Jensen Beach

The Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro was originally settled in 1555. And while it can’t boast the same longevity as the city that shares its name (though not its pronunciation), the Rio (RYE-oh, in local parlance) neighborhood of Jensen Beach is also something of a historical artifact. Life in Rio moves at a slightly slower pace and residents here take the time to enjoy the incredible beauty that their neighborhood provides, thanks to its position next to the St. Lucie River. “I would use the word ‘olde’ to describe Rio. And I mean ‘olde’ with an e,” says local Realtor Patrick Stracuzzi, who has been representing transactions in the area for 15 years. “It’s classic Florida, the way it used to be. There’s no traffic, and you can walk down a path and find a secret beach that can be your new kayaking or fishing spot.” In other words, Rio is the kind of Florida people expect to find when they come to Florida. From the neighborhood's own pocket preserve, Rio Nature Park, featuring mangroves and direct access to the shores of the river, to the winding, unpaved trails of nearby Haney Creek Nature Preserve, there are plenty of green spaces in and around Rio to explore. “The Board of Commissioners, back in the day, really cared about preserving nature and creating parks. Rio benefitted from that,” says Stracuzzi. Of course, a walk down Rio's narrow, sidewalk-lined roads may give you all the organic escapism you'll need. “There are still peacocks wild in the streets,” says Jim McGlone, broker-owner of Jensen Beach Realty Inc. and a former Jensen Beach resident. “They nest in the trees, and during mating season, the males walk around everywhere with their feathers spread. That's something you never see anywhere else.” Rio's proximity to South Hutchinson Island is another major draw. Sitting just over five miles from Stuart Beach, Rio residents are a breezy, half-hour bike ride away. "I loved the fact that I could be at the beach in 15 minutes," McGlone says. "I used to go early, around 6 a.m. I'd walk over the causeway to the beach. They have free showers and free parking. By 9 a.m., I'm at the office like nothing ever happened. Did that for years. And even if you're not on a waterfront property, there are plenty of places to dock your boat, like marinas and warehouses; they'll put the boat in the water for you. I had mine docked at a restaurant marina." Speaking of restaurants, Rio has a few local favorites that attract the crowds at dinnertime. Original Anna’s Pizza is a popular stop for a fresh-made pizza. Alternatively, TideHouse offers diners a second-floor vantage point to take advantage of the 180-degree water views from the restaurant and an extensive menu of salads, sandwiches and hearty entrees with a definite seafood theme. Rio is not a shopaholic’s destination of choice, so those seeking retail therapy will have to. Fortunately for them, US 1 is less than a mile from the neighborhood, offering easy travel to Treasure Coast Square 4 miles to the north. There, shoppers will find Target for all of their home necessities, along with more than 80 other retail establishments, several fast-food options and a 16-screen Regal Cinema. For groceries, Publix is a mile further north on US 1. The “olde Florida” appeal of Rio extends to the homes here. Because the neighborhood is primarily occupied by year-round as opposed to seasonal residents, there is a true sense of community within the neighborhood. And residents need not fear that the classic Florida vibe will give way to high-rise developments. Martin County authorities limit the size of buildings, and nothing can exceed four stories. So Rio homes will always have their beautiful views. The median price of homes in Rio is $488,000, and buyers should expect to pay an average of $398 per square foot. A two-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home in need of some TLC can sell for $199,000, and prices can go up to $1.5 million for a four-bedroom/four-bathroom Modernist home on a 1-acre lot with river views. Students in Rio are served by the Martin County School District, which earns an overall rating of A-minus from Niche. Children can attend Felix A. Williams Elementary, Stuart Middle and Jensen Beach High School. Both Felix A. Williams and Stuart earn an A-minus from Niche, and Jensen Beach earns an A. Students at Jensen Beach High School can participate in any of over 30 school-sponsored clubs, and they have the opportunity to play 26 different varsity-level sports. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of multiple private school options in the area, including The Pine School in nearby Hobe Sound, which earns an overall rating of A-plus from Niche.

Sewall’s Point was once a hidden South Florida gem for retirees seeking warmer climates, but it has become popular with an increasingly diverse crowd. "When I first moved here in 1995, there were a lot of snowbird residents. Now, it's turning the tide like the rest of Florida. There are a lot of young professionals, young families, retirees and other full-time residents here year-round,” says Anne Schmidt, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Realty and a long-time resident. This Martin County town sits along a peninsula and enjoys low crime (it scores a 1 out of 10 on the CAP Index, lower than the national average of 4) and a traditional suburban lifestyle. “It's very family-oriented; there are events for the kids, like the Fourth of July bike parade, pie-eating contests and picnics. My kids used to go on the Easter egg hunt, and recently, I brought my grandkids to it — full circle." Homes in Sewall's Point are custom-built, so there are various designs, such as Key West-style estates, Mediterranean Revivals, French Colonial Revivals, and traditional ranch-style. They sit on large, meticulously landscaped lawns full of small palm trees and other tropical plant life. The streets are narrow, and sidewalks are scarce, but there is plenty of room for evening walks with the dog or afternoon bike rides. Prices range from $755,000 for three bedrooms and two bathrooms to $2.9 million for a four-bedroom, six-bathroom home on the water. "The waterfront lots are larger," Schmidt says. "And the town is on a ridge, so the west side is higher up. Those waterfront homes are more desirable since they're deep-water lots 20 to 25 feet above sea level, perfect for docking big boats." Students can attend Felix A. Williams Elementary School, which has a B-plus rating from Niche, then head to Stuart Middle School, which has an A-minus on Niche and Jensen Beach High School, which has an A on Niche. Jensen Beach High serves about 1,400 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 22-to-1. Its sports teams have won many state championships, especially the girls’ volleyball team, which recently won in 2022. Many residents head to Indian Riverside Park in Jensen Beach for fresh air and exercise, especially for young kids. This waterfront space offers amenities for little ones, including an interactive fountain splash pad open seven days a week and open grass fields to run and play on. The park also offers a 780-foot fishing pier, picnic pavilions and an almost mile-long walking path. There’s also Stuart Beach, just across the Ernest Lyons Bridge, for swimming and relaxing on the sand. Residents can find some shopping and dining on the peninsula at Harbour Bay Plaza, including locally owned clothing boutiques, gift shops and restaurants. Stringers Tavern & Oyster Bar is a neighborhood favorite for surf and turf. Downtown Stuart's boutique shops, restaurants and grocery stores like Publix and The Fresh Market are less than five miles west, down Southeast Ocean Boulevard. This pocket of downtown Stuart also has services like the Blake branch of the Martin County Library, Temple Beit HaYam, and Redeemer Lutheran Church. Since the neighborhood is on a peninsula, it's removed from major roadways, and commuting can be tricky. Route A1A leads to Stuart, and from there, Route 714 and Interstate 95 are accessible. Residents can then head south to West Palm Beach, about 45 miles or Orlando to the north, about 145 miles.