Moving to Saint Augustine/Saint Johns....Maybe. Help (Jacksonville, St. Augustine: waterpark, HOA) - Florida (FL) - City-Data Forum

Krista3680 · 06-23-2010, 02:33 PM

My boyfriend and I are looking to escape NJ! We have decided to search in the Saint Augustine/Saint Johns area...There is just too much info to sift thru...

We are 30, do not have children (yet) and are a bit spoiled. We live in a great area now with top notch schools, super safe (never lock a door or car) and great shopping really close. We want the same type of feeling in a new area...without the $12,000/year taxes.

What are some great neighborhoods where the houses are not the reach out and touch your neighbor type? We both work from home and commuting is a non issue, we'd like to be close (within 20 minute drive) to a beach, shopping and restaurants. We'd love to spend less than 250K.

Does anyone have a REALTOR that they can honestly recommend?

Can anyone recommend a decent/clean hotel that would be central to this home search area? We are planning to drive down and check out all these neighborhoods in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

hlauburn · 06-23-2010, 09:53 PM

We have done 2 househunting trips in the St Johns area. We stayed at the Sheraton near St J Town Center and the Hotel Indigo - both were really nice. They're about a 20 min ride to the 210 area, but really not bad, and you'll be close to restaurants, shopping etc.

Unfortunately, St Johns and "great shopping really close" don't really go together. If that's a major factor, you might want to look closer to St Augustine or the Julington Creek area. However, St A schools seem to be a little hit or miss, unlike the other schools in the county, which are really good.

We are working with Lisa Menton with Watson Realty. Her office is off 210 in St Augustine. She's very familiar with that area, and she's been a great realtor for us. I'll be glad to send you her contact info if you're interested.

Goos luck with the move!

EricBoyd · 06-24-2010, 10:46 AM

Lisa is great. I've worked with her before and she does well for her customers.

dspenc8888 · 06-26-2010, 03:02 PM

I think you will be pleasantly surprised with how low our taxes are here. Depending on price and location you will probably well below $6000. I highly recommend St. Johns county schools. If you want to stay central to St. Augustine when you visit, the WGV hotels are nice and in good location to JCP, Palencia, WGV, etc. Comfort Suites: Saint Augustine Florida hotels, Comfort Suites hotel near World Golf Village, Saint Augustine FL & Renaissance Hotel: Florida Golf Resort | St Augustine Hotels | Florida Golf Vacations are both at the International Golf Parkway exit.

SATR Sean · 06-30-2010, 10:59 AM

You may try the Hampton Inn on the beach in St. Augustine Beach, it has a good rep. St. Johns County is really three distinct parts: St. Augustine and its Beaches, Ponte Vedra, and St. Johns (northwest county). St. Johns is really a bedroom community for folks who want St. Johns County schools (best in the state) and taxes, but work in Jacksonville. Ponte Vedra is a very wealthy enclave, but borders and is still tied closely to Jacksonville. St. Augustine is a tourist destination with a European flair, and has the most accessible beaches...you can easily find something for under $250K in any but Ponte Vedra.
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hlauburn · 06-30-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATR Sean

You may try the Hampton Inn on the beach in St. Augustine Beach, it has a good rep. St. Johns County is really three distinct parts: St. Augustine and its Beaches, Ponte Vedra, and St. Johns (northwest county). St. Johns is really a bedroom community for folks who want St. Johns County schools (best in the state) and taxes, but work in Jacksonville. Ponte Vedra is a very wealthy enclave, but borders and is still tied closely to Jacksonville. St. Augustine is a tourist destination with a European flair, and has the most accessible beaches...you can easily find something for under $250K in any but Ponte Vedra.
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Technically, Nocatee is in Ponte Vedra, and you could probably get in there for around $250,000. You get the advantage of the St John's County/PVB schools and the waterpark and other amenities are amazing!

Krista3680 · 07-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Thanks everyone for the info! It is much appreciated. We are headed down (driving.....ugh) and have a feeling that this is going to be a very busy few days.

Is there anything that you feel some one HAS to do/experience on their first visit to the area?

delg23 · 07-02-2010, 03:38 PM

check Crescent beach & Anastasia Island. They are nice areas and very close to the beach. Nocatee is far from stores & restaurants, except it would be an easy ride to Jacksonville & the houses are really nice in that price range.

johnsoa2 · 07-12-2010, 07:10 AM

I hope your visit went well! We are moving the opposite direction this month and just got through doing the same type of trip. I have been in this area for over 20 years. Be careful with some parts of St. Augustine....there are a few title I schools and some rough n'hoods. Northern St. Johns County is top notch for schools. We currently live in JCP and have found it to be very safe...we've even left our front door open once and had nothing stolen. A neighbor driving by left a note and closed our door. Great shopping 20 minutes south to St. Augustine, 20 minutes north east to Jax and 15 minutes west to Orange Park. We love the location. Watch out for some of the developments HOA and CDD fees. They can get pricey.

DigPlantWeed · 07-12-2010, 07:44 AM

When you look at homes in St John's consider both HOA and CDD fees. The latter can add anywhere from a couple thousand to several thousand a year to your home expenses. The Mr and I are considering developments without CDDs only, which has limited the field.