Why Amelia?

I interview a lot of people in my line of work, and my first question is almost always, “How did you find/come to Amelia Island?” The answers are always interesting. Many have attended business meetings or conferences and fallen in love with the beauty and charm of the island, and plan to return. Some come on vacation, seduced by the marketing of our TDC and others come to visit friends and family.

One favorite story once shared involved a high-powered couple who lived in Washington, D.C. They were getting ready to retire and planned to move to somewhere on the coast of Florida. On a trip to investigate possible places to live after retirement, they became so frustrated with the traffic on I-95 that they decided to take the first exit in Florida that had "beach" in its name. You guessed it — Fernandina Beach. They stayed several days, fell in love with the island, and bought a house.

Others have shared stories of shopping for a retirement community on the southern coast of the United States. They consider Hilton Head, St. Simons, Jekyll Island, and many Florida destinations along the coast. Their search ends when they add up everything that Amelia Island offers. Historic district, open beaches, restaurants, and an array of arts offerings, including music, drama, and dance.

So what about me? Traveling from my Iowa City, Iowa home in 1996 to attend a conference, I spent several days exploring Amelia Island. I said to myself, "I could live here!" My parents and sister lived on the East Coast, and my boys were grown and living in the South. My business required travel, and Jacksonville offered a convenient airport. I would miss a vibrant university town but not the challenging winters. So I grabbed the ring, sold my house in Iowa City, and bought a house on Amelia. It has been 27 years, and it may be the best decision I have ever made, other than marrying the Big Guy.

Amelia Island, often called the "Jewel of the Florida Coast," is a small barrier island (about 13 miles long and 4 miles wide). It offers an extraordinary blend of history, natural beauty, and charm that is in stark contrast to what most consider typical Florida. Our end of Florida, sometimes called Key North, is very different from the rest of Florida. We even look different. We have trees that shed leaves. We have seasons, subtle seasons, but seasons. South Florida transitions from very hot to a slightly less hot. Amelia Island goes from very hot to cool in the fall, winter, and spring. We have even had snow. When it happens, don't blink; it disappears fast. There is a balance to life on the island, from elegant resorts to the historic charm of downtown Fernandina Beach and, of course, our easily accessible dog-friendly beaches.

I recently caught up with a friend and, again, asked my question. She described a life of lots of moves all over the country to meet job and family needs. When it came time to choose a permanent home, many places were considered. When they found Amelia Island, they knew they had found home. She smiled and described their immediate attraction to all things Amelia, then added, "It was a God thing."