Garden City, GA 245 Apartments for Rent

Garden City is one of the few places in Georgia that does not levy a property tax, real or personal. The city council is considering changing that in 2014.

Located just three miles northwest of the city of Savannah along coastal Georgia, Garden City, was once home to the Brampton, Givens, and Telfair plantations. Now it is home to large employers like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation and GAF Materials, five public parks, 8,778 residents, and a statue of Babe Ruth in front of Babe's Barbeque Shack on Highway 80 West. The city's 14.6 square miles include the Port of Savannah, and is home to 8,778 residents as of the 2010 census. Average low winter temperatures hover around 40 degrees, and the summers are hot and steamy, with July and August highs just above 90, while throwing down six to seven inches of rain each of those months.

Moving to Garden City

Garden City is about as near to Savannah as you can get, but when it comes to moving, they're not even close. Garden City is Savannah's industrial little sister -- much of the real estate is devoted to large manufacturing companies, and its location along the Savannah River puts the country's fourth-busiest container port right in Garden City's front yard. The rest of the city is made up of various types of housing and restaurant options ranging from national chains to coastal Georgia one-of-a-kinds.

You're most likely to find an apartment for rent somewhere along the Highway 80 corridor which runs parallel with the Savannah River. Arbors Apartments here has two and three bedroom garden apts for rent. If you're in the market for a 1 bedroom apartment, Wyndmere Apartments right down the street has those, along with a pool and pet-friendly property. There is an application process involved, so plan to give yourself enough time to get through it before you need to move. Two weeks should be sufficient, but to be on the safe side, start applying a month before you'd like to move.

To find furnished apartments, you will need to look closer to Savannah. Same goes if you're seeking to lump your utilities in with your rent. It's probably not going to happen in Garden City. You can, however, find several single-family homes for roughly the same price you'll pay for an apartment. You'll just have to weigh the addition of privacy against the loss of amenities like a pool and a fitness center, which many coastal apartment complexes have; it's best for the beach if you're somewhat tan and fit.

Something else you're going to need besides first month's rent, security and pet deposit, and references is a car. Garden City is pretty spread out, and while you may be able to find a place close enough to walk that serves your need for Applebee's and frozen convenience store soda concoctions, for most other things you're going to have to drive.

Garden City Neighborhoods

Garden City is pretty much split into "by the river" and "not by the river" as far as neighborhoods go. To find an apartment or duplex for rent in Garden City, look by the river. If you'd rather have a little more space between you and your closest neighbor, you should be looking further inland.

Highway 80 and Augusta Road: This is as close to a city center as Garden City gets, and you guessed it: It's by the river. Augusta Road is closer to the water than Hwy 80, and has the majority of Garden City's dining options lined up in this town's version of a Restaurant Row. Just around the corner on Hwy 80 are most of the apartment complexes. Some single-family homes are available to renters in this area, as well. Most of the city's industries are located here, as well.

I-16 and Surrounding Area: I-16 is the main interstate into the city of Savannah, and there's not a whole lot immediately around it. There are some housing developments at the furthest reaches of Garden City in this direction, but mostly there is green space.

Living in Garden City

Port cities can be a lot of fun. Not only are they great employment centers, but watching huge container ships navigate a river channel provides hours of entertainment. Savannah/Hilton Head Airport is practically next door if you need to get away, but having an airport that serves both Savannah _and _Hilton Head means that both of these travel destinations are really close by.

If you'd like to work in Garden City, it only makes sense to keep your home there. Rents are cheaper than the resort areas closer to the coast, and you're close enough to the coast to hop on the interstate for an afternoon of enjoying the culture, simplicity, and truly Southern lifestyle that is Savannah.

A word of caution: A lot of industry in this area involves the processing of paper. If you have never been graced with the scent of a paper mill, spend your next week's vacation down and around Garden City before you decide to make a permanent move there. Some people enjoy the smell ("Smells like money!" is a popular southern phrase), others can tolerate it, while others simply cannot stand it. While there is a lot to love about Garden City and the general area, the paper mills often become the ultimate make-or-break when deciding to move to the area.