Pooler/Bloomingdale - Pooler, GA

Bloomingdale came to be in 1840 and was once a booming railroad town. Pooler came later and was incorporated in 1907. A new method of community development, giving free land to permanent homesteaders, gave rise to Pooler.

In the heart of Bloomingdale sits the local history museum. This small brick building houses exhibits that bring the town's past to life with memorabilia from the heyday of the railroad business and showcases regarding prominent early residents.

A powerful museum, the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum in Pooler exhibits memorabilia from one of the premiere air squadrons in recent history. Nationally known art centers in Savannah include the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina.

A wide variety of restaurants dot the landscape around the Pooler-Bloomingdale area. If you crave Asian cuisine or southern-fried goodness, you can find dining options to suit your tastes.

Each plate at Wasabi Fusion looks like a work of art made with rainbow-hued sushi and fresh garnishes. Wasabi Fusion provides reasonably priced dining coupled with casually chic decor, making it ideal for a night out when in the Pooler area.

Not far away sits Sisters, Pooler's highest-rated soul food kitchen. Providing warm, friendly counter service since 2009, Sisters serves comfort food that tastes like it came from grandma's kitchen.

When the sun goes down on Savannah, residents of Pooler-Bloomingdale head to Molly MacPherson's Scottish Pub and Grill, which boasts the largest selection of single malt whiskey on the east coast — 270 variations to be exact. For a fun night drinking with friends, head to MacPherson's.

Another bar on the streets of Pooler, Bootlegger's has affordable drinks in a casual but not seedy atmosphere. For something a little wilder, head to downtown Savannah and hit Club 309, the hangout for young 20-somethings where the bass keeps pumping until the wee hours.

Chatham Area Transit has multiple bus stops on the northeast side of Pooler, near the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport. No stops are available in Bloomingdale so you will need to drive to one of the Pooler stations.

U.S. 80 runs through both Bloomingdale and Pooler, but it has no dedicated lanes for cyclists. The side streets, however, tend to be quieter and more suitable for two-wheeled transport. A car will be necessary for most errands, though pleasant strolls are possible down the tree-lined streets.

Interstate 16 and Interstate 95 run through the towns and coupled with Highway 80 and 405, make travel to and from the city center fairly convenient. The closer you get to the city center, the easier it becomes to hail a taxi, though Pooler's proximity to the airport does increase taxi traffic through the area. Uber is not yet an option for Savannah residents.

If you can parallel park, you have public parking options in Pooler. Many local establishments have private lots as well.

The amenities list of one local park, Tom Triplett Community Park, reads like a wish list for the perfect outdoor space. With two pavilions available for rent as well as two conference rooms, gathering space does not pose a problem at this park. Come sit on one of two fishing piers situated above the stocked, freshwater lake and try your hand at catching dinner. Or if you are exercise-oriented, bike or jog down the 1.5-mile paved trail.

Bring the kids on a sunny day, and let them burn off energy at the spacious playground. Bring your four-legged friend as well and let him enjoy the dog exercise area. If organized sports are more your thing, you can make it a family day of fun on one of Tom Triplett Park's disc golf courses.

Each year, Tom Triplett Park hosts the Savannah Open, a sanctioned disc golf tournament for local residents.

A one-bedroom residence in Pooler/Bloomingdale will run you on average $1,100 per month, more than the Savannah average of $860. However, the overall cost of living in Pooler comes in slightly lower than the city average.

A ride to the city center on Chatham County Transit costs $1.50 while gas prices hover near 4 percent lower than the national average. A beer at a local watering hole will cost you on average $4, although expect to pay more for craft beer.

Major points of interest to shoppers lie to the east of Bloomingdale/Pooler, between the towns and the city center. One such shopping area, Mill Creek Center, is near the airport. Two Kroger grocery stores serve these communities as well as the Food Lion, which is well within the town limits of Pooler.

A few high-end shops do business in this area. One such shop, Genealogy Dresses which has its storefront within Pooler's eastern border has an eclectic mix of boutique fashions, trendy accessories and formal wear. When your next big event looms on the horizon, Genealogy can meet your needs.

Another must-see boutique serving the Pooler area from downtown Savannah, Custard Boutique has nothing less than the best. Well-stocked shelves and a great selection of clothing and accessories at Custard take second place to the friendly and helpful sales associates, who take the time to assist you with even the smallest purchase. Chances are, thanks to the adorable merchandise, you won't leave empty-handed.

No farmers markets are in Bloomingdale or Pooler, but you can find several within Savannah itself. The Savannah State Farmers Market runs from Monday to Saturday, and you can find fruit and veg there from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, with slightly shorter opening hours on weekends.