroll in kindergarten that year. Children who
are age 5 by Dec. 31, who were legal residents of
one or more other states for a period of two years
immediately prior to moving to Georgia and were
enrolled in a public or accredited state or regional
kindergarten, are also eligible to enroll.
PRE-KINDERGARTEN
The SCCPSS has 62 Georgia Lottery-funded
Pre-K classes at various elementary, K8 and high
schools throughout the district. The Pre-K program
provides a full day (6.5 hours) of appropriate
educational services to age-eligible 4-year-olds
(age 4 on or before Sept. 1 of the school year)
residing in Chatham County.

K8 SCHOOLS
The K8 school model is a key component of
SCCPSS academic and school-based options
for parents. This concept maintains the school
community through the middle-school years.
Students remain in their school with friends and
faculty they have grown up with as they progress
through the middle grades. In the 2017-18 school
year, more than 7,000 students were enrolled in
the district’s K8 schools.
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS
Career and college preparation remains a critical
component as students make their transition into
the middle and high school years. With vibrant
programs that offer credit advancement, dual
enrollment, advanced placement, work-based
programs and early college options, SCCPSS is
having a positive impact on student enrollment and
graduation rates.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Both parochial and secular private schools offering
classes in Pre-K through the 12th grade range in
size from 22 students to 1,286, with annual tuition
costs ranging up from $3,000 to $20,000. As a
whole, private institutions that have high school
programs structure their programs to prepare
students for college.
REGISTERING FOR SCHOOL
To register a child for public school one will need,
parent or guardian proof of ID, completed school
registration packet, certified copy of child birth
certificate, Georgia eye ear and dental certificate,
proof of address, and certificate of immunization.
HIGHER EDUCATION
More than 60,000 students are enrolled in close to
20 public and private institutions of higher
learning in and around Savannah, many pursuing
courses of study in technology and creative arts
and sciences that contribute to and advance
Savannah’s vibrant and growing economy.
HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
HOPE stands for Helping Outstanding Pupils
Educationally and is funded by the Georgia
Lottery for Education. Georgia students who are
high school graduates and have demonstrated
academic achievement are eligible for HOPE
Scholarship assistance for colleges and
universities. The funding is greater for those
attending public institutions but assistance is
available at eligible private in-state colleges and
universities as well.

Business & Economics
Savannah offers many choices for private schools and offers a public school system abounding with
choice programs. Ranked as one of the top college towns in the United States, Savannah offers many
opportunities for those seeking higher education or need choices for their children and their futures.
THE PORT OF SAVANNAH
Located along the Savannah River the Port of
Savannah is the fourth busiest port in the United
States and handles about 20% of the East Coast
Container trade. The port creates over 350,000
jobs in the area and is a major player in Savannah’s
connection to the global economy.
MANUFACTURING
The port makes logistics of distribution a major
advantage to manufacturing in Savannah. From
business jets and paper, to sugar and construction
equipment Savannah’s manufacturing sector is
diverse. One of the recent additions is the popular
internet furniture and home decor retailer Wayfair.
AVIATION
Savannah is home to Gulfstream Areospace Corp
and situated between Boeing in Charleston and
Embraer Jets in Jacksonville making it a central
aviation hub. Local colleges contribute, creating a
specialized workforce of experts offering tailored
educational programs, allowing Gulfstream to
employ over 11,000 people locally in the area.
FILM AND TELEVISION
Georgia continues to be a top filming state and
Chatham County is second to Atlanta in the
number of movie and television series filmed in
Georgia. The City of Savannah’s Film Commission
helps drive incentives that bring large films such as
Gemini Man, Emperor, The Poison Rose, Lady and
the Tramp, and Ford vs Ferrari, released in 2019.
RETAIL & RESTAURANTS
With local antiques to national chains Savannah’s
shopping has it all. Downtown Savannah’s best
known street for shopping is Broughton Street
dotted with restaurants and boutiques of all types.
The downtown Design District offers curated
local boutiques and home accessory stores near
Whitaker and Jones Street. In the midtown area,
the Starland District is an up and coming area of
trendy eateries and vintage shops. Along Abercorn
Street find many big box stores and markets as
well as Oglethorpe Mall and Savannah Mall. Just
off of I-95 shopping in Pooler is home to a large
selection of stores at the Tanger Outlets.

MILITARY
With a storied history of military presence since
the revolutionary war, today Savannah remains a
vital hub. Home to the Mighty Eighth Air Force, U.S
Coast Guard, Air National Guard and more. Hunter
Army Airfield is the largest and part of the Fort
Stewart Complex headquartered 40 miles outside
of Savannah in Hinesville. Being the largest military
instillation east of the Mississippi they have a $4.9
billion total impact on the local economy.
TOURISM
In 2018 Savannah welcomed over 14.5 million
visitors with spending exceeding $3 billion. The
tourism and hospitality segment is ever growing in
the historic downtown and surrounding areas.
$1.98
$1.94
VISITOR SPENDING (In Billions)
$1.63
$1.70
$1.94
$2.10
$2.30
$2.50
$2.70
$2.80
$2.91
$3.00
07’ 08’ 09’ 10’ 11’ 12’ 13’ 14’ 15’ 16’ 17’ 18’
MAJOR EMPLOYERS
GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION
FT. STEWART/HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD
CHATHAM COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
MEMORIAL HEALTH
ST. JOSEPH’S/CANDLER HEALTH SYSTEM
CITY OF SAVANNAH PUBLIC SERVICES
SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
CHATHAM COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICES
GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY
GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
PARKER’S CORPORATION
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
SOUTHCOAST MEDICAL GROUP
INTERNATIONAL PAPER
JCB AMERICAS
DOLLAR TREE
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
THE LANDINGS CLUB
GEORGIA POWER COMPANY
BRASSELER USA
IMPERIAL SUGAR
OA LOGISTICS
ONBRAND24
TMX FINANCE
STRENGTH OF NATURE GLOBAL
IP MILL - PORT WENTWORTH
PORT CITY LOGISTICS

By the Numbers
SAVANNAH:
146,444
POPULATION
SAVANNAH MSA:
347,611
CLIMATE
SUNSHINE PER YEAR:
216 DAYS
AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:
SPRING 66º
SUMMER 81º
AUTUMN 68º
WINTER 51º
AVERAGE COMMUTE
SAVANNAH 18.9
ATLANTA 24.4
NEW YORK 39.6
CHARLOTTE 23.7
JACKSONVILLE 23.5
CHARLESTON 20.6
EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY
HEALTHCARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES 13.3%
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES 7.2%
ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICE 14.3%
RETAIL TRADE 12.5%
TRANSPORTATION AND WAREHOUSE 8.1%
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES 8.2%
CONSTRUCTION 4.0%
MANUFACTURING 10.2%
PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC 3.4%
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION 5.5%
OTHER 13.3%
OUR AREA CODE:
912
AREA IN HISTORIC DISTRICT:
2.2 square miles
MILES TO THE BEACH:
17
HISTORIC SQUARES:
22
YEAR SAVANNAH WAS FOUNDED:
1733
HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE:
43.7%

Retirement
Savannah is the perfect place to experience life when you retire. A combination of desirable subtropical
climate and wealth of cultural, educational and recreational activities retiring here is richly rewarding.
AN ACTIVE ENVIRONMENT
Savannah has many ongoing programs to help
seniors lead healthy, active and well informed
lives. The area has breathtaking botanical scenery
from Historic Downtown to the beaches. With
a multitude of cultural events there are endless
opportunities to connect with the community.
Savannah is full of history and with one of the
largest National Historic Districts, hosts the
Georgia History Festival every year. The festival
opens up more than 100 historical sites and
museums for free. Among many annual events
every day Savannah’s natural beauty offers plenty
to do. Downtown is home to many parks and
squares that each offer something different, like
shade from oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
Of the parks, Forsyth Park is the largest with more
than 30 acres. Retiring in the Savannah area offers
the perfect mix of an active culture and relaxation.
TAX FRIENDLINESS
The state of Georgia is known to have some of the
most retiree-friendly tax legislation in the country.
Social Security, as well as retirement income up to
$35,000, is exempt from taxes for individuals 62
and older, while a $65,000 exemption is available
to those who are 65 and older. Georgia also boasts
some of the lowest sales taxes in the United States
with a 4% state levy and an average combined
rate of 7.0%. In some cases seniors will enjoy a
deduction on property taxes depending on age,
income as well as property value.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The state public colleges and universities,
Savannah State University and the Armstrong
Campus of Georgia Southern, offer free tuition for
residents aged 62 or older meaning it is never too
late to continue or begin your higher education.
If a creative path is calling you Savannah is home
to the world renowned Savannah College of Art
and Design, with a nontraditional campus spread
throughout the historical downtown area. The
university also hosts many events open to all
residents such as the Savannah Film Festival.

A Brief History
Records of Savannah’s history begin in 1733, the
year General James Oglethorpe and one hundred
and fourteen passengers aboard the “Anne”
landed on a high bluff along the Savannah River.
Oglethorpe named the thirteenth and final American
colony “Georgia” after England’s King George II and
established its first city, Savannah. Upon settling,
Oglethorpe made peace with the Tomochichi, a
native Yamacraw. As a result the city would thrive
without warfare or hardship that effected the growth
of some of America’s early colonies.
In 1778, during the Revolutionary War, Savannah
came under British and Loyalist control. A year later
at the Siege of Savannah, American and French
troops fought unsuccessfully to retake the city. Once
independence was secured the city flourished.
Many farmers discovered the soil was rich and the
climate was favorable for plants like cotton and rice.
Plantations and slavery became highly profitable
systems for whites in the neighboring “Lowcountry”
so Georgia a free state, legalized slavery. The trans-
Atlantic slave trade brought many African-American
through the port of Savannah, many whom stayed
and formed the unique Gullah culture on the coast
seen today on a short boat ride to Daufuskie Island.
Prior to arriving in America, Oglethorpe developed
an elaborate plan for the growth of towns and
regions within the framework of a sustainable
agrarian economy. The plan was to offer a new start
to the working poor of England. Within General
Oglethorpe’s plans the city was laid out in a series
of grids which allowed for wide open streets woven
in with landscaped squares and parks that served
as town meeting places and centers of businesses.
Within each square the east and west sides
were trust lots dedicated for public buildings and
churches. Savannah came to be known as America’s
first planed city still seen today.
With the wealth residents built lavish homes and
churches throughout the city. The city rivaled
neighboring Charleston as a commercial port and
soon many of the worlds cotton prices would be
set by the Savannah Cotton Exchange. The state
assembly gathered in Savannah to found the nation’s
first state-chartered public university, the University
of Georgia. In 1792 the first known American golf
club, The Savannah Golf Club, was founded on what
is now President Street. In later years the Candler
Hospital was founded and is the second oldest
hospital in American with continuous operation.

Going into the eighteen hundreds Savannah faced
many hardships. A fire in 1796 and another in 1820
left half of Savannah in ashes. Residents soon rebuilt
but again in 1820 hardship struck in the form of
yellow fever. Following, a hurricane damaged parts
of the city in 1824. Still Savannah bounced back
coming to be known as the most picturesque and
serene city in America, known for its grand oaks
adorned with Spanish moss and famous for its
Southern Hospitality.
As the nineteenth century progressed and the civil
war ended Savannah’s population increased and its
wealth exponentially as a result of the reemergence
of cotton as a cash crop and industrialization
exports. Industries thrived in Savannah until the
boll weevil outbreak destroyed most of the cotton
and the economy. Around that same time the great
depression began and then followed the World Wars
halting Savannah’s growth.
During the Civil War the city suffered from trade
restrictions and the economy suffered. Union
soldiers captured Fort Pulaski at the mouth of the
Savannah River along what is now Tybee Road.
Yet the city itself did not fall until General Sherman
entered Savannah in mid-December after his march
destroying much of the South. It is said upon
entering Savannah, Sherman was so impressed by
Savannah’s beauty and charm that he could not
destroy it. Days before Christmas, Sherman sent
a famous telegram to President Abraham Lincoln
offering him the city as a Christmas present.
It wasn’t until the nineteen fifties when Savannah
revitalized again, not just economically but also
culturally and aesthetically. Although new growth and
expansion threatened Savannah’s historic district
and beauty. A group of women banded together to
systematically preserve historic structures threatened
by the wrecking ball, their endeavors created the
Historic Savannah Foundation. Soon the arts grew
and created new opportunities for the city. Today, the
Historical Savannah Foundation is credited as saving
the elegant architecture, ornate ironwork, beautiful
fountains and lush squares that make up the charm
we know and enjoy throughout the Historic District.

Our Shop
In 2016, Engel & Völkers Savannah opened its doors, bringing the firm’s
global network and exclusive level of service to real estate buyers and
sellers in this culturally and historically-rich, vibrant city.
Formerly Mopper Kelly, REALTORS, one of the leading real estate
companies in the area, Engel & Völkers Savannah offers luxury homes for
sale in Savannah, GA, and the surrounding communities.
With a main office situated at 31 West Congress Street in Historic
Downtown Savannah, we provide leading services for buyers and sellers of
premier homes in Historic Savannah and its surrounding communities.

(912) 238-0874
SAVANNAH.EVREALESTATE.COM