Overview
Brunswick is a historic port city in Georgia situated between Savannah and Jacksonville. Residents love this quaint town for its active downtown and plentiful outdoor recreation. The year-round warm weather and affordable housing make it an attractive destination for retirees.
Climate & Geography
Located in Coastal Georgia, Brunswick has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Rainfall is above average because of frequent afternoon thunderstorms in the late summer. Snowfall is very rare, and residents can expect about 220 days of sun each year.
Brunswick is on a peninsula situated within a group of barrier islands on the Atlantic coast, bordered by on the east, south, and west by multiple rivers and the Intracoastal Waterway. This location keeps the terrain of Brunswick generally level, with lots of small creeks and tributaries running through the city. Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island are often grouped together and make up the Golden Isles of Georgia.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Much of Brunswick’s entertainment is centered around the Brunswick Historic District. This area plays tribute to its English history as all the streets and squares are named after English towns and provinces. It features a vibrant art scene with two theaters and several art galleries as well as local boutiques and restaurants.
Outdoor recreation includes fishing and kayaking at the Blythe Island Regional Park or golfing in the numerous courses throughout the Golden Isles. Jekyll Island also has 10 miles of shoreline and a variety of seasonal community events.
In addition, residents can enjoy an award-winning distillery, a weekly farmers market, and guided historical tours in Brunswick.
Cost of Living & Taxes
Brunswick’s cost of living is below the national average, and the low cost of homes is the main reason. Other factors like groceries and transportation are below average, but utilities and health care are above average.
Georgia does not tax Social Security, and while other forms of retirement income are taxed, there are also significant tax exclusions available. Property taxes are below the national average, and retirees can be eligible for a double homestead exemption. Brunswick’s sales taxes are average, and groceries are only taxed at the local 3 percent rate.
Health Care
Georgia ranks in the top 23 states according to Gallup’s Well-Being Index.
The only hospital in Brunswick, Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick Campus, is rated as high performing by U.S. News in its treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). Jacksonville has several nationally ranked hospitals, including Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville, UF Health Jacksonville, and Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville.