Residents living in Savannah, Georgia, spend their free time the way other people spend their vacations. And young professionals have made Savannah, Georgia, a destination of choice – trading in major-metro stress and suburban sprawl for the city’s wide range of cool new and old neighborhoods.

A magnet for talent, Savannah’s beauty has long inspired artists and musicians to live in Savannah, Georgia, including Johnny Mercer of Moon River fame, and writers Conrad Aiken and Flannery O'Connor. With more than 60 in the area, Savannah, Georgia, has over 200% more art galleries per capita than New York City! The Historic District itself is living art, and Savannah, Georgia, also has its fair share of forts and historical sites representative of our nation’s early history.

Where dining is concerned, Savannah, Georgia, has it all – from elegant historic inns to marshland settings with dress codes so casual, you can go barefoot. Southern home cooking practically started here, and since Savannah, Georgia, is located right on the coast, our seafood couldn't be fresher.

In fact, life in Savannah is a virtual paradise for those who like the water. A year-round climate perfect for recreation is suitable for exploring the 420 miles of navigable waters twisting and turning through nearly 87,000 acres of tidal marshlands. Obviously, residents of Savannah both work hard and live well.

Savannah's Diverse Economy

Savannah is the proud home of the North and South American headquarters of JCB Inc., a leading manufacturer of heavy construction and agricultural equipment, and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, the maker of the world's most technologically advanced business aircraft.

Smaller, but still impressive -- especially to anyone into music -- Benedetto Guitars, the maker of fine jazz guitars, located their only manufacturing facility in the world in Savannah in 2006, with Bob Benedetto overseeing the creation of every one. And, The Gretsch Company has been making their world-famous guitars and drums in the area since the 1980s.

There are many other thriving businesses, of course, and they are not all manufacturing. More and more major retailers are making Savannah the port of choice for their import distribution centers. The latest announcements have included Heineken, Lowe's, Target and IKEA.

Two major hospital systems employ thousands. And the tourism industry, attracting more than 6 million visitors a year, is booming. New hotel construction is visible on almost every corner.

The influence of the Savannah College of Art and Design has been very positive economically, and not only through the direct impact of students and faculty living and working here. A number of creative and technical businesses have been created by or attracted to the unique talent here. There are 16 other colleges or universities in the area that contribute to this talent pool.

Finally, for those of you who may be interested, there are a number of Fortune 500 and International companies within these various economic sectors.

But maybe most important, for those of you who may actually be moving with the company, know you will be welcomed here with open arms. We recognize that some people have a perception of Southern towns as closed and clique-y, but Savannah is most definitely neither. Smart, sincere people who care about the community are encouraged and embraced. Love our hometown the way we do, and you'll not only rub elbows with local leaders, you will easily become one of them. If you want to.