5 Best Neighborhoods for Young Families to Live in Savannah
Choosing the perfect neighborhood for your family is an important decision when moving. With our rich history, beautiful parks, a plethora of outdoor activities, and a vibrant community, Savannah offers an ideal setting for young families to thrive. With so many great neighborhoods to choose from, we’ve narrowed down the top five communities that are perfect for young families in our charming Southern city.
Burnside Island (Moon River District)
Burnside Island is a hidden gem in Savannah. Located southeast of Savannah proper, this tranquil community is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The small, residential island is unique in that it is actually made up of three smaller, connected islands and features channels and estuaries winding throughout the community. The layout of the island allows for larger properties and many of the houses are situated on tidal creeks with plenty of homes even having deep water access. Families here spend their weekends exploring the back rivers, spending a day on the beach of Wassaw Island, fishing off docks, or kayaking along the waterways. The community even offers a small, self-serve yacht club and a neighborhood dock for paying members.
Young families especially appreciate the community park, friendly neighbors, great public schools, and the opportunity for outdoor adventures along the picturesque waterways of coastal Georgia. During the week, kids head to the park on Island Road to play basketball or hang out on the brand-new playground equipment. The Neighborhood Association also hosts seasonal family gatherings at the park with food trucks, bouncy houses, and great attendance. The community even has an annual potluck picnic in the fall every year. Burnside Island is served by excellent schools, which are Hesse K-8 and Jenkins High School. When not in school, kids can often be seen playing in their front yards or riding their bikes around the island. The area is also a designated golf-cart community making getting around the neighborhood a zip.
The drive in and off the island makes for one of the most scenic views in Savannah. Picture marsh grass for miles swaying in the breeze amongst the backdrop of a pink sky and a glowing orange sunset. With a peaceful, safe atmosphere and breathtaking waterfront views of the famous Moon River, it’s hard to beat this Savannah neighborhood.
Mayfair (Southside Savannah)
Mayfair is known for its family-friendly vibe and beautiful, oak tree-lined streets. Situated on the Southside of Savannah less than a mile from the Truman Parkway, this neighborhood offers convenience without traffic. It’s a 5-minute or less drive to the area’s major shopping centers, malls, grocery stores, and numerous restaurants. Mayfair is also in a top-notch school district with Hesse K-8 and Jenkins High School as the public schools in the area.
Mayfair Park is where kids enjoy the neighborhood playground. Neighbors in Mayfair enjoy connecting over pizza nights and adult swims at the membership-based outdoor community pool, which opens every summer. Perhaps what Mayfair residents enjoy most about living in this community is that it’s right across the street from one of Savannah’s best community parks: Lake Mayer.
With a large playground, a skate park, a paved roller skating rink, tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts, RC racing track, two-and-a-half mile exercise trail, and a well-stocked pond, Lake Mayer has so much to offer families. Next to Lake Mayer is the Chatham County Aquatic Center, Ambuc softball fields, Guy Minnick baseball fields, the Jennifer Ross Soccer Complex, and the Bacon Park golf course. Mayfair families have a hard time deciding what to do on weekends with all of these exciting places and activities nearby!
The Landings (Moon River District)
For families seeking a more upscale community, The Landings is a premier choice. Located on Skidaway Island, this private, gated neighborhood boasts stunning coastal views and fantastic amenities. In fact, residents often say that living here feels like always being on vacation.
Parents who love to golf and want to share their passion with their kids can tee off at one of the six 18-hole championship courses within the community. With an outdoor sports field and four different types of sports courts (tennis, pickleball, bocce, and croquet), there are plenty of activities for youth to more senior athletes. Other standout amenities include a 52,000-square-foot wellness center with a gym, fitness programs, a spa, and an aquatics program. The community has five pools including the family-friendly Franklin Creek pool with resort-style slides. There is also plenty to do for nature lovers with over 30 miles of beautiful marshland and wooded trails within the community.
Boaters love The Landings’ two full-service marinas and proximity to the Atlantic and Intracoastal waterway. There is even a sailing club and kayak rental program.
Families here have access to excellent educational institutions, including Hesse K-8 and Jenkins High School. It’s hard not to love this top-tier community that offers a luxurious lifestyle every day.
Wilmington Island (The Islands)
Wilmington Island is a family-friendly neighborhood with a mix of suburban and coastal living. Located just 15-minutes from the Historic District of Savannah and Tybee Island, it is the neighborhood of choice for those who enjoy regular visits to the bustling Downtown Savannah and peaceful island living. The island is made up of many subdivisions geared toward families like Wilmington Park, Palmetto Cove, Olde Towne, and Betz Creek.
During the weekends Wilmington Island residents have access to fun activities and happenings like the Wilmington Island Farmer’s Market, boating on the Wilmington River, exploring the nearby Fort Pulaski National Monument, visiting the Oatland Island Wildlife Center, and hiking on McQueen’s Trail. Like the other islands in Savannah, Wilmington is a great community for boaters and offers larger properties with deep water access. During summers, many families become members of the Wilmington Park community pool or even the nearby Savannah Yacht Club, where social activities and gatherings abound.
Wilmington Island is not only residential. Unlike the other island neighborhoods on our list, this island is much more commercialized. It has two grocery stores, coffee shops, local restaurants that rival Downtown Savannah’s, and even bars that are hard to beat. Wilmington is the ideal neighborhood for those seeking safe, calm neighborhoods with the convenience of nearby activities.
The schools are good too. Families residing enroll their kids in highly-rated schools like May Howard Elementary School and Islands High School.
Isle of Hope (Moon River District)
This historic waterfront community is perfect for families looking for a tight-knit, close-to-nature lifestyle. The oak-shaded streets, community events, and waterfront views make Isle of Hope a charming place to call home. Waterfront bungalows to stately mansions can be found throughout the islands. Isle of Hope offers properties on tidal creeks as well as deep water with its own full-service marina.
Families enjoy fishing off the pier, picnicking at Bluff Drive Park, playing at the Isle of Hope Park, and visiting the Wormsloe State Historic Site for a hike. In the summers the Isle of Hope pool is open and a popular spot for families on and off the island. The Island’s marina is the center for many of the community’s events, like the annual Isle of Hope Arts Festival and oyster roasts.
Young learners attend Isle of Hope K-8, known for its strong STEM programs. The neighborhood is in the Jenkins High School district, which is one of the best in Savannah.