Your Name (if you would like it to appear):
Stacey
Base Location:
Savannah, Georgia
How long have you been here? (give years please, ex. 2003-present)
2004 – 2007
What is housing like? On-post? (waiting list, conditions, etc.) Off-post? Any areas to stay away from? Average price to rent or buy?
New housing is being built on post that looks very nice from the outside. http://www.haaffamilyhomes.com/
We paid $900 for a 2BR/2BA, 1200SF apartment on the south side. We’re now paying $1,000/month for a 3BR/2BA townhouse with about 1800SF on the west side of Savannah. I would stay away from the downtown area of Savannah. The crime is bad in certain areas.
Average to buy is about $125/SF for a starter house and it goes up from there.
Rate the PX & Commissary.
I don’t shop at either since we don’t live on post and it’s not convenient but I’ve been in both. The PX at Hunter is ok – a little small. The PX at Stewart (about 30-45 minute drive) is much larger and nicer. The commissary is also nice but every time I went it was crammed with people. It’s easier to me to shop off post.
Activities on base?
There is always something going on at Hunter. Our FRG is good at sending out a calendar of events, etc. offered by the different agencies on post.
Active Spouses Club?
The Spouses Club is very active and is combined officer and enlisted, which is nice. They have monthly luncheons as well as other activities. It’s a good way to meet other wives.
Things to do in area?
There is a ton to do in the Savannah area… historic tours in downtown, beaches, shopping, museum, wildlife reserve, etc. There are also festivals on River Street on the 1st Saturday of every month, concerts and events at the Civic Center as well as the Convention Center. www.savannahvisit.com.
School System?
I don’t have kids but if I did, I would stay away from the public school system in Savannah/Chatham county. The school system in Bryan (Richmond Hill) and Effingham (Rincon) is much better. There are many private schools in Savannah though – some religious and some not.
Any colleges in area?
There are two local universities – Savannah State (www.savstate.edu) and Armstrong Atlantic State University (www.armstrong.edu). There is also Savannah College of Art & Design (also known as SCAD – www.scad.edu). There is Savannah Technical College (www.savannahtech.edu), Phoenix University and South University as well.
Jobs? (on post and off)
There is a lot of industry in Savannah as well as many small and large businesses. (www.savannahchamber.com). You can look for jobs at:
Favorite aspect of this base/surrounding city?
There is so much to do here. Savannah is just big enough without being too big like Atlanta.
Least favorite aspect?
Traffic! There are only a few major highways that travel east to west so traffic can be a pain during rush hour times.
Any tips?
You’re in the south now and things move a little slower here. Enjoy it! Expect to be called sweetie, sugar, etc. It’s not meant in a derogatory manner!