Best Beach Towns for Relo, North of Daytona (Jacksonville, Daytona Beach: good schools, living)

[Jackrabid]

What are the best, most affordable, and quiet/tranquil beach or near-beach towns north of Daytona? Family is into swimming, jogging, gardening, hiking but not golf or surfing, so high waves or nice golf courses are not important. We're relocating from north Georgia. Please let us know what you think and why -- and any "inside" tips we ought to know. Thank you.

[kyle19125]

If you're looking for good schools, quieter tranquil beaches and affordability I would say Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island is hard to beat. It has a beautiful historic downtown area and isn't congested or overbuilt like many coastal areas in Florida. The Nassau County schools in Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island and neighboring Yulee are among the best in Florida. There's plenty of shops/services in town on a daily basis and it's an easy 30 minute drive to regional shopping in Kingsland GA (Mariner's Point) or Jacksonville's north side (River City Marketplace).

Fernandina Historic District Downtown | Amelia Island e-Magazine
Amelia Island Beaches | Amelia Island e-Magazine

[Rabflmom]

Check out St. Augustine area too. Good schools. Affordable living. Close enough to Jacksonville to get flights to anywhere. Once away from Old town area it is really sort of laid back family oriented living. Have friends that live on he beach and not on the mainland and they both love it up there. They rarely deal with the tourists and do not even go to that area when family and friends come to visit. It does get cold in the winter months though.

[Jackrabid]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

If you're looking for good schools, quieter tranquil beaches and affordability I would say Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island is hard to beat. It has a beautiful historic downtown area and isn't congested or overbuilt like many coastal areas in Florida. The Nassau County schools in Fernandina Beach/Amelia Island and neighboring Yulee are among the best in Florida. There's plenty of shops/services in town on a daily basis and it's an easy 30 minute drive to regional shopping in Kingsland GA (Mariner's Point) or Jacksonville's north side (River City Marketplace).

Fernandina Historic District Downtown | Amelia Island e-Magazine
Amelia Island Beaches | Amelia Island e-Magazine

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Hi Kyle19125,

Thanks for your recommendations! Schools no longer a concern for us, but nice, quiet, neighborly place is.

(1) How would you compare Amelia Island to St. Augustine away from Downtown/Historic tourist areas, inc. Anastasia Island (say, Crescent Beach)?

(2) What do you think of Ormond Beach?

Thanks again for your insightful suggestions - much appreciated.

[Jackrabid]

Originally Posted by Rabflmom

Check out St. Augustine area too. Good schools. Affordable living. Close enough to Jacksonville to get flights to anywhere. Once away from Old town area it is really sort of laid back family oriented living. Have friends that live on he beach and not on the mainland and they both love it up there. They rarely deal with the tourists and do not even go to that area when family and friends come to visit. It does get cold in the winter months though.

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Hi Rabflmom!

Thank you for your helpful input! Schools are no longer a concern, but nice, peaceful locations are -- no vacation-rent-to-tourist places. How would you compare these three areas?: Amelia Island vs Anastasia Island vs Ormond Beach?

Thanks again for your help!

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Jackrabid

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Hi Kyle19125,

Thanks for your recommendations! Schools no longer a concern for us, but nice, quiet, neighborly place is.

(1) How would you compare Amelia Island to St. Augustine away from Downtown/Historic tourist areas, inc. Anastasia Island (say, Crescent Beach)?

(2) What do you think of Ormond Beach?

Thanks again for your insightful suggestions - much appreciated.

Amelia Island is more relaxed, quieter and has a more refined Southern feel (though laidback, friendly) versus Anastasia Island and Crescent Beach which can actually have a bit of a blue-collar look/feel versus beachtown resort-like. It's also nowhere near as overtly touristy on Amelia Island. In terms of Ormond Beach it's also fairly touristy with spillover from Daytona Beach and a fairly heavy presence of motorcyclists who for whatever reason find the area appealing several times a year in mass, which makes for a noisy backdrop in much of the area. Parts of Ormond Beach are a bit seedy and exhibit a Southern blue-collar appearance you might not find appealing, and unfortunately there really isn't a way to avoid it as it's often block to block. Hope this helps a bit as the areas differ significantly and it sounds like you're looking for something more quiet and not in danger anytime soon of development or congestion which is occurring in and around Ormond Beach with Daytona Beach's northward expansion.