If you like the beach, fishing or anything having to do with the water, and also have a penchant for charming southern accents and old-fashioned Southern manners, then Wilmington Island is the place for you!
This town is basically a suburb of Savannah, which is where most people that live here head for work because it's only a 20-minute drive east to the bigger city. The Tybee Island beach community is also just 10 minutes away. It's one of several barrier islands off the coast of Savannah and the location really can't be beat. You have the best of all worlds, with the beach right there at your fingertips and all the shopping, dining and entertainment you could ask for just minutes away.
Moving to Wilmington Island
If you're looking for places to live in Wilmington Island, you're in luck! There are heaps of rental properties available here and a pretty high vacancy rate for the area. A lot of people use Wilmington Island as a place to keep a part-time home, which is good news for those looking for an apartment for rent because, at any given time, you'll find lots of properties available. Most landlords give preferential treatment to long-term renters because it's easier for them to hold onto one tenant instead of having a revolving door of renters. The best time to look is in the summer -- summers get hot here and more people flock to the island during the winter months when the north gets too cold.
When you start looking for house rentals in Wilmington Island, make plenty of appointments to see a variety of places. It gives you an advantage to know what is available in the area you're looking. Plus you'll want to know what it's like to live in the different neighborhoods. You can ask your prospective landlord questions about the neighborhood, too. Is it noisy? Are there shops and restaurants nearby? Is it easy to get to the highway? Is there public transportation? What is the weather like throughout the year? Does the population grow or shrink depending on what time of year it is? Think of all the things you might want to know ahead of time in order to plan your upcoming move -- those should all factor into where you end up renting an apartment. The more educated you are about the area you're moving to, the more likelihood of you ending up in exactly the right kind of apartment.
What you'll need: There are a lot of available properties here, but that doesn't mean that you won't need to put some time and effort into your house hunt. Get all your documents in order before you start heading out to your appointments. You're going to need a copy of your ID, bank statements, pay stubs, a credit report, letter of employment, references, rental application and any other items your landlord might ask for. The better prepared you are before you start your hunt, the more smoothly it will go! Be sure to dress sharp and show up on time, too. This is a community where people take things seriously and you'll want to make a good impression. Oh, and bring your checkbook -- nothing says you're serious about renting like putting cash down on an apartment right upfront.
Neighborhoods
Wilmington Island is a small town with a pretty cohesive feel. You get the same sense traveling from one side of the island to the other, but there are a few different sections that are worth pointing out. Here's a lowdown on Wilmington's neighborhoods.
Wheaton Street / E. Gwinnet Street: This is a small neighborhood in the center of the island that is right off the Harry S. Truman Parkway -- convenient for anyone who needs to get in and out of Savannah easily for work or play. It's a little less populated than some of the other sections of town so camp out here if you like a little peace and quiet.
Green Island Road: This is the southernmost tip of the island and it's largely composed of the gorgeous Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. This is a beautiful, swampy, southern wonderland and will delight anyone who enjoys spending time in the great outdoors. The rest of the neighborhood is filled with single-family homes and townhouses and there is a fairly high vacancy rate here.
Town Center: The middle of Wilmington Island is filled with residential buildings and single-family homes. You'll find lots of tree-lined streets and cute storefronts and restaurants nearby. You can definitely get by with walking around this area but most residents have a car to get to and from Savannah.
Living in Wilmington Island
Life here is great for water lovers. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy the beach, whether you like swimming, surfing, sailing or just sunning by the water! The weather is beautiful year-round, if a little hot in the summer months, so you can get outside and splash around in the water everyday. Alternatively you could horseback ride along the shores a favorite pastime for many folks here. There are great golf courses nearby and enough shopping to satisfy anyone. If you're in need of more action, check out the nightlife and entertainment in nearby Savannah, one of the South's more popular cities!
It's only 20 minutes by car and you'll have access to everything you can think of, including wonderful musical concerts, gorgeous city parks, movie theaters, and awesome restaurants and bars. If you opt to stick around Wilmington Island for your meals, you should give Ele Fine Fusion a try! It's one of the local favorites. Or head to Desposito's Seafood restaurant to try some of the fresh local shellfish and fish dishes that the area is known for. You can't go wrong with southern food, so be sure to get your fill while you're living here -- it's one of the biggest perks of calling this town home! Good luck with your move to Wilmington.