Fernandina Beach (Jacksonville: appointed, real estate, insurance)

[Ollie1946]

I would like to hear from anyone currently living on Amelia Island or even nearby. The area has changed a lot and I am wondering what your feelings are regarding the quality of life there now. I am familiar with the area, just looking for some opinions. Real estate prices seem to be falling.

What are the insurance issues currently for property and what companies are insuring at all?

I recognize no place is perfect. I live in Athens, GA which is one of the most popular places it seems.

Thanks for any replies.

[riveree]

I'm in Jax, not Amelia, so I can't speak for how it is to live there with all the new development, but I can comment on the insurance part of your Q:

Who is and isn't writing changes often, but you can try:

Tower Hill
Florida Family
USAA (if you're a member)

and I'm not sure if these ones are writing now, but you could give them a call:

Amica
Liberty Mutual


I'm going to move your thread to the Jax forum where you might have a better chance of getting some feedback from folks who live on Amelia Island

[BlueWillowPlate]

Prices have indeed fallen; it has been a necessary market correction.
We're insured with Allstate (Believe it or not! )
The island has growth and environmental issues, for sure.
A1A can be a scary drive. Egan's Creek needs help.
The good news is that there is a lot of open dialogue.
You might want to check the MyNassau section of the Jacksonville Times Union newspaper, as well as the
Fernandina Beach News Leader.
We are in Amelia Park, five minutes from both beach as well as downtown.
I absolutely *love* living here.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Correction: We use Cypress Insurance for homeowner's (we recently changed).
Allstate for vehicles.

[Ollie1946]

Thank you for your replies and moving the thread to Jax.

Thanks for the data on insurance. USAA is my insurance company but they ONLY insure active duty military on orders moving into florida. They no longer underwrite new policies for others, at least for property insurance. I asked them if I moved to St. Marys would they insure a property. The sheepish answer was yes. Go figure.

I have visited Amelia since i was 4 years old and am now 61. So yes, I am well aware of the changes that have occurred and as with any other "nice" place, not all for the better.

Still, this is my last chance. It is either do it now or forget it and I cannot seem to let it go.

It will be an economic disaster should the sub base shut down. Not so much if Mayport ever does, but the sub base would hit hard.

If anyone else has thoughts, please say on.

Cheers.

[dunsere]

I moved here from Connecticut in 2006 after searching for a place near the ocean through the internet. We bought a house that needs work in the African American neighborhood for less than $100,000.

It is beautiful here and the historic downtown is storybook-pretty. But don't move here unless you like a very slow pace of life and almost no culture. There are very few young families living here and even fewer young singles. I'm almost 50 but wherever I go, most people are older than me!


If you have the means, check out St. Simons, about an hour north. It's just as beautiful as Amelia but at least it has a pulse.

Like I said, we can't complain about the beauty of Amelia Island, but it's lacking in culture and vitality. Of course, some people like that slower pace and don't care about having a great bookstore in town or some edgy art galleries.

[corensickle]

In all honesty I would consider another location, especially if you are coming from Athens where things are much more cultural and educational. Fernandina Beach can be a charming town on the surface because of it's beautiful beaches and picturesque downtown but the everyday life in this town is a different story. As I have stated in other posts, this town lacks class- period. I have already posted an abundance of posts pointing out how "upscale" Amelia Island (or Fernandina beach) is reputed to be but that is restricted only to the "South End" where there are gated neighborhoods and golf but still a lack of refinement amongst the people. This town is clearly divided between the wealthy and the poor- class conflict. You won't find many middle class here which creates constant bickering between the locals (mill workers and blue collar workers) and the second home owners who are considered to be wealthy pigs in the eyes of the locals. I would guess that no one else will tell you these things because it sounds so harsh but it is a reality. Aside from the gossip and petty behavior of the permanent residents, the so-called Professionals take days to return business calls if they do so at all. In my opinion the Fernandina Beach Police Department is one of those Departments that can't be trusted. They are supposed to protect but instead some of them have been arrested for sexual interactions with a sixteen year old, and I can't leave out that they tend to harass people by following people around and even gossiping about residents on the island. The Nassau County Sheriff Department, on the other hand, is very professional and much more respectful to the Nassau County residents.
I could write a book about this place but have to stop this posting somewhere. I'll just end this by stating one thing: If you are highly educated, well traveled, have a professional career or you enjoy your privacy, do yourself a favor and steer clear of this place!

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by dunsere

I moved here from Connecticut in 2006 after searching for a place near the ocean through the internet. We bought a house that needs work in the African American neighborhood for less than $100,000.

Wow, that's quite a bargain. Good for you--very close to downtown,too.

It is beautiful here and the historic downtown is storybook-pretty. But don't move here unless you like a very slow pace of life and almost no culture. There are very few young families living here and even fewer young singles. I'm almost 50 but wherever I go, most people are older than me!

I think there is some truth to that, although because of my job, I spend a lot of time with people who are actually a fair bit younger than I am (I'm 53.)
According to CityData, the Florida median age is 38, and the Nassau County median age is 43.
OTOH
Culture is where you find it. And I don't think it's that hard to find--or create.
There is the Chamber Music Festival, the Book Festival, the Film Festival, and I've enjoyed going to the Intercoastal Wine Company's tastings as well as the tastings at the gourmet store As You Like It.

If you have the means, check out St. Simons, about an hour north. It's just as beautiful as Amelia but at least it has a pulse.

St Simons is indeed pretty, and definitely worth checking out, but IMHO the beach is not as beautiful as Amelia.
Of course, Amelia beaches aren't as beautiful as northwest Florida's.

Like I said, we can't complain about the beauty of Amelia Island, but it's lacking in culture and vitality. Of course, some people like that slower pace and don't care about having a great bookstore in town or some edgy art galleries.

I do like a slower pace. I guess it's a tradeoff.
I don't miss helicopters hovering overhead, I don't lock my door either.
I like that there are progressive people here who thought up the Peace Festival.
Fernandina does not have a Powell's or a Tattered Cover, but I like Books Plus.
Maybe I am not discriminating enough but I sure do enjoy the live bands at O'Kane's, the Palace, and the Green Turtle.
That's more my style than the tinkling piano at the Beech Street Grill--or Plae's on the south end of the island.

[dunsere]

I would have to disagree with you on all the cultural experiences you mentioned here on Amelia Island. I have been to all of them, and only one word can truly describe them: lame.

I also disagree that "culture is where you find it." Unless you mean "you can find culture if you lower your standards."

It's a typical conservative, slow-paced Southern town with a lot of older retirees. If that's what you like, you'll be perfectly happy here. Personally, I find it pretty disappointing.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by dunsere

I would have to disagree with you on all the cultural experiences you mentioned here on Amelia Island. I have been to all of them, and only one word can truly describe them: lame.

I am sorry that these experiences disappointed you.
I was a participant in a couple of them, and they were rewarding for me, though I might change a thing or two, that's for sure.
Perhaps I am not as sophisticated as you; perhaps my own life keeps me satiated, we travel, etc,and we both still work.

I also disagree that "culture is where you find it." Unless you mean "you can find culture if you lower your standards."

Cultural experiences mean different things to different people.
What does culture mean to you? Are you expecting something world class, along the lines of the Met here in Fernandina?
I think it's pretty safe to assume that's not going to happen any time soon.
However, an oyster roast, a Low Country boil, live music on the docks, a wine tasting at the yacht club, these can be had. That is the local culture.
And the Cummer Museum in Jax puts on some nice events.
Abe Lincoln said that "most people are about as happy as they make their minds up to be."
What I am getting at is that if you do not find the culture you seek,maybe you can create it. We have friends here who work in the publishing world but also put on concerts and programs.
We have other friends here who play music and have found some good bands and enjoyed great live concerts.

It's a typical conservative, slow-paced Southern town with a lot of older retirees. If that's what you like, you'll be perfectly happy here. Personally, I find it pretty disappointing.

It definitely is *very* conservative, though the tide is turning.
Considering the fact that this is Republican territory, Obama had a solid group of supporters here, a decent turn-out in Nassau County--and Florida itself went blue.
However, the good ole boy structure still exists, just as the smelly paper mills do (though Smurfit Stone just filed for bankruptcy.)
Ah well, whatever happens, I hope things work out for you all.
Dunsere, do you plan to stay? You sound pretty miserable.