Port St. Lucie was established in 1961 as divided quarter-acre lots sold to retirees. There was almost no infrastructure, including essentials like streetlights and sewers. Since then, the small Treasure Coast city has blossomed into a bustling community that draws residents from all over. “Historically, a lot of retired folks were drawn here, but we’re seeing a lot of younger families,” says Scott Samples, Port St. Lucie’s strategic communications manager. “I think people are surprised that it’s not a sleepy little community anymore.”
Today, many of the city’s roughly 245,000 residents are transplants from South Florida, looking for bigger, more affordable homes than those available in cities like Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. Others are transplants from the northeast, looking to escape cold winters, either seasonally or permanently. Families are attracted to the good schools and suburban neighborhoods like Tradition and Saint Lucie West . All residents enjoy convenient shopping and dining options, proximity to the beach, and a tight-knit community feel with plenty of things to do.
A range of neighborhood options, including planned, gated and non-HOA
Homes in Port St. Lucie sit in suburban subdivisions and master-planned developments. Buyers can find communities with homeowners' associations that offer resort-style swimming pools, fitness centers and events throughout the year. The popular planned community of Tradition has a population of more than 10,000 and is still growing. Buyers come for the convenience of a walkable community with neighborhood schools and nearby shopping. Waterfront homes present sweeping backyard views along the north fork of the St. Lucie River. Some properties along the canal, like those in Southbend Lakes , include backyard docks without HOAs.
More established ranch-style houses are found throughout the city, in the Sandpiper Bay area and southern neighborhoods like Paar Estates , Tulip Park and Becker Ridge . Port St. Lucie still caters to a retirement lifestyle with many 55-plus communities, like Valencia Walk in Riverland or Cresswind at PGA Village Verano. A few condo and townhouse units are scattered throughout the city, including Belmont at St. Lucie West and Castle Pine in the PGA Village. The median price for single-family homes is about $425,000. For townhouses, it’s about $370,000.
You will find most of the homes in Southbend Lakes are ranch-style.
Luxury oversized homes are available in the Tesoro community in Southbend Lakes.
Paar Estates offers an array of architectural styles all with manicured front lawns.
Becker Ridge homes offer manicured front lawns with an array of architectural styles.
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Boating on the St. Lucie River and hiking in Spruce Bluff Preserve
With the St. Lucie River running through the city and the dozens of parks, golf courses, gyms, and community centers, outdoor activities are popular. “Fishing, boating, golfing. There are so many things to do here, and I think that is a big draw for people,” Sample says. The historic Spruce Bluff Preserve features unpaved trails and a monument to early settlers, and the nearby McCarty Ranch Preserve offers walking, biking and horseback riding trails and a large lake system used for canoeing, fishing and kayaking.
About 10 miles away, Savannas Recreation Area has 10,000 acres of waterways, marshes, flatlands and pinewoods. St. Lucie River is a popular spot for recreational boating and fishing. Indian River Lagoon offers direct access to the ocean. Some residents can access Port St. Lucie's waters from their backyards, while others use the public launches at Oak Hammock Park or C-24 Canal Park. For day trips to the ocean, locals drive to Jensen Beach or Fort Pierce, about 15 miles away.
New York Mets fans head to Clover Park during spring training to watch the team practice. The stadium is located in St. Lucie West and is the summer home of the St. Lucie Mets, the local minor league team.
You can take out your jet ski at any given day when you live in Canal Pointe Neighborhood.
Whispering Pines Park has fantastic playgrounds and sports courts near Southbend Lakes.
Head to the river boardwalk for some casual fishing near Canal Pointe.
The PGA Golf Club offers 54 holes of championship golf in Bayshore Heights.
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Students have abundant school options
St. Lucie Public Schools serves the city and rates a B on Niche. The district offers school choice and includes elementary, middle and high schools, K-8 schools, charter, magnet and alternative schools. There are also faith-based schools, including Morningside Academy, which Niche ranks among the top private schools in the area. Indian River State College's Pruitt Campus is in St. Lucie West. The public college offers the "Promise Program," which allows local public school graduates to earn associate degrees without paying tuition.
Port St Lucie High School is close to the Bayshore Heights neighborhood.
Morningside Elementary School's mascot is a blue jay.
Renaissance Charter School at Tradition is a tuition-free K-8 school.
Floresta Gardens is served by Floresta Elementary School for Pre-K through 5th grade.
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A look at crime and weather in Port St. Lucie
According to FBI reports, the city had a slight increase in violent and property crime incidents from 2022 to 2023. However, according to data from the Port St. Lucie Police Department, the violent crime rate dropped almost 10% in 2024.
Heavy rain and hurricanes often lead to flooding in Port St. Lucie and surrounding areas. Homes near the St. Lucie River are the most susceptible to potential flooding, though every property within the city remains at risk. Typically, homeowners' and renters' insurance policies do not cover damages caused by floods. The county offers an online and mobile app-based system for locals to report rising water levels.
Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike keep residents moving
During rush hour, traffic is common along St. Lucie West Boulevard, Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Gatlin Boulevard, the city’s main thoroughfares. While most locals get around by car, the Area Regional Transit bus line provides fixed routes from Port St. Lucie to South Vero Beach. Interstate 95 and Florida’s Turnpike run through the city and lead to the rest of the state. Palm Beach International Airport is located about 50 miles away and is the closest airport offering commercial flights.
Retailers and restaurants in St. Lucie West and Tradition
U.S. 1 and Port St. Lucie Boulevard lead to strip malls filled with chain retailers and local shops, convenient for running errands. The shopping centers in St. Lucie West and The Landing at Tradition are some of the most popular destinations, offering grocery stores, big box retailers and multiple restaurants. The growing city continues to see new developments, such as a future retail and commercial center in Riverland. Port St. Lucie has several hospitals, including HCA Florida St. Lucie and Cleveland Clinic.
Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital is the largest hospital near Crane Landing.
Major chain stores like Target are near Crane Landing.
A Publix supermarket is near the Crane Landing neighborhood for grocery needs.
You’ll find delectable aged cuts of meat at Oak & Ember Steakhouse in Southbend Lakes.
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Locals gather in Tradition for weekly and annual events
Tradition hosts regular events, like Food Truck Fridays and the weekly Neighborhood Market on Sundays. Taste of Little Italy is a popular annual event that takes place each February and offers live entertainment and authentic Italian food.
At the Tradition Neighborhood Market, you will find fresh produce every Sunday in Tradition.
The Landing at Tradition offers all your shopping essentials located near Crane Landing.
Popstroke is a cool place for a casual outing with friends or family in Tradition.
Enjoy great pasta or pizza in a beautiful setting at Pastaio in Tradition.
On average, homes in Port Saint Lucie, FL sell after 74 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Port Saint Lucie, FL over the last 12 months is $405,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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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.
