Between the marshy banks of the Indian River and the bright golden sand of the Atlantic Coast is the city of New Smyrna Beach, home to over 32,000 residents. It's a little less crowded than its neighbor, Daytona Beach, and more and more people are deciding to make the city their permanent residence because of its laid-back feel and proximity to Orlando. "It's one of those places you visit and wish to call home," says Bill Navarra, a broker and co-owner of Realty Pros Commer who's lived and sold homes along the Central Florida coast for over 25 years. "It's relaxing and coastal with great restaurants, entertainment and nightlife." Oceanside properties and popular eateries line the streets of New Smyrna Beach's inlet, which is locally known as beachside. Downtown New Smyrna encompasses historic suburbs, art galleries, and even more local businesses on the riverside, just east of the Indian River between the mainland and beachside.
Enjoy the scenic views and fresh air in the charming New Smyrna Beach area.
Access New Smyrna Beach easily from Buena Vista Shores via the North Causeway.
Locals of Bouchelle Island head to the historic district to enjoy food at Jimmy Hula's.
New Smyrna Beach features plenty of local shops along Flagler Avenue and Canal Street.
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Part of the Space Coast industry
Two industries drive growth in New Smyrna Beach: tourism and defense contracting. Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the city each year for its beaches, art scene and historic neighborhoods. New Smyrna Beach is also part of the Cape Canaveral Spaceport Technologies Triangle, and aerospace, cyberspace and other related manufacturing are growing industries. Major employers include Viking Aircraft Engines, East Coast Aircraft and L3Harris. Healthcare is another important industry, and hospitals here employ over 1,200 people.
Welcome to discover the technological marvels of the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville.
NASA's 1960s Cape Canaveral operations made Titusville part of the Space Coast.
Watch a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island.
AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach general hospital is just north of South Mainland.
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Park on the sand in New Smyrna Beach
According to the Trust for Public Land, nearly half of New Smyrna Beach residents live within a 10-minute walk from one of the city's 22 parks. Golf courses and neighborhood parks are scattered across the west side, and the 62-acre Sports Complex is the New Smyrna Beach High Barracudas' home turf. In the Canal Downtown neighborhood, Riverside Park sits on the Indian River and is popular for its fishing pier, playground and events. On the northernmost point of the beachside, known as North Beach, the 184-acre Smyrna Dunes Park is one of only two dog-friendly parks in Volusia County and has beach access, two miles of boardwalk trails and a fishing pier. The rest of the beachside is lined with 13 miles of golden sand. There aren't many public parking lots, so beachgoers line up their cars on the sand for direct access to the water.
Stroll along the paved pathway at Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park.
Flagler Avenue Beachfront Park features space for families to play in
Central Beach.
Boating is a popular hobby among Buena Vista Shores residents.
New Smyrna Beach families spend time relaxing along the shoreline at Smyrna Dunes Park.
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Beachside condos and riverside restorations in New Smyrna Beach
There's little inventory and a high demand for homes in New Smyrna Beach, making it a strong, competitive housing market, Navarra says. According to Niche, the median sale price is $330,600, about 17% higher than the national median of $281,900. Homebuyers can expect to pay much more on the beachside, where the city's most expensive houses and condos sit by the ocean. A two-bedroom home in Central Beach can cost between $600,000 and $950,000. Larger homes closer to the water can cost between $1 million and $2.75 million. Condos here range in price from $275,000 for a one-bedroom condo on the Indian River to $1.75 for a three-bedroom condo overlooking the ocean. On the riverside, there's a mix of some of the city's oldest homes and a few newer builds. Prices range between $225,000 and $2 million, depending on the size and the amount of restoration done to older homes. On the west side of town, subdivisions and golfing communities offer the city's most affordable single-family housing options, with prices ranging between $320,000 and $650,000.
The condos in Bouchelle Island offere many residents easy access to the river via boating docks.
From ranches to bungalows and more, South Mainland offers homebuyers a great variety of options.
Many homes in Glencoe come with two-car garages.
Private docks and boat slips are a common sight in New Smyrna Beach's South Mainland community.
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Award-winning Volusia County Schools
Volusia County Schools serves New Smyrna Beach and earns a B from Niche. In 2022, the National School Public Relations Association gave the district three awards for its strategic plan, video production and website. The school district offers several specialized programs, including a world languages program that offers American Sign Language, French, Spanish, German, Japanese and Russian. Dayton State College's New Smyrna Beach campus offers over 100 associate and bachelor's degree programs.
Read-Pattillo Elementary School, near Glencoe, earns a B rating on Niche.
New Smyrna Beach Middle School offers a S.T.E.M. Program and is home to the Stingrays.
New Smyrna Beach High School welcomes nearly 2,000 local students each school year.
The Daytona State College campus is just minutes away from Spanish Mission Heights.
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Unique restaurants, retailers and events in New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach takes pride in its local businesses. Other than a single Starbucks on the inlet, the only chain retail folks can find on the beachside and riverside are grocery stores, which attract more of a local crowd, Navarra says. Norwood's here has served seafood from a treehouse since 1946, and the Garlic has "a great open layout, a bunch of eclectic furnishings and just great food," Navarra says. Further north on the beachside, Flagler Avenue is home to unique retailers and eateries, including diners, bars, glass shops and surf shacks. Centrally located on the riverside, Historic Downtown New Smyrna Beach is also home to many art boutiques, jewelers and restaurants. "That there's so much local business that's been successful here really shows how special this community is," Navarra says. Big box stores and chain restaurants have sprouted in the westside as residential developments have picked up. Folks can find a Walmart Super Center, Home Depot and fast-food joints along State Road 44. Those looking for other familiar retail and restaurant chains can shop in Port Orange, 10 miles north.
"There's something happening on Flagler Avenue and Canal Street every weekend," Navarra says. Every January, over 53,000 people flock to Canal Downtown for the IMAGES Art Festival, which features the work of over 200 artists. The monthly Art and Artisan Stroll has dozens of local arts and crafts vendors lining the road. On Flagler Avenue, the Jazz Festival brings live music to the street's clubs, and on the last Saturday of every month, folks can enjoy a large selection of wines during Flagler Ave Wine Walk. "New Smyrna is one of our most active communities," Navarra says.
The Garlic is an eclectically styled Italian Grill in New Smyrna Beach.
The Home Depot is a few minutes away for household needs in Glencoe.
IMAGES: Festival of the Arts features many incredible works of art from artists across the country.
Locals pack out area venues during the New Smyrna Beach Jazz Festival.
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Commuting from New Smyrna Beach
State Road 44 is the main artery of New Smyrna Beach and the best way for commuters to get to Orlando, 56 miles away. The road is often congested as its two lanes struggle to handle the city's recent growth. The area's hospital is AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. The city offers the NSB Flex, a public transportation service, often used to connect travelers from the mainland to the beach. Interstate 95 and US Route 1 also run through New Smyrna Beach, connecting locals to the Daytona International Speedway and the Daytona Beach International Airport, 20 miles away. The community is also 30 miles from Orlando Sanford International Airport.
Weather and crime in New Smyrna Beach
New Smyrna Beach has mild winters and hot, humid summers. With the town’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the ocean breeze keeps the community cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than its neighbor Orlando. Areas with direct access to the ocean and Indian River—particularly those on the north end of the beachside—are considered to have increased flood risk due to the threat of hurricanes. Homeowners are required to buy flood insurance in these areas.
According to the New Smyrna Beach Police Department's annual report, the city is less impacted by crime than nearby central Florida cities. There was a 35% decrease in property crime after the NSBPD enacted a youth curfew on holidays during peak tourist season months, a response to a spike in youth-related crime during Spring Break 2022.
Hilary is a seasoned real estate professional, Broker Associate, and GRI (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) certified agent with a passion for helping clients achieve their property goals. Since 2017, she has been a trusted resource for coastal living, offering in-depth knowledge of the local market and a commitment to delivering exceptional service.
With a background in psychology from the University of Delaware and diverse living experiences across the U.S., including Hawaii, Hilary brings a unique perspective to every transaction. She understands the importance of finding the perfect home and community that aligns with her clients' lifestyles and aspirations.
Serving clients from first-time homebuyers to luxury home sellers, Hilary goes above and beyond to ensure personalized, high-quality service. She is dedicated to guiding her clients through every step of the buying or selling process, from negotiations to closing and beyond. Her strong ties to the community and integrity-driven approach make her a reliable partner in achieving real estate success.
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest in property, Hilary is here to provide the expertise, resources, and support you need. Trust Hilary to turn your real estate dreams into reality. ~Your Real Estate Resource for Coastal Living~ Broker
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
