Simons Island is a wonderful place in which to live work and play. Simons Island is the 3rd most desirable location in the nation to retire to. Ancient moss draped oaks cloister our tiny island with restful shade and its marshes, tidal creeks, rivers and the ocean freshen its breezes. So the island can often be found to be a tad cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Real Estate on St Simo
ns Island is divided into four separate zones. South Island encompasses all the land from Demere Road, south to St. Simons Sound and east to The Ocean. This area is the most resort focused on the Island. Beaches, the historic Village, Pier and Lighthouse are located in South Island. This is also where most of St Simons’ restaurants and lodging is located. This is also the most populated portion of the Island. Situated here are 54 holes of championship golf, designed by Tom Fazio, Rees Jones and Davis Love III amenitizing Sea Island Company’s resort, private club and club communities. There are currently 177 Condominiums on the market in this area and 161 homes. Property prices are somewhat higher in South Island within its 136 communities and neighborhoods with home prices averaging $1,055,000 to $1,244,000 and condos $377,000 to $568,000. Ocean front properties and beach cottages offer short term rental income opportunities from vacationers and visitors. Mid-South Island is bounded by Demere road to the South, Sea Island Road to the north and salt marshes (The storied Marshes of Glynn) to the east and west. The Methodist enclave Epworth lies to the east on the Frederica River. Also in this area is Gascoigne Bluff with its towering oaks and gorgeous shaded green-space. At Gascoigne there is a privately owned marina with boat ramp and a public fishing pier. In the 70 individual neighborhoods there are currently 50 Condominiums on the market and 72 homes. Home prices average $195,000 to $450,000 and condos $189,000 to $308,000. Mid-North Island is the home to many of the island’s most popular restaurants and shops. It is bounded by Sea Island road to the South, Frederica Road to the north. Sea Palms Golf Course provides 36 challenging holes at a bargain rate of $84 per 18. There are currently 38 Condominiums on the market and 129 homes within the 61 subdivisions and neighborhoods with home prices averaging $232,500 to $480,000 and condos $185,000 to $315,000. North Island’s boundaries are Frederica Road to the south and Lawrence Road to the north. Most of the island’s deepwater river access is concentrated between Mid-North and North Island. 18 Holes of golf can be had here at Hampton Plantation. There are currently 20 Condominiums on the market in this area and 49 homes. Prices average $350,000 to $750,000 for homes and $290,000 to $594,000 for condominiums. Sea Island is accessed mid-island via Sea Island Causeway. This is the most exclusive enclave in the Golden Isles and probably the eastern seaboard (maybe even the nation). Home to the Cloister hotel which recently underwent a $500 million dollar renovation, beach club and Spa, Sea Island’s Cottage Colony is comprised of more than 500 homes and home-sites. The pace and atmosphere are a bit different than St. Simons and the price tags too. Prices range from just under $2,000,000 to $20,000,000 which is good reason for Forbes rating Sea Island as the third most expensive zip code in America in 2002. It is a different world to be sure. If golf is your game there are two public courses and four private courses on St. Simons Island. Hampton Plantation “Hampton Club” 6,500 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 71.1 and it has a slope rating of 135. Designed by Joe Lee. The Hampton golf course opened in 1989. Green fee is $90 including cart. Sea Island Golf Club “Plantation” - 7,058 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 73.9 and it has a slope rating of 135 on Bermuda grass. Originally designed by Dick Wilson then redesigned by Rees Jones. The Plantation golf course opened in 1928. Green fee $185 including cart. Private. Sea Island Golf Club “Seaside” - 6,945 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 73.1 and it has a slope rating of 131 on Bermuda grass. Designed by C**t & Alison and redesigned by Tom Fazio. The Seaside golf course opened in 1928. Green fee is $220 including cart. Simons Island Club “Retreat” - 6,490 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 71.8 and it has a slope rating of 133 on Bermuda grass. Designed by Joseph L. Lee then redesigned by Davis Love, III. The Retreat golf course opened in 1974.Green fee is $185 including cart. Sea Palms "Great Oaks” Nine holes, 3,405 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. Designed by George W. Cobb. The Great Oaks golf course opened in 1967. Green fee is $84 including cart. Sea Palms- "Tall Pines" Nine holes, 3,253 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. The Tall Pines golf course opened in 1967. Sea Palms “West Course” Nine holes 2,945 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 36. Designed by Tom Jackson, the Sea Palms West golf course opened in 1967. There are dozens and dozens of real estate brokerages serving St Simons and Sea Island but Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodnett Cooper Real Estate is #1 for good reason. Let us prove it to you. Joe R. Wills, Jr. Realtor® G.R.I.®
