10. The Neighboring Islands
One of the things that make St. Simon’s Island such an enticing beach retirement destination is its easy access to its neighboring islands: Jekyll Island, Sea Island and Little St. Simon’s Island. Along with St. Simon’s, they make up the renowned Golden Isles. By itself, St. Simon’s has plenty of recreational activities and enough shoreline to offer. But should boredom start to creep up on you, Jekyll Island and Sea Island are about a 25 to 40-minute drive away. Take your adventure even further by having a little secluded vacation on the privately-owned Little St. Simon’s Island.
9. Public Spaces
There’s no shortage of public spaces on St. Simon’s. If you want to be surrounded by nature, the marshland grasses of Glynn County is the perfect place. Made famous by poet Sidney Lanier’s nature poems, the marshes are teeming with wildlife. You can have a nice afternoon picnic here or go kayaking for a couple of hours. But if you’re a social animal, the best spot is The Pier Village, which is the island’s social hub. Of course, nothing beats sitting on the bench by the water and watching the boats go by when you just want a quiet afternoon alone. Simon’s Island truly is a great place if you want to retire at the beach.
8. Unspoiled, Pristine Beaches
Mostly untouched by commercial activity and urban development, the island has a secluded feel, almost as if it’s your own private paradise. East Beach, the most popular beach on the island, is divided into three sections: Gould’s Inlet which is where the fishing pier is, the U.S. Coast Guard Station named after the structure that continues to stand at the entrance of the section, and Massengale Park, which features a nicely-shaded picnic area and playground.
7. Romantic Scenery
Normally, you wouldn’t think of romance as one of the factors in finding the best beach retirement destination. And even if you did, the streets of Paris or the canals of Venice are probably what you’d have in mind. But St. Simon’s also has romantic spots that are sure to captivate you. Worth mentioning are the enormous oak trees covered in Spanish moss that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale or historical fantasy movie. The tree spirits carved within these trees definitely add to that fairy tale feel.
6. Plenty of Family-Friendly Things to Do
It doesn’t matter what kind of activity you’re looking for, you’ll find it on St. Simon’s Island. This is why many people who want to retire at the beach choose St. Simon’s. Grandkids visiting? No problem. There are a plethora of activities that will exhaust their seemingly infinite energy. There’s a community pool, a mini-golf, a playground, a couple of waterparks and more. There’s also horseback riding and annual summer camps for children. And oh, there’s a skatepark at Demere Park. Nothing says cool grandparent more than taking them there—just leave the skateboarding to the youngins.
5. Rich in Arts and Culture
For a small beach retirement community like St. Simon’s, the arts and culture scenes sure are vibrant. Residents and visitors alike capture the beautiful scenery in their paintings and photographs, which are displayed in art galleries throughout the island. St. Simon’s even has a literary guild that supports writers as well as a non-profit theater group. But there’s more. As a town rich in history, St. Simon’s has several historical sites you can tour, like the Island Lighthouse and Fort Frederica.
4. Several Fishing Options
If you’re like many retirees whose lifeblood is fishing, you’ll be pumped to know that fishing is a major activity on the island. Whether you want to do some casual fishing from the pier, prefer seine netting straight from the beach, or seek a more thrilling adventure on a chartered boat, St. Simon’s Island has it all. And when you get tired of the ocean, head over to the marshes for some fly fishing.
3. Delectable Southern and Island Food
It’s no secret that the South is known for food. On St. Simon’s, expect to be spoiled by a delicious array of options served at nearly 100 restaurants. From local seafood to distinctive island cuisine to nationally acclaimed barbecue, prepared food on the island is made with the freshest locally-sourced ingredients. If you’re a foodie, you should definitely add St. Simon’s to your list of best retirement beach destinations. The top dining spot on St. Simon’s is ECHO Oceanfront Restaurant, but many others come close including Georgia Sea Grill, Cafe Frederica and Iguanas Seafood Restaurant.
2. Social Life and Events
Perhaps it’s because St. Simon’s is a small town, but the residents are generally friendly and social. And meeting new people is super easy especially since there’s always an event going on. Whether you’re a music lover, a sucker for art exhibitions or a wine connoisseur, you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy. Not to mention all the annual festivals that the island celebrates. You’ll have more things to do than you have time for.
1. Mild, Subtropical Weather
Finding a warm place away from the cold, miserable winter months has almost become synonymous with retirement. Thankfully, Georgia has a warm coastal climate that’s ideal for anyone who’s looking to retire at the beach. In the summertime, the average highs in St. Simon’s are 88°F to 90°F during the day, with average lows being 73°F to 75°F. In winter, nighttime lows average between 43°F to 52°F, but average daytime highs hover around 63°F to 69°F so outdoor activities are still possible. It gets 113 rainfall days a year, accumulating about 50 inches of precipitation.