The Top 11 Reasons to Live in St. Augustine, FL
1. St. Augustine FL Has A Small Town Feeling
St. Augustine is one of the oldest cities in the US. The historic downtown area was originally a Spanish-built fort in the late 1500s. Today, it has become one of the most romantic cities in Florida.
Beyond the historic downtown area, you will be delighted to discover numerous enchanting neighborhoods that have been established over the years. There are empty lots, new homes for sale in St. Augustine, FL, older homes, acreage for sale, and so much more. You can also find waterfront communities built by the St. John River and the Atlantic Ocean.
Southeast St. Johns County Areas
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2. Saint Johns County - St Augustine Property Taxes
One of the reasons to live here is that there are low property taxes in St. Johns County, which is part of St. Augustine. Overall, you’ll get to know the neighbors and enjoy the scenery!
3. St. Augustine's History of the Arts
Artists are often drawn to St. Augustine. Starting with naturalist William Bartram, who explored the area in 1773 and wrote about the local flora. Other famous artists who have visited the area include Robert Frost, John Dos Passos, and Randolph Caldecott.
In fact, St. Augustine held the most significant art colony in the 20th century, which has evolved into the St. Augustine Arts Association. Find many local artists, galleries, exhibits, and cultural events celebrating the arts.
4. St. Augustine's Weather
People often buy homes for sale in St. Augustine, FL, because of the comfortable weather. Join the other snow birds and enjoy a winter with only a couple nights per year with a hard freeze. This means you can walk on the beach in December! Temperatures in St. Augustine are cooler than Southern Florida or the landlocked area of Florida (i.e. Orlando).
However, you should be aware that it can rain in the afternoons. Especially in the summer.
5. St. Augustine's Attractions and Events
Fine art and music are in the blood of St. Augustine residents, but there are so many other things to do. For example, you’ll find:
- Art galleries
- Wild animal sanctuaries
- A lighthouse
- Shipwreck museums
- Miniatures museums
- Walking tours
- Antique car shows
- Horse-drawn carriages
- The St. Augustine Film Festival
- Fireworks
- Historical reenactments
- Other world-class attractions
- Farmer's Market
- Golf Courses
Though the city was built on its history and pleasant weather, people often flock here for the events and attractions. When you live here, you can experience them year-round. Plus, you may have friends and family from out of town come more frequently!
St. Johns County Golf Course Communities (Listed North to South)
- All PVB Golf Club Comm Homes
- All St. Augustine Golf Club Comm Homes
- Marsh Landing Golf & CC
- Sawgrass Players Club
- Sawgrass Country Club
- The Plantation at PV
- Julington Creek Plantation
- King & The Bear World Golf Village
- Cimarrone Golf & CC
- St. Johns Golf & CC
- Palencia Golf & CC
- Royal St. Augustine
- St Augustine Shores
- South Hampton Golf & CC
- World Golf Village
- Marsh Creek
6. St. Augustine's Music
You’ll find almost any type of music in St. Augustine. In fact, there are many local songwriters and singers, country cover acts, rock groups, and folk singers. The LIVE MUSIC calendar from visitstaugustine.com will help you follow your favorites and find new performers.
Whether you like classical performances, local jazz bands, or global acts, they all come to St. Augustine. So you’ll always have some great music to enjoy!
Likewise, many small venues provide live music each week, so you’ll have a wide selection of places to go. Many people wander the historic city streets in the evening to hear different styles. It’s an excellent way to learn about the city and where you live!
7. St. Augustine's History
St. Augustine was originally inhabited by the Timucua tribe. They traded, farmed, and fished the area. Archaeologists are discovering artifacts left by those people. These artifacts provide insight into their way of life before our time.
You’ll find many cities and towns with a complete and rich history. St. Augustine preserves its historic homes, sites, churches, and buildings to educate others about the past. So please take a tour of the old fort, walk down St. George Street in Downtown St. Augustine or take a horse carriage tour of the Old City.
St. Augustine Gated Communities
8. St. Augustine is Close to Other Major Cities
Many people search for homes for sale in St. Augustine, FL, because they want that small-town feeling. However, you’re still close enough to major cities to enjoy their offerings. It’s the best of both worlds!
Many people work and travel to Jacksonville and have access to national sports teams, world-class medical facilities, and airports. However, you find yourself drawn home to St. Augustine, to give you the peace and small city feel you crave.
St. Augustine Gated Communities
9. St. Augustine FL Recreation
There are so many things to do for fun, as long as you’re not thinking of skiing (unless it is water-skiing). For one, you’ll find plenty of national parks, but you can go camping, fishing, kayaking, and horseback riding.
Likewise, you’ll find dog parks, tennis courts, pickleball courts, playgrounds, skateboard parks, and various recreation centers with ball diamonds, courts, and pools!
Of course, nothing beats the beach for relaxing or taking up a new watersport. Try windsurfing at Anastasia State Park for instance.
Boating? Fishing? St. Augustine waterfront is famous for its convenient access to the Atlantic Ocean, located just north of Downtown St. Augustine, which is on the intracoastal waterway.
10. St. Augustine Beaches
Ultimately, there are about 42 miles of beaches from Matanzas Beach (south) to the northeastern area of St. Johns County. So you have a wide selection of St. Augustine Oceanfront Homes and Oceanfront Condos in St. Augustine. Popular beaches include Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach on Anastasia Island and Crescent Beach further south.
Overall, some beaches are great for surfing, others for skimboarding, and some for fun on the sand.
If you’re east of I-95, you’re about 5 miles from a beach (in a straight line). However, the beaches in this area are on barrier islands. Therefore, you’ll probably have to use a bridge, which can take up to 30 minutes.
Still, it’s worth the drive! Along with the surf and sand, the beaches are home to many species, such as the migrating right whales. You might even find some shark teeth washed up on the sand!
Whether you want to walk your dog, bike along the water’s edge, ride a horse, swim, or surf, plenty of things will occupy you!
11. St. Augustine Has Something For Everybody!
St. Augustine has a wide range of properties including single family homes for sale, condos for sale and townhomes for sale. You can find properties for sale in different locations like the historic city center, by the ocean, on the intracoastal, and by the golf course. So if you are looking for living arrangements with beautiful views then you definitely have made the right choice.
Plus St. Augustine still has land for sale to build your new home if you would like!
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Final Thoughts on Living in Saint Augustine
There are many reasons to find homes for sale in St. Augustine, FL. You’ve learned of the top 10, which is a good start. Plus, you have many ways to volunteer, and you’ll always meet friendly people. Consider moving to this area today!
Posted by Carey Frankel on
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