Rock & Roll Marathon Savannah

You have to be living under rock to not have heard the buzz about the Rock'n'Roll Marathon that is taking place this weekend here in Savannah. Not being much of a runner I had some questions about this big event that is taking over our city tomorrow. First question, was ok what's the big deal anyway? The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series is the ‘world’s largest running series’ featuring live bands along the course, cheer teams and entertaining water stations. The outdoor festival will encapsulate Savannah in its entirety and culminate with a finish line festival featuring the band Jackyl. It is however a rock and roll marathon so there is more than one band, there are actually a total of 24 bands along the race route that will be playing. If you would like to listen to any of the music (since it’s free) here is a link to a list of the bands and their venues.

Who Puts This Marathon On?

Competitor Group, Inc. a Global Services, Media and Event Entertainment Company headquartered in San Diego CA owns and operates the marathon. CGI owns and operates 83 events around the world, including the flagship Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series. CGI also owns five magazines; Velo, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete, Women’s Running and Competitor. They operate 30 events in the The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series, everywhere from Madrid, Las Vegas, Montreal, and New York. For Savannah to host such a large international event is monumental. No wonder all my running friends are going crazy about this event being here.

The Most Spirited Neighborhood

Since the event covers the entire city there will be many road closures. Here is a link to a list of the closures, or here is a link to a map of the course if you prefer to plan your routes that way. However if you prefer to hang at home, or maybe you are close enough to bike or walk to a section of the race there is a neighborhood Spirit Station competition that includes prize money. The contest is called Rock around the Block. Such a clever way to get people on board with the race in their neighborhood!

Other Events

• There is a Health & Fitness Expo Today (Friday Nov. 8^th) at the Convention Center. No Entrance Fee
• An official Pasta Party offered by Connect Tonight (Friday Nov. 8^th) from 5-9pm at the Charles H. Morris Center 10 E. Broad Street with live music (of course). You can purchase tickets here.
• Runners can earn ‘Heavy Medals’ by completing more than one event in a calendar year.
• But wait there is more … even kids can participate in the marathon! There is a non-competitive one mile run for children in grades k-7 which takes place on Sunday 2:00pm at Daffin Park. Learn more and register here.

Community Profile: Historic Downtown Savannah

Savannah's founder, General James Oglethorpe, had already planned the layout of Downtown Savannah when he arrived here in 1733. His progressive ideology involved an interactive mix of architecture and green space with the intent of blending peoples from all walks of life.

Per his plans, Historic Downtown Savannah is a blend of stately homes and townhouses along with a stock of commercial spaces all centered around the original squares. The famous squares of downtown Savannah are lush green spaces shaded by magnificent live oaks dripping Spanish moss. Benches set beneath the trees allow visitors and residents alike to witness the blur of activity. From horse drawn carriage tours to darting bicycle messengers modern day Downtown Savannah is a unique microcosm that serves to confirm its founder's original intent as a vibrant urban melting pot.

Perhaps ironically, Georgia's First City is also home to the most cutting-edge art school in America, Savannah College of Art and Design. It has called downtown Savannah home for 30 years and has grown in prestige from oddball upstart status to international acclaim, all along keeping its feet firmly planted in the heart of the city.

-- Savannah College of Art and Design
-- Streetscape
-- Squares
-- Unique old structures
-- Boutiques, restaurants and galleries
-- Forsyth Park

14th Annual Savannah Pride Festival

A Pride celebration is for everyone. An opportunity to celebrate who we are, and the joy of our differences. This weekend we will be celebrating the true nature of ourselves, all of us, whoever we are, whatever our heritage, gender, or sexual identity, at the Savannah Pride festival in Forsyth Park. And a celebration it will be! In celebration of years past the atmosphere during the day has been one of joy, the air was filled with music and laughter. This year will be like years past with even more to celebrate regarding achieving equality among us.

Savannah Pride festival is different from others in the nation, because as president of Savannah Pride Mark Hill has said “ We don’t sequester ourselves away. It is a community picnic where we see friends and make some new ones.” There will be plenty going on during the day at this park-wide picnic. Dozens of vendors and lots of local talent. Stop by our tent (Don Callahan Real Estate Group) for a chance to win an iPad mini! We hope to see you there.

Here is the schedule for Saturday: 

11:30 a.m.: Welcome and opening ceremony
Noon: Dylan Michael
12:45 p.m.: Dale Worley Band
1:45 p.m.: Jeremiah Clark
2:30 p.m.: Stephen Neil
3 p.m.: Welcome from Savannah Mayor Edna Jackson
3:15 p.m.: Christy Alan Band
4:15 p.m.: Lindsey Hinkle
5 p.m.: She and She
5:45 p.m.: Dance party
6:15 p.m.: Kristina Foxx and the Club One Cabaret
7:30 p.m.: Roxxxy Andrews
8 p.m.: Cusses
9 p.m.: Closing ceremony 

Did you Know?

• Approximately 70% of people on Facebook in the U.S. are connected to a friend who has expressly identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual on their timeline. #PrideConnectsUs
• The federal government recently provided access to the full range of benefits that are offered to opposite-sex married military couples to same-sex couples.
• Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ginsberg came out in support of gay marriage by officiating at marriage of a two close male friends of hers. Ginsburg said equality has always been central to the Constitution, even if society has only applied it to minorities – be they women, blacks or gays – over time.
• The U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional on June 26, 2013, “as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.”

3rd Annual Coastal Empire Surfers for Autism Beach Festival

Tybee Island will be transformed into a beach bash on September 7^th for a very special group of kids. The beach by the pavilion will be filled with families, volunteers and children, special needs children who have a chance to feel the sweet taste of success, fun and self-confidence by learning how to surf. Surfers for Autism, a non-profit organization, will be hosting the event from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The therapeutic benefits of the surfing activity to children and young adults within the autism spectrum cannot be put into words and must be experienced.

At a Surfers for Autism event, the surfers are provided a safe, fun, judgment free environment where highly skilled surf instructors carefully guide the children into waves. Each child is accompanied with two or three volunteers and a "master" surfer who take the kids into the water one at a time. Each child is in the water for 25 minutes, then a new session is started with another child. The sessions continue rotating until 4:00 pm.

This is a very special day where children with developmental delays interact with typical peers and

wow families with their capabilities. The result is always the same: complete and total transformation in a moment. Transformative moments are not the exclusive province of the surfers, as parents also undergo a shift in thinking. Goals and milestones once missed or forgotten suddenly come into sharp focus. For many of the families, it’s a day they never thought they would experience.  Many times autistic children are sensitive to auditory stimulation, but here they can just enjoy being a kid.

A Few Testimonials From Past Events

Amy Spalter Schwartz: “I am awestruck at what a difference you all have made in my son’s life, but not just Spenser’s life, but our whole family. When he is out there surfing, he is a completely different child. This is the ONLY extracurricular activity he has had ANY interest in sticking with.” 

Caryn Jones Hamblen: Words cannot express our gratitude for today. What an amazing event! Dylan said it best, “This is the best day, ever!"

Kara Collins: I will never forget the joy I saw on my daughter’s face that day, the pride she felt that she was enough- just the way she was. She made friends and no one cared who spun in circles or said something inappropriate, they just welcomed you for who you were. Now we own Boogie boards and sun shirts and count down the days until the next event, when she isn’t a girl with Asperser’s- she is just a girl who is 7 catching a wave.

Surfers With Hearts as Big as Their Ambition

Surfers for Autism was founded in Deerfield Beach Fla in December of 2007 with a handful of local surfers. There was a local surf club in Florida. One of the members' brothers was touched with autism, so they got together to take some kids with autism and related special abilities surfing, and the rest is history. Although the SFA has events internationally most of the coordination for an event is on the local community level. While surfing with special athletes is certainly the centerpiece, events have morphed into massive beach parties replete with concerts, catered cuisine, gaming tents and much more.

This Saturday at Tybee Island there will be an activities tent and other resources available. Musician Cody Blake will be performing on the beach, his big brother is one of the participating surfers. In addition Lunch and water for the families will be provided plus the opportunity to enjoy time with other families just like their own. 

The Don Callahan Real Estate Group will be there volunteering this Saturday. Tybee's Surfers for Autism beach festival has an open invitation to anyone.

Photos from Surfers for Autism.

Savannah, GA an Accessible City

Historic Savannah is an extremely beautiful southern city, with its famous squares, 19th century architecture, and oak tree 

lined streets dripping with Spanish moss. An unpublished fact about Savannah is what a bicycle and walking friendly city it is. 

A Very Accessible City

Every street has a sidewalk creating easy accessibility to shops, hotels, restaurants, galleries and down to River Street on the waterfront. Tourists love the fact that it is a wonderful walking city, Savannah is small enough that one can walk to just about anywhere. The infamous Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has the city as its campus. SCAD buildings are sprawled throughout the city inhabiting some of the older historic buildings. Students either bike, walk, ride scooters or take the local city buses to get around to their classes. Most students use bikes, so it’s a very bike friendly city. In fact many of the more narrow streets have bicycle lanes. Many residents also bike to their destinations. With biking being so popular in Savannah there are several thriving bicycle shops located downtown.

Bicycling Advantages

Bicycling has so many advantages; healthier than driving, saving on gas for the environment and the pocketbook. Plus parking

is much easier with biking, just lock it to a parking meter that some else will be putting money into. But there are some other hidden advantages for the residential community where there are lots of bikers, and bicycle lanes. Atlanta is putting in bicycle lanes and in so doing is taking a look at the community advantages of spending to do this. Rebecca Serna, Atlanta Bicycle Coalition executive director says both avid cyclists and casual bikers are increasingly likely to pay upwards of $5,000 more for a home if it means more space — on the street, that is. Also the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition is currently conducting a study on the commercial business effects and economic benefits of local bike infrastructure, due to be released this fall. "Those looking to sell will certainly benefit from the qualitative selling points — greater mobility, access to popular city hubs, shorter commutes to work. So even if you don’t bike yourself, you can still benefit from those that do in your community.  

The Economic Benefits of Bicycling

Here are some facts from the National Bikes Belong organization (sponsored by the U.S. bicycle industry). The average bicycle shop has 6 full-time employees. With approximately 4,200 specialty bicycle retailers in the U.S., this totals 25,620 people employed full-time by these retailers. A 20-year study of efforts to make streets less convenient for autos and better for pedestrians and cyclists found that after changes are implemented, businesses in these areas show stronger growth than auto-friendly shopping centers. Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects create up to double the jobs (11-14) of road infrastructure projects (7) per $1 million spent. Homes located on a bike boulevard are worth $5,757 more than homes not on one. Houses located in areas with above-average levels of walk-ability [or bike-ability] are worth up to $34,000 more than similar houses in areas with average walk-ability levels.

Wisdom 2.0; Wisdom and Compassion in a Digital Age

Want to learn about something that is totally uplifting and will bring you hope? Well wander on over to wisdom2conference.com and learn about a unique conference, Wisdom 2.0, that will be taking place this February. No it’s not a conference on how to be successful in business. Haven’t we had enough of those? This annual conference which is in its third year is about how ‘to live connected to one another through technology, but do so in ways that are beneficial to our own well-being, effective in our work, and useful to the world.’  The conference brings together people from all over the world and through workshops, social media conversations, and think tank style gatherings they strive to ‘to bring this conversation to the world in an accessible, innovative, and inclusive way.’  Wisdom 2.0 is ‘about exploring living with awareness, wisdom and compassion in modern life.’

They bring speakers from different sectors together including technology, wisdom traditions, neuroscience, game development, and more. Past speakers have included the founders of Facebook, Twitter, PayPal and wisdom teachers from different spiritual traditions such as Eckhart Tolle and Mindfulness teacher Jon Kabar-Zinn. The goal is to learn how to live with greater presence, purpose, and wisdom in the digital age.  Jack Kornfield was one of the speakers at the 2013 conference his definition of wisdom is “bringing body heart world mind together in the wholeness that it is.” Biz Stone, founder of Twitter, defines wisdom as: “understanding plus experience and the ability to use that understanding and experience to make a difference, to action to do something real …”  Thupten Jinpa, Center for Compassion defines wisdom as: “global, wisdom also is more of an understanding, … wisdom is experiential, … it gives rise to understanding interconnections come into the picture.”

"Where the technology and contemplative communities ... hash out the best ways to incorporate these tools into our lives—and keep them from taking over." - Wired Magazine

Watch this video for some inspiration on wisdom.

2013 Wisdom 2.0 Conference from rishio on Vimeo.

4th of July Celebration in Savannah

When: July 4- 7
Hours: Thurs: 4 -11
Hours: Friday: noon-11
Hours: Saturday: 10 -11
Hours: Sunday: 10-5
Where: Savannah Riverfront
Admission: Free

Celebration Well Known in the Country

On Thursday the 4^th of July the celebration starts at 4 pm on the Rousakis Plaza near River Street.  The Plaza will be filled with artists, local entertainment, and fun for the entire family! Grab your chair (and get there early) to watch the sky light up for the Fireworks Extravaganza on Thursday the 4^th. Relax in the shade of oak trees and sip a cool lemonade with friends in the heart of Savannah’s historic district. Free fireworks display starts at about 9:30 pm. Watch the brilliant display in the sky as the waters of the Savannah River shimmer with color from the eruption of color.

Entertainment All Weekend Long

The riverfront will be celebrating the Fourth of July all weekend from July 4-7! Enjoy artists, local entertainment and fun for the entire family. Live music will be featured throughout the entire festive weekend. On Thursday The Accomplices play at 8:30, Friday and Saturday offers music starting at 3:30, then another musical group at 6:00 and a third group at 8:30. Wrapping up the holiday weekend on Sunday the Magic Rocks play at 1:00 pm.  Friday, July 5th is the first annual Burger Wars challenge.   This head to head competition will feature local Restaurants and be hosted by our favorite Savannah foodie, Jesse Blanco from Eat It and Like It. Savannah Cornhole and Rock 106.1 will be co-hosting a cornhole (also known as a bean bad toss) tournament on Saturday, July 6 at 1 1am on River Street. Teams can pre-register for this competition online at Rock106.1.com.

Insider Tips:

Bring your own water and folding chair! It’s July and it will be hot, your best shot at finding a shady spot is to come early. Remember to bring cash there will be plenty of vendors and great food - not all take cards. Also it’s always faster if you have cash. If you bring your dog, make sure it’s leashed and please remember to bring baggies to clean up after your pet.

Parking

Parking will be tight so try and get a spot early here is a list of lots and garages that are in close proximity to the river:

• Liberty Street Parking Garage – 401 W. Liberty St
•  Liberty/Whitaker Parking Lot – Liberty & Whitaker
•  River Street Parking lot 1 – Banard Ramp & River Street
•  River Street Parking Lot 2 – Banard Ramp & River Street
• River Street Parking lot 3 – Abercorn Ramp & River Street
• Robinson Parking Garage – 132 Montgomery St
• Savannah Civic Center Parking Lot
• Savannah Visitor Center 301 Martin Luther King Blvd
• State Street Parking Garage – 100 E. State St
• Whitaker Street Parking Garage – 7 Whitaker Street

Charming Parkside Bungalow Short Sale a Steal!

1318 E. 51^th Street Savannah, GA 31404

Listing Details:

Year Built: 1933

Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 1
Living Area: 1148 Sq. Ft
MLS Number: 111365 
See our website for more photos.

Beautiful Setting in Historic Parkside

This charming brick bungalow stands on a corner lot in the historic Parkside neighborhood-one of Savannah's most desirable areas. Leafy shade covered streets and Craftsman style homes are a hallmark of this midtown neighborhood. Located immediately adjacent to Daffin Park, Savannah's largest, though less famous green space, Parkside is a quaint close-knit community offering an affordable alternative to Ardsley Park, its cousin to the west. The Waters Avenue corridor provides access to local businesses and boutiques as well as a quick route to the South-side or Downtown Savannah. Beautifully restored hardwood floors throughout create a cozy feel for this well light bungalow. Plaster walls and detailed crown moldings accentuate the quaint period architecture. A wonderful breezy sun-room with louvered windows is a relaxing place to sit and enjoy a cool glass of lemonade during the summer months. In the winter step right from the sun-room into the living room and warm up in front of the tiled and molding framed fireplace. The cozy dining room located right off the kitchen is well lit with two well placed windows.  

Ample Light & Counter Space in This Kitchen

The updated kitchen is Terra Cotta tiles and is complemented with newer quality wood cabinetry. Two windows provide ample light for the well laid out kitchen. Modern appliances with a microwave over the gas range are wonderful to work with in this kitchen, which also has plenty of counter space. There are two bedrooms and one bathroom downstairs and a bonus room in the walk-up attic that could be converted to a third bedroom. There is even a one car garage with a rear deck overlooking a spacious backyard.

Location, Location, Location

Parkside is repeatedly on the "Best Of" lists, the area is highly sought-after because its proximity to Savannah's second most famous emerald jewel - Daffin Park. The park is home to multiple ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, swimming pool and minor league baseball stadium. A perimeter sidewalk is a favorite run/walk for Savannah's outdoor lovers. This house is less than a mile from the soon-to-open Whole Foods Market/Chipotle Grill/Petsmart as well as the bustling Victory/Skidaway corridor and its shops and businesses. Access to the Truman Parkway is easy and the home is in close proximity to two hospitals and two shopping centers. Red-hot Habersham Village is also an easy jaunt away. This home looks like a steal!  Call Don for a showing of this home: 912- 232-8580

Savannah GA a Great Place To Relocate

Steeped in art, history and culture, Savannah offers a unique blend of bright talent, cool creativity and an exceptionally high-quality of life. With Savannah’s mild climate, fascinating architecture, well preserved history, and southern charm, it’s not a wonder that the Conde Nast Traveler magazine rated the city one of the top ten cities in the USA. (Oct. 2009) The average seasonal temperatures are 66 degrees in spring; 81 degrees in summer; 68 degrees in fall and 51 degrees in winter making outdoor activities possible year-round. Because of that local officials made sure to provide numerous parks in the city so there is always a place to play ball, tennis or simply stroll under the oak trees dripping with Spanish moss.

Plenty of Activities

If you enjoy being on the water than Savannah/Chatham county is a the place to be as there are 420 miles of navigable waters twisting through nearly 87,000 acres of tidal marshlands. A fisherman’s dream with inshore and offshore opportunities for saltwater anglers, and plenty of rivers and creeks for the sportsmen who prefer fishing in fresh water. If you are not a water person there are 27 annual festivals that take place in Savannah. Some of the top few are The Savannah Music Festival, which attracts international talent and lasts for an entire week. Other weekend long festivals include the Savannah Film Festival, the Savannah Jazz festival and the 4^th of July celebration on the Riverfront. Savannah is also known for the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebration, when local shops close for the day of festivities.

Strong Economic Base

Savannah boasts a flourishing economy balanced on a strong multi-tiered economy that

includes a thriving port, increasing tourism, a stabilizing manufacturing sector and significant military presence. The manufacturing sector is a large part of the economy, with 226 manufacturing facilities in Chatham County producing goods that range from jets to baked goods with annual payrolls totally nearly $700 million. The largest plants include Gulfstream Aerospace, an executive jet aircraft manufacturer; and International Paper, the largest producer of paper for paper bags in the United States. The transportation industry, centered on the Port of Savannah, is a vital element of the economic mix. It is the fourth largest container port in the country, shipping to more than 150 countries around the world. Savannah is one of the south-east’s leading seaports and cargo hubs. Shipping activity is focused on the Port of Savannah, which is supported by two railroads and two interstate highways as well as Savannah International Airport. Tourism is an active and rapidly growing segment of the economy. The city's attractiveness as a visitor destination is enhanced by its charming historic district, accommodations, and accessibility. The city houses two major hospitals employing over 7,700 healthcare employees. In addition Memorial Hospital is a teaching facility. Savannah is unique in having a large tract of waterfront land open for development and located close to the central business and historic districts. Recently completed projects on the tract include the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center and Westin Savannah Harbor Resort, a 403-room luxury facility.

Multiple Educational Venues

The educational sector is strong source of employment with 13 colleges offering undergraduate and graduate programs, and 3 technical colleges. Home to one of the largest art and design schools in the country, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) offers bachelor and master of fine arts programs and graduate courses in architecture. The school is spread throughout the city offering students the opportunity to become familiar with the beautiful city via bicycle. Founded in 1993, the School of Visual Arts/Savannah, part of the School of Visual Arts/New York, awards bachelor's degrees in arts, computer graphics, sculpture, and other arts-related disciplines.

Cost of Living

Savannah is a relatively inexpensive town in which to live and do business. Outlook Magazine ranked Savannah as "one of the top 25 places to live and work." The Savannah metro cost of living index is 93.9. Median Household Income: $46,785. There are approximately 3,103 homes on the market in Chatham County with an average sale price of: $190,765. A destination of choice young professionals are trading in major-metro stress and suburban sprawl for the city’s wide range of cool new and old neighborhoods.

Great Neighborhoods

Mostly residential, Ardsley Park is the poster child for the all-American neighborhood. Laid out in 1910 as a suburb to the downtown district – this area has become a staple for Savannah families and neighborhood businesses. Designated a National Historic District, Ardsley is proud, protected and kept in prime condition. Ardsley Park Area Media Income is $81,000, population. The architecture of the homes in this sought after neighborhood ranges from bungalows and Federal style and some grander colonial styles.

 As part of the famous Low Country of Georgia, Savannah has an abundance of marsh-front and waterfront communities. Collectively they are known as The Islands. Isle of Hope is timeless with its white picket fences, classic cottages and adjoining lanes with river views. Dutch Island is an exclusive, gated community, with roomy homes, manicured lawns and traditional architecture. Long Point is a purely residential, a gated community home to about 150 families situated in the middle of downtown, Southside and the beach. Wilmington and Talahi Islands’ residents are lucky to be book ended by downtown and the beach – each within a 10-minute drive. Tybee Island is Savannah’s only barrier island, boasting 3 miles of surf and sand. An eclectic bunch, its residences are young, old, single, married, conservative, artistic, wealthy, and not so wealthy. And, they all manage to see eye-to-eye on this funky, little isle.

Savannah Midtown Neighborhoods Have It All

Midtown Savannah has some of the most sought after neighbors to live in. Baldwin Park, Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent and Parkside are the neighborhoods considered midtown and are all in a historic district.  Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent was developed beginning in 1910 as two adjacent planned subdivisions, a twentieth century variant of  General Oglethorpe’s original city plan. The centerpiece of the neighborhood is a center mall lined with palmettos starting at The Savannah Arts Academy and ending at Tiedeman Park. The neighborhood borders Victory drive, a main artery through Savannah that goes out to Tybee Island. North of Chatham Crescent, on the other side of Victory Drive is Baldwin Park which was originally the northern portion of Chatham Crescent. Baldwin Park is a narrow strip running from Waters Ave. to 40th, and then to Price. At the northeast corner of Baldwin Park (Waters & Victory) is Savannah’s Beaux-Arts styled Daffin Park. Bordering the southern side of the park is the nationally registered historic Parkside neighborhood, literally named because the community borders Daffin Park. Parkside is lined with majestic oak trees draped with Spanish moss and large sidewalks offering a short walk to Daffin Park.

Convenient Midtown Has It All 

From midtown there is esay access to historic downtown Savannah, and Forsyth Park.  The Truman

Parkway which takes one out to the south side of Savannah is a hop skip and a jump to get onto. Victory drive, with its beautifully canopied Spanish moss covered oak trees, runs to Daffin Park, Grayson Stadium, the soon to arrive Whole Foods, and Petsmart. Just past the new Whole Foods store is Victory Square Shopping Center (Victory and Skidaway) which hosts Home Depot, Target, Stapels a movieplex, and numerous places to eat. Continuing on Victory Drive, or Rt 80, is Wilmington Island and then on to one of the 10 best beaches on the eastern sea-board, Tybee Island.

What Are The Homes Like?

In the Ardlsey Park/Chatham Crescent Area the architectural styles are interpretations of almost every revival and eclectic style popular in the early twentieth century. They are predominantly one- and two-story, single family homes, many of which have free standing garages in the rear. Baldwin Park abuts the earlier Victorian neighborhoods and many of the lots were the first to be sold in the Chatham Crescent neighborhood making much of the style Victorian and Craftsman in nature. The houses in Parkside are mostly one- and two-story brick-and-frame dwellings built between 1914 and 1947 and feature a variety of architectural styles that include Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, and English Vernacular Revival. Along Victory Drive which divides Baldwin Park and Chatham Crescent are mix of Colonial Revival and Federal styled homes and mansions, some quite grand with large columns and impressive architectural details.

What Schools Are There?

Savannah Arts Academy - Programs: Art, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Dance, Music, Special Education: Gifted Students, Vocational Education: Health, Phys Ed
Windsor Forest - Programs: Art, Computer Science, Drama, Journalism, Literature, Music, Vocational Education: Agriculture Education, Drivers Ed, Health, Special Education: Gifted Students, Hearing Specialists, Mentally Challenged, Advanced Placement in: Science, Social Studies, English, Math
Herchel V Jenkins - Programs: Art, Computer Science, Social Sciences, Economics, Fine Arts, Music Theory, Vocational Education: Agriculture Education, Health, Phys Ed, Special Education; Emotionally Challenged, Mentally Challenged, Speech/Language Pathologists, Advanced Placement in; Science, Social Studies, English, Computers, Math
St. Vincent’s Academy (Catholic) - Programs: Art, Choral, Music, Computer Programming, Economics, Humanities, Fine Arts, Vocational Education: Health, Phys Ed, English, Advanced Placement in: English
St. Andrew’s School (Private) - Programs: Art, Photography, Band, Choral, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Literature, Statistics, Trigonometry, Vocational Education: Phys Ed, Advanced Placement: Math, Foreign Language,  Special Education : Gifted Students

Looking For Homes in Midtown?

If you are interested in looking for homes in the midtown area, click on the link. Our website offers free MLS searching for the home that fits you.

Best Areas to Live In Savannah

Victory Heights Best Kept Secret

Victory Heights, named because of its location to one of the main arteries of Savannah; Victory Drive, is one of the best kept secrets of the midtown neighborhoods. The Victory Heights area established in the late 40’s and early 50’s is nestled between the Thunderbolt, Avondale, and nearby Gordonston neighborhoods, and backed by Bonaventure Rd/Cemetery.  With easy access to Victory Dr. the neighborhood is only about a 20 minute drive to Tybee Island. The quiet neighborhood would not reveal its close proximity to the Victory Square Shopping Center (Victory and Skidaway) which hosts Home Depot, Target, Staples a movieplex, and numerous places to eat. Around the corner from the square is the soon to be home of Pet Smart, and Whole Foods.

Historic Daffin Park A Short Jaunt Away

Another appealing feature of the Victory Heights neighborhood is its short 2 mile/10 minute drive to Daffin Park and Grayson Stadium. The second largest park in Savannah, Daffin Park was built as a formal Beaux-Arts style park, and is 80 acres in size. There is a community pool, tennis and basketball courts, multiple picnic areas, a huge soccer field with bleachers for several hundred people and a 1.5 mile walking/running track that create the boundaries of the park. But the most well-known feature of the park is the fountain that is always running. Right next to the park is Grayson Stadium which is home to Savannah’s triple A baseball team, The Sand Gnats.

Charming Affordable Area

North of Victory Heights is the Gordonston Historic District and east bordering the east side of Daffin Park is the Ardsley Park/ChathamCrescent Historic District. Most of the homes in the Victory Heights neighborhood are 1940-50’s style bungalows, with quaint front entry porches. The homes in Gordonston neighborhood vary from Georgian mansions to Craftsman bungalows. Gordonston incorporates natural physical beauty with extremely convenient proximity to Savannah and all of its environs-- a mix that remains undeniably appealing to anyone interested in Savannah. Ardsley Park is designed in a stunning Beaux-Arts layout centered around its park and consists primarily of bungalows and Federal style homes. Look for homes in this area here.

Historic Savannah Beautiful City for Visiting or Living

Savannah  is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a wonderful place to make your home or vacation destination. The city was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe and served as the first capital of the Georgia colony and state. The enduring charm of the city is visible in historic downtown with its Spanish moss-covered live oaks lining the streets and horse drawn carriages carrying tourists around some of the 22 beautifully maintained historic squares. Savannah's Historic District is a National Historic Landmark, so there are an abundance of historic buildings. Notable buildings include the Owens-Thomas House built in 1818 (Oglethorpe square) the Spencer Woodbridge House built in 1795 (Habersham Street), and the 1853

Gothic Revival Greene House (Madison Square), and the Drayton House the city's first restored historic building. Along the cobblestone paved River Street along side the Savannah River, musicians, galleries, and shops compete for attention, while iron bridges and the old Cotton Exchange attract visitors to Factor’s Walk. The art scene flourishes, thanks in part to the Savannah College of Art & Design, which is sprawled throughout the city.

Historic Squares

One of the biggest attractions of living or visiting downtown Savannah are it's beautiful squares and parks. Each square has been named after notable military men, or leaders in the native american community. The city of Savannah maintains the squares on a daily basis making sure they are clean, fountains flowing and shrubs and flowers kept healthy. You can download a walking tour of the squares at https://www.citywalkingguide.com/squaresofsavannah  Forsyth Park, Savannah's version of Central Park, is the largest park in the city and has a small cafe, playground, tennis courts, and an amphitheater where nearly every weekend there is an activity happening during the summer months. Bordering the park are numerous beautifully restored historic 18th and 19th century architecture Victorian homes. The beautiful Victorian manor like homes boast wrap around porches, wrought iron fences stately entrances, and mature fauna. Currently there are over 30 homes for sale in downtown Savannah, where walking to your favorite restaurant is a delight!

Victorian Historic District

The Southern half of the park is surrounded by the Savannah Victorian Historic District, which runs from the south side of Gwinnett Street to Anderson Street, bordered by MLK and Broad Street to the west and east, respectively. South of the Victorian District is the Thomas Square Historic District; a much larger district which also includes Victorian-era homes and is thus sometimes also erroneously included when people speak generically about the "Victorian District." The Victorian District and Thomas Square District have become popular in recent years as an alternative to the more expensive Landmark Historic District directly to the north.

Best Walking Neighborhoods

Different from the Downtown Historic District with it's squares, the streets of the Victorian district were arranged on a grid pattern with a green planting area between the sidewalk and street and a small garden in front of each house. The old frame construction abounds in the Victorian District, sturdy wood frame houses dating from the 1870s and 1880s are a mixture of several Victorian styles of architecture embellished with ornate brackets and cornices. The Victorian District is one of Savannah's best walking neighborhoods and is ranked "Very Walkable" by WalkScore.com. Prices in the Victorian District can range from $100,000 for renovation projects to $1,000,000 for a home on Forsyth Park. You can search for homes in the historic districts here.

Completely Restored Gordonston Home For Sale

Completely Renovated Jack Stacy Home

A remarkable example of mid-century modern architecture, this Savannah famous architect Jack Stacy home has been thoroughly and beautifully restored inside and out. The home has been upgraded with extensive landscaping, updated sprinkler system, shadow boxes, and privacy fence with gate. The home’s systems are all top-grade including high-efficiency split unit HVAC with UV disinfection system, a whole house water softener, an 80 gallon hot water heater, a reverse osmosis filter in the kitchen, all new triple-pane windows and a security/alarm system.

Enjoy Entertaining In This Gourmet Kitchen

The home is surrounded with mature plantings which line the stone walkway entrance to the custom replica front door. Once inside, the living room reveals a soaring 17 foot ceiling for an expansive and open feeling. A resplendent feature throughout the home are the beautifully restored Brazilian Parana pine wood paneled walls. Perfect for entertaining is this gourmet kitchen with gorgeous original birch cabinetry and updated Elite appliances including a 5 burner cook-top and double dishwasher. There is even a butler's pantry which includes a 2nd refrigerator, microwave and appliance station.

Large Main 

The dining room is located adjacent to the kitchen with a view through sliders to a well-designed patio for additional outdoor living space.  On the opposite side of the kitchen is a breakfast bar, which opens up to the family room that displays built in floor to ceiling bookcases. Also on the main floor is a well-lit master suite with a roomy closet, and en-suite bath. This master bath offers a custom vanity, with a heat lamp and walk-in shower. The main floor possess a stunning powder room, tiled floor to ceiling with cobalt blue Vitrolite panels. Downstairs are two offices with a separate entrance a heating/cooling unit, and a half bath.

Second Master Suite Upstairs

The second floor holds two guest bedrooms, guest bath and a second master suite with en-suite bath. Each guest room features high ceilings, original hand-made interior shutters and ample closets. The second master suite has 13 foot high ceilings and 8 foot tall windows. The en-suite master bath, offers radiant heat, a full size jetted tub, and custom poured concrete shower and vanity.

 Centrally Located for Any Activity

The house is located at the gateway of Gordonston one of the city’s leafiest and most sought-after neighborhoods. The neighborhood has its own private park, the Juliet Lowe Park, named after the founder of the Girl Scouts. Residents in the neighborhood have a key for access to the park for private parties or for a quiet stroll. The home is located in one of the most convenient locations in all of Savannah. Within a 2.0 mile radius is the Skidaway Rd, Victory Drive corridor lined with stores and restaurants, and easy access to the Truman Parkway. One mile in the other direction is Historic downtown Savannah, rich with history, culture, restaurants, and diverse activities.

Craftsman Style Home in Desirable Ardsley Park Savannah

Ardsley Park The Most Desirable Community

This Craftsman Style home is on a corner lot and a great block in Ardsley Park-one of Savannah's most desirable communities. Handsome and stately, the home's Craftsman-era details reflect a subtle yet refined sense of style and substance. Big, separate living room with fireplace, built-in bookshelves and French doors opening to a bright, cozy sun-room.

Sizeable & Comfortable Living Area

Comfortable dining room immediately adjacent to a well appointed and fully equipped kitchen. Quality

counter tops and cabinetry and stainless appliances throughout kitchen. Breakfast bar and space for table overlooking the rear deck and garden. All three bedrooms are upstairs and are good size with closets in each. One full bath and one half bath rounds out almost 1800 square feet of living area. Wraparound rear deck and fully fenced, gated back yard with some mature plantings.

Centrally Located

This home is located  within walking/biking distance of red-hot Habesham Village. This tiny, upscale enclave of businesses features no less than a burrito bar and pizza joint, a Bikram yoga studio and florist, Japanese and Italian restaurants, a pet store and coffee shop...and yes, more. A Rite Aid and Red and White supermarket wrap the whole package up and make this cute strip of shops a perfect, Savannah-inspired 'village'. Also close by are locals favorites like Al Salaam deli, Green Truck burger joint, the Starlander Cafe and Habersham Antiques. Two hospitals are around the corner and Twelve Oaks shopping center and Abercorn Walk are less than 10 minutes drive away.

Hot Listing In Hot Neighborhood

This location also offers quick access to Downtown Savannah (10 minutes) as well as the Truman Parkway Southside, Downtown and even the Islands. Ardsley Park is one of the creme de la creme neighborhoods of Savannah.  Repeatedly featured on "Best Of..." lists, it boasts a tight community, very active neighborhood association, park-oriented, Beaux-Arts inspired landscapes and more. This is a hot listing in a hot neighborhood. Jump on it!

Habersham Village Charming Midtown Savannah Ga Community

Savannah's GA Best Restaurant

The votes have been tallied for Savannah's Best of for 2013, and the winner in the food category is The 5 Spot. This down-home, lowcountry neighborhood eatery is located in midtown Savannah - Habersham Village.  Owners of this restaurant which just opened in Dec. of 2012 also are part of a group that started four other sucessful restaurants; Blowin' Smoke, Abe's on Lincoln, B. Matthews and the Blue Turtle Bistro. The 5 Spot offers American fare, nothing excessively pre-packaged, entree's such as grilled almon with a burnt rosemary aromatic, a fried green tomato BLT, and a pulled pork sandwich with peach barbecue sauce.

Habersham Village A Staple of Midtown Savannah

Habersham Village, named after the  prominent Habersham family in the colonial, revolutionary, and early national Georgia era, is a friendly and quaint neighborhood that lays west of historic Ardsley Park. The Hull Park is situated in the upper east quadrant of the of Habersham village neighborhood, with the 'Village', a staple in midtown for more than 3 decades, is filled with a variety of stores, coffee shops and eatery's in the center. The neighborhood with its own branch of the YMCA is only a 10 minute drive todowntown historic Savannah, 15 minutes to the local mall and 30 minutes to Tybee Island beach.

Midtown Savannah Charmed Convient Lifestyle

Living in the Habersham Village area means that nearly everything one could need is a mere walk, bike ride, or short drive nearby. Many of the the homes are charming Arts & Crafts style bungalows bulit in the 40's and 50's. Most homes are selling under the $200,000.00 range.

To see homes listed for sale in this neighborhood, check our listings here.

Historic Downtown Savannah GA Beautiful Place To Live

Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a wonderful place to make your home. Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe and served as the first capital of the Georgia colony and state. Savannah’s charm is visible in the historic downtown with Spanish moss-covered live oaks, and its abundance of historic buildings, such as the Andrew Low House. Along the Savannah River, musicians, galleries, and shops compete for attention on River Street, while iron bridges and cobblestone attract visitors to Factor’s Walk. The art scene flourishes, thanks in part to the Savannah College of Art & Design.

Historic Squares A Big Draw

One of the biggest attractions of living or visiting downtown Savannah are it's beautiful squares. Each square has a name, some of which ae named after notable military men. The city of Savannah maintains the squares on a daily basis making sure they are clean, fountains flowing and shrubs and flowers kept healthy. You can download a walking tour of the squares at www.citywalkinguide.com/squares of Savannah.

DowntownSavannah Full of Culture & History 

The Historic District of Savannah is buzzing with creativity, art, culture and live theater and is the perfect place for you to spend a weekend or a lifetime. Many people who visit end up falling in love with Savannah and move here to live in one of the oldest cities in America - a site of many famous Revolutionary & Civil War Battles. Living in the downtown area is the place to be where nearly everything is in walking or bicycling distance. With the SCAD one of the best art schools in the country sprawled around the city there is always something to see  or do.

You'd Love Living in Historic Downtown Savannah 

Historic Downtown Savannah is a blend of stately homes and townhouses along with a stock of commercial spaces all centered around the original squares. The beautiful Victorian manor like homes boast wrap around porches, wrought iron fences stately entrances, and mature fauna. Currently there are over 30 homes for sale in downtown Savannah, where walking to your favorite restaurant is a delight!