I have mixed feelings about being back on St. Simons for the winter. The weather has been splendid with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and plenty of sun. Who could complain, it’s winter. Still, there’s a nagging sense that all is not well in paradise.
It was over two years ago at this time that I watched the first news of the coronavirus starting on the west coast and the announcement of its first victim. As Yogi Berra would say, “it’s deja vu all over again,” with the new Omicron virus. Like most, I thought back then, that the virus would make its run and be over in a couple of months. The rest is history, as the saying goes.
At the same time, the traffic and congestion on the island have gone up significantly as the island has attracted more permanent residents and visitors. People increasingly complain about the difficulty of getting around. The local newspaper frequently has letters and news pointing to traffic snarls and access to the island. The newly built roundabouts are controversial and seem to offer little help.
Residential construction abounds and real estate prices have skyrocketed. It’s a great time to sell; not so good to buy. A home on Sea Island (joining St. Simons) sold for $27.5 million this past year with home prices going up 17%. On St. Simons, some homes that sold for $300-400,000 are now on the market for over $900,000.
Restaurants, some recently new, are open and full of people and the bars are shoulder to shoulder. The tourist seasons are less and less discernible as visitors appear to come year around. St. Simons has become increasingly popular for second homes, retirement and a getaway for Atlantans and growing numbers of snowbirds who want to avoid the neon flash of Florida.
Interestingly perhaps, all of this has played out against the two year pandemic which has shown no signs of abating. “What pandemic” is the attitude on the island with crowds jamming businesses and few masks in sight. Local residents have resumed their normal social lives holding parties and going out to civic events.
For my part, I’m still replaying the first surges of the pandemic in my mind and coming to grips with the recent need to plot strategy to get around the island at the “rush hours.”
Photos from the top: A popular crossroads that has recently expanded to five restaurants and a brewpub reminiscent of Atlanta’s famed “Buckhead” neighborhood, including the new boutique Hotel Simone.
Last photo is of the always crowded Southern Soul barbeque about a mile north.
Let’s hope the tourists go home and it is a quieter winter 😀
What we need is a blast of cold air from Canada!
“Need to ploy strategy” – now that’s funny.
While I hear what you’re saying, I feel you tend to come at a time when there is more congestion. This past October I stood in the middle of Ocean Blvd while on a walk and recreated the Mary Tyler Moore twirl. There was not a car in sight. It was glorious! Nothing coming from ‘Crab Corner’ and nothing from the Village. I say be patient. It will slow down after the Dawgs play. I’m closing GO DAWGS!
You are right Bonnie, there are still some quiet “moments,” but I’m looking at the past 20 years I’ve been here, most often in the winter which is the slowest period. Don’t go into denial amiga!
Was it you, Bonnie, who wanted a toll charge to come across the causeway?
Yes. And that idea landed on deaf ears. I wrote all of the commissioners which was a waste of my energy. Further, I reached out to Comm. Murphy who offered lip service to the cause. Sadly my slogan for the visitors center never took off –
~~~~~Visit St Simons Island: (Is)Land of the Free~~~~~
Free parking, free beach, free bouncy rides on our ancient oak trees, free restrooms with baby changing facilities, free lifeguards for babysitting, free picnicking, free playgrounds, free tennis courts, free pickle ball, free ziplocks to clean up after your canine friend, on and on, free, free, free!!!!!!