Questions about homes in St. Augustine (Jacksonville, Gainesville: housing, rent, job)

[wjjay]

I'm looking into moving to the St. Augustine area. How do you like living there? Whats the avg for a starter house? I think I'll probably move there and rent for a year to make sure I like it, but just curious to hear opinions.

[schu0786]

I live in St. Augustine, and I really like it here. I grew up in Gainesville, FL and went to the university there and then moved away (WAAAAY) up north to Minneapolis for grad school. I loved Minneapolis and was not anxious to leave it, but I was offered a job a few years ago at small college (Flagler) in St. Augustine, and I decided to go for it. It's a beautiful place, and I love the beach here (I am an avid beach-walker on Crescent Beach). For me, it's great. But there are some things I miss about living in such a large city (more ethnic restaurants and cultural opportunities, great nightlife, the huge diversity of people, a major research institution--UMN--and all it brings to the area, having a major international airport and the biggest mall in the US 10 minutes away).

In the area I live (the southern area of St. Augustine--actually St. Johns County), the population is a bit older. I think that's different up in the area closer to Jacksonville near World Golf Village where there are a lot of young families.

Basically, I find St. Augustine very comfortable. Not exciting. But so nice and comfortable. And I have grown used to my comfort; even though I always planned on someday moving back to Minneapolis if the opportunity presented itself, now I am not so inclined to give up my comfort (the weather, the beauty and ease of the beach here, the VERY low cost of living, etc.).

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any more specific questions!

[meskito]

I lived in St. Augustine for 2 years and then moved, but I recently visited an old friend there after being away for 7 years. I was really sad to see all the new construction going on. The main road has gotten much busier than I remember. I was also SO SAD to see the Bridge of Lions is gone . The beach (where I lived - Anastasia Island) still retains it's charm, and the booming construction hasn't affected it too much. Rent is still affordable (don't know about housing cost - check Realtor.com).
I really loved living in St. Augustine. It really has so much to offer! Go down and check it out!

[cricketfan]

To me there are 3 sides to St Augustine. There's the historic side downtown that is the big attraction for tourists, and being the oldest city in America there's a uniqueness to St Augustine that you won't find in any other city. IMO this part of town is where people come to visit not set up residence. It is a tourist town but definitely not sleezy due to all the historical sites.

Then there is the residential side near the waterways where people live to be near the beaches like Anastasia Island and areas like that. Here you find more established houses and the more comfortable retirees for whom commuting to work in Jacksonville is never going to be an issue.

Then halfway between downtown St. Augustine and downtown Jacksonville are areas (like WGV) where working families commute to work in Jax and send their kids to the better schools in St Johns County. Here is where you find the planned developments and the on-going construction. If you live in this area you will need to drive to Jax for your big-item shopping, but this is beginning to change as more businesses move into these areas.

IMO this is a simplistic description of St Augustine. People tend to visit St. Augustine and get only one side of what is really a multi-faceted city. But in general if you like suburban living you would like St. Augustine but if you're looking for that big-city feel you need to move on.

[SlickP]

Originally Posted by meskito

I was also SO SAD to see the Bridge of Lions is gone .

It will be back. They are repairing it.

[meskito]

Originally Posted by SlickP

It will be back. They are repairing it.

I figured they wouldn't do away with it altogether. Is the one next to it temporary until they fix the BOL?

****************
Yes downtown is touristy - making it clean and well kept with awesome restaurants and the historical bed and breakfasts... all things I love about downtown. I remember many locals spending time down there to eat, have a beer, listen to live music, etc. I just hope it doesn't get too built up and lose it's quaint charm.

[SlickP]

Originally Posted by meskito

I figured they wouldn't do away with it altogether. Is the one next to it temporary until they fix the BOL?

Yup

A Brief History | Bridge of Lions Rehabilitation Project

[OhBeeHave]

IMO this is a simplistic description of St Augustine. People tend to visit St. Augustine and get only one side of what is really a multi-faceted city. But in general if you like suburban living you would like St. Augustine but if you're looking for that big-city feel you need to move on.

My parents relocated to St Augustine Beach from a suburb of NYC. Every time I visit, I can't get over how much it is like the suburb where I was raised! The only difference being the palm trees and warmer weather. They are happy as clams with their decision to move to St Aug Beach and I am happy for them, but I do miss them something awful.