Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1521944
12 SAVANNAHCHAMBER.COM L I V I N G H E R E B E A U K E S T E R 4. There's water, water everywhere. Enjoying life on the water is easy in Savannah. Spend your days boating and fi shing along the picturesque Intracoastal Waterway (and stop in for a meal at one of many waterfront restaurants if you come up empty-handed). Kayak through countless rivers and inlets, or even enjoy the view and a good book relaxing on your neighborhood dock. It's not just rivers and marshes, either. Tybee Island, known as Savannah's beach, is just 20 minutes from downtown. Take a dolphin tour on the water, explore Tybee's bustling pier, or just relax in the sun and sand. POPULATION Savannah: 148,004 Savannah Metropolitan Statistical Area (Bryan, Chatham and Effi ngham counties): 418,373 AVERAGE ONE-WAY WORK COMMUTE (IN MINUTES) Savannah 20.5 Charleston, SC 23.0 Austin, TX 24.1 Jacksonville, FL 24.4 Charlotte, NC 25.2 Atlanta, GA 27.5 San Francisco, CA 31.8 New York, NY 41.1 AVERAGE TEMPERATURES Spring 65.26˚ Summer 81.40˚ Autumn 67.87˚ Winter 51.13˚ CLIMATE 216 days of sunshine per year PRECIPITATION 48" average rain per year Tybee Island 5. History lives at every turn. With our cobblestone streets, historic homes and iconic squares, Savannah is a living museum, preserving centuries of Southern heritage. Since its founding in 1733, Savannah has played a crucial role in American history, from its strategic importance during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars to its rich cultural contributions through the years. Visitors can explore historic sites like the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Museum, where you can learn more about the founder of the Girl Scouts, or Telfair Academy, the oldest public art museum in the South. Take a stroll through Bonaventure Cemetery (a centerpiece of the popular book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil"), or visit the Pin Point Heritage Museum, where you'll learn about Gullah-Geechee roots dating back to the 1700s, when enslaved West Africans were taken to Coastal Georgia and developed a fl ourishing culture. Savannah takes great care to preserve its history, giving residents an unmatched opportunity to appreciate and learn from our city's historically rich and diverse past. 6. We're uniquely situated within the Coastal Empire. In the Savannah area, it's easy to live and work across county — or even state — lines. Local governments and authorities work together to tackle transportation issues and other aspects and potential challenges of rapid growth, ensuring a high quality of life for residents. 7. We've got natural beauty in spades. With captivating landscapes and an abundance of recreational activities, Savannah offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. P E T E R C O L I N M U R R A Y / S A V A N N A H M A G A Z I N E Broughton Street