Neighborhood recs in St Johns County? (Sawgrass: rentals, houses, neighborhoods)

[CurlyCupcake]

Hi all! We're making our second trip down there in July (stayed in Jax beach last trip; St Augustine beach this trip). We would love to have a better plan this time around of what neighborhoods to check out. Last trip we toured Palencia and Las Calinas. Where else do you all suggest?

Background: 2 kids (age 10, 7). Looking for at least 4 bdrm on a large lot (hubby really wants no less than an acre but based on my research, I think that'll be pretty impossible to find!) Budget $650K (may have a little wiggle room in that though). Prefer a neighborhood with clubhouse, pool, etc.

Thanks in advance!!

[Buffettjd]

We had a similar budget (and also have a 10 year old) and we decided to build in the Outlook at Twenty Mile in Nocatee. We found that nothing else can beat the amenities and activities for both kids and adults that are offered in Nocatee. Just FYI, if you are looking to get your kids into school for this coming school year, build times in Nocatee seem to range from 6-10 months and short-term rentals (to live in while you are building) are not easy to find. Not sure if you're looking to build or for a resale. Good luck.

[CurlyCupcake]

Thank you for the response Buffettjd! We'll add Nocatee to our list :-)

[Thundarr457]

The largest lots in Nocatee are in Twenty Mile. Keep in mind that large lot = large house. The lots are large for Nocatee, but not all that big, probably less than 1/4 acre. If you want a large lot then your best bet would be a resale, as land prices have skyrocketed over the years. I am obsessed with having a large lot and we couldn't find anything in a new build and we looked at every development from Jax to St Augustine. Good luck.

[comingbackhome]

Check out Shearwater. Similar, but smaller, setup to Nocatee. I'm moving there in July.

[SmtSF]

Palencia has large lots and nice amenities too.

[Thundarr457]

Originally Posted by SmtSF

Palencia has large lots and nice amenities too.

They visited Palencia last trip and were looking for new neighborhoods. I agree Palencia has large lots but its also a bit for from everything. Palencia would be the best bet if lot size is extremely important. There are many options but with a large lot it really narrows things down unless you want a resale.

[CurlyCupcake]

Originally Posted by Thundarr457

They visited Palencia last trip and were looking for new neighborhoods. I agree Palencia has large lots but its also a bit for from everything. Palencia would be the best bet if lot size is extremely important. There are many options but with a large lot it really narrows things down unless you want a resale.

The agent that works at Palencia showed us a 1 acre lot. But by the time you buy the lot, and build a house on it, our budget is out the window. And in all honesty, Palencia intimidates me!

[CurlyCupcake]

Originally Posted by Thundarr457

The largest lots in Nocatee are in Twenty Mile. Keep in mind that large lot = large house. The lots are large for Nocatee, but not all that big, probably less than 1/4 acre. If you want a large lot then your best bet would be a resale, as land prices have skyrocketed over the years. I am obsessed with having a large lot and we couldn't find anything in a new build and we looked at every development from Jax to St Augustine. Good luck.

Where did you end up buying?

[Thundarr457]

We bought a resale in Sawgrass TPC. We absolutely love it here. This is an older area with large lots and although the house needs some updating, as do most of the houses here, the setting is great. We looked at over 100 houses over a 3 week period and this had everything we were looking for.