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What to Expect When Visiting or Moving to the Golden Isles
Are you looking to visit or move to the Golden Isles and Coastal Georgia? If so, lucky you! We’ve rounded up a few things you can expect when visiting or moving to the area.
Ya'll
The word ‘ya’ll’ is used often and is a normal part of the conversation here. If you don’t say it now, just wait; it’ll slip off the tongue before you know it.
Southern Hospitality
Don’t you even think about driving through your neighborhood without waving to your neighbors, ya'll. Queen Elizabeth would fit in just fine.
Come and Go Bearing Gifts
A gracious guest never attends a party empty-handed. And around here, you won’t leave empty-handed either! Expect leftovers; lots of them.
Slower Pace of Life
If you’re coming from a larger city, you might be used to the ‘rush, rush, rush’ mentality. Leave that for the big cities and embrace the slower pace of life (and speed limits) in the Golden Isles.
Sweet Tea, Pecan Pie, and Homemade Wine
Zac Brown knew what he was singing about. Our local southern fare is filling and full of love, including fresh-as-it-comes seafood, mouthwatering barbeque, and an excellent food and beverage scene. And while you’ll find a few national chain restaurants in Brunswick, the majority of the restaurants in the Golden Isles are all locally owned. So be sure to support the community & have seconds!
You’re in Dawg Country
You’ll see MANY Georgia Bulldog embellishments here. This is Dawg Country, and if you’re a Florida fan, be careful who you mention that to. Oh, and we can't forget Georgia-Florida weekend - it's a BIG deal here.
The Humidity
Have hair that’s at all frizzy, wavy, or curly? Forget about even bothering to do it about 70% of the year. Embrace the mom bun, or get yourself some cute headbands.
Small Town USA
This is small-town living. We have a Target, a Homegoods, and a few grocery stores, but no Trader Joe's, Sephora, Best Buy, or Nordstrom. You can drive to either Jacksonville or Savannah or embrace online shopping.
Shop Local
If you’re into shopping small, St. Simons Island is your place. From children's boutiques, home decor, surf shops, and designer clothing - you can shop till you drop.
Insects, Mosquitos, and Gnats - Oh My!
Bugs, we’ve got them all! Love Bugs, gnats (Flying Teeth), mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks. There are certain times of year you almost can’t go outside because you’ll be eaten alive by gnats. However, many of the bugs are seasonal, so you won’t have to deal with them all at once or for very long. No matter, invest in bug spray - lots of it. We also recommend picking up a Thermacell.
Rain…
Like Bob Marley famously said, “Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.” Invest in a good rain jacket for the whole family - you won't regret it. Shoot, also buy a cheap one on Amazon to stash in the car for unexpected downpours.
… Rain, Go Away
Between June and October, it is not unusual to have clear skies at 2:50 pm... and by exactly 3:01 pm, it looks like a monsoon. Don’t worry; this too shall pass - often within an hour.
Need more information about the Golden Isles? Visit our Resources page.
