Georgetown - Savannah, GA Area Guide

The neighborhood of Georgetown was built and established in the 1970s, but Chatham County was settled in 1777. During that time, land was used for church and government locations for Savannah. Chatham fell under the control of the British in 1779 and remained in British control until 1782. The area was largely plantation homes and hosted a major paper manufacturer. In 2010, the population was close to 12,000.

Because of the Savannah College of Art and Design nearby, Georgetown features a lively cultural and art scene. The Ship of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah provides artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries, and narrates the history of the military during the Civil and Revolutionary wars.

The annual Telfair art fair remains one of the most popular art events in the area each fall. Over 80 artists participate with displays, and you can find food, music and activities.

Eating out in Georgetown provides a wealth of opportunities, whether you want to grab a light meal for lunch or to meet with friends after work. From fast food chains to fine dining, Georgetown has something for everyone.

One of Georgetown's best kept secrets, Carey Hilliard's features an eclectic menu of American fare and fresh seafood. This family friendly and locally owned establishment serves as a popular spot for both locals and those passing through. Start your meal off with the triple-threat appetizer or the peppery hot wings. For dinner, patrons recommend the legendary barbecue or a made-to-order rib-eye steak.

For a place to watch the game while enjoying dinner with friends, Rachael's 1190 serves up hot burgers and pizza in a laid-back atmosphere. You can't make a trip to the south and to Rachael's without sampling the fried green tomatoes, jerk shrimp or the batter-fried oysters.

If you want excellent pizza, Stoners remains a hit for those who live in the area. With a few locations in Savannah, this pizza joint serves up hot made-to-order pie. The cheese bread has three different kinds of cheese melted to perfection. The sandwiches arrive to your table fresh with the house-made baked bread, and you can build your own pizza on top of Stoners' own light and crispy crust. The taco pizza remains a must try, and you can even order hickory-smoked barbecue to go.

While Georgetown tends to get quiet when the sun goes down, Savannah provides excitement and a thriving nightlife that can't be beat. The Congress Street Social Club has two spacious balconies that overlook the main street of downtown. Patrons can dance to the live music, or sit and chat with friends over drinks.

Located in downtown Savannah near the market, the Jazz'd Tapas Bar provides a serene setting with plush seating, elegant tables and live entertainment. Locals come to network and chat after work, or visit on Thursdays to hear a tribute to Sinatra.

Unlike downtown Savannah, residents of Georgetown rely on automobile transportation to get them back and forth to work. Georgetown lies close to Abercorn Extension, Veteran's Parkway and the Harry S. Truman Parkway, which makes traveling to downtown a breeze. Parking also remains readily available and free in Georgetown.

For those who prefer public transportation, the Chatham Area Transit system has bus stops located throughout the area to downtown Savannah. You can also contact a local cab company to arrange a pickup. Georgetown lies just outside of the Uber's area of service.

Residents of Georgetown enjoy biking and walking along the paved walkways, but unless you work close enough to your place of employment, most people prefer driving back and forth to downtown.

Residents of Georgetown and the Savannah area enjoy an active lifestyle filled with spacious parks and sandy beaches. The Tom Triplett Community Park has two separate pavilions to rent for special occasions, two tennis courts, a fresh-water lake for fishing, a dog exercise area and a large playground for children.

Hull Park also remains a popular place to go because of the large spray pool for children, a baseball diamond for youth sports, playgrounds with swings, benches and a walking path. Both parks can be used at no charge with the exception of the picnic pavilion rentals, which require a small fee.

For those with a competitive spirit, Savannah holds an annual reindeer run that helps support the rape crisis center and various prevention programs in the local school systems.

Living in Georgetown can be slightly more expensive than living in other places in the state. The cost of living hovers around 6.1 percent greater than the city average, and you can expect to pay an average of $839 for a one-bedroom apartment.

Commuting to downtown Savannah using CAT costs $1.50 per ride, and you can receive discounts on fare if you purchase a booklet of fares at a time. For those who prefer to commute, the price of gas costs around 1.2 percent lower than the national average. Expect to pay more than $5 for a glass of beer at a local pub.

The options remain endless for shopping in the Georgetown neighborhood of Savannah. Top discount chains, such as Wal-Mart, draw residents in for daily bargains. High-end boutiques and shopping malls await residents as well, including those at the Savannah Mall and the Oglethorpe Mall.

For a larger selection of boutiques, downtown Savannah and the mall area on Abercorn provides everything you need. The Zia Boutique opened its doors in 2005 as the premiere exotic jewelry store in the area. The owner, Zia Sachedina, spent his childhood traveling back and forth between the United States and Kenya. He uses these multi-cultural influences to stock his store with hard-to-find elegant jewelry pieces to complete any wardrobe. Another little shop that sits adjacent to Whitaker Street, the Custard Boutique, has long been a favorite of residents of Savannah. The shop has a collection of women's clothes, hats, scarves, handbags, shoes and other accessories to complete any look. The friendly staff can assist you in choosing the perfect look for any occasion. Residents shopping for groceries in the Georgetown neighborhood usually turn to Kroger, Whole Foods or the U.S. Food Store.