Less than two weeks ago, we moved from a metropolitan, highly populated area to a small coastal town. It’s a little bit like a perpetual vacation, except Ken has a job and we have to actually do things like house-cleaning and schoolwork.

It’s awesome, but it’s a lot to get used to! Just a couple of weeks into this new life, we’ve already noticed quite a few things that are different about island life.

1- water everywhere

Yeah, this one should be obvious but it’s just so different! The ocean is on one side of the island; the Intracoastal Waterway is on the other. It’s less than a mile from our driveway to the beach, and on the way, we pass a canal.
{Want to learn to kayak with me!?}

2- “island time”

Advertised store hours are more of a suggestion than a strict schedule for many local businesses. Coming from a city where punctuality and productivity are prized, this one is tough to get used to. Like when the mobile DMV unit (only here 4 days/month) drives off a day early — before I got my new license!

3- bike and pedestrian friendly

Sidewalks are everywhere and bike racks are at every beach access point and most businesses — even the grocery store. Motorists are accommodating to bicycles and pedestrian traffic. Of course accidents can happen, but in our previous town, I think skydiving would’ve been safer than biking.

4- casual style

Everything here is more casual. Flip-flops are the norm. Even business dress is more laid-back. If I take just 5 minutes to gussy up, I feel fancy. A big change from feeling like I had to be perfectly polished to fit in; I loved our church, but it was like a fashion show I could never keep up with.

5- alligator sightings

Kathryn and I are the only ones in the family who haven’t seen a gator! They don’t get huge up here in North Carolina like in the warmer waters of Florida but they do live here. Some of the other wildlife is different, too — most notably, the water birds — but most critters we saw back in Georgia are here, too.

6- sand instead of red clay

Georgia is known for red clay soil. Here, it’s all sand. But I love the fact it’s not all palm trees; they grow here, but the area is known for big ol’ live oaks.

7- merchandise tailored to the market

I’ve noticed coastal-themed merchandise even at big chain stores like Wal-Mart and Lowe’s Home Improvement. Anchor fan pulls, nautical light fixtures, kitchen rugs decorated with crabs… these are not things I saw in the same stores near Atlanta!

8- nighttime is DARK

Being in a smaller town, away from big city lights, and by the ocean where there are no lights, it gets mighty dark here at night! Less light pollution means easier star-gazing; we can even see the Milky Way from our driveway!

9- a boat in every driveway

Ok, not every driveway, but houses like this one make up for those of us without boats in our driveway. I’m pretty sure boats outnumber houses in this town.

10- houses with names

Most people here name their houses, and I’d love to know the story behind some of the names: At Last; Tranquil Harbor; My Blue Heaven…

I like the idea, but we haven’t named ours yet. Any suggestions???

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Jamie

Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »