Savannah GA News | Cool Buildings and Inspiring Architecture

Published on June 22, 2015

HOSTESS CITY OF THE SOUTH - SMART SOUTHERN CITIES

Carving a name for itself as of the best place to live in GA, Savannah, is a favorite destination for many fans of the Arts. Founded in 1733 by James Oglethorpe, it is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Built on the banks of the Savannah River 20 miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, this seaport has always been a center of grace, Southern charm and a long standing patron of the Arts, Garden Design and Architecture included. Consistently voted one of "America's Favorite Cities" by Travel + Leisure Magazine, the same magazine named Savannah, America's second best city for "Cool Buildings and Architecture".

Savannah began early on to realize the value of its historic homes and buildings and had preservation before preservation was even thought of in many other places. The downtown area features one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States. The original city planner was James Oglethorpe, his plan included 22 squares that are for the most part still in existence surrounded by historic homes and buildings in a parklike atmosphere. Homes for sale in Savannah GA neighborhoods are famous for its mature (read huge) Live Oaks and gracious gardens, all these historic buildings and gardens make the downtown area of Savannah one of the best place to live in GA.

The Arts have an ancestral home in Savannah. All of the Arts. Musical performances run the gamut featuring anything from Jazz to Chamber Music to Sludge Metal Rock. For the classical music fan, two orchestras call the area home (The Savannah Orchestra and The Savannah Philharmonic). The annual Savannah Music Festival is the largest musical arts festival in the state of Georgia. Held in the spring the festival produces one hundred musical performances over a 17 day period.

The Visual Arts scene got a huge boost with the 1978 founding of SCAD, Savannah College of Art and Design. SCAD is centered in the renovated historic 1892 Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory. Architecture, Interior Design, Visual Arts, and just about any other artistic endeavor imaginable are taught here. SCAD has morphed into a world class Design school with sought after graduates in many fields. If lifelong learning is a retirement goal, a bachelor or master's degree in many areas of Fine Arts may be pursued.

Theatre is also well represented in Savannah, seven theatrical groups are based in the area. The Savannah Theatre provides year round professional performances for residents, a Children's Theatre Company and non professional venues are also available. SCAD owns two venues, the historic Trustees Theatre and the Lucas Theatre of the Arts, where the Savannah Film Festival is held. For ballet enthusiasts, the Savannah Dance Theatre is the city's largest dance company.

The best selling novel and movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, set in the downtown area, brought the city's historic homes and gardens as well as its literary side into the national spotlight, The Savannah Book Festival is held every President's Day weekend and usually features 35 authors of contemporary literature. The home of Lady Chablis from the novel, Club One, still attracts many visitors looking for a walk on the wild side.

Baby Boomers looking for a best place to live in GA with a thriving cultural scene and boundless opportunities for lifelong learning need not look any further than homes for sale in Savannah GA. Learn how to write, dance on stage, throw pottery, participate in life drawing or painting classes, take up photography or Pilates yoga. Savannah is a great choice for retirement.

Venues and areas of study that can be found in Savannah include:

The Ballet School offers Ballet, Tap and Pilates classes for all skill levels.
10010 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31406 912.925.0903
Savannah's Clay Spot offers Pottery classes, subjects include wheel and/or handbuilding and clay silk screening.
1305 Barnard Street, Savannah, GA 31401 912.509.4647
Telfair Museum offers Art Classes including Life Drawing, Painting and Printmaking.
121 Barnard Street, Savannah, GA 31401 912.790.8800
Georgia Southern University, headquartered in Statesboro, Georgia offers Computer, Yoga, Writing and Photography classes at their Coastal Georgia location.
305 Fahm Street, Savannah, GA 31401 912.651.2005
City of Savannah offers classes in Drawing and Painting, Ceramics, Metalsmithing, Stained and Fused Glassmaking - Leisure Services Bureau, Savannah, GA 912-351-3837

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