Crime in St Augustine

[sunlover23]

Have lived in St. Johns County for 25+ years. Have lived downtown, STA beach, and currently in the northern part of the county in the 'burbs. I frequent the "city limits" regularly for shopping and visiting family members.

Has it changed? Most definitely. My work gives me a first hand look into the poverty, homelessness and drug activity that exist just like anywhere. But I absolutely do not feel unsafe, ever. Yes there are areas to avoid at anytime of day, but assuming you are not looking to retire in these areas, you will be fine.

Always suggest renting first and following your instinct from there. Also to consider, the growth, with no end in sight. It is crowded, everywhere. My folks are retired and live 2 blocks from the beach on Anastasia Island. They have most everything they need in under 10 minutes. Crossing any bridge back into town is what they dread. US 1 and downtown are just oversaturated with cars, tourists, college kids.

I feel some of the charm is gone but good to hear you feel differently when visiting. It really does have so much to offer!

[Gromicide]

Originally Posted by sunlover23

Have lived in St. Johns County for 25+ years. Have lived downtown, STA beach, and currently in the northern part of the county in the 'burbs. I frequent the "city limits" regularly for shopping and visiting family members.

Has it changed? Most definitely. My work gives me a first hand look into the poverty, homelessness and drug activity that exist just like anywhere. But I absolutely do not feel unsafe, ever. Yes there are areas to avoid at anytime of day, but assuming you are not looking to retire in these areas, you will be fine.

Always suggest renting first and following your instinct from there. Also to consider, the growth, with no end in sight. It is crowded, everywhere. My folks are retired and live 2 blocks from the beach on Anastasia Island. They have most everything they need in under 10 minutes. Crossing any bridge back into town is what they dread. US 1 and downtown are just oversaturated with cars, tourists, college kids.

I feel some of the charm is gone but good to hear you feel differently when visiting. It really does have so much to offer!

Well said. I guess one positive change is the explosion in the food scene.

[oystercreek]

I live in what is often considered the "bad" part of St Augustine "west st Augustine" and have never had a single issue or been a victim of crime. Lincolnville is no longer considered a bad part of town but rather the opposite... It had become one of the trendiest and expensive. I think this trend will continue all around town were gentrification and home flippers will continue to change the dynamic of these once "bad" areas. My home has nearly doubled in value in the 6 years I've owned it! The high crime I believe is attributed to a small city population but extremely busy downtown area filled with tourists and millions of people from surrounding St johns county who consider downtown "theirs". The homeless population has grown but no more than I have seen all around the state and country. I don't give them the time of day and they don't bother me or my family. I've been here 20 years and love the fact I can ride my bike or walk downtown and only live a 5-10 minute drive to Vilano beach.