1. Savannans Do The Whole “Southern Charm” Thing Better Than Anyone Else
Savannah has definitely earned its motto as “Hostess City of the South.” Is it really a surprise, after all this is a city full of stunning old architecture, enchanting moss, and sweet tea that flows like wine after Sunday service. Add to that the Savannans’ hospitable demeanor and unwavering politeness and it’s easy to forget what century you are in—or why you’d ever want to leave.
2. It Ain’t Over Until The Savannan Sings
Singing is kind of a big deal here. There are a ton of musical and live performance venues, including the Savannah Concert Association, the Savannah Music Festival, and several orchestras.
But Savannah’s real love is opera. And it all goes down at the Savannah VOICE Festival, which combines professional performances of classic favorites with community engagement, including auditioning and workshop opportunities for the opera-loving public.
3. Savannah’s Comfort Food Is the Best In the World—Deal With It
The locals don’t like to own up to their love of fried goodness but Savannah isn’t home to The Lady and Sons for nothing. Biscuits and gravy aside, the fried chicken and candied yams at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room are the stuff of legend and everyone knows it.
Sure there is more to Savannah dining than fried chicken seven days a week but good southern soul food is hard to beat.
And let’s not forget the holy trinity of “P”: pecans, peaches, peanuts—these sacraments of delight are enough to make anyone a believer.
4. People In Savannah Like Life To Move At A Slower Pace…
It’s no secret why beach bums and retirees alike flock to this temperate beach town. Savannans are generally laid back about everything—there is no rush to do anything here. It’s more about kicking back and taking it all in. And the hot and muggy climate certainly contributes to the languorous pace of things.
5. …Except For When It Comes The Booze Hounding
It’s five o’clock somewhere, right? For Savannans it certainly is.
The locals have been known to party hardy throughout their weekends, which as often as not begin on Thursday afternoon (hey it’s the new Friday!). The party life here rivals that of downtown Atlanta and the bars stay packed until 3 a.m. closing. And what perfect way to close the night out than stumbling over to Waffle House drunk as Cooter Brown for waffles and fries?
6. Folks In Savannah Let Their Liberal Flag Fly High
Georgia may be a red state but Savannans are as liberal as it gets. They were recently ranked as the 68th most liberal city out of 237—not bad for a city south of the Mason-Dixon line. The people here are known for being overly accepting with a “live and let live” mentality and that has been an attractive draw for the LGBT community.
Part of this liberal leaning is due to SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. It tends to attract an edgier, artistic demographic, many of whom, upon graduating, establish roots there.
There are also more than 100 different neighborhoods throughout town, many of which are culturally and ethnically diverse and this allows for a more open-minded perspective on things.
7. Savannans Talk Sweet As A Jawja Peach—And They Know It
Savannan speech is full of lilts and drawls that are pleasing to the ear. So pleasing in fact that it was actually listed by Travel+ Leisure (they must pay someone on the staff there) as one of “American’s Most Charming Accents.”
There are the vocabulary differences that are worth noting (in Savannah it’s a rag, not a washcloth, and a buggy, not a shopping cart). But the sing-song tones and lengthening of syllables are what really endear the nation to Savannan speak. Just ask them to say “Georgia” (“Jawja”) or “Atlanta” (“Add-lanna”).
8. There’s No Bull About Savannah’s Bulldog Love
While the rest of the state’s UGA fan can get a little extreme (no doubt when adding something stronger than sweet tea to the mix) with their rabid reverence, Savannans like to keep it classy, ensuring that football fandom can still be a family fun event.
Just don’t mistake their calmer nature as indifference—Savannans bleed bulldog pride. In fact, locating University of Georgia Bulldog gear in Savannah is easier than finding a glass of sweet tea, and that’s no small feat.
9. Savannans Drink, Bleed And Breathe Green On St. Patty’s Day
You think Boston has the most pride when it comes to their Irish heritage? Fuhgeddaboudit. Savannah has them beat.
The city boasts the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s parade, replete with floats, beads and trinkets, marching bands, and of course, bagpipers. The event is so big that Savannans actually start celebrating days before the 17th.
Park fountains and beer taps rain green, people walk around in the some of the most, er, interesting costumes, and everyone is hard at work on their Irish tan.
10. In Savannah “Fido” Just Might Be A Gator
Maybe they don’t actually tame and tend to them, but Savannans are actually quite at ease living with gators in their midst. With the Savannah National Refuge nearby and a boatload of water features (lakes, ponds, rivers and swamp areas) around town, gators are just a part of everyday life. Some Savannans even manage to live amicably with the scaled squatters who have taken up residence in their yards.
They have learned that if you don’t bother the gators, the gators won’t bother you and so far that unspoken arrangement seems to be working. Must be more of that “live and let live” mentality that makes Savannah sweet as a Georgia peach.
Feature Image Source: Espn.go.com 
