Tybee Island, GA

Tybee Island is a relaxed barrier island community sitting about twenty minutes east of downtown Savannah. Home to roughly 3,000 year-round residents, the town offers a classic coastal lifestyle within an easy commute of the city. Daily life revolves around the water, with wide ocean beaches to the east and quiet salt marshes to the west. Many locals get around by bicycle or golf cart, running errands along Butler Avenue and enjoying a tight-knit neighborhood feel.

ATTRTimjarrett at English Wikipedia . Later version(s) were uploaded by Jbarta at English Wikipedia . / CC BY-SA 3.0

The island also carries plenty of historic character, from the black-and-white lighthouse on the north end to the converted officers' quarters around Fort Screven. While summer brings crowds of day-trippers and vacationers, the cooler months are peaceful and quiet, giving residents the run of the local seafood joints, sandy shores, and tidal creeks. Living here means trading suburban hustle for salt air, friendly neighbors, and a slow Lowcountry pace.