Potential Brunswick/FLETC move, lots of questions (school, quality of life)

[hairtailors]

thanks for the info, I think we will try to rent something for at least a year to make sure that is where we want to be. I don't want to be stuck trying to sell a house. Problem is I need to find an unfurnished house that allows pets. We have a rather large home now and really don't want to have to pay for storage.

[Gene333]

Hard to describe! SSI Georgia is both residential & vacation. Unit on island is 3bedroom 3 1/2 bath plus office. Has private elevator & large garage, fully furnished. Schools are good & weather excellent year round. In the past I have had FLETC people rent for up to a year. Usually 3 months. Could go on & on but willing to continue this discussion. Gene

Originally Posted by keadyj

We *may* be moving to SE Georgia if my husband decides to take a position at FLETC. We'll be coming from Northern Virginia -- am I wrong to think that there might be a bit of culture shock for us? I'm looking forward to a better pace of life, but I know there can be some difficulty with a transition from a super-high-stress/traffic area to a more laid-back culture. Any pointers?

I've also been trying in vain to find out where other FLETC employees' families live. Where do most FLETC families live? Is there a 'community' there, or just disparate families spread out across the area?

I could only find a few local listings for residences for rent that weren't "vacation" homes. Please tell me I'm just missing a resource that I haven't found yet. How open is the local community to people moving into the area?

Would the local public schools be on par with what we're accustomed to in Fairfax County, or would I need to look at the private schools? We'll have a kindergartener and a second-grader when/if we go, but we'll also be re-entering the pressure-cooker of NoVa several years from now and I want to make sure my kids don't end up having difficulties in school when we come back north.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[Gene333]

Read Reply to SE Georgia

[CountryTrotter]

Whatever you do, do not live in Brunswick. It is an awful city in my opinion. Most people that are detailed to FLETC as instructors and such live in St Simons Island. SSI is really nice.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by CountryTrotter

Whatever you do, do not live in Brunswick. It is an awful city in my opinion. Most people that are detailed to FLETC as instructors and such live in St Simons Island. SSI is really nice.

Granted, I can see how one could acquire that opinion...especially if you approach downtown via Norwich St (positively third world), or ventured into some of neighborhoods off of Altama Ave. But Brunswick does have a charming downtown, a great historic district (South End, anchored by Union St), and some other fine neighborhoods:
Windsor Park
Satilla Shores
Blythe Island
Oak Grove Island
Riverside
Belle Pointe
Country Club Park
The latter two are especially popular with FLETC personnel because of their proximity to the campus, also popular are some of the northside neighborhoods off Harry Driggers Blvd.

[FlipperrX]

I may also interested in moving to 'deep' SE GA myself in a year and a half, to the Kingsland-St. Mary's area. I am not buying a house though, just basic apartments that would allow 2 lil good boy Dachshunds. So, I will be interested on the input from this thread, myself.

[Teach4833]

Originally Posted by lifestyle318

I am not sure what type of housing you are looking for, but we have a couple of beautiful condominums for rent for FLETC at The Waterfront. It is a beautiful community right over the JF Torras Causeway (convenient to Brunsiwck and I-95 as well as minutes from the beaches and downtown St Simons Island). It is surrounded by water (right beside the marina) and the views are magnificent. Also, there is a pool/amenity area with a summer kitchen which is nice for the family.

There are already several other FLETC with long term rentals living there. I am not sure how many of them have families, but I could find out.

You are welcome to visit our website at www.thewaterfrontatgoldenisles.com . If you would like to talk further, or would like to see the property or other photos, let me know. As far as the area, St Simons is a great place to live! The people are friendly, the pace of life is slower, but not too slow, and the area is beautiful with water, beaches, small local restaurants, etc. I have not been to Northern Virginia, so I do not know much in comparison.

I hope this is helpful! Good luck in your searches!

Hi, I am a spouse of someone training at FLETC. I saw your post and was wondering if you could help with housing for short term as wheel. I would be coming in July until November.

[JoDan]

Originally Posted by keadyj

We *may* be moving to SE Georgia if my husband decides to take a position at FLETC. We'll be coming from Northern Virginia -- am I wrong to think that there might be a bit of culture shock for us? I'm looking forward to a better pace of life, but I know there can be some difficulty with a transition from a super-high-stress/traffic area to a more laid-back culture. Any pointers?

I've also been trying in vain to find out where other FLETC employees' families live. Where do most FLETC families live? Is there a 'community' there, or just disparate families spread out across the area?

I could only find a few local listings for residences for rent that weren't "vacation" homes. Please tell me I'm just missing a resource that I haven't found yet. How open is the local community to people moving into the area?

Would the local public schools be on par with what we're accustomed to in Fairfax County, or would I need to look at the private schools? We'll have a kindergartener and a second-grader when/if we go, but we'll also be re-entering the pressure-cooker of NoVa several years from now and I want to make sure my kids don't end up having difficulties in school when we come back north.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Maybe you should stay in "progressive" Virginia.

[FlipperrX]

Originally Posted by JoDan

Maybe you should stay in "progressive" Virginia.

I sent you a rep point and a comment. However, it would not allow me to type anymore. Anyways, I wanted to add that, as far as my choice of NEVER living in Northern VA, let's just say that I prefer not to have to keep my nose stuck up towards the sky to say the least. Many people appear to have lost their mind that have chosen to live there, with the multitudes of issues that living in suburban DC can cause-especially for the money they pay to live there. Absolutely ridiculous for a place like that. A person's quality of life that lives in that region is so greatly hindered, that even money cannot change. Thanks for the laugh!!

[JoDan]

Originally Posted by FlipperrX

I sent you a rep point and a comment. However, it would not allow me to type anymore. Anyways, I wanted to add that, as far as my choice of NEVER living in Northern VA, let's just say that I prefer not to have to keep my nose stuck up towards the sky to say the least. Many people appear to have lost their mind that have chosen to live there, with the multitudes of issues that living in suburban DC can cause-especially for the money they pay to live there. Absolutely ridiculous for a place like that. A person's quality of life that lives in that region is so greatly hindered, that even money cannot change. Thanks for the laugh!!

Kinda makes my blood boil when I hear things like this:

I want to make sure my kids don't end up having difficulties in school when we come back north.

Duh! Why would this person move from the "holy land" of metro DC?