outer banks, pvb or jupiter for next phase in life (condo, house)

[riveree]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

FWIW: that beach erosion is in SOUTH ponte vedra and villano beach, there is little if any problems in the real ponte vedra beach

It's just an unfortunate choice that the county is making with the seawalls because once they're in place, the erosion will accelerate and spread.

In the short-term, it's really only a concern for those choosing to live on the beach.

There's very little downside to Ponte Vedra, but this comes to mind for me when I think of PV. I'm thinking about the progression of the issue, of course. It's very small today and most people would not worry about it.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by riveree

It's just an unfortunate choice that the county is making with the seawalls because once they're in place, the erosion will accelerate and spread.

In the short-term, it's really only a concern for those choosing to live on the beach.

There's very little downside to Ponte Vedra, but this comes to mind for me when I think of PV. I'm thinking about the progression of the issue, of course. It's very small today and most people would not worry about it.

I can't speak for those properties in S PVB but in NJ wall like that if properly built can and have held back the surges of the ocean. But what is really needed there is beach replenishment. I don't know enough about the tides and currents here to give a decent assessment but again my NJ experience has been that pumping sand can help those homes, there are many who feel that fixes like that are wrong, but a decision needs to be made to where to make a stand against erosion

[riveree]

Originally Posted by apvbguy

I can't speak for those properties in S PVB but in NJ wall like that if properly built can and have held back the surges of the ocean. But what is really needed there is beach replenishment. I don't know enough about the tides and currents here to give a decent assessment but again my NJ experience has been that pumping sand can help those homes, there are many who feel that fixes like that are wrong, but a decision needs to be made to where to make a stand against erosion

Beach replenishment is the better choice and that's what is needed, but it was denied .

Because of all the current and previous issues with residents of PV blocking public beach access "to the masses", a critical test was failed and government assistance for beach replenishment/renourishment was denied. The county can't afford it on their own, so they're going for the cheaper fix - the seawalls.

The seawalls will stop the tides from eroding the sand under the houses, but it will accelerate the sand erosion in front of the seawall. So you can see how the cycle will develop.

What would get me in a knot - if I lived in St. John's - is how the taxpayers of St. John's county are paying for this instead of making these individual homeowners pay for it themselves .

[KerryB]

Well, I agree with Riveree & say no to Outer Banks. I mean, its great if you're looking to get far away from everything & live a very quiet life in a small beach town atmosphere, but I personally wouldn't live there at any age. I vote Jupiter.

I sure do like to visit Outer Banks though.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by riveree

Beach replenishment is the better choice and that's what is needed, but it was denied .

Because of all the current and previous issues with residents of PV blocking public beach access "to the masses",.

what do you mean? In my limited time here I've seen no effort to block beach access, in PVB there are plenty of access points to the beach, there is just no place to park, I am sure that you wouldn't be an advocate of tearing down a few million $ plus homes to create parking lots. If you can get here there is nothing to stop you from using any beach here.
Regarding the government paying for beachfront protection, the government cannot have it both ways, they cannot claim that the sand belongs to the public and then not maintain it or in this case allow not the residents to apply emergency measures to protect their homes. It's refreshing to see that people everywhere hold the same resentments of people who have been lucky enough in life to be able to have an oceanfront home

[KerryB]

Aaaand, apvbguy once again turns another harmless thread into a debate.

[CBB]

I've been to all three places and would never choose the Outer Banks. It's lovely there for a one week vacation, but there's not really much to do.

If I were rich, I'd probably choose Jupiter (Island) - one of the most beautiful and impressive places I've ever been, with obviously lots of old money. I don't know the city of Jupiter, though.

I think PVB is a good place for people who are NOT rich, but upper middleclass (except you intend to live right on the beach). It is beautiful, has quite a lot of shopping and restaurants, and the big city is just a short drive away.

As for the beach erosion: I have read months ago that the county is not paying for seawalls in those South PV Beach areas that are not accessible for the public. There is no parking available, so the beach is virtually private. But South PV Beach is far away from what I consider the "real" Ponte Vedra Beach - where at least those who live within walking distance have access to the beach, and all others can drive to Micklers Landing.

Beach renourishment may look like a good solution. But the truth is: it is costly and doesn't last. You'd have to do it over and over again to protect homes. In the end, you can't fight nature. It's the same all over the world.

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by riveree

I don't know Jupiter at all, but I do know the Outer Banks quite well.

You can get slammed with hurricane activity in the Outer Banks - it is no joke. I've been through there after hurricanes hit and it is not a good scene. Also, there is just not as much to do up there are there is in NE Florida...my vote is definitely for Ponte Vedra between those 2 choices.

You asked for the downside...

There is growing beach erosion in Ponte Vedra and the solution is not good. The plan is to build seawalls to save the privately owned beachfront homes (seawalls paid for by St. John's county taxpayers...that's right ). The seawalls may save the homes, but they will erode the beach at an ever faster rate, so Ponte Vedra's beach may look like Daytona in future years (blech!).

Other than that, it's a well-manicured community that Northerners have been relocating to for decades, it's solidly upscale.

As a northerner whose friends and family have moved southward -- my family is in St Aug Beach, PVB and a cousin on Jupiter Island. The first is a retired civil servant, the 2nd a husband and wife working hard to keep up with the PVB Joneses, and the 3rd made a killing in the stock market decades ago.

Of the 3, the only pretentious one is the one in PVB. My friend's bf is moving to PVB in a couple of months; she also falls into the pretentious category.

Will the OP find more people like that in PVB? Or is everyone else nice and I know the only 2 exceptions?

[OhBeeHave]

Beach renourishment may look like a good solution. But the truth is: it is costly and doesn't last. You'd have to do it over and over again to protect homes. In the end, you can't fight nature. It's the same all over the world.

As witnessed here on LI, you can't fight nature. Groins and seawalls are merely bandaids which end up causing other problems in the long run.

[palenciacondo]

I would advise avoiding the Outer Banks. Many, many weekly visitors in the summer months and weekends all year round especially from Northern Virginia. Very touristy and the traffic due to the influx is unbelievable. Ponte Vedra, on the other hand has little tourist trailing. It has a lovely, relaxed beach feeling without the hustle and bustle of South FLorida. The demographic is closer to high end here. It takes money to live here. Join a beach club for beach parking and facilities. It is just easier. IMO, Northeastern Florida is the best kept secret in FLorida and I have lived all over the state. Shhhh....don't tell anyone.