Essentials
- Internet Speed
- High-speed fiber available (AT&T, Comcast Xfinity) averaging 300-1000 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). 1 USD ≈ 0.92 EUR
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and safe, though some residents prefer filters for taste due to mineral content
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile. Prepaid plans from $30/month at Best Buy or carrier stores
- Banking for Expats
- Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, or digital options like Revolut and Wise
- Accommodation
- Historic district lofts, Victorian district houses, or modern apartments in Starland Yard
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly friendly; Apple Pay and credit cards accepted almost everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and Landing (furnished monthly rentals)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Thunderbird Inn (approx. $120/night), Quality Inn Historic District ($110/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Historic District (River Street, Broughton Street, and the Squares)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Starland District (Ardsley Park edge) for a creative vibe and better monthly rates
- City
- Savannah, Georgia, United States
- Population
- 147,780 (City), 410,000 (Metro area)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Expansive Savannah (2 E Bryan St) - Day passes approx. $30, monthly from $250
- Best Cafe for Work
- The Coffee Fox (102 W Broughton St) and Foxy Loxy Cafe (1919 Bull St)
- Networking Events
- CreativeMornings Savannah and Tech Savannah meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Savannah Newcomers Club and 'International Friends in Savannah' Facebook group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft are ubiquitous and the primary way to get around quickly
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- CATBike (bike share) and Savannah On Wheels (14 W Hull St) approx. $35/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Tybee Island (20 mins drive from downtown Savannah)
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways and American Eagle (via Savannah/Hilton Head International - SAV)
- Top International Airline
- Delta and United (connecting through Atlanta or Charlotte)
- Highway Access
- I-95 (North/South) and I-16 (East/West)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Amtrak Savannah Station (2611 Seaboard Coastline Dr)
- Public Transport Passes
- Chatham Area Transit (CAT); Day pass for $3.00, Monthly for $50.00
- Regional Travel
- Greyhound Bus and Amtrak Palmetto/Silver Meteor lines to Charleston or Florida
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Memorial Health University Medical Center (4700 Waters Ave)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Savannah Yoga Center (1319 Bull St) - Drop-in classes approx. $20
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness on Broughton (104 W Broughton St) - Monthly approx. $60
- Laundry Services
- Star Laundry (1510 Bull St) and wash-and-fold services like SudShare
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Shrimp and Grits at The Olde Pink House ($30)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fox & Fig Cafe (321 Habersham St) - Plant-based menu
- Best Dessert Spots
- Leopold's Ice Cream (212 E Broughton St) - Iconic shop since 1919
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Forsyth Farmers' Market (Saturdays at Forsyth Park)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Same-day/Next-day delivery common)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart and Whole Foods via Amazon Prime
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Congress Street (Social Club, Rail Pub) and City Market
- Local Brewery
- Service Brewing Co. (574 Indian St) and Southbound Brewing Company
- Wine Bars
- The 22 Square Bar and Savoy Society (122 E Liberty)
- Street Food Stalls
- Starland Yard (2411 DeSoto Ave) - Food truck park with rotating vendors
- Popular International Cuisine
- Flying Monk Noodle Bar (Vietnamese) and Pizzeria Vittoria (Neapolitan)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Forsyth Park Fountain, Bonaventure Cemetery, and River Street
- Museums & Art Venues
- SCAD Museum of Art (601 Turner Blvd) and Telfair Academy
- Historical Sites
- Mercer-Williams House and Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters
- Religious Sites
- Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and Mickve Israel Synagogue
- Annual Events
- St. Patrick's Day Parade (one of the largest in the US), Savannah Music Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Starland District and the Historic Landmark District
- Theater Venues
- Savannah Theatre (established 1818) and Lucas Theatre for the Arts
- Local Markets
- Savannah City Market (four blocks of open-air shopping/dining)
- Music Scene
- The Jinx (rock/alternative) and Barrelhouse South
- Street Art
- Murals throughout the Starland District and DeSoto Avenue
- Cooking Classes
- Chef Darin's Hands-On Kitchen (226 Barnard St)
- Art Galleries
- ShopSCAD (340 Bull St) featuring student/alumni work
- Historic Buildings
- The Pirates' House (1753) and Fort Pulaski National Monument
- Local Heritage
- Gullah Geechee heritage tours and the Prohibition Museum
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Skidaway Island State Park (hiking trails through maritime forests)
- National Parks Nearby
- Cumberland Island National Seashore (approx. 2 hours south)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Truman Linear Park Trail and the McQueen's Island Historic Trail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The rooftop at Perry Lane Hotel or any point along the Savannah Riverwalk
- Birdwatching Locations
- Savannah National Wildlife Refuge
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted camping areas on Tybee Island or private bonfire pits at Starland Yard
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx Office Ship Center (various downtown locations) and UPS Store
- Tech Repair Services
- uBreakiFix (Abercorn St) for phones and laptops
- Table Tennis Spots
- Starland Yard (occasional tables) and local community centers
- Language Classes
- Savannah Technical College (ESL and foreign languages)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Live Oak Public Libraries - Bull Street Library (stunning historic building)
- Community Centers
- Jewish Educational Alliance (JEA) and various city-run recreation centers
- Gaming Lounges
- The Portal (Pinball and Arcade) and 8-Bit Bar
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Emerald Princess Casino (Cruises leaving from nearby Brunswick, GA)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,500 per m² ($600 per sq ft). Example: 46 m² ≈ $300,000
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. lifestyle $3,200 per m² ($300 per sq ft). Example: 46 m² ≈ $150,000
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $6,000 per m². Example: 65 m² ≈ $390,000
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 per m². Example: 65 m² ≈ $182,000
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $5,500 per m². Example: 90 m² ≈ $495,000
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,500 per m². Example: 90 m² ≈ $225,000
- Corporate Tax
- Georgia State Tax (5.39%) + US Federal Corporate Tax (21%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% to 30% depending on tax treaties and residency status
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for US Citizens; residency-based for visa holders
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal) + 5.39% (Georgia State)
- VAT
- No VAT, but 7% Sales Tax in Chatham County/Savannah
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, complex GILTI and Subpart F rules apply to US residents
- Property Tax
- Annual tax approx. 1% to 1.2% of assessed fair market value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer tax of $1 per $1,000 of sale price plus title fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax break, but Georgia offers competitive state rates compared to NY/CA