Savannah offers diverse small-town conveniences north of St. Joseph
The small city of Savannah serves as the center of life for Andrew County in western Missouri. “Savannah is a great, small town that has everything that you would need,” says Donnie Moss, a Realtor with KC Realtors LLC who has sold several homes in the area. “There’s grocery stores, entertainment, restaurants, great schools and golf courses, but it’s still a small town.” Just over 5,000 residents call the city home, and the population has steadily increased since the 1910s. Much of the growth is owed to Savannah’s proximity to the regional hub of St. Joseph. “Most people who live in Savannah drive to St. Joe to work,” Moss says.
Historic downtown and a major highway serve as retail hubs
Downtown is centered around a courthouse where Abraham Lincoln gave a presidential campaign speech in 1859. “Savannah is the county seat for Andrew County, and the square surrounding the courthouse is full of local shops and places to eat,” Moss says. False-front structures built from the 1890s to the 1920s now house diverse businesses. “There’s an outstanding Mexican restaurant on the square,” Moss says. El Rey Papi, downtown’s Mexican eatery, offers an intimate and colorfully painted dining atmosphere along Main Street. U.S. Highway 71 is home to the local Brothers Market grocery store and Tractor Supply Co. as well as its own dining scene. “There’s a couple of sit-down restaurants like the Pasture and Savannah Family Restaurant, and both of those places are outstanding,” Moss says. While the Savannah Family Restaurant offers a vintage diner feel, the Pasture Café specializes in farm-to-plate dishes including locally raised Osborn Angus beef.
Savannah's housing scene offers varied styles, sizes and prices
Savannah’s ranch-style and New Traditional homes often sit behind small front lawns, large trees, sidewalks and streets that may be hilly. “The housing scene is a mix of a little bit of everything. There are some lower-priced homes, and then there are some high-end places,” Moss says. Properties under 2,000 square feet sell for $80,000 to $340,000, while those between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet go for $140,000 to $320,000. The largest houses, exceeding 3,000 square feet, go for $250,000 to $520,000. While most homes were built throughout the 20th century, there are also a handful from the late 19th century and the 2020s. Savannah's median home sale price of $217,000 makes it a pricier option than St. Joseph, where the median sale price is $180,000. “Savannah is a very desirable community — property values hold strong there,” Moss says.
The city is surrounded by sporting and hiking venues
Savannah is surrounded by opportunities from outdoor recreation. At the western end of town, Messick Park puts a playground and baseball field next to the city’s water tower. The Duncan Hills Golf Course embraces Savannah’s northern edge and makes its 18-hole golf course open to the public, while also offering leagues and tournaments to members. The eastern fringe of Savannah is home to the Savannah Sports Complex, which includes a playground as well as three baseball fields and a football complex where local youth sports teams compete. Ten miles outside Savannah, the Happy Holler Conservation Area includes hiking trails and opportunities to fish along the One Hundred and Two River.
Savannah High students can get involved in sports and career programs
Students can start at Minnie Cline Elementary School, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche, before attending the B-plus-rated Savannah Middle School. The B-minus-rated Savannah High School offers career-oriented extracurriculars like Future Teachers of America and Future Farmers of America plus dozens of sports programs.
The city is served by the Savannah PD
Savannah has its own police department, and the city's CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10 is lower than the national average of 4.
Big-city conveniences are easily accessible down two highways
Major highways offer easy access to regional employment and health care centers. “Savannah is conveniently located around 15 minutes straight north from St. Joe, so if you want a bigger city experience, it’s not very far to get there,” Moss says. U.S. Highway 71 offers direct access to St. Joseph and Mosaic Life Care medical center, 15 miles to the south. Nearby Interstate 29 links Savannah with the Kansas City metro area, 65 miles away.
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
