communities in St Johns FL and new home builder review? (Jacksonville: lease, home builders)

[newcomerToFL]

We are planning to move from TX to Jacksonville FL for job relocation. From our research, we like Timberlin and Hickory Elementary school in St Johns county for our kids. We are considering new homes in Johns Creek or Colony at Greenbriar communities. Could anyone give some advice and reviews on the schools, communities and home builders in the area?

Thank you very much!

[Shannon4426]

I'm guessing you picked those schools because they are rated the highest in the district? In reality, ALL schools in the NW St. Johns area are excellent... the best in the entire state. You can't go wrong with any of them.

In my opinion, the communities you mentioned are a little too far out from everything for my taste. NW St. Johns is already a little "far out" to begin with, and those are about 15 minutes further into the country. Here's my top three picks for the area, in no particular order...

1) Julington Creek Plantation- Great community for kids, close to Mandarin which has some shopping a restaurants, neighborhood is almost completely built out, but the homes themselves leave alot to be desired. Great ammenity center with restaurant/bar/gym/child watch/splash park pool/skate park/tons of planned activities.

2) Nocate- One of the most amazing communities in the country. Ammenity center is mind-blowingly cool with lazy river, zip line, volleyball courts, etc. You can build new in there for pretty good prices. Downside.. it's about 15/20 minutes remote, so you'd have that much of a drive to pretty much anywhere (except grocery store) until things get built up. The final plan calls for 13,000 homes, so surely shopping and dining will be out there someday. Nocatee is supposed to get its own school in a few years.\

3) Durbin Crossing- Right next door to Julington Creek, and benefits from all of the established kid activities at Julington (CAA sports league, etc.) You can build enormous beautiful houses for incredible prices. The lots are bigger than Nocatee, but the ammenity center is smaller. We chose Durbin Crossing for a number of reasons. Durbin's own K-8 school is starting construction in December.

That's just my humble opinion. Let me know if you have any other questions, good luck!

[newcomerToFL]

Thank you Shannon4426 for your comments, that is very helpful. Commute is one of my concerns as my workplace is in Jacksonville. I'd prefer a convenient location if schools are great.

Is middle school in the same situation? Any top picks there?

[Shannon4426]

No problem! I figure someone might as well benefit from all the time I put into house shopping! Yes, I've heard the situation is the same for the middle schools, they're all excellent. Maybe someone else can chime in on that subject, I'm not quite as familiar since my kids are still small.

[Walkingonsunshine]

Originally Posted by Shannon4426

No problem! I figure someone might as well benefit from all the time I put into house shopping! Yes, I've heard the situation is the same for the middle schools, they're all excellent. Maybe someone else can chime in on that subject, I'm not quite as familiar since my kids are still small.

On another note, my husband and I (empty-nesters) are in the process of building in Durbin Crossing with David Weekley. I know that Nocatee's Town Center is starting to take off, being a resident of DC already, do you think the Village Center in DC will come to be?

[tmoh]

Did I miss something how is Nocatee town center taken off? We're there a lot of new stores added?

[redlegcraig]

Originally Posted by tmoh

Did I miss something how is Nocatee town center taken off? We're there a lot of new stores added?

The Nocatee town center is 100% leased, but the newest additions like YOBE, Dick's Wings and Palm Leaf Dental haven't opened for business yet. Hopefully they will in the next few months.
Nocatee Town Center | Ponte Vedra Retail Space for Rent and Restaurant Space for Lease

The site plan still shows outparcels available and a future development area. With the new houses opening right near there, perhaps those will build up as well.

[mcleanl]

If you are interested in Hickory ......look at Worthington Park. It is a beautiful gated community off of state rd 13 near Greenbriar. We just moved away from the area and we loved it!