Is Wilshire Estates & Savannah Mall safe?
Savannah, Georgia · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Wilshire Estates & Savannah Mall as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on Wilshire Estates & Savannah Mall
“Go. Wilshire Estates and the surrounding Savannah Mall commercial sector are generally peaceful, car-oriented Southside suburban districts. While commercial corridors along Abercorn Street experience typical suburban property crimes like retail theft and vehicle break-ins, the residential streets are quiet and low-risk for violent crime.”
Local coverage has centered on ongoing redevelopment proposals to convert vacant sections of the Savannah Mall property into mixed-use commercial and community spaces.
About the area
Wilshire Estates is an established, mid-century suburban residential neighborhood bordering the Southside commercial corridor anchored by the Savannah Mall area and GA-204. It offers quiet, tree-lined residential streets directly adjacent to big-box stores, student amenities near Georgia Southern's Armstrong Campus, and neighborhood dining.
- Suburban Commercial
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- College Adjacent
Walking and biking in Wilshire Estates & Savannah Mall
Walk score: 46/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no local bike-share system in this area, and while neighborhood residential streets are easy to ride, arterial corridors like GA-204 lack protected bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower violent crime rates compared to urban core neighborhoods closer to downtown Savannah
- Stable mid-century homeownership with modest vacancy rates in the residential enclave
- Proximity to regional healthcare facilities, major retail hubs, and university amenities
Cons
- Frequent vehicle break-ins and petty retail theft in large commercial parking lots along Abercorn Street
- Declining foot traffic and vacancies surrounding older mall parcels
- Heavy, high-speed traffic on surrounding thoroughfares creating pedestrian safety concerns
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the residential areas, though occasional individuals experiencing homelessness or panhandling can be observed near major intersections and transit stops along Abercorn Street.
What Wilshire Estates & Savannah Mall is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with quiet neighborhood walkers on residential streets and steady commuter traffic building along Abercorn Street.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity around shopping centers, plazas, and restaurant strips with low safety concerns beyond standard parking lot vigilance.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active dining traffic along commercial strips while the residential subdivisions remain quiet and dimly lit.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Residential streets are generally silent, while shopping center parking lots clear out and warrant locking vehicles and staying aware.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by Chatham Area Transit (CAT), with Route 14 (Abercorn Local) and Route 6 serving the mall area and Abercorn corridor; there is no light rail or BRT system.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free across expansive retail strip lots, the mall complex, and on residential neighborhood streets.
Things to do in Wilshire Estates & Savannah Mall
- Browse outdoor gear and specialty displays at Bass Pro Shops inside the mall perimeter
- Explore the botanical displays and arboretum at the nearby Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus
- Enjoy casual dining and international cuisine along the busy Abercorn Street corridor
Local favorites
- Bass Pro Shops · Outdoor Sporting Goods Store · 4.5★ (3400)Massive retail anchor featuring fishing, hunting, and outdoor gear with large indoor aquariums.
- Castaways Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.4★ (850)Longtime local spot known for fresh seafood platters, steaks, and a relaxed community bar vibe.
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (4100)Popular casual eatery serving American comfort food classics and scratch-made sides.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.