The Golden Isles at a glance
The Golden Isles are St. Simons, Sea Island, Jekyll Island and Little St. Simons, plus the mainland city of Brunswick, all in Glynn County between Savannah and Jacksonville. Each has its own character and price range.
- St. Simons Island: the largest and most varied, with the Pier Village, beaches, golf and neighborhoods at many price points.
- Sea Island: a private, gated island anchored by The Cloister, with a small, high-end home market.
- Jekyll Island: a state park where you own the home and lease the land from the Jekyll Island Authority.
- Brunswick: the mainland hub, from Old Town’s Victorian homes to new construction in North Glynn, with more space for the money.
Explore the neighborhood guides for the most active neighborhoods in each.
Cost of living and home prices
Over the past year, the typical monthly median residential sale price was about $719,875 on St. Simons Island and about $332,998 in Brunswick. Sea Island homes typically sell in the millions, and Jekyll Island prices vary widely because of the land lease.
- Property taxes: Georgia taxes homes on 40% of fair market value. Glynn County millage rates vary by location. Apply for your homestead exemptions by April 1 after you move in. See the homestead guide.
- Income tax: Georgia’s flat income tax rate is 5.19% for 2026.
- Retirement income: Georgia doesn’t tax Social Security, and excludes other retirement income up to $35,000 per person at ages 62–64 and $65,000 at 65 and older.
- Insurance: Budget for homeowners, wind and, where required, flood insurance. Get quotes during your due diligence period.
Getting here and getting around
- Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK): Delta Connection nonstop service to Atlanta, about 20 minutes from St. Simons.
- Jacksonville International (JAX): about 60 miles, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes from St. Simons.
- Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV): about 1.5 hours.
- Driving from Atlanta: I-75 to Macon, I-16 toward Savannah, then I-95 south to Exit 38 and the F.J. Torras Causeway, about 4.5 hours.
- Getting around: St. Simons and Jekyll both have extensive bike paths, and Jekyll’s trail network runs about 25 miles.
Climate and storms
Expect mild winters and hot, humid summers: average highs run about 61°F in January and 90°F in July in Brunswick. Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Flood zone and elevation vary from property to property, so check the FEMA flood map, ask for an elevation certificate and get insurance quotes early.
Schools
- Public: Glynn County Schools runs 10 elementary, 4 middle and 2 high schools, including Glynn Academy (chartered 1788).
- Private: Frederica Academy (Pre-K–12), Brunswick Christian Academy and Heritage Christian Academy.
- College: College of Coastal Georgia in Brunswick.
- Zoning: New attendance zones are proposed for fall 2027, so check any address.
Healthcare
Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick Campus is the area’s regional hospital, with services including cancer care, robotic surgery, orthopaedics, maternity and emergency care, and a second campus in Camden County.
Jobs and the local economy
Major employers include Glynn County Schools, Sea Island, Southeast Georgia Health System and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) at Glynco. The Port of Brunswick was the busiest auto port in the United States in 2025. Many newcomers also work remotely or are retired.
Things to love
- The St. Simons Lighthouse (1872) and the Pier Village
- Fort Frederica National Monument, Oglethorpe’s 1736 town
- The Jekyll Island Club (1888), Driftwood Beach and the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
- Golf everywhere, including the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic at Sea Island
- Local festivals such as the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival each October
Your moving checklist
- Choose your island or neighborhood using the neighborhood guides.
- Get pre-approved and set up a home search.
- Check flood zone, insurance and school zones for every home you consider.
- Close with a Georgia attorney.
- Set up utilities with the important local numbers list.
- File for homestead exemptions by April 1.
Questions about moving here
Is St. Simons Island a good place to live?
Many people find it is: St. Simons Island offers beaches, golf, biking, history, local restaurants and a year-round community, with Brunswick’s hospital, shopping and jobs about 20 minutes away. Whether it’s right for you depends on budget, commute and lifestyle, so visit in different seasons and tour several neighborhoods before you decide.
Is St. Simons Island a good place to retire?
St. Simons Island is popular with retirees for its mild winters, walkable and bikeable areas, golf, healthcare nearby at Southeast Georgia Health System’s Brunswick Campus, and Georgia’s tax treatment of retirement income: Social Security isn’t taxed, and other retirement income is excluded up to $35,000 per person at ages 62–64 and $65,000 at 65 and older.
Is St. Simons Island expensive?
St. Simons Island is the Golden Isles’ priciest mainstream market: the typical monthly median residential sale price over the past year was about $719,875, compared with about $332,998 in Brunswick on the mainland. Condos and older homes are available below the median, and estate and waterfront homes go well into the millions.
How do you get to St. Simons Island?
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport (BQK) has Delta Connection nonstop service to Atlanta and is about 20 minutes from St. Simons. Jacksonville International Airport is about 60 miles away, roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. By car from Atlanta, take I-75 to I-16 to I-95, about 4.5 hours.
What are the best neighborhoods in the Golden Isles?
It depends on what you want. Over the past year the most active neighborhoods were Glynn Haven Estates, St. Simons Island Club, St. Simons Heights, Sea Palms and Hampton Plantation on St. Simons, and Carriage Gate Plantation, Oak Grove Island and newer North Brunswick communities on the mainland. See the neighborhood guides for prices, schools and commute times.
General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Confirm details with the appropriate professional or agency. Market data from the Golden Isles MLS; deemed reliable but not guaranteed.