St. Simons - what's it like? (Decatur, Brunswick: houses, neighborhoods, movies)

[vamos]

Hi - we are thinking about relocating to either St. Simons Island, or perhaps to Amelia Island, FL or Deland, FL. While we have done quite a bit of research on the FL locations, resulting in a fairly good idea what these locations are like, it seems a bit harder to get a comprehensive picture of what St. Simons Island is like.

We are in our late 30's/early 40's with a 2 year old daughter. Work/Job availability is not a relevant consideration. We love a slow-paced life but do not want to live in a bedroom community/suburb. Ideally, we are hoping to have a small town feel where one can walk and/or bike, where there are few activities (festivals, etc.), with good schools (at least at elementary and middle school levels).

I've looked at the availability of houses in the area and there are plenty of houses that easily fall within our budget.

The question is simply whether this is a great place to live and raise children? Or perhaps you know Amelia and/or Deland and think they might be more appropriate?

We have booked flights to the area and are going to tour all three locations in the next few weeks. Still, it would be great to get some impressions beforehand.

[graterdaze]

MY parents live in Brunswick, St.Simons island seems like a very family friendly area, The beaches are not that great, but it is a beach, there is fishing, a little small airport, its a nice scenic area, no bad neighborhoods, etc.. Not a party Island like areas, nice little place. Deland is outside Orland, a typica suburb Id say, dont really know all that much about it. Good Luck in your relocation.

[vamos]

Thank you - can you tell me if there is a "down town" area on St. Simons? It seems that there is a central shopping district but I can't tell whether this is a place that caters to pedestrians or mainly to cars.

[TakeAhike]

Originally Posted by vamos

Thank you - can you tell me if there is a "down town" area on St. Simons? It seems that there is a central shopping district but I can't tell whether this is a place that caters to pedestrians or mainly to cars.

St. Simon's is tiny. The shopping area isn't very big so I suppose you could say it 'caters to pedestrians'.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by vamos

Thank you - can you tell me if there is a "down town" area on St. Simons? It seems that there is a central shopping district but I can't tell whether this is a place that caters to pedestrians or mainly to cars.

Yes, there is a central shopping district called simply 'The Village'...it's at the island's south end where the lighthouse and pier are also located. The shopping there is mostly tourist-oriented (boutiques, souvenir and gift shops), but there are some terrific restaurants there (and all over the island). It is very walkable and quite charming, its' centerpiece being the Casino (a venue that stays busy holding local events and activities) and the adjacent Neptune Park (very kid-friendly, with a pool and massive playground equipment).

Sherpa Guides | Georgia | Coast | Southern Coast | St. Simons Island: Village Area & Southeastern End

For permanent residents, most shopping is concentrated in two areas: By the airport at the intersection of Frederica and Demere Rds, and Glynn Haven (the intersection of Frederica and Sea Island Rds., then going northward on Frederica). Among other things, the island's two grocery stores are located in the two respective areas...Winn-Dixie and Harris-Teeter.

St Simons Guide - The Official Website of Saint Simons Island and the Golden Isles. St Simons Accommodations, Restaurants, Events, Entertainment, and more!

The island, except for the south end/Village area, is not what I would deem entirely walkable (unless you're up for a long schlep), but it is very bikeable as the island is crisscrossed with biking and walking trails...a lot of people on SSI opt for this lode of transportation.

IMO SSI is a little Slice of Heaven...although I like your other choices as well.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by graterdaze

Deland is outside Orlando, a typical suburb Id say, dont really know all that much about it. Good Luck in your relocation.

I would not describe DeLand as a typical suburb at all (it's actually exurban Orlando, as they are 35 miles apart). It's one of the older towns in FL, being the birthplace of FL's citrus industry and if it is a typical anything, I would call it a typical Southern college town. It's a very charming place, with a great downtown, massive, moss-draped oaks and beautiful Victorian homes.

Welcome to DeLand, FL

Stetson University

[vamos]

WOW - thank you. That is exactly the information I was looking for. I LOVE that SSI is bikeable and am happy to hear that there is "The Village" as an active and pedestrian area.

Admittedly, I have never lived in the South and I was raised in a highly secular country. Nonetheless, I am very respectful of people's beliefs and certainly don't look for confrontation. My "knowledge" of the South is, unfortunately, mostly imparted by the media and movies - which tend to exaggerate the religious fervor one can encounter.

Personally, I believe in a live and let live approach to these issues and would hope that SSI will allow for such. Obviously, I do not want to be ostracized or made to feel negatively simply because I do not go to church. What's your take on this issue? Will we be okay or will we be shunned?

[vamos]

And yes, DeLand sounds De-licious as a place to live, too. Can't wait to tour all three areas to get some first-hand impressions.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by vamos

WOW - thank you. That is exactly the information I was looking for. I LOVE that SSI is bikeable and am happy to hear that there is "The Village" as an active and pedestrian area.

Admittedly, I have never lived in the South and I was raised in a highly secular country. Nonetheless, I am very respectful of people's beliefs and certainly don't look for confrontation. My "knowledge" of the South is, unfortunately, mostly imparted by the media and movies - which tend to exaggerate the religious fervor one can encounter.

Personally, I believe in a live and let live approach to these issues and would hope that SSI will allow for such. Obviously, I do not want to be ostracized or made to feel negatively simply because I do not go to church. What's your take on this issue? Will we be okay or will we be shunned?

Oh, Heavens no.

[vamos]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

Oh, Heavens no.

LOL
As I said, I have no idea about this stuff...