For Monica Burgstiner, Isle of Hope has always felt like more than just a neighborhood. Long before she officially lived here with her husband, Lance, and their daughters, Nora, 8, and Ada, 7, she spent countless evenings visiting friends beneath the oaks and along the bluff while attending college in Savannah.

That connection eventually led the Burgstiners to move to Isle of Hope in 2021 — a milestone Monica describes as a dream come true.

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monica moved south in 2009 to attend Savannah College of Art and Design, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in photography. Through friendships formed during her college years, she quickly became familiar with the warmth and character of Isle of Hope. Years later, when a home became available near those same longtime friends, the timing felt meant to be.

Lance, who grew up in an Air Force family before settling in Rincon as a teenager, earned a bachelor’s degree in music composition and theory from Armstrong and later received a master’s degree in business from Full Sail University.

Today, both Monica and Lance are entrepreneurs balancing several creative and business pursuits. Lance works as a private real estate investor, runs a golf cart business, and manages Pickleball Academy. Monica operates Monica Jean Photography, specializing in wedding and family photography from her studio at Cedar House Gallery near Starland. She is also the author behind an ADHD-centered children’s book series through Books by Monica Cleary.

At home, the Burgstiners embrace an active and imaginative lifestyle. Nora enjoys drawing anime-inspired artwork, while Ada is known for her remarkable flexibility and love of gymnastics. Both girls also play piano and spend as much time as possible at the Isle of Hope pool during the warmer months.

The family’s two cats, Kitty and Oliver, are local personalities in their own right. Kitty, a friendly 18-pound lap cat, enjoys attention from anyone nearby, while Oliver, an outgoing orange tabby, often makes social visits around the neighborhood.

When they are not working or attending extracurricular activities, the Burgstiners enjoy spending time at the marina, grabbing treats from local favorites like Auspicious Bakery, or gathering with family for holidays hosted in their Isle of Hope home.

The family also values community involvement, volunteering with organizations such as SAFE Shelter and MESE while donating books to schools, therapy offices, and free libraries throughout Savannah.

For the Burgstiners, the greatest part of life on Isle of Hope is the feeling of belonging.

“We feel like we are always making friends while out and about,” Monica says. “We feel very welcomed.”