Need help!!! Relocating to St. Johns County! (Jacksonville, Palm Coast: apartments, renters)

[MasterofJune]

Hey guys.

I am getting ready to move to Florida. I come from a small town in Missouri. My daughter is deaf, and getting ready to go into high school. She will be attending FSDB in Fall of 2008. We are looking to move around June or July.

My wife and I are not big money makers, and we are trying to find a place to live without moving to a bad neighborhood, and where we can get reasonable rent. We are not expecting to find something like we have here in Mo (2br, full basement, 1200 sq feet at $350.00/mo)

We expect to pay at least double that, but we both plan on working in St. Augustine.

I have looked at some places in Palm Coast, and that seems like a decent town, but it would be nice to live in St. Augustine since we are going to be working there...Plus we like living close to the school.

Either way, we need to live in St. Johns county. We would like to have a 3br place for family visits, and a place that is pet friendly to a couple of Chihuahuas.

Does anyone have a good suggestion on a community in St. Johns county? We would prefer a house or a duplex, but if we have to live in an apartment for awhile, then so be it. The main thing is we have to move there.

I just need some advice on where to start.

Thanks for your time reading this.

MOJ

[Cougar31]

you may want to try the "income restricted" appartment complexes. And there are quite a few of them. then try St. Augustine look in the classified ads.
Good luck.

[riveree]

First, I'd suggest asking the mods to move this post to the Jacksonville forum where you'll get a lot more location-specific feedback.

Second, it's going to be a little tough finding what you're looking for and spending only $700/mo. I have an idea though:

In St. Augustine, there is a large, older, established neighborhood called "The Shores". There is a real mix of housing styles and prices in the neighborhood. There are a few different condos where you can rent. The newer ones will likely be out of your price range, but you might get lucky and find an older 2 bedroom (for $700/mo, I don't think you'll find a 3 bdrm). I don't know all the condo names, but one is 'The Conquistador'. There are other old ones as well (I have a friend who rented at 2 diff ones, so I've seen them from the inside and they're decent).

There are also homes to rent in The Shores and the rents can vary based on square footage and age of home, so you might find a home for rent in the high $800-$1000 range.

I would suggest finding a realtor to show you around The Shores and surrounding neighborhoods - this is a nice part of St. John's county.

Best of luck!

[MasterofJune]

Thanks for the information there riveree. We don't expect to find something good for 700/mo...we would be willing to have a couple hundred more per month to have a 3br if they are available. The main thing is my dogs. I can't leave them in Mo. They are a part of my family.

I did a search on Craigslist, and there seems to be alot of stuff around my price range, especially in that Conquistador that you were talking about. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of having a realtor show me around. I have to go with what I can find online or by calling realtors, and taking their word on it (as well as you good people). I am over I am going to have to do this by the seat of my pants here, and hope that my decision was a good one. If I have to live there 6-12 months before I can move to a better house/location, so be it.

What do you guys know about Palm Coast in Flagler County? That is only about 20 miles from St. Augustine, and there are some really nice 3br/2ba houses at reasonable rates. I have to say that I am more than inclined to check it out...



Mods, can you please move this thread to the Jacksonville forum?

Thanks.

[LM1]

Originally Posted by MasterofJune

Thanks for the information there riveree. We don't expect to find something good for 700/mo...we would be willing to have a couple hundred more per month to have a 3br if they are available. The main thing is my dogs. I can't leave them in Mo. They are a part of my family.

I did a search on Craigslist, and there seems to be alot of stuff around my price range, especially in that Conquistador that you were talking about. Unfortunately, I don't have the luxury of having a realtor show me around. I have to go with what I can find online or by calling realtors, and taking their word on it (as well as you good people). I am over I am going to have to do this by the seat of my pants here, and hope that my decision was a good one. If I have to live there 6-12 months before I can move to a better house/location, so be it.

What do you guys know about Palm Coast in Flagler County? That is only about 20 miles from St. Augustine, and there are some really nice 3br/2ba houses at reasonable rates. I have to say that I am more than inclined to check it out...



Mods, can you please move this thread to the Jacksonville forum?

Thanks.

3BR is going to be very, very tough for $900/mo.
You can find 2's and 1's all day for that (it's a particularly strong renters market- 2 years ago, your $900 a month would barely get you into a 1/1 condo somewhere).

Totally forget $700. Singlewide moble or ghetto are your only options here.
$700-$900, there seems to be some 2/1s out there.
$1000+ you can probably get in on the low end of a 3 BR.

Oddly enough, my fiancee and I temporarily moved back to St. Augustine for family reasons and are renting here. Our criteria was very close to yours.

[MasterofJune]

Ok guys...I need your help.

There seems to be Apartments available at a place called "Whispering Woods". It says that it is a gated apartment community, and for a 3/2 the rent there is $826.00/mo

I see alot of openings around "the shores", and those seem like they are decent, and all are around $850.00/mo. That Conquistador place seems very good, with a lot of amenities, and the golf course is a big plus.

What do you guys know about "The Conquistador"? Riveree says good things about it, but has anyone else had a chance to live there or check it out?

[clouds]

Whispering Woods is a great location and a relatively new complex. Definitely a good choice for a rental. You could spend more time finding a single family home in the area after you live here.

Good Luck! I work at FSDB and I am sure your daughter will love it =)

[clouds]

The Shores is a nice area of town. A lot of the homes are older but it is a nice, well maintained neighborhood overall. Family friendly - not scary or anything =)

[riveree]

Originally Posted by MasterofJune

Ok guys...I need your help.

There seems to be Apartments available at a place called "Whispering Woods". It says that it is a gated apartment community, and for a 3/2 the rent there is $826.00/mo

I see alot of openings around "the shores", and those seem like they are decent, and all are around $850.00/mo. That Conquistador place seems very good, with a lot of amenities, and the golf course is a big plus.

What do you guys know about "The Conquistador"? Riveree says good things about it, but has anyone else had a chance to live there or check it out?

Since it's a rental, there is little commitment beyond a year, and I'm sure you would fine it suitable for a year (or longer if you wish).

I haven't been there in a while, but from my memory: It was always well-maintained (landscaping, lighting, etc.), the parking is ample and close to your unit, very safe and quiet, all the buildings are 2 story with exterior staircases, you can walk to the Intracoastal Waterway (it's "right there", as is The Shores clubhouse), nearby basic shopping (drive or a long bike ride). It's not luxury, it was built in the 70's or 80's would be my guess.

I have no idea if they allow dogs though, you'll need to check on that.

[CBB]

Originally Posted by MasterofJune

We would like to have a 3br place for family visits, and a place that is pet friendly to a couple of Chihuahuas.

Having some extra space for family visits is one of the worst investments you can make. Please consider what a spare bedroom costs - compared to putting occasional guests in a nearby motel.