High end home advice (Jacksonville, Plantation: real estate, HOA fees, house)

[453609]

We are moving to Jacksonville in a few months. We have roughly $1m to $1.3m to spend on a home. The business associates I know have all said Ponte Verde is the best area to look at and the most solid real estate investment. My wife would prefer a gated community, although I hope to convince her it's not a necessity. Any advice on other areas to check out? Are there any particular locations within Ponte Verde to focus on? Are there gated communities in Ponte Verde? We are coming to town next weekend and prefer to look around ourselves initially. We will likely contact a realtor later. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[rs1n]

Are a gated community and investment value the only two concerns you have? Ponte Vedra is a well established area, and I am sure you can find really nice homes in that area for your budget. That said, I believe you may be able to get more for your money if you consider the homes along the river.

I am sure more people can chime in with better advice if you could provide a few more details as to what you are looking for in a home.

[sidewinder103]

Friend lives here and he loves it.

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

HOA fees are high.

[projectmaximus]

Where are you working? Do you have school-aged children?

If no kids I would either take a home on the beach or on the river. Some of the high-end gated communities are Queen's Harbour, Glen Kernan and Epping Forest. Check out the Ortega neighborhood as well (not gated but your wife won't mind I am sure)

If you have kids then many people default to PV because of the schools. Marsh Landing is a popular gated community there. But if you're commuting to downtown it might not be so fun. Many people would rather send kids to private school and live closer to the city.

Good luck!!

[hornsch]

Atlantic Beach Country Club is developing very nicely. New high end gated golf course community with many amenities close to beach in nice area.

[oneslip]

Marsh Landing in Ponta Vedra = gated and beautiful homes in your price range. Close to the Ponte Vedra beach club and shopping etc.

[StreetSmarts]

I would NOT pay that much money for a house in FL.

Seriously.

You may not stay in FL long, as many people leave and come and go like a revolving door. Plus, RE prices in FL are very up and down, and as FL's biggest group of buyers is shrinking considerable (foreigners), I would not invest that much money in a FL home. If you were going to Atlanta or Charlotte, a much more stable area with better job opportunities, I'd ay go for it. But not in FL.

[judeK]

Marsh Landing, Sawgrass, The Players Club and The Plantation all gated communities in Ponte Vedra with homes in your price range.

[ARodinJax]

She wants the gated community for a better sense of security? If I were shopping for myself in that price range, I'd go buy a beachfront gated estate in South Ponte Vedra. But then, I like privacy. Some people like a planned development.

[ARodinJax]

I just noticed-the original poster has made a similar post for several different cities.