Safe Savannah?
 

I've been a bit alarmed by the messages I've read here about living in Savannah.
My family are planning to rent an apartment for six weeks this winter about four blocks north of Forsythe Park. How dangerous is the historic district? I called the local police but they were unwilling to characterize any one neighborhood as being worse than another. They recommended the 'police report' in the local newspaper, but it's awfully hard to tell just what neighborhood is involved.
There are gated communities, but I hate living in a situation that cuts us off from the real people of a city, and anyway, they're terribly expensive.

Any hints would be most appreciated.

In my personal experience of traveling many times to Savannah, I've never felt unsafe nor have I experienced any crime.

Not to say that it doesn't exist however I make sure I don't put myself in an area where I don't feel comfortable.

I take cabs at night or walk with a group of people.

I know things happen but if you use common sense, you minimize your chances.

We have looked into this as our son will be a student for next 4 years at Savannah College of Art and Design (which is a scattered set of buildings throughout historic distric). Their website has a "crime" section which can be accessed thru their website (scad.edu) - rather specific to historic district. We realize that a college has a vested interest in portraying crime statistics favorably - but also in the scad newspaper their are articles as well - also can be read thru website.

If you are 4 blocks north of Forsyth Park, you will be ok. The more dangerous area is South of Forsyth and North of Victory Dr. You will be fine as long as you use common sense. Don't be out alone at night, lock all doors and windows, and be aware of your surroundings. You will be in the nicer "touristy" area.

When we were visiting Savannah in May -which we LOVED by the way - we were a little alarmed at a couple of things.

We read a few things about Savannah being "unsafe", and the high murder rate, etc.

We stayed in the Historic District, and never felt unsafe. We were a little taken aback when a friendly local helping us with restaurant suggestions one night told us not to walk near the inner edge of the sidewalk, as we might be jumped and mugged. That made we not want to walk at night.

The next day, we were visiting some of the historic homes, when we saw the front page of the local paper in a vending machine. The lead story was of a 45 year old wife and mother who had been stabbed to death in the local supermarket parking lot one night during an attempted carjacking by local teenagers.

I think as others have said you just have to be cautious. I have been many places where I "felt" unsafe - I did not feel that way in Savannah. Maybe a false sense of security, but I think the Historic Distict is relatively benign.

Thanks, all. There's no guarantee that carjackers won't stab you in the grocery store parking lot in Peoria, so Savannah sounds safe enough as long as I stay north of the park.

I'll check out the college webpage.