Its decent for what it is... - 1/1/2022

I'm not the type to sugarcoat reviews, I call it as I see it. So here goes. I will admit that St. Marys embraces that small town mentality. They do have regular activities downtown in the park as well as parades etc. It was originally centered around a local paper mill until it closed down. Fortunately for the town they neighbor a fairly decent sized Navy base. Which has continually pumped money into St. Marys and the neighboring city of Kingsland. Unfortunately, most of the commerce isn't being pumped into St. Marys so you won't find lots of new or attractive businesses there due to the majority of useable land already being developed or unusable. Housing is ridiculously overpriced considering the age of most of the homes, and don't expect much in terms of housing expansion. Schools are run by the county, which seem to be average at best. Traffic can be horrendous especially in the vicinity of the base pretty much everyday in the mornings and the streets become racetracks for those leaving work about 3-4pm. For every kind hearted person you encounter in St. Marys, there are generally two more a-holes to offset them. Having grown up in an actual small town in Oklahoma (I am a Navy transplant), it appears to have the small town charm but still feels as though they want to be a big city complete with elitists calling the shots from their private golf countryclubs. City funding is spent where they want despite where the city needs it. Bottom line, if you are escaping actual big city life, you'll probably enjoy living here due to it's much slower pace. If you came from an actual small town, it'll still feel like you moved into the city as it still seems as if folks around here are always in a hurry. The city is being kept alive from the local base and the resident population are mostly employed there or retirees. If you want larger lot sizes or acreage, you likely won't find it here. Look towards White Oak, Folkston, Yulee, or Callahan for that. Most people who live here do so because of it's proximity to the base, as do I. If I wasn't in the military I probably would pass by this area due to skyrocketed land value alone. It's a cute town to visit, but I wouldn't live here without that anchor.

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It is not a big city, don't pretend it is. - 12/6/2019

You have to know what you want. Don't expect St Marys to be something it's not. If you want traffic and congestion, don't move here. It was a small town that depended on a paper mill for almost 100 years. When it closed, it crippled the town. 20 years later, the town is still here and is on the rise. The downtown district has tons of history, caring people, festivals, parades, an amazing water front. Could there be more? Sure, but do you want to make this town something it's not? I love this town! I love what it is!

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An Ideal Place for Families and Retirees Alike - 5/12/2019

This sweet little town is just what my family was looking for — a quiet place adjacent to the marshes, river and seashore. It’s affordable and safe, without the traffic and condominium developments typical of similar locations on the Southeast coast. We previously owned a home on St. Simons Island for a decade, but found that we could buy in the historic district of St. Marys for a fraction of the cost. We couldn’t be happier with our decision!

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Not A Place I Would Recommend Moving to... - 10/23/2017

Unless you want to enlist in the Navy or work in fast food, retail, or as a landscaper, there isn’t much for gainful employment. It is a terribly boring place for a kid to live! It's boring for adults as well, since there is little to do here. Many commercial buildings are empty and are eyesores. There are tornadoes, hurricanes and torrential rains and high humidity most of the year. The schools really aren’t good at all, which you really notice if you have lived somewhere where the schools actually are good. The restaurants are quite terrible. Homes are overpriced for what you get. I’d say there are many far, far better places to live.

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Sad Town ?? - 7/16/2017

Visited St. Mary's recently and was extremely disappointed! The entire Town is in need of some Updating and Cleaning..... and the Old part of St. Mary's was just Sad! There could be so much there, but yet nothing. I expected to see all these little Shops, Cafes etc.... no attractions at all..... most of St. Mary's looks like it will soon be a Ghost Town! Clean it up and add some things.... it's the east coast for heavens sake.... !

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sleepy historic town - 12/30/2013

Saint Marys is a small, old-south type of place just north of Jacksonville, FL. It's economy was formerly based upon paper production but with the closing of the mill several years ago, the area has become largely a haven for retirees looking for a great, quiet place to live and play golf. The economy is now linked to Kings Bay Naval Base which is thriving. There has been a great deal of speculation in 2013 about two major projects moving to the greater area, a major "water theme park" and a space port for private space exploration.

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Information that is accurate - 5/27/2009

Visit www.stmaryswelcome.com Often these sites are misleading, but this one actually portrays the town and area as it truly is and provides helpful links.

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St. Marys, Georgia - 5/26/2009

I moved to St. Marys four years ago (I am a Canadian and living for one year in Illinois). I have never encountered such natural beauty, friendliness and warmth. This is a world of open arms, endless possibility, magical vistas and the last true vestiges of the legendary “Southern charm”. I wish that I had known of St. Marys when raising my children – for that matter I wish that I had been raised here myself! One of the best ways to “taste the flavor” of this city is to visit www.stmarysmagazine.com.

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A Small Corner of Heaven - 6/24/2008

Having come to St Marys from Canada, I was unsure as to how I would adjust to the cultural differences that I anticipated. What I have found is an extraordinary town of generous and welcoming people within an environment that is, quite simply, breathtaking. The quiet harbor, endless marsh vistas, charming historic streets and magical Live Oaks create a fitting setting for people of inordinate charm, devotion to their community and love for their families. As the gateway to Cumberland Island - a protected wonderland of pristine doons, old growth forest, wild horses and picturesque ruins - St Marys is, indeed, the "jewel of the Deep South".

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St. Marys Gateway to Cumberland Island - 8/31/2007

ST MARYS, GA - GATEWAY TO CUMBERLAND ISLAND Step back to yesteryear and visit a quaint and historic waterfront village. St. Marys is steeped in history beginning with the native Guale Indians and the Spanish who settled here in the 1500s. In 1787, an English-speaking colony began in St. Marys. Homes, B&Bs, churches, and attractions dating back as early as 1801 are still standing. St. Marys has three historic museums, which include the St. Marys Submarine Museum, Orange Hall, and the Forgotten Invasion / Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum. St. Marys is home to many antique and other unique shops. Among its many fine dining choices are great restaurants featuring seafood, ethnic, and down-home southern cooking. Beautiful bed and breakfast inns and three wonderful hotels offer great accommodations to fit everyone's budget. St. Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore. The ferryboat carries day visitors and overnight campers and their gear from St. Marys to Cumberland Island to see wild horses, loggerhead turtles, over 300 species of birds, the Carnegie mansions, and the ruins of Dungeness. Cumberland Island's 16 miles of unspoiled beach has been chosen by the T ravel Channel as the best wilderness beach in the USA. Coastal Living Magazine chose Cumberland Island as the seventh best shelling beach. The late JFK, Jr., held his wedding reception at the world-renowned Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island National Seashore. Camping and bike rentals are available at the National Seashore. For travel arrangements and more detailed information on St. Marys and Cumberland Island, please call 800-868-8687 or visit the website www.stmaryswelcome.com which includes a 20-minute video, or stop by the Welcome Center located next to the St. Marys City Hall. St. Marys is three miles from the Georgia-Florida state line, eight miles east from Exit 3 on I-95. St. Marys is only 20 minutes from the Jacksonville International Airport. You owe it to yourself to visit St. Marys and add it to your list of favorite destination choices. www.stmaryswelcome.com

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St. Marys Gateway to Cumberland Island - 8/31/2007

ST MARYS, GA - GATEWAY TO CUMBERLAND ISLAND Step back to yesteryear and visit a quaint and historic waterfront village. St. Marys is steeped in history beginning with the native Guale Indians and the Spanish who settled here in the 1500s. In 1787, an English-speaking colony began in St. Marys. Homes, B&Bs, churches, and attractions dating back as early as 1801 are still standing. St. Marys has three historic museums, which include the St. Marys Submarine Museum, Orange Hall, and the Forgotten Invasion / Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum. St. Marys is home to many antique and other unique shops. Among its many fine dining choices are great restaurants featuring seafood, ethnic, and down-home southern cooking. Beautiful bed and breakfast inns and three wonderful hotels offer great accommodations to fit everyone's budget. St. Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island National Seashore. The ferryboat carries day visitors and overnight campers and their gear from St. Marys to Cumberland Island to see wild horses, loggerhead turtles, over 300 species of birds, the Carnegie mansions, and the ruins of Dungeness. Cumberland Island's 16 miles of unspoiled beach has been chosen by the T ravel Channel as the best wilderness beach in the USA. Coastal Living Magazine chose Cumberland Island as the seventh best shelling beach. The late JFK, Jr., held his wedding reception at the world-renowned Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island National Seashore. Camping and bike rentals are available at the National Seashore. For travel arrangements and more detailed information on St. Marys and Cumberland Island, please call 800-868-8687 or visit the website www.stmaryswelcome.com which includes a 20-minute video, or stop by the Welcome Center located next to the St. Marys City Hall. St. Marys is three miles from the Georgia-Florida state line, eight miles east from Exit 3 on I-95. St. Marys is only 20 minutes from the Jacksonville International Airport. You owe it to yourself to visit St. Marys and add it to your list of favorite destination choices. www.stmaryswelcome.com

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Cost of living as related to housing - 7/23/2006

St. Marys, Georgia is a quaint little town just 3 miles north of the Florida border by Jacksonville. Until 3 years ago housing prices were actually below the national norm with prices betweeen $70,000 and $130,000 for most houses. The reason for that is there is virtually nothing here. The 2 biggest employers are the Navy, which has a submarine base; and which recently had 5 of the 10 submarines transfer out of area, and the board of education for the county. Now the county is experiencing "real estate madness" as housing prices have now doubled or more in the last 3 years without any apparent huge influx of people to justify the prices. Some people do live here and work in Jacksonville, Florida and supposedly we are experiencing an influx of retirees although why you would retire here and pay full taxes on your income (Georgia is not tax friendly) vice living down the road 5 miles in Florida which has no income taxes is beyond me. Anyhow, if you plan on living here good luck on getting a job paying more that $40,000 unless you get an engineering job or a production job on the base. It would be hard to live here with that salary in light of current housing prices. If you plan on retiring here, I would seriously look at the wisdom of living here vice moving down the road several miles to Florida which has no income tax. St. Marys is a small community with only a walmart and the associated shopping center to accomodate your shopping needs. There is no mall here. Also, bugs are especially bad here due to the heat and swamp. On the up side traffic is not an issue, crime is low, and the public schools are phenomenal.

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