After three years of bouncing between cities and continents, I’ve perfected the art of packing light and emergency hot-spotting. Freelancing as a graphic designer gives me the freedom to travel, but lately, the novelty of waking up everyday in a foreign place has started to wear thin. I came to Savannah because it seemed like the kind of city that could soothe a restless soul with its charm and slower pace. I don’t know if I’m looking for a place to settle down or just a reason to keep moving, but something tells me this week might hold an answer.
Day 1
7 a.m. — I wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window of my cozy Airbnb, a renovated carriage house tucked behind a Victorian mansion. I make coffee and take it out to the small patio, where the air already feels heavy with humidity. The moss-draped oaks are as enchanting as I imagined.
9 a.m. — I head to Foxy Loxy Café to start my workday. I order a latte and a breakfast taco while I settle in. Deadlines loom, and I dive into revisions for a client’s website design. Savannah’s quiet energy makes it easier to focus than I expected. $14
1 p.m. — Lunch is a calorie-bomb pepperoni roll from Parker’s Market Urban Gourmet, a spot I found while wandering the historic district. The sandwich is loaded with mozzarella, pepperoni and topped with roasted garlic and parmesan cheese. The neighborhood is super quirky, and I love how it feels like stepping into another time. $10
3 p.m. — After wrapping up work for the day, I wander over to Forsyth Park. The fountain is postcard-perfect, and I grab a bench to people-watch. I sketch the park in my notebook, feeling oddly at peace for the first time in weeks. I actually started as a fine artist and have an MFA from Carnegie Mellon and transitioned to graphic design for, well, to survive.
6 p.m. — Dinner is at Treylor Park. The fried chicken and pancake tacos are both absurd and incredible. I overhear someone at the next table talking about a ghost tour, and my curiosity is piqued. Savannah’s eerie reputation feels like something I need to experience. $28
Daily Total: $52
Day 2
8 a.m. — I start my day with a walk along River Street, watching the cargo ships pass by. The cobblestone streets make me feel like I’ve stepped back in time, though my sneakers remind me otherwise. I grab a biscuit from Two Cracked Eggs Café to fuel up. $12
10 a.m. — Back at the Airbnb, I’m buried in emails. A client has an urgent project, and my leisurely day takes a sudden turn. I remind myself that this lifestyle isn’t always about sipping coffee in scenic spots—it’s also about scrambling to meet deadlines.
2 p.m. — I take a break to grab a meat pie at Pie Society, one of the owners happened to be working and we got to chatting about how British Pie Company started with her and her three children. After finishing my steak and kidney pie, I decide to get a apple pie to go for later. $22
5 p.m. — The ghost tour I booked begins at dusk, as the golden light fades and Savannah’s streets take on an eerie glow. Our guide, dressed in a black cape and carrying a lantern, launches into dramatic tales of haunted mansions and restless spirits. We stop in front of the Mercer-Williams House, where he recounts the story of a man who fell—or was pushed—to his death. “His ghost still lingers,” he whispers, pointing to an upstairs window, and for a second, I think I see a shadow move.
Later, we pause outside a crumbling house with peeling paint and dark windows. “This is Savannah’s most notorious poltergeist,” our guide declares, describing objects flying across rooms and the sound of laughter echoing through empty halls. As if on cue, the porch light flickers, and the group collectively gasps. The tour ends in Colonial Park Cemetery, where moss-draped trees and ancient headstones create the perfect backdrop for her final ghostly tale. I leave the tour amused, but every creak and flicker on the walk home feels just a little more sinister. $50
9 p.m. — Back at the Airbnb, I scroll through travel blogs and catch myself Googling “Savannah apartments.” It feels premature, but the thought won’t leave my mind.
Daily Total: $84
Day 3
7 a.m. — I have breakfast at Little Duck Diner. Their avocado toast is almost too pretty to eat, but I manage. Another participant from last night’s ghost tour, a photographer, recognizes me and strikes up a conversation. He’s a nomad too, but he’s thinking of settling down in Asheville. We exchange Instagram handles and chat about the tension between freedom and stability. $18
11 a.m. — I decide to Uber to and explore Bonaventure Cemetery. The sprawling grounds are hauntingly beautiful, with statues and graves draped in moss. I wander alone, snapping photos and feeling like I’ve stepped into a Southern Gothic novel. $25
2 p.m. — Lunch is a takeout The Rich Girl from Finches. The shrimp salad on a toasted buttery bun is messy, delicious, and perfect. I sit on a shaded bench to eat, listening to the faint hum of cicadas. $20
4 p.m. — I Uber to the historic downpour and as soon as I got out of the car, a sudden downpour traps me in a bookstore. I pick up a used copy of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and wonder if Savannah is nudging me toward something. $35
7 p.m. — Dinner is leftovers, but I treat myself to a glass of wine while I catch up on work. The photographer sends me a message: “How’s it going?” I don’t reply.
Daily Total: $98
Day 4
6 a.m. — I wake up restless and decide to head to Tybee Island to clear my head. The drive is short, and the ocean greets me with its steady rhythm. I walk along the shore, barefoot, feeling the sand anchor me.
9 a.m. — Breakfast is a classic breakfast plate at Breakfast Club with eggs, beef hash, grits, and rye toast. It’s warm, comforting, and exactly what I need. $20
11 a.m. — Back in the city, I work from a coworking space I found online. It’s quiet and professional, but I miss the charm of the coffee shops. The workday drags on, and I wonder if I’m sabotaging my own productivity by being on the move all the time.
6 p.m. — Dinner is at The Olde Pink House. It’s a splurge, but the she-crab soup and pecan-crusted chicken are worth every penny. I sit alone at the bar, soaking in the ambiance. Savannah feels more like home than anywhere I’ve been in years. $70
Daily Total: $90
Day Five
7 a.m. — My last morning starts with a walk through Forsyth Park. The photographer messages me again, asking if I’ve decided where I’m going next. I don’t know what to say.
10 a.m. — I spend the day working on client projects. My creativity feels sharper here, and I wonder if this city has been quietly coaxing something out of me all week.
3 p.m. — I grab a caramel swirl ice cream cone from Leopold’s and sit by the river. Savannah is gentle, steady, and full of stories. It feels like it’s telling me to stay. $5
6 p.m. — Dinner is at Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room, served family-style with strangers. The fried chicken, sweet potatoes, and cornbread are as Southern as it gets. The conversation is easy, and for the first time in years, I don’t feel like a stranger. $30
9 p.m. — Back at the Airbnb, I pack my bags slowly, unsure if I’m ready to leave. Tomorrow, I’ll drive to Charleston, but Savannah has planted a seed. Maybe it’s time to stop running.
Daily Total: $35
Weekly Total: $359
Closing Thought:
This week reminded me that the freedom of wandering is its own kind of weight. Savannah gave me a glimpse of what it might feel like to stay still, to let a place shape you instead of constantly shaping yourself for a place. I don’t know if I’m ready to settle down, but for the first time, I think I want to try.