South Chatham Parkway - Savannah, GA Area Guide

Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, Savannah claims the title of the oldest city in the state of Georgia. The area was once called the Yamacraw Bluff by the Native Americans, who used to navigate the nearby rivers. Savannah was also the site of the original state capital, and was eventually renamed after the Savannah River. Today, this thriving tourist town houses more than 142,000 residents.

Culture abounds in this city, with a large selection of galleries, museums and craft shows. Located on Martin Luther King Boulevard, the Savannah History Museum features artifacts and exhibitions on the area, while The Savannah College of Art and Design has contemporary pieces from collections around the world on display. Every year in spring, SCAD hosts the Sidewalk Chalk Arts Festival, which features displays from past and present students, alumni and perspective students.

South Chatham Parkway and midtown Savannah allows indulgence in world-famous Southern cuisine. Historic downtown also provides a large selection of international choices, as well as fresh seafood, sandwiches and cafe-style shops. Fans of the popular book and film "Gone With the Wind" enjoy stopping by Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room. Locals line the sidewalks before the doors open at 11 a.m. Once seated, you'll share your large table with strangers for a family-style meal. Tabletops fill up with delectable homemade choices, including the okra gumbo, corn muffins and platters loaded with fried chicken, sweet potato souffle and black-eyed peas. The menu changes daily, so stop by several times a week for something new with each visit. Sweet Spice tempts your appetite with authentic Caribbean and American menu choices. Take a bite of the jerk chicken, sample the curry chicken or ask for the ackee and fries. Friendly owners and wait staff help you decide what you want by providing recommendations based on local favorites. For those looking for something a little lighter, Leopold's Ice Cream scoops a large selection of ice cream flavors, sundaes, fountain creations, sandwiches, salads and soups. The restaurant takes you back to the days of the classic five-and-dime shops with an ice cream counter fit for a king. Be sure to sample the Greek yogurt parfait. Savannah remains a city that doesn't sleep, as you'll find a lively nightlife down nearly every main street. The Wormhole has drink specials and live music nightly, while the Congress Street Social Club provides music, games and HDTVs to watch big sporting events.

Savannah provides a pedestrian-friendly downtown area that allows you to see and visit all of the shops and sites. Bike trails wind through the city for those who want to explore the outer boundaries in one day.

Automobile transport remains the most popular method of travel throughout the region because of the easy accessibility to Bull Street, Interstates 16 and 95 and a variety of other thoroughfares. Designed on a basic grid system, the city is easy to navigate, but it can often be expensive to park, and finding a parking spot in the historic district of the city remains a challenge. This makes Uber an excellent choice for travel.

For those who prefer not to drive, the historic district of Savannah has a fare-free express shuttle. You can also enjoy a leisure ride on the River Street streetcar or take a ferry to Hutchinson Island and the Savannah International Trade Convention. There are plenty of cabs and taxis patrolling the area of downtown, so if you need a ride, simply go to the City Market or the center of the historic district and look for the cabs lined up on the street. You can also call a cab service for a pickup.

Exercise and outdoor activity can easily be found when you visit the Forsyth Park. With 30 acres of green space running through the historic district, the park provides trails for jogging and walking, a café, playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts and a two-tiered, cast-iron fountain. Pets are allowed in the park as long as they are on a leash. The park also holds the annual St. Patrick's festival, with live music, food and activities for the children. Green coloring is poured into the river to turn a section of it green for the festivities. Other popular parks include the Daffin Park and Lake Mayer.

Savannah's cost of living hovers approximately 1 percent higher than the rest of the country. Beach-front cities tend to have a more expensive cost of living, and Savannah is no exception because the area remains desirable for vacationing and residency.

For those considering making a move to the South Chatham Parkway area of Savannah, expect to pay around $978 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. The price of a bus ride within the city costs around $1, and a beer at a local pub hovers between $3 and $5. For commuters, the cost of gas in Savannah sits at about 3.4 percent lower than the national average.

Shopping in the area provides an excellent pastime for shopaholics who love finding quaint shops and excellent deals. From large retail chains to high-end boutiques, you'll definitely find what you need in downtown Savannah.

Complete your favorite outfit when you visit the ZIA Boutique. Fine jewelry, Ancient Roman rings, beautiful stones and a variety of unusual items make this accessory store the place to go to find a gift for that hard-to-buy-for individual. The Savannah Bee Company carries a selection of body butters, lip glosses and balms, all made from honey — not to mention a variety of actual honey.

You don't have to drive far to find one of the many popular grocery store chains to fill your pantry and refrigerator. These include Publix, Food Lion and Sam's Club. Fresh Fruits and vegetables are also easy to locate when you take a trip to the Savannah State Farmer's Market.