The Real Deal on the World Golf Village Area of St. Augustine (Jacksonville: house prices, neighborhoods)

[TroyBoy]

Hi:

I currently live in the South Florida area but looking to relocate to the Saint Augustine area in the spring for a change and a better place to raise my family. I'm originally from the Boston Area and miss the seasonal weather and was told that the weather is different in the NE Florida area compared to South Florida. I have a wife and two boys 5,2, good schools are important with good Sports programs, and was also told that the schools in St Johns County are very good.

I have been doing some research on World Golf Village in West St. Augustine area and like what I see for house prices and I like the amenities but would like to hear from someone that lives in the area to tell me the scoop on what the surrounding area is like, is it good for family's?

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by TroyBoy

Hi:

I currently live in the South Florida area but looking to relocate to the Saint Augustine area in the spring for a change and a better place to raise my family. I'm originally from the Boston Area and miss the seasonal weather and was told that the weather is different in the NE Florida area compared to South Florida. I have a wife and two boys 5,2, good schools are important with good Sports programs, and was also told that the schools in St Johns County are very good.

I have been doing some research on World Golf Village in West St. Augustine area and like what I see for house prices and I like the amenities but would like to hear from someone that lives in the area to tell me the scoop on what the surrounding area is like, is it good for family's?

the area hasn't seemed to grow, it is a bit isolated and away from other amenities, that said it seems to be a nice area and the homes are nice and more amenities are planned.
The schools can be good but I don't know what HS the area is zoned for, it is possible that it is zoned for one of the weaker performing HS in the area, do your research, you want to be zoned for Nease HS, not ST. Augustine

[kikiFL]

I live near, but not in WGV. My neighborhood is Murabella. I really like it here - we recently moved from Ohio. I disagree that the area isn't growing, the houses are selling again and some stores are being built. The negative right now is that we aren't close to a lot of shopping, but as other posters have mentioned on this board, we will be surrounded by tons of stores in the next 2 - 3 years.

The high school that we currently attend is St. Augustine. HOWEVER, next year we will be attending Nease, which is one of the top schools in the nation. Depending on your neighborhood, your kids will either go to Mill Creek Elementary or Wards Creek Elementary (a new school this year). All the WGV neighborhoods go to the new middle school which is called Pacetti Bay MS.

I've found this area to be a nice community. The people have been friendly, the neighborhoods are nice and the schools are good (for the area). I'm not impressed with Florida schools as a whole (coming from Ohio, I think FL is WAY behind, IMHO), however, St. Johns is supposed to be one of the better districts. I've also been impressed with the new middle school - I have a child there - and how smoothly they began their school year.

If you have any further questions, about the area, I'd be glad to help.

[agreatlife]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

the area hasn't seemed to grow, it is a bit isolated and away from other amenities, that said it seems to be a nice area and the homes are nice and more amenities are planned.

Do you really think so? The WGV is really a big area, it seems to be to be growing quite nicely, and builders are lowering the prices of their homes tremendously.

Having said that, if you are looking for family friendly area, you may also want to check out Nocatee, that is going to have a world class amenities center. Others on this board have indicated they feel some of the WGV areas to only be friendly to kids if they have golf shoes on. But I do have some friends that love it in there.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by agreatlife

Do you really think so? The WGV is really a big area, it seems to be to be growing quite nicely, and builders are lowering the prices of their homes tremendously.

Having said that, if you are looking for family friendly area, you may also want to check out Nocatee, that is going to have a world class amenities center. Others on this board have indicated they feel some of the WGV areas to only be friendly to kids if they have golf shoes on. But I do have some friends that love it in there.

nocatee, no thanks, I'm quite happy here in PVB

[agreatlife]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

nocatee, no thanks, I'm quite happy here in PVB

Sorry about the apvb I meant for the OP to consider nocatee. Most Ponte Vendrans seem to love where they live.

[songgirl]

I live in Heritage Landing, which is one of the World Golf Village communities. We are happy with our decision to move here overall. There were some problems with some teenagers in the neighborhood at first, but they seem to have moved on! The amenities, especially for kids are really good.

My 4 year old goes to preschool at a brand new huge Baptist church nearby which is free due to the VPK program. We've been really happy with it as well. Heritage Landing as well as King and the Bear kids go to the new elementary school Wards Creek, which is right around the corner. The middle school, Pacetti Bay, is also brand new this year. The high schoolers go to Nease, but I'm sure they will be building a new high school out this way soon.

The main reason we moved to this area is for the schools, which is true for most folks around here.

Lots of shopping is coming this way, but they are taking their time with development. I personally don't care because I enjoy going to the St. Augustine Outlet Center. I find pretty much what I need there. A Home Depot would be nice though! I really don't want this area to look like Jacksonville any time soon. Nothing against J'ville, I just don't like city life. St. Johns County is very suburban.

If you come up to visit, be sure to check out The Outback Crabshack on st. rd. 13. It's a great place to hang out

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by TroyBoy

Hi:


I have been doing some research on World Golf Village in West St. Augustine area and like what I see for house prices and I like the amenities but would like to hear from someone that lives in the area to tell me the scoop on what the surrounding area is like, is it good for family's?

Since you said that you would like to hear from those who ACTUALLY LIVE in the WGV area, I will give you my opinion. We chose the area because we preferred to live outside of city limits but to be within easy reach of Jax for any serious shopping. About 30 minutes to the Avenues Mall. 3 miles from WGV to I95. 18 minutes to Vilano beach.

It is widely accepted that the St. Johns County school system is the best compared to schools in NE Florida. You should research it further.

The major shopping that have been planned for the area is not a pipe dream anymore judging from the infrastructure going in now. But I cringe when I think of all the traffic and the frenzy that it will bring to this area in a couple of years.

There are people who live in World Golf Village and the surrounding area who have never swung a club. That includes myself. But people around here love the country ambience and the prestige that WGV lends to this area. Plus housing here is more affordable now than ever.

Yes, if I had to do it over again I would choose this area, no question.

[TroyBoy]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

Since you said that you would like to hear from those who ACTUALLY LIVE in the WGV area, I will give you my opinion. We chose the area because we preferred to live outside of city limits but to be within easy reach of Jax for any serious shopping. About 30 minutes to the Avenues Mall. 3 miles from WGV to I95. 18 minutes to Vilano beach.

It is widely accepted that the St. Johns County school system is the best compared to schools in NE Florida. You should research it further.

The major shopping that have been planned for the area is not a pipe dream anymore judging from the infrastructure going in now. But I cringe when I think of all the traffic and the frenzy that it will bring to this area in a couple of years.

There are people who live in World Golf Village and the surrounding area who have never swung a club. That includes myself. But people around here love the country ambience and the prestige that WGV lends to this area. Plus housing here is more affordable now than ever.

Yes, if I had to do it over again I would choose this area, no question.

Thanks for the input, I have done some research into the schools and find that alot of them rate high which is important to me, I'm looking forward to the end of the month when I come up to take a look at the area.

[riveree]

Disclaimer: I haven't lived in WGV area, but was involved in it's earliest development years (business):

Do give it a good look.

The neighborhoods are very nice, but are typical of new development in NEFL. Meaning, there are a lot of neighborhoods that look nearly identical - you can even find the same developer building in St. Johns, Clay and Duval counties (you can potentially find the same house/floor plan in all three counties ). So don't be swayed by looks alone, most new development looks much the same anywhere you go around here .

If you like the shopping and amenities that exist there now, then you're set. Some people don't mind driving to Jax to get to other stores, restaurants, etc. If the shopping and amenities don't meet your needs, it could be a while before you get what you need there. The talk of all the stores and development to come to WGV has been going on for a decade, and every year it's "just another year or two" .

It's a good fit for some and it's a perfectly nice area, but take it for what it is today, especially because it is an area of nearly all new development, it is not yet fully established and still dependent on developers coming in and doing their thing.