Quality of Life

The Southeast Coastal Georgia region offers an exceptional quality of life, with a mix of urban amenities and rural charm. Residents enjoy a low cost of living, excellent schools, affordable housing options, and a range of recreational activities. From exploring historic sites to engaging in outdoor adventures to seeing first-run movies at an old-fashioned drive-in theater, our area provides a vibrant and welcoming community for families and individuals.

You can shop in historic downtowns, check out museums, buy locally grown fruits and vegetables, see a musical act or play, attend arts and crafts events, and cheer on our young people in local and collegiate athletics. Spend weekends paddling on the Altamaha River or through the Okefenokee Swamp, or just looking for shells on the beach. We average 214 sunny days a year, so weather seldom interferes in our activities.

Natural Beauty: Our region is known for its natural beauty and scenic landscapes. Atlantic Ocean beaches are an hour’s drive or less from any one of our communities and residents enjoy our marshes, rivers, and forests. These offer opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreation activities, such as fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife observation. Folkston serves as one of the gateways into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge which inspires artists, photographers, and nature enthusiasts. From St. Marys, visitors catch the ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore. Another ferry takes visitors from Darien to one of Georgia’s remote barrier islands, Sapelo Island. Paying guests can visit another barrier island, the rustic and pristine Little St. Simons Island.

Climate: Southeast Coastal Georgia generally experiences a humid, subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. Proximity to the coast brings some relief from extreme temperatures and offers the chance to enjoy water-based activities year-round.

Affordable Housing: Compared to some larger metropolitan areas, our SEGA Alliance member counties often offer relatively affordable housing options. This can contribute to a higher standard of living and a lower cost of living for residents.

Employment Opportunities: The economy in our member counties is diverse, with sectors such as tourism, healthcare, education, government, and manufacturing playing significant roles. Major employers include schools, hospitals, military installations, and various industries related to maritime activities and tourism.

Education and Healthcare: The range of educational and healthcare resources in our region varies across the counties, and efforts are typically made to provide essential services and support for residents. Our schools regularly work with industry to align curriculum with the skills local employers need. Our health systems have some of the finest physicians in the region, but also include access to health systems in Savannah, GA and Jacksonville, FL.

Arts and Culture: Each of our member counties offers opportunities to enjoy art galleries, festivals, community theater, live music, and other cultural activities. Other standout experiences include exploring Georgia’s origins at Fort Frederica National Monument and Fort King George Historic Site; watching trains at the Folkston Funnel or at the Jesup Train Depot; attending the annual Blessing of the Fleet in Darien; enjoying a Sacred Harp singing event in Hoboken; attending First Fridays in Downtown Brunswick; enjoying a movie from the comfort of your car at the Jesup Drive-In; and watching four sets of July 4 fireworks events from one location along the F.J. Torras Causeway in Brunswick/St. Simons Island.

Community and Lifestyle: Residents in our counties often have a strong sense of community and a slower pace of life compared to larger urban areas. They can enjoy a more relaxed and close-knit atmosphere, which contributes to a higher quality of life for those who prefer a quieter and less-crowded environment.

Living

Here

209 Gloucester Street, Ste 211 Brunswick, GA 31520

912.996.3750