Southern Living named it the number-one neighborhood in the South. The New York Times called it a creative incubator. Residents just call it home, and they tend to say it with the quiet confidence of people who found something good before everyone else caught on.
The Starland District sits within the larger Thomas Square Streetcar Historic District, just south of the Victorian and Historic districts. It's bounded roughly by Montgomery Street to the west, E. Broad Street to the east, Anderson Lane to the north, and Victory Drive to the south. The name comes from the old Starland Dairy on Bull Street, a two-story building that two SCAD graduates purchased in 1999 and used as the anchor for a neighborhood revitalization that's been building momentum ever since.
The housing stock reflects the neighborhood's layered history: historic Victorian cottages, duplexes and triplexes, warehouse and loft conversions, and newer infill townhomes mixed in throughout. Styles range from Queen Anne Victorian to Neoclassical Revival, reminders of the streetcar era that made this Savannah's first suburb in the late 1800s. The neighborhood has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1997. Property values have climbed steadily as Starland's reputation has grown, and there's real upside here for buyers paying attention to where Savannah is heading.
Starland's biggest draw is the culture built into its streets. Independent galleries, working artist studios, murals that rotate over time, and a calendar of pop-up shops and food trucks give it a texture that takes years to develop and can't be manufactured from scratch. Foxy Loxy Cafe, Two Tides Brewing Company, Starland Yard (the neighborhood's beloved outdoor gathering spot anchored by food trucks and local vendors), and Back in the Day Bakery are the anchors. Starland First Fridays, a monthly evening event where local shops and galleries stay open late, has become a neighborhood institution.
The Gingerbread House, an 1889 Victorian landmark and popular wedding venue, is nearby. Forsyth Park is within easy walking distance, and the Bull Street Library is just up the road.
Starland attracts artists, entrepreneurs, young professionals, SCAD students and alumni, and anyone drawn to a neighborhood that feels alive rather than staged. It's walkable, bikeable, and a short ride from downtown. If your ideal Saturday involves picking up coffee from an independent shop, wandering past street art, and ending the evening at a local brewery with live music, you already know this neighborhood is for you.
Starland is served by the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. Esther F. Garrison School of Visual and Performing Arts (pre-K through 8th grade) is one of the closest and most sought-after public options in the district, a National Blue Ribbon School with a curriculum built around fine arts alongside core academics. Admission is by district-wide lottery and competitive application, so it's worth applying early. Savannah Arts Academy serves middle and high school students as a magnet school and is a natural fit for the creative household. Always verify current zoning assignments directly with the district.
For private education, families in Starland have strong options nearby. St. Vincent's Academy, Blessed Sacrament School, Habersham School, and Calvary Day School are all within close reach. Savannah Christian Preparatory School, Savannah Country Day School, Benedictine Military School, and St. Andrew's School round out the broader list.
Starland is the kind of neighborhood that's easier to fall in love with in person. If you want to talk through what's available or just get a better feel for the area, I'm happy to help.
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