Fernandina Beach/Yulee (Plantation, Pensacola: sale, to rent, insurance)

[Mylu]

daedalo-

I agree. I'd comment more on that, but since this is a Jax forum, I won't







Also, for anyone needing more info. to get an idea of what is going on in the Amelia Island/Fern/Yulee areas, you can check out the local newspaper.... it is published on Wednesdays and Fridays I'm not sure what the web site is, but google The News Leader + Fernandina Beach.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Mylu

Riveree- Generally, I agree with you. Not on this post, though. Please check out www.nassau.k12.fl.us Yulee Elementary is an "A" school and made AYP. The Middle school is also an "A" school.

Nothing came up when I clicked on the link .

All of the 4 main counties here in NEFL - including Duval - can claim quite a few A-rated elementary and middle schools, it's the high school level where things seem to really plummet. Right now, Nassau has no A-rated high schools and some of the high schools were rated very low (I thought it was Yulee, but I don't have those stats in front of me right now).

Overall, Clay and St. John's rate better than Duval and Nassau, and even that is only relative.

I think Fernadina Beach is a beautiful place - I've always said that on this forum - and Yulee is going through some big changes with a lot of developements being built - no argument there .

[MsJax313Atl]

LOL - Fernandina kids "looking down" on the Yulee kids. I don't see why. I guess because the average home in FB costs more? Both are very small towns, if you are looking to move to a bigger city, you may be in for a shock.
However, I like both because of the things I see and hear about the communities. Check out the Fernandina Beach News Leader and the Nassau County Record (leading newspapers in Nassau County). These newspapers report on any and everything that goes on in the community - from bake sales to the name and address of criminals and their activities.
Both communities are great for children; there is a lot of emphasis on community involvement and things for children to do.
Not much in the way of shopping but there is a Walmart in both cities; also a Target in Yulee. Yulee is growing steadily. For mall shopping you'd have to take a ride to Jacksonville.
You may be able to find a new home in Yulee for right around $200k due to the housing market slump and the forclosure rate.
There are also very beautiful homes and quiet neighborhoods around the airport (in Jacksonville); and new shopping including Walmart and a movie theatre.
Best of luck!

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by MsJax313Atl

LOL - Fernandina kids "looking down" on the Yulee kids. I don't see why. I guess because the average home in FB costs more? Both are very small towns, if you are looking to move to a bigger city, you may be in for a shock.

I know! It *is* really kinda funny when you think about it.

However, I like both because of the things I see and hear about the communities. Check out the Fernandina Beach News Leader

Here is the link to the News Leader

[Coffeecake]

Yulee is growing by leaps and bounds. There is a Target, Super Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Payless Shoes, and all the strip mall conveniences all down the main strip. Publix is planning to be built across the street from Winn Dixie that has just been renovated. Some here have mentioned the Southside Mall. No! No! Too far! The Mall by the airport (off Airport Road) is a hop-skip and a jump down Route 17 South from Yulee. It only takes us 20 min. to get there and you don't have to get on I-95 at all. They have a movie theater, as another poster mentioned.

Another big advantage for Yulee (for future investment at least) is a large entertainment park that are in the plans for being built on Route 17 North on the Georgia/Florida border. The plan is to have a waterpark, an old fashioned pedestrian town center, a hotel and an ampitheater. That was one of the biggest reasons we decided to keep our property in Yulee even though we were transferred.

Plus another advantage to Yulee is that we pay only County property taxes. In Fernandina Beach (in some areas) you can pay County and City taxes.

Also, most of the people I know that live in Fernandina have to pay much higher house insurance. Especially since they changed Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island hurricane evacuation status to the whole island being Category 1. Use to be only people living on the beaches had to evacuate for a Cateogry 1. Those that lived a bit more inland, around Fernandina Beach, had to evacuate for Category 2. Now everyone "on the island side of the bridge" has to evacuate for a Category 1. For Yulee, depending on where you live, it is between Category 3-5. I know for a fact everything west of Winn Dixie is a Category 5.

[HIF]

The same attitude divide between Fernandina and Yulee exists here with the beachies and the townies. I have always thought that it was because, back in the day, Yulee and Jax folks were considered to be more redneck. With so many out-of-area people moving in, that may be changing a bit.

I love Fernandina and am trying to find a way to move there. It reminds me of the Florida where I grew up.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by HIF

I love Fernandina and am trying to find a way to move there. It reminds me of the Florida that I grew up in.

I bet you can make it happen, HIF!

[michelle.b.jackson]

Originally Posted by sc2jax

Thanks to those of you who answered my questions below about my move from SC to Jacksonville. As mentioned in my other post, my husband is working on the northside - kind of near the airport, I think. He wants us to look into the Fernandina Beach/Yulee areas now as well. Can you give me any info on these areas in regards to housing, community involvement/activities, shopping (is there a Target, etc) and schools? Thanks again!

my sister lives in yulee now, yes it is nice and building up, we went to school in fernandina at high school back in the middle 80's and it's somewhat the same not much has changed and thats good because of crime rate but I simply love jville and it should be cheaper in housing cost, new developments on the north side were ur husband works and in very nice up scale communities or check out the southside, that's arlington side, O so nice I plan to move there this summer...luv it... so alive... but if he insists on yulee area we have land that might be for sale...

[CDCUser]

I prefer Yulee because:

1) You can anywhere quickly from Yulee.

2) Outside of the tourist trap of Centre Street much of FB is dilapitated and run down.

3) In the areas that aren't run down property is very expensive.

4) FB properties, (and vehicles) because of the proximity of the ocean are subject to higher maintenance costs.

5) Much of the property in FB must have flood insurance.

6) Although there hasn't been a hurricane hit in FB since Dora in 1964 (N. E. Florida, geographically is in a bight that affords protection) evacuations are ordered sometimes. There is only one road out of FB and it's often gridlocked even when there isn't a hurricane warning.

7) If you're a beach lover you can get there quickly from Yulee.

8) The schools in Yulee are all new.

If you're not married to the idea of FB I would definitely consider Yulee. Look at properties pre 1975 (solidly built) or post Hurricane Andrew (when the building code was strengthened). Whether you go for Yulee or FB, if the property, or adjacent properties has a raised septic tank drainfield (what does that tell you?) find somewhere else.

The newer developments often have housing associations. keep in mind that with such associations the downside can be quite onerous.

Try and find a brick or concrete block house (the latter are immensely strong and since Hurricane Andrew have become quite desirable).

Much of Yulee is NOT in a flood zone or hurricane evacuation area (cheaper insurance). There's waterfront property in Yulee and some of that isn't even in a flood zone or evacuation area. It holds its price well because, as realtors like to say: "No more of it is being made."

Take your time, visit, look around, ask questions of the local people, not realtors. Be careful of realtors, in this area they seem quite inefficient, especially the part timers and just want to make a sale.

Please keep in mind the above is just my opinion but I have lived in N.E. Florida for 30 years and 15 years in Yulee.

Regards and Good Luck.

CDUser

[agreatlife]

I have to disagree with CDCUser above. Even as was said, "is just my opinion", I think a Realtor is an excellent source of help to you. It's a Realtor's job to know the different areas, and be able to select properties for you to see based on criteria you specifiy. Especially for folks who are not familiar with the areas, a Realtor can really help you a lot.

Rant off, back to the thread topic.