A Nebraska couple seeking a new home in the South considered Myrtle Beach as a potential destination before ultimately settling in Savannah, Georgia. Andrew Cheesman, 66, and his wife, an empty-nesting nurse, embarked on a two-year search for a warmer climate with ample golf opportunities, a key factor for Cheesman.
The couple, who are not yet retired, explored various Southern states including South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia. They specifically looked at Myrtle Beach but found it too commercial for their preferences. Other South Carolina locations such as Hilton Head were also considered. Their search criteria included a home with an existing pool or space for one, no homeowners association, and a primary bedroom on the first floor, aiming for their final residence.
Cheesman, a VP of sales for a digital imaging equipment company working remotely, and his wife, who easily secured a nursing position in their new location due to a local shortage, prioritized lifestyle over cost savings in their move. They noted that property taxes in their new state were lower than in Nebraska, though they observed a difference in social services, with Nebraska’s hospitals and schools being superior. The cost of electricity, water, and internet were also found to be cheaper in their new Southern home.
The couple’s move from a 4,600-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home in Omaha, Nebraska, which sold for $700,000, to a 2,900-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-bathroom house in Savannah’s Southbridge area, purchased for $550,000, represented a significant price reduction from its initial asking price. The move itself cost approximately $16,500, with the wife handling the packing and a moving service transporting the bulk of their belongings.
Cheesman expressed a strong appreciation for the weather in his new home, reporting only ten days with temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in the past year. He also highlighted the vibrant community, diverse population, and access to golf courses, connecting with about 40 fellow golfers at the Southbridge Golf Course. However, he noted a significant adjustment to the wealth disparity in the area, observing numerous mobile home parks adjacent to affluent neighborhoods, a contrast to his experience in Omaha.
