WhalleySpur

Hi all,

First time on here very unexpectedly !
Just been asked to consider a job move from NW UK to Savannah GA, unsure of exact details at this point but also have a promotion offer in the uk. Have had a quick look at some of the forums and chat regarding Savannah and there appear to be mixed views about it, particularly with regard to crime and standard of schools.
This would be a big deal for our family, myself and the wife are about to turn 40 and we have three daughters aged 10,8 and 5 so standard of living, schooling, and the pros / cons of such a move on them are of particular importance to us. So I'm really interested in the lifestyle change as closeness to sea and the weather certainly appeal vs our current (wet) location in the UK.
Had a quick look at housing which appeared very favourable vs the UK but don't know which areas to assess for comparison.
Just after any honest advice available from people who have made this transition in terms of:

- Standard and cost of living vs the UK (utilities, food n drink etc)
- Schooling standards and safety
- Crime - is this a real concern? tips?
- Best places to live with the above in mind

Any advice to help weigh-up our options would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Bernie

lisa67

Hi and welcome to BE.
Sorry, I have no idea about Savannah but take a look in the forum of
www.city-data.com for some info and also www.greatschools.net (or it might be .org)

JAJ

Be aware that you would have to leave the USA at short notice if you were fired while still on temporary status (employer goes bankrupt, taken over, etc).

Also find out how long it will take to get a green card, and make sure your contract protects you until then. Although even the best contract doesn't protect you against a bankrupt employer.

WhalleySpur

Thanks both for your speedy replies.
Will check those links out.

Bernie

Awesome Welles

Like most places, there is a "wrong side of the tracks" in Savannah, but avoiding the obvious unsavory neighborhoods, it is a very attractive, traditional southern town. Occasionally assaulted by hurricanes, however....

tonrob

Savannah's gorgeous, apart from the shit bits. Close to Hilton Head Island too - love the beaches there, being able to cycle along the beaches and through the plantations is really fun.

Sheepdip

Also close to St Simon's Island and Jekyll Island (great water park for the kids) - great places along with HHI. We've just been there on hols and have been to Savannah before. A beautiful stretch of Eastern seaboard.

Not sure about schools though.

WhalleySpur

Thanks all

sir_eccles

Some people find Savannah to be very Southern, by which I mean stuck in the past. Sometimes this is charming and polite, sometimes not so much.

ian-mstm

If you go, take one of the midnight ghost tours through the graveyards! Also, there's a nice, albeit small, aquarium there.

Ian

Bob

What visa would you be getting? Sounds like a transfer, which would be L1, so the spouse could be allowed to work if that's a consideration, wouldn't be allowed on H1's equivalent.

Kids won't be allowed to work on L2's though, if they were interested in part time work, but by the time that really becomes a consideration, would hope you'd have sorted greencards.

As for schools, really depends right down to the street you live on as to which school you go to, so check out the city guide for nice areas and then look more specifically from there I guess.

Egg and Cress

Amen! Be prepared for a MAJOR culture and climate shock! For "stuck in the past", read Civil War era in modern clothes. 'Tis a beautiful city, and full of history, but beware the "southern hospitality" that can butter you up on one side and slice off the other. I, as a "nawthun-ah" have fallen victim to that charming little aspect of "the sa-outh". Apart from that, it's bloody hot!