HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION

St. Augustine, the nation's oldest city, also holds the distinction of being one of the nation's most charming. But, there are many reasons NOT to live here! (click here to see why). 

 

Known as the "Ancient City," Saint Augustine is located between North East and Central East Florida and is convenient to Jacksonville, Orlando, and Daytona airports. North Florida boasts a year-round mild climate perfect for strolling Saint Augustine's delightful historic district, with its cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, bars, unique shops and bed-and-breakfast inns. Experience the beauty of an early morning that slowly comes alive with locals and tourists setting out on foot to explore significant landmarks including the Castillo de San Marcos, Lightner Museum, Flagler College and Fort Matanzas. 

 

Mission Trace, only a few miles east of the Nation’s oldest City, is St Augustine's "Hottest Community" ideally located near I95 and the St Augustine Outlet Mall, while being only minutes from the Beach, historic Downtown St Augustine, Colleges, and fine restaurants.

 

Some say it is because of its location at 29.96 degrees latitude and the ‘concave’ shape of the coast where it is situated, but St. Augustine has suffered less damage from hurricanes than most other east coast cities from Maine to Key West. Although St. Augustine will experience near-hurricane conditions on occasion due to storms passing through the state from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, the area has only received one direct hit from a hurricane since 1871. The strongest effect on St. Augustine was from Hurricane Dora in 1964, the only recorded storm to hit the First Coast with sustained hurricane force winds.

 

St. John’s County has the lowest property taxes in the State and is served by Florida Power and Light who has the lowest electric rates in the State (one of the lowest in the nation) freeing up entertainment dollars for some of the things to do found here: St. Augustine Visitors Guide 

 

Schools

Florida's education system is No. 5 in the country, according to a recent annual "Quality Counts" report, released by Education Week, the newspaper of record for American education news. St. Johns County is home to three of the nation's best high schools and St. Johns County continually ranks as the No. 1 district in the state. Article here….and here… 

 

Downtown

King Phillip II of Spain named Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles, Spain's most experienced admiral, Governor of Florida, and instructed him to explore and to colonize the territory. When Menendez arrived off the coast of Florida, it was August 28, 1565, the Feast Day of St. Augustine. Eleven days later, he and his 600 soldiers and settlers came ashore at the site of the Timucuan Indian village of Seloy with banners flying and trumpets sounding. He hastily fortified the fledgling village and named it St. Augustine then set to work building the town, establishing missions to the Indians for the Church, and exploring the land.

 

Thus, St. Augustine was founded forty-two years before the English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, and fifty-five years before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts - making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.

 

From Spanish colony to British rule to statehood, St. Augustine's long history and varied cultural influences are evident in its streets, buildings and the people who call it home. St. Augustine's historic sites and museums are great places to learn more about the history and culture of this unique city.

 

So you don't have to go to Orlando to find attractions for the whole family to enjoy; St. Augustine has a long list of great entertainment venues. From historic destinations like the Oldest School House and Castillo de San Marcos, to museums like Ripley's Believe it Or Not! and the Spanish Quarter, to family favorites like Marineland and Adventure Island, there's plenty to do and see in the Ancient City.

 

Beaches

Mission Trace is only 5.5 miles from Vilano Beach and a little further to the St. John’s Pier. St. Augustine's beaches are some of the best in the world and stretch from Vilano Beach north of the city to Crescent Beach in the south. The Intracoastal Waterway naturally divides the mainland from the barrier islands with their miles of gorgeous coastline with many public areas for beach recreation and relaxation. St Augustine's beaches provide a variety of options, from idyllic State Parks to public beaches only a block or two from restaurants. You can choose to spend a day at gorgeous, unspoiled Anastasia State Park, where no cars are allowed on the beach, or drive a bit farther south to St. Augustine Beach where cars are allowed in designated areas. When your day at the beach is done, be sure to check out the great local bars and restaurants that line A1A, "Beachfront Avenue."

 

Outlets

In addition to the many shops around town, Mission Trace is only a few short miles to two outlet malls where discounts abound. Conveniently located at the interchange for I-95 and SR 16, St. Augustine Premium Outlets include many of the world's leading designers like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brighton Collectibles, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Converse, Crocs, Gap Outlet, J.Crew, Movado, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Under Armour, Gucci, Saks 5th Avenue, Michael Kors, Juicy Couture, Fossil and more.  

 

Attractions

Sun, fun, history and mystery—St. Augustine has it all! From the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument to the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum and everything in between, St. Augustine is an ideal locale for family fun and adventure. Check out listings under What to Do for details on St. Augustine's most popular attractions. 

 

Economy

Housing starts in the North Florida area continue to rise to record levels as compared to 2008 according to the Northeast Florida Builders Association with the most impressive sign for recovery coming from St. Johns County — which reported the bulk of those housing starts. The real estate markets are heating up and builders and investors are building and snapping up properties in record numbers.

 

St. John’s County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the State of Florida and is also ranked No. 12 in the Nation for job growth along with some of the highest median incomes. With a highly educated workforce and world-class golfing nearby, St. Augustine, has remained stable and is poised for economic and housing recovery. Article here 

 

St. John’s County is considered one of the wealthiest counties in the Country, with super rich Ponte Vedra located at the northern end of the County.

 

Accolades

 

2014

• 2014 County Health Report Ranks St. Johns County #1 in Florida for Third Consecutive Year

• Standard and Poor's Increases St. Johns County Credit Rating Two Levels from AA- to AA+.

 

2013

• Florida Trend Magazine's 2013 Economic Yearbook acknowledges St. Johns County's success in business growth and economic development.

• CNN Money Magazine ranks St. Johns County #5 of Top 25 Counties for Best Places to Live - Where the Jobs Are.

• Florida Department of Education ranks St. Johns County School District Number 1 in Florida with regard to student academic achievements four years in a row (2009 – 2012).

• University of Wisconsin study ranks St. Johns as Healthiest County in Florida second year in a row.

• FOXBusiness, utilizing data from Coldwell Banker Real Estate's list of "Top Booming Suburbs in America," highlights Fruit Cove, FL, as the #3 suburb in the United States.

• USA Today lists St. Augustine as #2 place to retire in its article, "Retirement Living: 5 Great (Unknown) Places to Retire."

• Fodor's Travel Guide lists St. Augustine as one of the 10 Best Small Towns in America. "Beautiful beaches and 500 years of Spanish Colonial history make this a find in northeastern Florida."

• Smithsonian magazine lists St. Augustine as one of the Best 20 Small Towns to Visit in 2013.

• Flagler College in St. Johns County reached the Top 10 of U.S. News & World Report's 2014 edition of Best Colleges for "Best Regional Colleges in the South," moving up to #8.

• Fodor's lists St. Augustine as one of the Seven Affordable Destinations for 2013 in the world.

 

2012

• Reuters News Group named St. Augustine in its list of Top 10 Places in the World to see Holiday Lights .

• National Geographic Traveler, for the second year in a row, named St. Augustine in its list of Top 10 Places in the World to View Holiday Lights.

• National Geographic Traveler listed St. Augustine among the Top 20 World's Must See Places.

• Forbes Magazine names St. Augustine One of the Ten Prettiest Towns in the United States.

• TripAdvisor ranks St. Augustine among the Top 15 Destinations on the Rise for 2012.

 

2008-2011

• CNN Money Magazine ranks St. Johns County #12 of Top 25 Counties for Where the Jobs Are.

• U.S. News and World Report ranks St. Augustine as one of the Ten Best Places to Live in the United States.

• CNN Money Magazine ranks St. Johns County #20 of Top 25 Counties for Best for Job Growth.

• AAA names St. Augustine one of the Ten Most "Walkable" Cities in North America.

 

See the full list of St. Johns County accolades.