For Vanessa Brink and James Peters, Isle of Hope is more than just a place to live—it’s a community that reflects their love for connection, nature, and good company.

Vanessa, a longtime Savannah resident, moved to the city in 2005 after graduating from nursing school in New Orleans. She built her career in oncology nursing and now works as a nurse practitioner at Summit Cancer Care. Over the years, she raised her two children, Daena and Tess, in Savannah, with both attending Savannah Arts Academy. Daena, now 22, lives in Atlanta and works in social services, while 19-year-old Tess is a freshman at the University of Georgia.

James arrived in Savannah in 2019 after working as a ship captain. He originally put down roots here while continuing his maritime career, but now he’s expanding his business, Mango Vans. Originally launched in Miami, Mango Vans specializes in custom recreational and commercial vans, and James has been working on growing a second location in Savannah that will include a specialized service center.

Three years ago, Vanessa and James met, and last year, they combined households, moving into Isle of Hope together. Along with them came a lively crew of pets: Sally, their social and well-known beagle-lab mix; Penelope, a boxer-pit mix; their black cat, Trogdour; and twin cats Jordan and Percy. Their home is a hub of activity, whether Vanessa is entertaining friends with her cooking or James is busy with home improvement projects, including the chicken coop he’s currently building in their backyard.

They love spending time outdoors, often hiking around Savannah with friends or heading to the water when the weather is warm. As members of FIT Gym Sandfly, they stay active and also frequent Hester & Zipperer nursery for gardening supplies. Now that they are “empty nesters,” they have more time to enjoy Savannah’s local arts scene, attending live performances by favorite bands like Swamptooth and the Charlie Fog Band, as well as comedy shows at The Front Porch or The Wormhole. Their weekends are often packed with social outings, whether it’s a pub crawl, a neighborhood gathering, or a laid-back evening in their own backyard.

Community involvement is also a big part of Vanessa’s life. She serves as program director for Keepers of the Flame, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting breast cancer patients and survivors. The organization provides therapy, counseling, transportation assistance, and financial aid, and hosts two major fundraising events each year: Who’s the Biggest Bootlegger? in the spring and Shine the Light Disco Night in the fall.

For Vanessa and James, Isle of Hope has proven to be the perfect setting for their next chapter together. They cherish the friendly atmosphere, from neighbors stopping by to chat on porches to spontaneous get-togethers. One of Vanessa’s favorite memories so far was her recent 45th birthday, when James surprised her with a backyard celebration, inviting friends, family, and even the local band Swamptooth to play.

“We feel very lucky that each weekend is filled with friends and family connections,” Vanessa says. And with their love for entertaining, exploring, and giving back, it’s clear that Isle of Hope is just as lucky to have them.