From Boston To Savannah

Nieng17 · #1 06-07-2006, 01:54 PM

I graduated this May and recently made the 15 hour drive/relocation from Boston, Ma to Savannah, GA! Now, I'm use to traveling alot for training down South and have always loved the weather and "southern hospitality" so I didn't think this would be a huge change. However, apart from my live-in boyfriend, who also just moved down (he's from NY), I don't know anyone else.

I've been to downtown Savannah this past week, but I don't know where to start exploring, meeting people, etc. Though my new job will have me in and out of Savannah I would really like to have friends and a town to come home too.

Any advice on where I should start or interesting things to see? Is there anyway I could get involved in Greek life down here? I'm already looking to start an Alumnae chapter here, but that won't be for a while.

btw...Its only been two weeks, but I'm still trying to get use to the piggly wiggly, the driving (remember i'm from boston), and not being able to buy liquor on Sundays.

PSKAdvisor · #2 06-08-2006, 01:58 PM

Ooh... Prepare yourself for St. Patrick's Day.

The Historic district is one of the single-most interesting places I've ever been for American history. It's the oldest city in the south, or so they like to brag (1733), and they have the greatest architecture around the whole historic district.

They have (I believe) the second largest St. Patrick's Day celebration in the world, second only to NYC, from what I understand. Chicago and Boston apparantly pull up third and fourth.

If you like the bar scene, go down to River Street. When you're there at this time of year, try to visualize it with wall to wall people like Mardi Gras. That's St. Pat's in Savannah.

Great fun!

No idea about greeks down there, but there is a design school that owns buildings all over the historic district.

macallan25 · #3 06-13-2006, 12:46 AM

The design school is Savannah College of Arts and Design.....one of the best in the country. The family that started its son is a KA at Ole Miss I believe. Savannah is a great place....good food and bars. Definitely go to Paula Dean's restaurant. Lot of post grad fratters wind up in Savannah. The location is also a plus....being close to Augusta, Charleston, etc.

docetboy · #4 06-13-2006, 12:48 AM

Who woulda thunk Savannah would have a nationally-renowned design school?

MaryAmanda · #5 06-13-2006, 02:05 AM

I lived in Savannah when I was a kid, and my boyfriend is originally from down there.

If it's a beach you're after, I'm telling you right now, Tybee is the wrong place. The Savannah River is littered with paper mills, and as a result, the river and nearby Atlantic is full of pollution and all but devoid of life. The pollution can get pretty aggravating at times--my family lived on Talahi (and later, Whitemarsh) Island, and some mornings you could walk outside your front door and smell the mills. (Granted, that was twelve years ago, but it's still a problem in the area...for the most part, it's cheaper for the mills to pay fines to the EPA or whomever than for them to clean up their act.)

The good news is, as others have said previously, the city of Savannah is beautiful and rich with history--I absolutely love it. Despite the pollution, Savannah is arguably one of my favorite places I've ever traveled to.

My favorite place is just a day-trip away: Cumberland Island. The entire island, just a short drive down I-95, is reserved as a national seashore. Wild horses on the beach, abandoned plantations, century-old oaks branching over the trails...it's my favorite place ever. You must go see it when you have a weekend free!

KSigkid · #6 06-13-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nieng17

btw...Its only been two weeks, but I'm still trying to get use to the piggly wiggly, the driving (remember i'm from boston), and not being able to buy liquor on Sundays.

How long had you been in Boston? It's only been a few months that liquor stores have been open on Sundays here in the city.

ZTAngel · #7 06-13-2006, 07:55 AM

Savannah is beautiful! River Street is a good time. If you're looking for a better grocery store than Piggly Wiggly, there's a Publix on Abercorn if you're heading in the direction towards the mall.
As someone else said, the beaches aren't that great. Go to Hilton Head if you're looking for that. It's not too far from Savannah.
Try Georges restaurant on Tybee Island. It's some of the best food I've ever had. It's a local favorite so you won't have the tourist crowd that you'll find at Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant).

Nieng17 · #8 06-13-2006, 10:36 AM

I'm slowly getting use to savannah.

I went to tybee Island this past weekend and it reminded me of some of the beaches on the Cape, with less pollution. I'm also falling in love with downtown savannah! I love the history and the atmosphere. However, I think it might take me some time to take those haunted tours the city offers.

I've also decided to join some clubs in order to meet people. I've joined the Young Republicans of Savannah club and I'm thinking of joining the Jacksonville, FL NPC Alumnae Association. I think that's the closest to me. I'm also taking some cooking classes downtown on Sundays and I'm dragging the boyfriend along so he can meet some people as well.

It's funny that you guys mention SCAD because I applied to their Interior Design graduate program, however, the program is not accredited and when i got my new job i decided to put it on hold for a year. They are working on getting the CIDA (FIDER) accreditation so maybe I'll start next year.

KsigKid= Sorry, when i said liquor i meant Alcohol, like beer and wine which one can buy at the supermarket. I've lived in Boston since the early 90s when my family and I moved to the states from Portugal. I also went to school in Upstate/central New York where one could purchase alcohol on sundays. It's not important; it was just funny when i went to purchase a bottle of wine and the cashier told me she couldn't sell it to me. I was a little embarrassed.

Thanks for everyone's tidbits, I'm starting to feel less of a tourist here.

macallan25 · #9 06-13-2006, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTAngel

Savannah is beautiful! River Street is a good time. If you're looking for a better grocery store than Piggly Wiggly, there's a Publix on Abercorn if you're heading in the direction towards the mall.
As someone else said, the beaches aren't that great. Go to Hilton Head if you're looking for that. It's not too far from Savannah.
Try Georges restaurant on Tybee Island. It's some of the best food I've ever had. It's a local favorite so you won't have the tourist crowd that you'll find at Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's restaurant).

If you go to Hilton Head....only go to the Plantation areas. The main resort is filled with northern tourists.

jon1856 · #10 06-17-2006, 08:54 AM

Just came back from a trip to Savannah.
tybee Island is nice place to go, as is Hilton Head for the Beach.
River Street can be a bit tacky but some nice places to eat.
Find Casbah Moroccan Restaurant, eat with you fingers while watching the belly dancers.
Must go to mrs. wilkes boarding room on West Jones for lunch-only open M-F 11:30 AM-2:00 PM. Very good food. Cash only.
Do not go to Lady and Sons; it is for fans of her show on Food Network now who feel the need to 'support' her.
Many Engish,Irish, even Scotish pubs that are good places to eat.
Old Market area, up the road from River, is nice. Working artist studios there on second floors.
If you like pizza, try Vinnies Van Go-Go.
Had a great meal in 'mid-town' (sort of out of town) do not remember name of place. Just remember taking Abercorn to eisenhower, making a left onto eisenhower to the end, making a right turn and going less than a mile and resturanft was on the left side, on water, parking on the right.
Enjoy.