Recognized as one of the best colleges for design in the country, the Savannah College of Art and Design is known for its extensive degree programs, unique and collaborative atmosphere, and dedication to aiding students in pursuing creative careers. If you have recently been admitted to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD for short) or are looking to familiarize yourself with the college and its surrounding area, this comprehensive guide will give you all the information you need, ranging from transportation to safety and even great food in the area!
Like other college students in the country, students at SCAD will typically live in on-campus housing for their first year of college. After freshman year, many students choose to move off-campus in nearby Savannah neighborhoods.
Some of the best neighborhoods/areas that students live in include the Historic District, Starland District, and Ardsley Park. Within these areas, students frequent Broughton St., Forsynth St. (typically in between MLK Blvd and Habersham St.) as well as properties alongside the Savannah River.
The rental market in Savannah is different than most places, as students begin looking for housing only a month before moving, since the city only leases one month in advance. This can make searching for an apartment or home a bit stressful, but there are still plenty of options available to Savannah College of Art and Design students.
Living in a city like Savannah usually consists of having a small apartment, studio, or shared home which can sometimes mean sacrificing your material items for space. In this case, having self-storage can not only keep your items nearby, but also keep your space less cluttered at the same time. Also, it is a good idea to contact Savannah furniture rental companies to maximize your space and budget.
Dining
The food scene in Savannah combines the tradition of rich Southern comfort food with modern-style fusion cuisine. Students at SCAD can find an array of different restaurants that will make both stomachs and wallets happy. Some of the favorites around campus include Leopold's Ice Cream (known for its great selection of ice cream flavors), Butter Head Greens Café, Foxy Loxy Café (one of Savannah's most popular coffee shops), Carlitos (loved for its Dollar Taco Tuesdays), Wasabi's Fusion Downtown, and Corleone's. There are also several restaurants within the area that accept SCAD cards as a method of payment, such as Ben and Jerry's, Subway, and Zunzi's to name a few!
In addition to its food scene, Savannah is known for its large variety of bars. Whether you are looking to relax and enjoy a calm, laidback evening after a long day of classes or have a beer in a fun-filled, lively sports atmosphere, there are plenty of options for you in Savannah. Some popular bars by SCAD include El Rocko Lounge, Totally Awesome Bar, Vice, Alley Cat Lounge, Rogue Water, The Grove, and Barrel House South.
Transportation
Since SCAD's academic and residential buildings are spread across downtown Savannah, access to adequate transportation is a top priority for SCAD. The college offers several different transportation services to accommodate students and their needs, and most either walk, bike, or use public transit (bus) to get around.
The Bee Line Bus Service: Consisting of 13 routes throughout the SCAD community, the Bee Line bus service provides transportation free of charge for students, faculty, and staff. The service runs as early as 7 a.m. and continues until midnight Monday through Thursday with modified schedules and availability on the weekends. In addition, the service also includes specialized charters for student events, airport shuttles, and shopping shuttles.
SCAD Safe Ride: This service offers late-night drop-offs to SCAD students from SCAD buildings to off-campus housing within the midtown and downtown areas of Savannah.
SCAD Bike Share: SCAD Bike Share program helps students, faculty, and staff travel around campus using reserved bicycles.
Parking
As anyone can expect, since SCAD is in downtown historic Savannah, parking is not the easiest to access. Because of this, students are strongly encouraged to utilize and take advantage of several different transportation services that SCAD offers rather than using personal vehicles. First-year students living in residence halls are discouraged from bringing their cars to college. Students, staff, and faculty who park or use a vehicle on SCAD's campus must register their cars with the SCAD Department of University Safety.
Student parking permits are free and active for the full academic year (fall through spring).
Safety
The Savannah College of Art and Design takes the safety of its students very seriously, offering several different resources to ensure their protection and assistance if a problem arises. The college has its own safety department, The Department of University Safety, to assist with and guarantee the safety of SCAD students.
BeeSafe: SCAD's crime prevention program, BeeSafe, offers SCAD students, faculty, and staff a toolkit to identify and navigate different safety issues. With BeeSafe, students can learn tips to avoid the risk of buying/selling online with SafeTrade and reduce exposure to crime HomeCheck.
LiveSafe: SCAD also encourages students to use LiveSafe, a free smartphone app that uses their phone's GPS System to help students report suspicious activity or safety concerns.
Shopping
Shopping in Savannah is a dream, as you can find anything like quaint shops and small boutiques to large-scale brand name stores. River Street is known for its cobblestone streets that follow the Savannah River and the large variety of retail stores and restaurants along the street. On Broughton Street, you can find thrift stores and brand names like H&M, Free People, and Urban Outfitters- plus that delicious Leopold's Ice Cream!
