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Welcome to St. Augustine, Florida, also known as Ancient City. The city boasts a rich history, an architectural heritage, and breathtaking beaches. The place is sunny, warm, and friendly, perfect for settling down, raising a family, or enjoying your retirement. It’s also one of the best suburbs to live in Florida, according to neighborhood ranking website, Niche.com. Discover more about St. Augustine, FL, its history, the local housing market, and the homes for sale, its culture, opportunities, and what makes it a great place to live.
Welcome to St. Augustine, Florida
Discover more about St. Augustine, FL, its history, the local housing market, and the homes for sale, its culture, opportunities, and what makes it a great place to live.
The longest and the oldest. The city of St. Augustine was founded in September 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain. This city, located on the northeastern coast of Florida, is the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the United States. It’s also the second oldest continuously inhabited city in the US territories, after San Juan, Puerto Rico, founded in 1521.
Fast facts. Today, St. Augustine covers a total area of about 10.7 square miles in both land and sea in St. Johns County. The city is home to 15,596 residents. Geographically, the city also provides access to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Augustine Inlet of the Matanzas River. Together with Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine forms part of Florida’s Historic Coast with more than 42 miles of beaches combined.
What St. Augustine FL is known for. St. Augustine is known for its historical attractions and its gorgeous European-style architecture. The city is also known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, outdoor recreation, nightlife, food, and shopping. Some of the best attractions in the city include the St. Augustine Lighthouse, Castillo De San Marcos, and the Anastasia Island State Park.
St. Augustine, FL Real Estate
Investment opportunities await in the heart of St. Augustine, FL’s Historic District, like this charming 10-room inn with 10.5 baths and 4,734 square feet of living space. Explore your options now
Stable and steady. The St. Augustine real estate market is stable and shows a steady annual appreciation. The city’s flourishing tourism and hospitality industries and local government support for real estate investment and development contribute to this growth.
A robust rental market. The city enjoys a robust rental market. College students, young professionals, young families, and the 55+ community drive the demand for rental properties and businesses in the area. Generally, home and rent prices and the cost of living in the area are lower than the national average.
Diverse housing options and architectural styles. The homes for sale in St. Augustine, FL come in different types. You can find single-family homes, condos, and townhomes, but there are also luxury properties, waterfront, commercial, mixed-use properties, and multi-family homes in St. Augustine for sale.
St. Augustine, FL homes for sale also come in different architectural styles. You can find European-inspired homes, modern homes with clean lines and gorgeous colors, or sprawling luxury beachfront properties with a Mediterranean flair.
WHERE TO LIVE IN ST. AUGUSTINE, FL
Rows of waterfront condos line the wide sandy shores of Crescent Beach, one of the neighborhoods in St. Augustine, FL’s Southern Beaches area
There is a wide array of neighborhoods in St. Augustine, FL, each with unique appeal, amenities, perks, and other advantages. If you’re wondering where to settle in St. Augustine, FL, here are our favorite things about each neighborhood:
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Center City
Center City is made up of neighborhoods within the city center, such as Lincolnville, Historic Downtown, Uptown, North City, and Ponce de Leon Boulevard. Aside from being conveniently located right in the heart of St. Augustine, some of the most famous historic sites are in this area. The neighborhoods in this part of St. Augustine, FL offer an eclectic mix of modern and era homes for sale. The Lincolnville Museum and Culture Center and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park are located in this area. Inquire about homes for sale in the City Center neighborhood of St. Augustine, FL
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Southern Beaches
St. Augustine has approximately 43 miles of beaches facing the Atlantic Ocean with the most breathtaking views. In the Southern beaches area, you’ll find Anastasia Island, St. Augustine Beach, and the Crescent Beach neighborhoods. These areas offer plenty of fun outdoor and water activities as well as shopping, dining, and nightlife. Consider visiting Anastasia State Park, St. Augustine Lighthouse, and St. Johns County Ocean Pier. Inquire about homes for sale in the Southern beaches of St. Augustine, FL
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Northern Beaches
Home to the Vilano and Ponte Vedra Beaches, the Northern Beaches area of St. Augustine combines the city’s historic charm with laid-back beach living, making it a sought-after area for homebuyers. These areas are known for their pristine sandy beaches, oceanfront views, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. You can catch the waves and fish or enjoy a luxurious afternoon at Sawgrass, which hosts the PGA Tour’s PLAYERS Championship. Inquire about homes for sale in the Northern beaches of St. Augustine, FL
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Northern St. Johns County
Upscale, quiet, and family-friendly, Northern St. Johns County is home to the Ponte Vedra, Fruit Cove, Bartram & C.R. 210, and US1 communities. If you’re looking for luxury and exclusive communities and neighborhoods with plenty of scenic routes and outdoor activities, this area is for you. Explore the William Bartram Scenic Highway (SR 13), Fort Mose Historic Park, Stokes Conservation Land Area, and the Nocatee Preserve. Inquire about homes for sale in the Northern St. Johns County of St. Augustine, FL
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The West Side
Looking for a quiet community with access to world-class food, drink, and golf? The West Side’s communities and neighborhoods may be for you. Take a tour through West St. Augustine’s breweries and historic buildings and homes. You can shop at S.R. 16 to 195’s designer outlet stores, which feature brands like Nike, Adidas, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and more. You’ll also find The World Golf Village on the West Side. Inquire about homes for sale on the West Side of St. Augustine, FL
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South St. Augustine
South St. Augustine is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the city. Located in this part of the city are the Matanzas State Forest and Faver-Dykes Recreation Area, where you can take your family hiking, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, and camping. The forest covers a total area of 4,000 acres and is the natural habitat to hundreds of species, including birds, gopher tortoises, and wood storks. You also can’t miss swimming with the dolphins at the Marineland Dolphin Adventure, which has been operating since 1938. Inquire about homes for sale in South St. Augustine, St. Augustine, FL
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Southwest St. Johns County
Southwest St. Johns County is made up of Hastings and Elkton, two neighborhoods with sprawling farmland that supplies vegetables and other produce to the region. Here you can find a lot of farmers’ markets, walking, biking, and horseback riding trails, as well as the St. Johns County Fairgrounds. Inquire about homes for sale in Southwest St. Johns County, St. Augustine, FL
Living in St. Augustine, FL
Living in St. Augustine, FL is great because of its warm and pleasant weather, friendly people, accessibility, business and real estate opportunities, and tons of recreational activities you and your family can enjoy.
Here are some things you need to know about living in St. Augustine:
Climate and weather
Like most of Florida, St. Augustine has a humid, subtropical climate. Expect lots of sunny beach days and breezy days throughout the year. The average high temperature in this city is 79 degrees while the average low is 61 degrees.
Summers are hot and temperatures peak around July. People flock to the beaches during this time. Meanwhile, the weather cools down in winter, with temperatures peaking in the 60s during the day and reaching the upper 30s at night.
The rainy season in St. Augustine is from May to October, while the dry season runs from November to April. Rain showers in St. Augustine are short. As for hurricanes, few cyclones have affected the city compared to other parts of the state. All the same, it’s best to be prepared during hurricane peak season, which usually stretches from late August to early October.
Transportation and accessibility
St. Augustine, FL is a walkable and bikeable city. In fact, residents and visitors prefer walking and biking to get around downtown. Dedicated bike lanes are limited, but there are over 30 bike parking locations around the city for convenience.
The city provides free bus transport around downtown. The STAR Circulator departs from the Visitor Information Center (VIC) and runs through Avenida Menendez. There are also taxi services and county bus services that go through the city.
St. Augustine is easily accessible through Interstate 95, U.S. Highway 1, and the scenic Florida Highway A1A. From the west, visitors can take Interstate 10. Meanwhile, those coming from central and southwest Florida can take Interstate 4 and Interstate 75.
People can fly into St. Augustine through the Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST), which is about 10 minutes away from downtown. Alternatively, Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is 50 minutes from downtown St. Augustine.
Education
St. Augustine has plenty of highly rated public and private schools. The St. Johns County School District serves the St. Augustine community and has plenty of “A” rated schools. Many of the schools in the area are also expanding and erecting new structures to accommodate the growing student population. Some of the best schools in the area include Timberlin Creek Elementary School, Switzerland Point Middle School, and the Bartram Trail High School.
As for higher education, Flagler College is one of the top choices in the area. The college focuses on liberal arts and offers courses in economics, business, communication, humanities, and the natural sciences.
Economy
If you’re planning on moving to St. Augustine, you’ll find a vibrant economy, with a solid job market and a variety of industries and local businesses.
What drives the local economy? The biggest economic sectors in St. Augustine include education, retail, hospitality, and health care. Meanwhile, the city’s top industries are distribution, financial services, biomedical technology, information services, manufacturing, and insurance.
The leading employers in St. Augustine are Baptist Health, Bank of America, the Mayo Clinic, Southeastern Grocers, and Florida Blue. In St. Johns County, the top employers are the St. Johns County School District, the St. Johns County government, Flagler Health+, and Northrop Grumman.
Activities and attractions
There is so much to do in a city that offers everything from beaches and nature parks to historical and cultural sites. Let’s not forget the events and celebrations that happen each year. Know more about St. Augustine by experiencing the activities, attractions, and events it has to offer:
OUTDOOR RECREATION
St. Augustine offers plenty of outdoor recreation and activities for people of all ages. Take your family and friends to enjoy these activities and explore these iconic landmarks.
- Golf. St. Augustine is a golfer’s paradise. It is home to some of the most breathtaking and popular world-class golf courses in the country, like the World Golf Village and the TPC Sawgrass, home of The Players Championship. PGA Tour Headquarters
- Beaches. The beaches in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra make up what is known as the Historic Coast, a 43-mile stretch of beaches facing the Atlantic. Each of these beaches has its own appeal. For example, Ponte Vedra Beach is known for its quiet surroundings and challenging golf courses. Some of the best beaches along the Historic coast aside from Ponte Vedra include Vilano Beach, St. Augustine Beach, and Crescent Beach.
- Kayaking, fishing, and water activities. As a historic beach town, St. Augustine offers plenty of water activities, such as kayaking, fishing, swimming, surfing, boating, and more. The waters off St. Augustine teem with red snapper, redfish, bass, amberjack, trout, blackfin tuna, and sailfish. There are also plenty of tours, boat charters, and watersport rentals in the city.
- Anastasia Island State Park. The
1,600-acre park boasts beaches, tidal marshes, and ancient sand dunes. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of experiences like bicycling, birding, boating, camping, hiking, paddling, picnicking, and surfing. The park also has amenities like elevated boardwalks, accessibility mats and wheelchairs, concessions, and campsites.
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Looking for something fun and educational to do with your kids? Learn more about one of the most ancient reptiles in the world at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. Watch their daily wildlife show and get on the crocodile crossing zip line at this unique park.
EVENTS
St. Augustine has a lot of annual and special events that the entire community enjoys. If you’re visiting the city or if you’re going with the whole family, you can plan your trip using this guide to some of the most popular events and celebrations in St. Augustine:
Winter
- Nights of Lights.One of the most famous festivals in St. Augustine is held from early November to January as the city transforms into a huge glittering place – from the streets to the historical buildings to the city’s famous landmarks.
- Christmas Parade. Winter won’t be complete without the annual St. Augustine Christmas Parade. It takes place in early December along the downtown streets with marching bands, floats, and Santa Claus ushering in the holiday season.
Spring
- Easter Parade. What’s a better way to welcome spring than by witnessing St. Augustine’s annual Easter Parade? This colorful event happens on Easter Sunday and honors the city’s Spanish and Catholic heritage.
Summer
- St. Augustine Music Festival. St. Augustine’s lively music and arts scene culminates in an annual music festival held over two weeks in June. World-class musicians perform at historic venues, offering a breathtaking musical experience for fans who come from around the world.
- Fourth of July Fireworks over the Matanzas. One of the city’s top events is the Fourth of July fireworks show at the Matanzas Bayfront. Be awed as the night sky lights up with skyrockets over the Castillo de San Marcos and Bridge of Lions,
Fall
- St. Augustine Founder’s Day Celebration. Locals and visitors alike celebrate the city’s heritage and founding by Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. There’s a reenactment of the city’s founding, a Catholic Mass, and smaller events that feature the city’s rich history.
ARTS AND CULTURE
Your stay in St. Augustine, FL isn’t complete without a tour of the local arts and culture scene. These are our must-visit historic and cultural places in the city:
- Lightner Museum. Named after celebrated Chicago publisher, Otto C. Lightner, the Lightner Museum was founded in 1948.. It houses an extensive collection of Gilded Age art, artifacts, and assorted Americana housed in Hotel Alcazar, a resort hotel that was a prime example of Gilded Age architecture and luxury.
- Colonial Quarter. Along Castillo Drive in St. Augustine’s Historic District is the Colonial Quarter, a stretch of businesses offering a variety of dining, music, and historical experiences. The area offers a Living History Tour, where guests can experience local life in the last hundreds of years. There are also blacksmithing classes, live musket demonstrations, and plenty of great spots to eat, like the Bull & Crown and Taberna del Caballo.
- Castillo De San Marcos. This national monument features the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States. Walking tours, exhibits, as well as historic weapon demonstrations are on offer.
- Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth. The Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is the original site of St. Augustine. Dozens of exhibits include excavations, the 1565 Menendez Settlement, the Timucuan Burials, and more.
- Oldest Wooden School House. The Oldest Wooden School House Historic Museum & Gardens offers guided tours of the Minorcan homestead of Juan Genopoly from the 1700s. The main building is carefully preserved and features furniture and artifacts from the era. The place is divided into two main sections: the Genopoly Homestead and the School House.
- Ghost tours. For a truly unique way to experience St. Augustine, book a guided ghost tour. Wander through the historic downtown, visiting iconic haunted locations – from centuries-old buildings to eerie graveyards – while uncovering the city’s rich paranormal history.
Work with the Top Real Estate Professional in St. Augustine, FL
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St. Augustine, FL truly is a wonderful community buzzing with life. Attractions and investment opportunities are yours for the taking plenty in the Ancient City. If you’re looking for homes for sale in St. Augustine, FL, let Rich O’Brien help you.
As a St. Augustine resident, Rich has extensive knowledge of the city. He has over 25 years of experience in real estate, hospitality, and commerce, which he uses to help his clients achieve their real estate goals. He is committed to helping his clients through communication, giving accurate information and updates, and tailored service.
Find your dream home in St. Augustine, FL today. Contact Rich O’Brien by calling 904.814.2080 or by sending a message here.