Bunnell’s space and relaxed code enforcements offer a laid-back vibe
One of the largest cities by land area in Florida, Bunnell offers a laid-back lifestyle as the inland seat of Flagler County. “The size of it is significant,” says Chris Pagan, a Sunburst Realty Group Realtor with over 20 years of experience. Pagan says that although Bunnell’s square mileage is second only to Jacksonville, most of the area is undeveloped. More relaxed code enforcements, compared to the neighboring city of Palm Coast, add to the appeal. “Palm Coast is kind of the driving force of Flagler County, but they’re strict about where you can park your RV, how long you can let your grass grow and where you can put your trash cans. Bunnell doesn’t have that so much,” he says.
Bunnell’s single-family median sale price is below the national median
Cottages and New Traditionals in shades of beachy neutrals or pastels are common, as are manufactured homes with aluminum window awnings and snout homes with front-facing garages. Apartment- and townhome-style condo units are also available, in communities like Chautauqua Palm and Palm Pointe. Pagan says the Grand Reserve, a D.R. Horton golf course community, is the most notable development in Bunnell currently, but that the area is growing fast and more new developments are in the works.
Condos typically sell for between $130,000 and $455,000. Single-family home prices start close to $110,000 and quickly rise to about $950,000, with the median hovering close to $285,000. That’s well below the national median of just over $420,000 reported by the National Association of Realtors.
Flooding and wind damage are risks during hurricane season, and Flagler County is vulnerable to tornadoes. Pagan says Cape Canaveral and western Florida shield this area from severe hurricane hits. “If [the storm] comes by sea, it bounces back, and if it comes by land, the land mass dissipates it. We lose power here, that’s probably the worst thing.”
Above-average Flagler Schools serves Bunnell students
Flagler Schools, which gets a B-plus from Niche, serves more than 13,000 students across 10 schools with a 22-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. The district allows in- and out-of-district transfers by application. Bunnell kids may attend Bunnell Elementary (B-minus), Buddy Taylor Middle (B) and Flagler Palm Coast High School (B-plus). The high school offers dual enrollment classes at Daytona State College, the University of Florida and Flagler Technical College. Flagler Palm Coast High also offers an IB magnet program.
Bunnell and Flagler County offer tons of outdoor recreation
The city maintains five public parks: Municipal Park, Commissioner Louis L. Jackson Park, Heritage Park, Edward Johnson Park and Joann B. King Park. Between them, outdoor recreational amenities include playgrounds, picnic areas, pergolas, athletic facilities and exercise courses. Bunnell City Hall and the Versie Lee Mitchell Community Center are available to rent for parties and other gatherings. Pagan says Flagler County has tons of parks, too. “There are parks on lakes, parks on the ocean, parks everywhere. There’s even the one with Florida’s first swimming pool,” he says, referring to Princess Place Preserve in Palm Coast, home of the state’s first in-ground pool. The historic park also has equestrian trails, campsites and boating areas. Beaches in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach are within about 25 miles of most homes.
U.S. Route 1 is lined with shopping and dining
The stretch of U.S. Route 1 running through downtown Bunnell is lined with shopping and dining options. Anthony’s Fresh Fish is a mainstay for locally caught seafood. “There are people who are die-hard fishermen and catch their own, but some people buy the boat for $200,000 and it leaves the dock twice, so they go to Anthony’s,” Pagan says. The market is near eateries like The Southern Table, a casual American eatery, and Terranova’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, an Italian spot. Pagan says Bantam Chef, also close by, is a popular walk-up seafood shack. “It’s been there forever. It’s not for everyone, but it’s an icon.” He recommends the fish sandwich. For groceries, there’s Harris Grocery in Bunnell, as well as a Walmart Supercenter and a Publix in Palm Coast.
Interstate 95 connects Flagler County to Jacksonville, Orlando
Flagler County Public Transportation provides dial-a-ride service to the county. AdventHealth Palm Coast, a top regional employer, is within about 20 miles of most homes. Interstate 95 and U.S. Route 1 run north-south through Flagler County. Jacksonville is around 75 miles north via I-95. Orlando is more than 80 miles south via I-95 and Interstate 4. International airports in the two cities are less than 100 miles from Bunnell.
