Location
Marietta, Georgia
Expertise
Luxury cruises, Theme parks, Bars and nightlife
- Garrett was bit by the travel bug early in life, after family journeys to England and Australia, and annual trips to the North Carolina coast.
- He appreciates both the real and unreal, as fascinated by historical and cultural sites as he is entertained by theme parks, cruises, and immersive attractions.
- He believes that to really understand a place you need to experience its nightlife, so at the end of the day you'll most likely find him at a bar, theater, or nightclub.
Experience
Garrett is a veteran editor and writer with over a decade of travel writing experience. He started his career writing about music for various alt weeklies and websites before branching out into general pop culture. A lifelong love of theme parks brought him into travel writing, which has been his primary focus for over a decade. He's contributed to Paste, The A.V. Club, Salon, Kotaku, Polygon, and many more, and was an editor at Paste for 15 years.
Education
Garrett has a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, where he majored in history.
Islands content is created by a team of veteran writers and editors passionate about travel. Outside experts with deep field knowledge sometimes inform our work with additional context and perspectives by way of exclusive commentary. Our goal is to offer readers well-rounded and diverse articles that inform, entertain, and inspire.
Our editors consistently review and update articles to ensure they're providing current, relevant, and useful information. Complete information on our editorial process is available here.
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Michigan
By Garrett Martin 9 hours ago
Charlevoix County ranks among Michigan's best places to retire, offering charming lakeside towns, beautiful scenery, and year-round outdoor recreation.
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Texas
By Garrett Martin 2 days ago
A fast-growing city outside Dallas boasts small-town charm and year-round festivals, including its iconic, family-friendly Halloween celebration.
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Louisiana
By Garrett Martin 2 days ago
Revel in the sportsman’s paradise in this laid-back town a stone’s throw from Baton Rouge, with exciting family activities and undeveloped natural wonders.
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Massachusetts
By Garrett Martin 6 days ago
New England is home to plenty of adorable small towns, and one locale near to Cape Cod, Boston, and Providence has some fun history and culture to explore.
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Indiana
By Garrett Martin 8 days ago
Retire to this county in Indiana and feel the thrill of a world record-breaking ride in a theme park or fish, swim, hike, and camp in a state park.
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Theme Parks
By Garrett Martin 8 days ago
This unique entertainment venue in England is easily accessible and offers visitors historic charm, thrill rides, family-friendly fun, and more.
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Indiana
By Garrett Martin 9 days ago
Planning to retire? Then consider this affordable county in Indiana: It's got a live theater, ballroom, and farmers market, and the weather is pretty good, too.
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Georgia
By Garrett Martin 9 days ago
Retirees love this ‘Peach State’ county as it’s near Atlanta and a major airport. It’s also got Southern charm, natural beauty, trails, and golf.
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Alabama
By Garrett Martin 12 days ago
This county in Alabama may not be an obvious retirement choice, but it offers affordability with access to nature through lakes, trails, and forests.
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Texas
By Garrett Martin 15 days ago
A mandatory stop on a Texas road trip, this tiny home of Shiner Bock exudes Texan charm, offers delicious food, and truly lives up to its spotless reputation.
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Europe
By Garrett Martin 15 days ago
Shropshire's industrial heritage and stunning countryside scenery are on show in this charming market town in the heart of the country.
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Missouri
By Garrett Martin 16 days ago
This Route 66 city near Joplin in Missouri is home to red brick buildings and an Art Deco movie theater, as well as a farmers market and spirited festivals.
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Indiana
By Garrett Martin 23 days ago
Spend your retirement years soaking up four seasons while hitting the casino, taking strolls along the river, and visiting animal sanctuaries in this county.
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North Carolina
By Garrett Martin 29 days ago
This county is home to one of the Tar Heel State's most vibrant coastal cities, plus several lively and inviting beach towns with boardwalks and seaside living.
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Massachusetts
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
This county has convenient access to both natural sites and popular cities, giving a relaxing retirement full of outdoor walks and big city culture.
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Michigan
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
The orchards of Michigan are alive and well at this time of year, and one gorgeous village near Grand Rapids makes a great base for family adventures here.
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New York
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
Small but perfectly formed, this adorable village in western New York State is brimming with small-town charm and high-speed thrills.
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Canada
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
History and harbor views come together delightfully at this scenic little Canadian town near Lake Huron, with floating hotels and living heritage all around.
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San Antonio, Texas
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
Baby boomers in Austin are leaving the city for another Texas metropolis, touted by multiple publications as one of the best places to retire.
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Florida
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
A laid-back Florida East Coast destination offers retirees charming small towns, quieter beaches, warm weather, and plenty of outdoor recreation nearby.
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Florida
By Garrett Martin 1 month ago
Florida is a retirement wonderland, but one gorgeous county on the Gulf Coast stands out for its stunning beaches and excellent amenities.
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Arkansas
By Garrett Martin 2 months ago
This unexpected Southern destination was popular in the 1800s for the health benefits of its hot springs and is gaining popularity once again in 2026.
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Colorado
By Garrett Martin 2 months ago
Every town in Colorado is far from any actual sea, but one local fish market offers seafood from across the world that is unbelievably fresh.
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News
By Garrett Martin 2 months ago
The most boring state may sound like a matter of opinion, but Zippia has run a scientific study on the matter, and these two topped the list.
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Maine
By Garrett Martin 2 months ago
For retirees drawn to New England, this coastal city offers nearby lighthouses, island ferries, craft breweries, senior recreation, and urban conveniences.
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News
By Garrett Martin 2 months ago
The lowest cost of living in the United States this year? That crown falls on the head of a scenic state with outdoor adventures and fun towns all over.
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Europe
By Garrett Martin 2 months ago
This charming town in North West England is a haven for those who love farmers' markets and antique shopping, with close proximity to a pretty viaduct trail.
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