Coming to Savannah (Pooler, Tybee Island, Bloomingdale: insurance, condo, assessors)

[TessaCanada]

I'm so excited. My husband and I are going to be visiting Savannah in November. We have a condo booked on W Liberty St. We're hoping to take part in the seafood festival. As well the Paula Dean tour looks cool. I'm not a fan of hers really, but I love FOOD!
My husband is afraid I won't want to come home. The city looks so beautiful. We're also probably going to take a tour out to Tybee Island. We almost booked a cottage out there, but thought staying in the historic district would be better for us.
So how far is it to Charlston? Is it worth taking a day out there, or better to stick just with Savannah? I'm just worried there may not be "enough" to do for a whole week. Am I worrying for nothing?
I'm already counting down the days.
Oh, right, what kind of temperatures does Savannah have the beginning of November? I'm not really sure what to expect or how to pack. I was to Florida once in January and it was pretty cool, but us being "canadians" we were still wearing shorts.
Thanks,
Tessa

[Padgett2]

OK, one whole week you say?? Great! I think you could take the whole week just to see Savannah. You won't have to push because you are rushed for time. You'll have time to check out things better. Like going inside of The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, instead of just walking by.

You will have a car, won't you? You'll be able to check our Wormsloe and The Isle of Hope, The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum and of course, Fort Pulaski on your way to Tybee.

The weather could be wonderful or rainy and unpleasant. Check out National and Local Weather Forecast, Radar, Map and Report for a ten day forecast before you pack.

Yes, Charleston could be a daytrip. People often do both cities in one trip. But I just feel that Savannah could take up the entire time if you don't rush yourselves. Too many visitors see the outside of a place and think that's all there is to see. You could spend one whole day just checking out the churches. Wait and see how it goes. Maybe you could make Charleston on your last day.

[TessaCanada]

Thanks Padgett. I don't think we're going to plan to take any time in Charltson, We may if we find we have time the end of the week, but aren't going to worry about planinng anything.
I'm so excited and can't hardly wait for our trip. I've always been intrigued by Savannah, I can't wait to see it all first hand.
Tessa

[Joss]

The problem with Charleston is a day doesn't let you see it. Sort of like trying to do a day trip to Savannah.

I'll second the recommendation to see the Eight Air Force Museum. If you have any interest in history it will blow your sox off.

Maybe a river boat tour as well.

Just strolling around in the historic district can take a couple of days.

[leewy23]

We are currently living in Iowa and are thinking of moving to Pooler, we are curious as to the taxes on housing. We have a $100,000 house here and pay around $1700, annually in taxes. Is it comparable down there? I know that the house values are a little bit higher, especially in pooler versus savannah, but are the taxes a lot higher. We are trying to figure out what the cost of living would be down there. If anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks from Iowa!!!!

[Padgett2]

leewy, It's difficult to compare tax rates. A $100,000 house in one section could be more or less depending on the location and area of the land. Our property taxes also include school taxes with a big hunk going towards new buildings. Also, brick or wood, how many baths? There are so many varibles.

The big difference will be that your heating costs will be waaaayyy down. You'll need air conditioning. Our summers really swelter.

If you are really interested, your best bet would be to come down, check out a neighborhood you like and look up surounding houses in the tax digest. Visit the local supermarkets to check out the cost of food.

If you are going to have to look for employment, Pooler may not be the best place as there could be some travel time.

[leewy23]

My husband has a job possibility in Pooler and the employer would like him to reside in Pooler and not savannah or any other surrounding areas. We would like to go on the less expensive side in Savannah, but are excited to take any possibility that may come our way.

[Padgett2]

Pooler is your best bet then. There are a lot of older homes in the area that would probably have much less of a tax bite than one of the newer upscale homes. You could even look further south into the Bloomingdale area. I am sure you could find something that would suit. At any rate, I am sure that it would be less than what you are paying now.

[bgnzsavnh]

Originally Posted by leewy23

We are currently living in Iowa and are thinking of moving to Pooler, we are curious as to the taxes on housing. We have a $100,000 house here and pay around $1700, annually in taxes. Is it comparable down there? I know that the house values are a little bit higher, especially in pooler versus savannah, but are the taxes a lot higher. We are trying to figure out what the cost of living would be down there. If anyone could help me out, I would really appreciate it. Thanks from Iowa!!!!

About the same depending on the city or unincorporated area
then the STEPHENS-DAY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION starts
City of Savannah has higher retes and the STEPHENS-DAY HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION has a CPI adjustment
and there are areas around Pooler that are in the cityNew Hampstead and Jimmy Deloach Parkway and Highlands areas are in the city of Savannah
and the realtors will not tell you

THE BOARD OF ASSESSORS OF CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA
FACTS EVERY TAXPAYER SHOULD KNOW
http://www.chathamcounty.org/boa_facts.pdf

Each resident of Chatham County is granted an exemption on that person’s homestead from all Chatham County ad valorem taxes for county purposes in an amount equal to the amount of the assessed value of that homestead that exceeds the assessed value of that homestead for the taxable year immediately preceding the taxable year in which this exemption is first granted to such resident.

CEMA: Chatham Emergency Management Agency
Do not forget flood insurance
it is not expensive in West Chatham but the area is flat and a major rain event............

CEMA

[leewy23]

Thanks for all the great information everyone!!!!