Savannah
The only city I've lived in and still miss is Savannah, Georgia.
For all of the poverty, crime, and falling down houses, it is still a beautiful city. The core of the town dates to colonial times. The streets are pedestrian friendly and run between twenty-some-odd town squares. Further south, the houses change from Colonial, to Greek Revival and Victorian. South of the railroad tracks ("true" Savannahians do not claim anything south of the Victorian district as part of the city), there are several upscale 1920's subdivisions (Colonial revival, bungalows, and more).
And, the city has a very pronounce weird-streak. It is the only place I've ever seen a car covered inside and out in faux fur. Aside from New Orleans, it is the only Southern city I've seen that is unabashedly decedent. They love their liquor if nothing else; all the trees around Forcythe Park have diamond sparkling trunks since they are peppered with broken headlights from slow motion auto accidents. The city squares are hard to navigate without drinking, nearly impossible with it. Fortunately most wrecks occur somewhere below 30 mph. They also have the largest St. Patricks day parade outside of New York (or is it Boston?).
If you haven't read The Book (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), pick up a copy. It doesn't really give you a complete picture of the city, it is more like a primer. In the flesh, Savannah is more charming and bizarre than you might imagine.
So, in a few years once everyone has finished off whatever house they are working on now, perhaps we need to move to Savannah en masse and buy up the historic district. There are no shortage of fixer-uppers. There are hundreds just like these.
And, to give you an idea what the finished product can look like.
For all of the poverty, crime, and falling down houses, it is still a beautiful city. The core of the town dates to colonial times. The streets are pedestrian friendly and run between twenty-some-odd town squares. Further south, the houses change from Colonial, to Greek Revival and Victorian. South of the railroad tracks ("true" Savannahians do not claim anything south of the Victorian district as part of the city), there are several upscale 1920's subdivisions (Colonial revival, bungalows, and more).
And, the city has a very pronounce weird-streak. It is the only place I've ever seen a car covered inside and out in faux fur. Aside from New Orleans, it is the only Southern city I've seen that is unabashedly decedent. They love their liquor if nothing else; all the trees around Forcythe Park have diamond sparkling trunks since they are peppered with broken headlights from slow motion auto accidents. The city squares are hard to navigate without drinking, nearly impossible with it. Fortunately most wrecks occur somewhere below 30 mph. They also have the largest St. Patricks day parade outside of New York (or is it Boston?).
If you haven't read The Book (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil), pick up a copy. It doesn't really give you a complete picture of the city, it is more like a primer. In the flesh, Savannah is more charming and bizarre than you might imagine.
So, in a few years once everyone has finished off whatever house they are working on now, perhaps we need to move to Savannah en masse and buy up the historic district. There are no shortage of fixer-uppers. There are hundreds just like these.
And, to give you an idea what the finished product can look like.
This one was a few blocks down the street from where we lived. I think it is on Victory Ave.
So, is anyone else interested?
posted by John | 4:02 AM
4 Comments:
I'm sorry but I thought of moving to Savannah after recovering from fixing up my old house first (around June of 2006). So I get first dibs on a newly renovated cute little bunaglow across the railroad tracks. I'll leave the light on for everybody.
Amanda
I love Savannah! I go there a few times a year but it's mostly business. I'm only about 2 1/2 hours from there but unfortunately I can never seem to find the time to go there for a getaway. They have some awesome houses that's for sure. I'd definitely love to live there one day. Another great town here in Georgia (but much more conservative) for historic homes is Macon.
I've only been to Savannah once. We spent one night of our honeymoon there. It was a strange little city, very dark and twisty, with beauty right beside ugliness. We got hit up for money twice by the same strung-out old lady on our way to and from dinner. We stayed at the Presidents' Inn, I think ... each room named after a president. It was nice. :)
Wow! the pictures you have posted are really good. If this has been clicked in Savannah , then I must say it's really a pretty place. Should visit the place next time I plan a short holiday with my buddies. And thanx for suggesting the book. May be I will lay my hands on it some day. Do drop by my blog too for some real fun time.
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