Opinions on Beacon Lake

[PaulineBr]

Originally Posted by Florida2014

Oh wow, that would almost be a deal breaker right there unless they had bus service to/from the neighborhood. Of course, this IS St Johns County and next year they'll likely be re-zoned over here to Patriot Oaks. Because, you know, we're only at roughly 385% capacity currently.

We were told there was bus service if you were over two miles from the school. For me, the main concern is the length of the commute to school for the kids but it seems to be 15 minutes from CO to PIA so maybe it's common, it does seem to be a lot though (we currently live 0.5 miles from the elementary school so that's a big difference).

[Ivan Putski]

We live < 5 minutes from OPE. School lets out at 2:45. My kid gets off the bus at 3:15. I can only imagine how long it takes for kids in BL to get home.

[Gromicide]

Originally Posted by PaulineBr

We have looked at Twenty Mile and like the houses there better than Coastal Oaks (bigger, a bit more yard space) but since the time to get to CO (we have family there) is the same whether in Twenty Mile or Beacon Lake and the schools are already different, we figured maybe we could have even more space and look in BL as well.

@gromicide, Why would you choose Twenty Mile over anything in the Beachwalk area?

I would choose twenty mile over anything else in Nocatee but in general Nocatee over Beachwalk. Amenities, events, proximity to the beach, more trees/nature and the Nocatee town center really feels like it's just for Nocatee even though it's all public. Other master planned neighborhoods do the same thing with a Publix anchoring other stores and dining but they are stuck on major roadways.

In fairness, Nocatee has been around for a while and beachwalk area is still growing with new commercial stuff popping up...

[PaulineBr]

Originally Posted by Ivan Putski

We live < 5 minutes from OPE. School lets out at 2:45. My kid gets off the bus at 3:15. I can only imagine how long it takes for kids in BL to get home.

Definitely a consideration (it worries me even more in the morning, how early they must have to leave), thanks for sharing!

[PaulineBr]

Originally Posted by Gromicide

I would choose twenty mile over anything else in Nocatee but in general Nocatee over Beachwalk. Amenities, events, proximity to the beach, more trees/nature and the Nocatee town center really feels like it's just for Nocatee even though it's all public. Other master planned neighborhoods do the same thing with a Publix anchoring other stores and dining but they are stuck on major roadways.

In fairness, Nocatee has been around for a while and beachwalk area is still growing with new commercial stuff popping up...

It makes sense, appreciate the feedback, thanks!

[JessicaJax]

I personally wouldn't buy a house in Beacon Lake/Creekside/Beachwalk. I'd look at Nocatee, or even further west at the neighborhoods along 210 -- areas zoned for Liberty Pines/Patriot Oaks.

The Beachwalk area is just...in the middle of nowhere, next to a truck stop. I'm sure the neighborhoods are beautiful with gorgeous pools and other amenities, but the area around them is just an empty highway.

Also, St Johns County schools are extremely over crowded. Unless you're buying walking distance to a school, expect that your kids will be rezoned. The older, more established an area is, the more stable the school zoning is likely to be. And Beacon Lake kids currently are bussed pretty far away -- I'm sure some of them are on the bus close to an hour.

Nocatee isn't my personal choice of where to live, but it's well established, it has wonderful amenities, and the setting is beautiful. It's a huge area, and the whole area is well landscaped and planned out. And there are great restaurants and at least a few shopping options right in Nocatee. I'm sure you could find a house you like there -- there are a lot more neighborhoods than just Coastal Oaks.

[PaulineBr]

Thanks, Jessica, I appreciate you sharing your opinion, very useful.

[minna_reid]

I just put a buyer into new construction at Beacon Lake a few months ago. It was relatively smooth working with Dreamfinders (the builders), and my clients do like it there. Not much going on in the area right now except the new construction, but that is quickly changing. The entire northern area of Saint Johns County is growing like crazy with housing and amenities, so I imagine it will become a bustling area over time. They didn't have kids yet so I can't claim to know much first hand about the schools except that the currently zoned school is the #3 rated school in FL, and apparently there are plans to build almost 20 more (per the Beacon Lake newsletters I now receive). I didn't think they got much house or land for what they spent, but over there you are paying a premium for St. Johns school system, and as always a premium for new construction. To each their own. The market was also a little hotter then, so I imagine you might have more selection now, and upcoming. I guess the real question is what you're looking for and how much you have to spend. These questions are always a little harder without knowing that info.

[PaulineBr]

Originally Posted by minna_reid

I just put a buyer into new construction at Beacon Lake a few months ago. It was relatively smooth working with Dreamfinders (the builders), and my clients do like it there. Not much going on in the area right now except the new construction, but that is quickly changing. The entire northern area of Saint Johns County is growing like crazy with housing and amenities, so I imagine it will become a bustling area over time. They didn't have kids yet so I can't claim to know much first hand about the schools except that the currently zoned school is the #3 rated school in FL, and apparently there are plans to build almost 20 more (per the Beacon Lake newsletters I now receive). I didn't think they got much house or land for what they spent, but over there you are paying a premium for St. Johns school system, and as always a premium for new construction. To each their own. The market was also a little hotter then, so I imagine you might have more selection now, and upcoming. I guess the real question is what you're looking for and how much you have to spend. These questions are always a little harder without knowing that info.

Thanks for the insights!