If you're planning a move to Savannah, GA, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to rent a furnished or unfurnished home. Both options have a place in Savannah's long-term rental market, and the right choice often comes down to how long you plan to stay, where you're moving from, and how much you want to deal with movers and furniture shopping. As a property management company with rentals across the Historic District, Starland, and surrounding Savannah neighborhoods, we work with renters in both situations every week. Here's what to know before you sign a lease.

What "Furnished" Actually Means in Savannah Rentals

A furnished long-term rental in Savannah typically includes major furniture pieces like beds, sofas, dining tables, and sometimes full kitchen setups with cookware and small appliances. Many of our furnished units, including properties on Jones Street and in the Historic District, are move-in ready down to the linens, which can make a big difference if you're relocating from out of state and don't want to wait on a moving truck. Unfurnished rentals, on the other hand, give you a blank space, often with appliances like a stove and refrigerator included, but without furniture, dishes, or decor.

Who Furnished Rentals Make Sense For

Furnished long-term rentals tend to be the better fit if you're:

• Relocating for work on a temporary or open-ended basis. If your stay in Savannah might be six months or might turn into two years, a furnished unit lets you settle in immediately without committing to furniture you'd have to move again.
• Moving from another state or country. Shipping furniture across long distances is expensive and slow. A furnished apartment in the Historic District or near Forsyth Park lets you arrive with a few suitcases and start living right away.
• Testing out a Savannah neighborhood before buying. Many people use a furnished long-term rental as a way to get to know areas like the Historic District, Starland, or the streets around Crawford Square before deciding where to put down roots permanently.

Who Unfurnished Rentals Make Sense For

Unfurnished rentals are usually the better fit if you're:

• Moving locally within the Savannah area and already own furniture you'd like to bring with you.
• Planning a longer-term stay, often a year or more, where the cost savings of an unfurnished lease add up over time and you'd rather invest in your own furniture.
• Looking for more flexibility to make the space your own, whether that's painting, rearranging layouts, or bringing in your own decor without working around existing pieces.

Cost Differences to Expect

Furnished rentals in Savannah generally come with a higher monthly rate than comparable unfurnished units, since the cost of the furniture, setup, and maintenance is built into the rent. For shorter stays, this premium is often less than the cost of buying furniture outright and then reselling or moving it later. For longer stays, an unfurnished rental can work out to be more cost-effective, especially once you factor in a year or more of monthly savings.

Neighborhoods to Consider for Long-Term Rentals

Savannah's long-term rental market spans a wide range of neighborhoods, each with its own character:

• Historic District: Walkable, close to Forsyth Park, River Street, and the squares, with a mix of carriage houses, condos, and apartments in restored historic buildings along streets like Jones Street, Oglethorpe Avenue, and Gwinnett Street.
• Starland District: A quieter, more residential feel with easy access to coffee shops, galleries, and a short walk to Forsyth Park.
• Surrounding areas: For renters who want more space or a suburban pace while still being a short drive from downtown Savannah and Tybee Island.

Find Your Next Long-Term Rental in Savannah

Whether you're looking for a furnished carriage house near Jones Street to start your Savannah chapter right away, or an unfurnished home where you can settle in for the long haul, our team manages long-term rentals across the Historic District, Starland, and beyond. Get in touch with us to talk through your move and find a property that fits your timeline and budget.