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Retiree flocking to St. Marys
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| The trees are leafing out, the azaleas are in full bloom and there is now one more piece of evidence that St. Marys has been discovered — the city ranks in the top 10 ten among places people 55 and older are moving to — and it’s the only one east of the Rockies. (Special to the Tribune & Georgian/Wendy Rush) |
By Renee M. Liss
Of all the places retirees can choose to live, St. Marys is up at the top of the list.
A Brookings Institute demographics study ranks the coastal Georgia city, once a sleepy small town, as No. 7 for growth rate in people over age 55, stating that these retiring Baby Boomers are looking to be more active in their golden years, wanting to continue working, and many choosing to run their own businesses.
St. Marys was the only town east of the Mississippi to make the top 10, although Palm Coast, Fla., was No. 11.
“I think this is some of the best positive publicity we could receive,” said Janet Brinko, St. Marys director of tourism.
She said most people who eventually move to St. Marys visit first, and often more than once, meaning revenue for hotels, restaurants and shops.
The listing has already garnered national attention, with an article on the report in national magazine U.S. News and World Report last week.
Brinko said ABC’s Good Morning America was on Cumberland Island March 22 filming for a segment on the coastal barrier islands. It will appear on the Sunday morning broadcast, Brinko said.
“I think there is a lot of interest [in St. Marys] because of the [U.S. News] article,” Brinko said. “I feel like it’s going to create a big stir.”
City Manager Bill Shanahan and Mayor Rowland Eskridge agree that the ranking and national attention are good for the city.
“I’m really happy people see us as a desirable place to be,” Shanahan said. “It speaks volumes on the people [who live here already]. They’re good, friendly people.”
Eskridge added that the ranking shows the city is doing something right.
“I think it’s great,” he said.
Of course, all this growth means challenges for the city government, with an estimated 7,000 new homes proposed to be built in the next few years.
Shanahan said the challenge has always been there, but it is not something that cannot be handled, as long as it is done right.
“The area is growing smart,” Shanahan said. “I’m real pleased.”
He said the main focus is to ensure standards are maintained on city services.
And he said he does not think St. Marys will end up being strictly a retirement community. He said as older people move in, their children and other young relatives will visit and Shanahan believes they, too, will fall in love with St. Marys.
He said with Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, and current and future businesses in the city, there is and will be enough employment for younger generations. Shanahan added that Brunswick and Jacksonville, Fla., offer job opportunities, as well, and are close enough that people will live in St. Marys and work in those cities.
“I thank God every day we started [planning] early,” Eskridge said.
He said the city is careful about what developers are allowed to build in St. Marys, ensuring that no one will cut and run.
The top 10 list is Gillette, Wyo., Silverthorne, Colo., Juneau, Alaska, Edwards, Colo., Jackson, Wyo., Bozeman, Mont., St. Marys, Rock Springs, Wyo., Taos, N.M., and Evanston, Wyo.
A Brookings Institute demographics study ranks the coastal Georgia city, once a sleepy small town, as No. 7 for growth rate in people over age 55, stating that these retiring Baby Boomers are looking to be more active in their golden years, wanting to continue working, and many choosing to run their own businesses.
St. Marys was the only town east of the Mississippi to make the top 10, although Palm Coast, Fla., was No. 11.
“I think this is some of the best positive publicity we could receive,” said Janet Brinko, St. Marys director of tourism.
She said most people who eventually move to St. Marys visit first, and often more than once, meaning revenue for hotels, restaurants and shops.
The listing has already garnered national attention, with an article on the report in national magazine U.S. News and World Report last week.
Brinko said ABC’s Good Morning America was on Cumberland Island March 22 filming for a segment on the coastal barrier islands. It will appear on the Sunday morning broadcast, Brinko said.
“I think there is a lot of interest [in St. Marys] because of the [U.S. News] article,” Brinko said. “I feel like it’s going to create a big stir.”
City Manager Bill Shanahan and Mayor Rowland Eskridge agree that the ranking and national attention are good for the city.
“I’m really happy people see us as a desirable place to be,” Shanahan said. “It speaks volumes on the people [who live here already]. They’re good, friendly people.”
Eskridge added that the ranking shows the city is doing something right.
“I think it’s great,” he said.
Of course, all this growth means challenges for the city government, with an estimated 7,000 new homes proposed to be built in the next few years.
Shanahan said the challenge has always been there, but it is not something that cannot be handled, as long as it is done right.
“The area is growing smart,” Shanahan said. “I’m real pleased.”
He said the main focus is to ensure standards are maintained on city services.
And he said he does not think St. Marys will end up being strictly a retirement community. He said as older people move in, their children and other young relatives will visit and Shanahan believes they, too, will fall in love with St. Marys.
He said with Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, and current and future businesses in the city, there is and will be enough employment for younger generations. Shanahan added that Brunswick and Jacksonville, Fla., offer job opportunities, as well, and are close enough that people will live in St. Marys and work in those cities.
“I thank God every day we started [planning] early,” Eskridge said.
He said the city is careful about what developers are allowed to build in St. Marys, ensuring that no one will cut and run.
The top 10 list is Gillette, Wyo., Silverthorne, Colo., Juneau, Alaska, Edwards, Colo., Jackson, Wyo., Bozeman, Mont., St. Marys, Rock Springs, Wyo., Taos, N.M., and Evanston, Wyo.
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