Every year, people from across the country relocate to Northeast Florida for its coastal lifestyle, historic charm, outdoor recreation, diverse housing options, and convenient access to larger employment centers.
Whether you're relocating for work, retirement, a lifestyle change, military transfer, investment opportunities, or simply to be closer to the water, understanding the area before you move can help you make a confident decision.
As local real estate professionals serving Northeast Florida from Jacksonville to Palm Coast, we've created this guide to help you understand what it's really like to live in St. Augustine.
Why People Are Moving to St. Augustine
St. Augustine offers something increasingly difficult to find—a unique combination of historic character, modern conveniences, beautiful beaches, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of place.
Residents enjoy:
✓ Miles of Atlantic coastline
✓ Historic downtown and cultural attractions
✓ Boating and waterfront living
✓ Golf communities
✓ Outdoor recreation year-round
✓ Mild winters
✓ Convenient access to Jacksonville
✓ Diverse housing options
✓ Strong local economy
For many people, St. Augustine delivers the lifestyle they've been looking for.
Exploring St. Augustine Neighborhoods
One of the most important parts of relocating is choosing the area that best matches your preferred lifestyle, commute, housing preferences, and budget.
St. Augustine offers a wide variety of neighborhoods, beach communities, waterfront areas, golf communities, and historic districts.
Davis Shores
Located just across the Bridge of Lions from Historic Downtown.
Highlights:
Walkable location
Waterfront and canal-front properties
Downtown accessibility
Boating opportunities
Strong neighborhood identity
Things to Consider:
Flood insurance requirements may vary by property
Waterfront homes often require additional maintenance
St. Augustine Beach
Highlights:
Beach access
Coastal atmosphere
Restaurants and local businesses
Variety of housing options
Things to Consider:
Salt-air exposure can increase maintenance requirements
Insurance costs vary by location and property characteristics
Anastasia Island
Highlights:
Beach access
State parks and natural areas
Coastal lifestyle
Diverse housing options
Vilano Beach
Highlights:
Beach and Intracoastal access
Unique coastal character
Waterfront opportunities
Convenient access to downtown
Palencia
Highlights:
Golf course community
Extensive amenities
Variety of housing styles
Convenient location
World Golf Village
Highlights:
Newer developments
Golf amenities
Convenient access to I-95
Continued growth and development
Historic Downtown & Lincolnville
Highlights:
Historic architecture
Walkability
Cultural attractions
Unique housing opportunities
Things to Consider:
Historic properties often require specialized maintenance
Certain improvements may be subject to preservation guidelines
Schools in St. Augustine
Education is one of the most common topics people research before relocating to St. Augustine.
Most of the St. Augustine area is served by the St. Johns County School District, which is widely recognized as one of Florida's top-performing public school districts.
Public High Schools
St. Augustine High School
Pedro Menendez High School
Tocoi Creek High School
Beachside High School
Creekside High School
Nease High School
Public Middle Schools
Sebastian Middle School
Gamble Rogers Middle School
Pacetti Bay Middle School
Mill Creek Academy
Specialty Programs
Many local schools offer:
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
Dual enrollment opportunities
Career and technical education programs
Fine arts programs
Athletics
STEM curriculum
Private School Options
Private educational options include:
St. Joseph Academy
Cathedral Parish School
Palmer Catholic Academy
The Pioneer School
Higher Education
Nearby colleges and universities include:
Flagler College
University of North Florida
Jacksonville University
St. Johns River State College
School attendance boundaries and enrollment policies may change over time, so buyers should confirm current school assignments directly with the school district when evaluating specific properties.
Understanding Flood Zones
Flood zones are one of the most important topics for Florida homebuyers.
Properties near:
Rivers
Marshes
Canals
Creeks
Intracoastal waterways
Oceanfront areas
may have different insurance requirements and flood-related considerations.
Important:
Being located in a flood zone does not automatically mean a property has experienced flooding.
Every property should be evaluated individually.
Team Territo helps customers understand:
FEMA flood maps
Elevation considerations
Flood insurance requirements
Property-specific risk factors
Homeowners Insurance in Florida
Insurance is a critical part of the home-buying process in Florida.
Premiums can be influenced by:
Roof age
Property location
Construction type
Wind mitigation features
Flood zone designation
One of the advantages of working with Team Territo is access to trusted local insurance professionals who can provide estimates and guidance before closing.
Understanding insurance costs before making an offer can help buyers avoid surprises later.
Beach Living
Living near the Atlantic Ocean is one of the biggest reasons people relocate to St. Augustine.
Popular beach communities include:
St. Augustine Beach
Crescent Beach
Butler Beach
Vilano Beach
South Ponte Vedra Beach
Benefits of coastal living include:
✓ Beach access
✓ Ocean views
✓ Outdoor recreation
✓ Strong buyer demand
Considerations include:
✓ Salt-air exposure
✓ Wind and weather impacts
✓ Insurance costs
✓ Ongoing maintenance
Waterfront Living
St. Augustine offers some of Northeast Florida's most desirable waterfront real estate.
Options include:
Intracoastal properties
Canal-front homes
Marsh-front properties
Riverfront homes
Oceanfront residences
Waterfront ownership can provide:
✓ Boating access
✓ Water views
✓ Recreational opportunities
✓ Unique lifestyle benefits
Additional considerations may include:
Dock maintenance
Seawall condition
Flood insurance
Property upkeep
One of Team Territo's unique advantages is Matt Territo's background as a builder, contractor, renovator, and waterfront property expert. His experience helps customers evaluate waterfront properties beyond what appears on the surface.
Historic Homes in St. Augustine
As America's oldest city, St. Augustine offers some of Florida's most unique historic properties.
Historic homes can provide:
✓ Architectural character
✓ Unique craftsmanship
✓ Prime locations
✓ Long-term appeal
However, buyers should also understand:
Historic preservation requirements
Electrical and plumbing updates
Foundation considerations
Insurance requirements
Renovation restrictions
Matt Territo's experience in historic restoration provides customers with valuable insight when evaluating older homes.
Commuting and Transportation
Many residents travel throughout Northeast Florida for work, recreation, and travel.
Approximate drive times:
Jacksonville:
30–45 minutesJacksonville Beaches:
45–60 minutesPalm Coast:
20–30 minutesDaytona Beach:
45–60 minutesJacksonville International Airport:
Approximately one hour
Interstate 95 provides convenient access throughout the region.
Cost of Living
Housing costs vary significantly based on location, property type, amenities, and proximity to the water.
In addition to housing expenses, buyers should evaluate:
Property taxes
Homeowners insurance
Flood insurance (if applicable)
Utilities
HOA fees
Ongoing maintenance
Understanding the full cost of ownership is an important part of making an informed relocation decision.
Pros and Cons of Living in St. Augustine
Advantages
✓ Coastal lifestyle
✓ Historic character
✓ Outdoor recreation
✓ Boating opportunities
✓ Beach access
✓ Mild winters
✓ Diverse housing options
✓ Convenient access to Jacksonville
Considerations
✓ Summer heat and humidity
✓ Hurricane season
✓ Insurance costs
✓ Seasonal tourism traffic
✓ Salt-air maintenance near the coast
✓ Continued growth and development
Why Work With Team Territo?
Relocating isn't just about finding a home.
It's about understanding neighborhoods, flood zones, insurance requirements, construction quality, future maintenance costs, and long-term value.
Led by Matt Territo—a former Marine, builder, contractor, historic restoration specialist, and Realtor—Team Territo provides a perspective few real estate teams can offer.
Before entering real estate, Matt built custom homes, worked in green building, completed multi-million-dollar renovation projects, restored historic properties, and participated in urban development throughout Northeast Florida.
In addition to local market expertise, Team Territo maintains relationships with trusted inspectors, contractors, engineers, insurance professionals, roofers, HVAC specialists, dock contractors, and other vendors who can help customers make informed decisions before and after closing.
Whether you're moving from across town or across the country, our goal is to help you understand not just the home—but the entire ownership experience.
Equal Housing Opportunity
Team Territo is committed to equal housing opportunity. Information provided is intended to help consumers learn about property characteristics, community amenities, and local market conditions. Buyers should independently verify information important to their home search, including school assignments, zoning, flood zones, insurance requirements, and other property-specific considerations.
