There are four places that are prime locations in St. Augustine:
The Old Town – historic homes with lots of character and high taxes, the Island (my favourite) but you will pay in cost per square foot for salty breeze, and World Golf Village for commuters to Jacksonville and good schools, not the same charm as the last two, also more in the countryside, the Wildwood area of 32086, this is where I live. It is near the beach and the old town and room for a garden, but not just a commuter city.
Write me if you have questions about each neighbourhood or an area you might see on Zillow or Trulia for example. I will give you the real story.
All three have infinite more pros than cons but I wanted to put it out there first, what the cons are. The pros you already know, old city charm, Island life and high standard suburbia.
Other areas in St. Augustine are good for specific reasons. I like the Shores for value or St. Augustine South for cheap quality homes (older area) or the area towards Elkton for new homes that have value and not far from the beach and the Old Town.
Saint Augustine has much to offer as it is a coastal city in Northern Florida and therefore it has Florida’s warm and mild climate with plenty of sunshine. The city is rich with British and Spanish history, and tourists and locals alike enjoy the historic sites and museums that the area has to offer. St. Augustine is a small city, with a population of under 15,000 but attractiveness of the place contributes to an increase in new homes and communities to meet the demand for housing in this area.
Florida as a state is growing in population because of the weather, and also the beauty of the state. The Oldest American Town has plenty of both, from the beaches to the coastal woodlands and lush wooded areas, you are never more than a few blocks away from nature, it’s a natural and preserved state. Houses and communities are woven around natural areas. This small town and the residents are charming and all it takes to fall in love with it is a single visit.
St. Augustine has several neighbourhoods and communities, so one of the big problems with moving to St. Augustine is trying to decide what place inside the city you like best. No matter where you are, you are just a short drive away from the beaches and boat launches for the Matanzas River and the Atlantic Ocean, from the historic Old Town section, and the rest of Florida, including all of the attractions and fun that it has to offer is less than a two-hour drive.
For families, St. Augustine is an excellent choice because it is a part of the St. Johns County School system. Schools in St. Johns County are among the top rated and top performing schools in the entire state and in addition to the country elementary, middle and high schools, there are also excellent private schools offering classical education. St. Johns County even has a virtual school, to ensure that children who are home schooled still receive the best possible education.
While there are really no bad areas to live in St. Augustine, some areas do stand out more than others do. Here are some of the top places to live in the city of St. Augustine.
World Golf Village neighbourhoods
Florida and golf go together very nicely and the neighbourhoods of the World Golf Village certainly prove why. The World Golf Village is a sprawling complex that covers 6,300 acres and it has two golf courses, both are world-class championship courses and both are rated 4.5 stars out of 5 stars by Golf Digest. Each course has its own clubhouse with a dining room, outdoor patio, bar, locker rooms and lounges and a pro shop. It is also the site of the PGA TOUR Golf Academy and residents of the neighbourhoods of World Golf Village can improve their game through sponsored programs.
2,700 acres of World Golf Village is preservation lands, with plenty of ancient oaks and wildlife for residents to watch and enjoy. There is also a spa, the IMAX Theater, and the World Golf Hall of Fame as well as a swim and tennis centre. Several communities are included in the neighbourhoods of the World Golf Village and they range from condominiums to estate homes. Houses in the area can cost anywhere between $100,000 to several million, making it a highly desired place to live.
Atlantic Beach
Houses in the Atlantic Beach neighbourhood of St. Augustine, located just off of highway A1A, are for those that love the ocean; the smell of the salt in the air, the soothing sound of the waves and the feel of the sand and water between your feet. Atlantic Beach homes are situated along the beach, so you can be from your front door to the water in minutes. Beach Boulevard has some of the best coastal restaurants and shopping in St. Augustine. Anastasia State Park is very close, as is the fishing pier, Farmers Market, St. Augustine Beach and Seaside Pavilion. Associated schools are Pedro Menendez High, Sebastian Middle School and R.B. Hunt Elementary. Coastal properties differ in price and are available for everybody who wants to live the Salt Live.
Anastasia Island
If you cross the Bridge of Lions over Mantazas Bay, you will find yourself on Anastasia Island, which is a mixture of sand dunes, beaches, marshes, businesses and beautiful residential communities. This is home to Anastasia State Park, the Alligator Farm and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Much of the island is preserved nature with plenty of space for camping, picnics and hiking.
Some of the communities on Anastasia Island include St. Augustine Beach, Sea Colony, Sunset Point, Crescent Beach, Anastasia Dunes, Davis Shores and Marsh Creek, all of which offer great views, great locations and plenty of nature to enjoy. Housing prices generally start at $350,000 and can go up to the millions but it is certainly one of the most highly desired areas to live in.
Old Town
With most cities, living downtown can mean cramped lots and a lot of traffic but not in St. Augustine. Downtown, while there is traffic, it is slow and you will be only a short walking distance from St.George Street, Castillo de San Marco, Fountain of Youth, restaurants, shops, art galleries, boutiques and parks. For families with young children, the highly rated Ketterlinus Elementary school is downtown as well.
The beach is only ten minutes away as well. Properties in the downtown area tend to be pricey but the cobblestone streets and charm make it worth it for many.
Living in St. Augustine means that you are living in a city that is full of charm, history and sunshine where the natural landscape is allowed to shine through. No matter what your favourite sport is, you can find it here along with the temperate weather and the beaches. Find out for yourself why this is quickly becoming one of the best spots in Florida to live.
My primitive map of where I would personally live in Saint Johns County
Contact me at mbiernat@hotmail.com if you need help finding a place in Saint Augustine.
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