10 Things You MUST Know BEFORE Moving to Brunswick, Georgia

Are you considering moving to Brunswick, Georgia? Nestled on the southeastern edge of the state, Brunswick offers many benefits for those looking to live the coastal lifestyle. Before you pack your bags and head south, here are 10 things you must know BEFORE moving to Brunswick, Georgia.

Moving to Brunswick, Georgia:

10 Things You Need To Know

Here are the 10 things you need to know before moving to Brunswick, Georgia:

1. Coastal Lifestyle
2. Homelessness
3. Smells
4. Food
5. Climate
6. Schools
7. Cost of Living
8. Tourism
9. Crime
10. Childcare

Coastal Lifestyle

Living in Brunswick, Georgia offers the opportunity for a beautiful coastal lifestyle and is the major lure to living in this small town. Brunswick boasts a relaxed coastal lifestyle that revolves around the water. From boating and fishing to golfing and kayaking, you’ll find ample opportunities to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and nearby marshes. Brunswick is included in the Golden Isles and truly has some of the most beautiful coastal sunsets!

But with the beautiful coastal lifestyle comes the threat of flooding, tropical storms and hurricanes. Hurricane season in the Golden Isles runs from June 1 to November 30 and September is usually the most active. You can expect daily afternoon thunderstorms during this season as well. My favorite resource for staying informed is Mike’s Weather Page.

Homelessness in Brunswick, GA

Similar to most cities, Brunswick, GA has an increasing homeless population. The city and local foundations are doing great work to minimize the population with local shelters, food kitchens, and the recent development of a tiny home village. It’s important to be aware of this issue and if you’re moving to Brunswick, GA there are plenty of opportunities to contribute positively, whether through volunteering, supporting local shelters, or engaging in community efforts to address homelessness.

What’s That Smell?

It’s not uncommon to get waves of unpleasant smells similar to rotten eggs while living in Brunswick, GA. Brunswick is home to Georgia Pacific’s Cellulose Paper Mill. “The smell is attributed to a gas produced in GP Cellulose’s processes in which they cook soft wood to free the fiber to make fluff pulp. The mill is among the largest producers of fluff pulp in the world.” While the mill does bring an abundance of jobs to the area, the smell can be intense at times. Luckily, it’s not a constant smell, and you get used to it!

Southern Coastal Food

Known for its wild Georgia shrimp, Brunswick’s food scene has positively expanded in recent years. Along + near Newcastle Street in Historic Downtown Brunswick, you’ll find some of the most delicious local restaurants including 3 of my favorites; Schroader’s Market, Reid’s Apothecary, and Indigo Coastal Shanty.

Additionally, Brunswick has many chain restaurants such as Chili’s, Longhorn, Olive Garden, Hooters, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Chick-Fil-A and more. You’ll find these off of the main road – Golden Isles Parkway – commonly referred to as “The Spur.”

Climate

Yes, it’s VERY hot and humid. Yes, that means we have more bugs than other places, BUT it also means we get to enjoy outdoor activities, such as the beach, boating, fishing, and kayaking, nearly year-round! And a pro tip – if you have big chunky sweaters and coats in your wardrobe, save yourself some packing space and donate them. Light sweaters and jackets are all you’ll need for winter in South GA. You will not see snow here, rather, you will likely be wearing shorts and sandals on Christmas! Additionally, because of the warm climate, we have a long growing year. So if you’re an avid gardener, start planning around Zone 9a! If you are considering buying land, check out this post for more tips on homesteading.

PRO TIP- You’re entering #DawgNation, get a head start on your new wardrobe with my top-selling Georgia Tees:

Does Brunswick, GA Have Good Schools?

Brunswick is located within the Glynn County school district. As a licensed Realtor, I cannot steer in any way based on schools, but this is something you want to pay attention to when relocating to Brunswick, GA. I can, however, point you to the stats, so let’s do that. Click here to review the rankings of individual Glynn County schools on niche.com.

Brunswick, GA has 8 Elementary Schools, 4 Middle Schools and 2 High Schools. Moreover, Glynn County has numerous top-rated private schools and even homeschool co-op options.

In addition, Brunswick is home to the College of Coastal Georgia:

At the College of Coastal Georgia, students discover opportunities at all levels, whether that be with community engagement through service learning, or hands-on application of classroom material. There is a spirit of volunteerism at the College, and a commitment to making positive changes. Students can participate in honors programs, internships, fellowships, and scholarships that foster natural curiosity. On-campus employment opportunities and scholarships serve not only to promote college affordability, but also to encourage academic, athletic, and active program participation.

https://www.ccga.edu/about/

Cost of Living in Brunswick, GA

To be honest, it’s 2023 and everything is inflated – housing included. In comparison to the surrounding coastal areas (Saint Simons Island, Savannah, GA, Jacksonville, FL), Brunswick’s cost of living is lower. It’s actually 12% lower than the national average.

As a Realtor in the area, here’s the range I typically see as of Sept. 2023. Please keep in mind that these are not evidence-based numbers, I am simply sharing my experience-based insight.

• $250,000-$350,000 – Small-Mid Size Resale Home
• $350,000-$500,000 – Small-Mid Size New Construction
• $500,000-$750,000 – Larger Resale + New Construction
• $750,000+ – Luxury Resale + Luxury New Construction

Tourism Industry

Because of Brunswick’s location, the tourism industry contributes a lot to Glynn County. While tourism is more prominent on the Islands, that overflows into Brunswick as well and contributes to a lot of the small business successes. A large contributor of visitors is attributed to the FLETC campus located in Brunswick, GA. FLETC is the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and has a revolving door of students, trainees, and employees. Some FLETC residents get assignments for 6 months at a time and some for 3-5 years or longer. The influx of new individuals contributes to Brunswick’s business economy but is also a large component for those wishing to invest in a short or long-term rental in Brunswick, GA. Additionally, the College of Coastal Georgia and the South Georgia Health System bring a lot of travelers looking for Air BnB’s or other rentals.

To learn more about investing in a short-term rental in the Golden Isles and why RIGHT NOW is a good time, read this post.

Crime in Brunswick, GA

When considering moving to Brunswick, the crime rate is something to be aware of and consider when finding the perfect home.

UCR Part 1 Crime statistics are the measurement that the police department uses most often to gauge progress in our efforts to decrease crime in our city.  Following crime decreases in 2018 and 2019, and a significant decrease in 2020 (possibly due to Covid), the number of reported crimes has increased in the last two years (12% in 2021 and 11% in 2022).

SOURCE: https://www.brunswickga.org/police/page/crime-statistics

Here’s another great resource when looking at the crime rate for specific areas within Brunswick. The color-coded map feature is very helpful!

Childcare

There are multiple childcare options for children and infants under the age of 4. At the age of 4ish, our public school system operates on a lottery for Pre-K, so know that just because your child is 4, that does not mean they will automatically get in.

If you have children 5 and under, I highly recommend calling the top-rated daycare facilities A.S.A.P. to get on the waiting list. If you’re a picky helicopter mom (hi, it’s me), then just know that space is limited for most daycare and preschools.

Moving to Brunswick, Georgia? WATCH THIS FIRST.