Saint Lucie North

If you’re looking for an active neighborhood that features attractively priced homes, then join the club. The Champion Turf Club at St. James, that is. The public golf course is the center of attention in St. Lucie North, which also features a nature preserve and the St. Lucie River running along its eastern border.

Built around the course is a gated community of around 700 residences made up primarily of architecturally distinct single-family homes ranging in size from 1,600 to 4,000 square feet. “It’s very attractive if you’re looking for a Mediterranean-style home with a tiled roof that makes it really stand out,” says Bryce Miranda, a Realtor with Keller Williams Treasure Coast. “Most of the homes have high ceilings, too, and that makes them feel more grand.” The community’s HOA is additionally attractive. “Compared to other golfing communities, the HOA doesn’t have a lot of rules and regulations, and it’s relatively cheap,” says Miranda. “The fee covers lawn maintenance, pest control, cable, Internet and unmanned gates at the front. To get all that for $200 a month is a steal.” By contrast, the HOA fee for a two-bedroom town home in the neighborhood listing for $370,000 is more than twice that. Home prices in the St. James community typically range from the low $300,000s to the high $500,000s. That same range applies to homes throughout the rest of the neighborhood, be it established custom homes or new homes that are becoming more prevalent amid the city’s ongoing construction. “Port St. Lucie is growing a lot, especially in the last 5 years,” says Miranda. “Buyers are coming up from Miami because they can’t afford the prices there. They’re building rapidly here.”

Residents of the golfing community have access to an array of resort-style amenities, but the course is open to all neighborhood residents. “Golf is the niche in that neighborhood,” says Miranda. The links-style course stands out for its undulating greens and winds its way for more than 6,800 yards. Golfers also have access to a state-of-the-art practice facility, with a simulated fairway bunker, dedicated short game area and putting green.

While golf is the centerpiece of recreation in the neighborhood, there are plenty more activities available to residents. The Oxbow Eco-Center is a combination nature preserve and environmental learning center. Boardwalks, trails and observation towers provide a unique outdoor experience among 225 acres of native Florida habitat. The center’s main facility offers year-round education through field trips, workshops and public events. Nearby River Place Park takes advantage of the neighborhood’s riverfront location, with nature trails and a canoe launch among its amenities. Charles E. Ray Park is a traditional athletic complex that includes tennis courts, a covered basketball court with retractable goals and a large, colorful shaded playground. Ian T. Zook Park is a contemplative green space featuring a war memorial in a wooded setting.

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade do not have to leave the neighborhood, as they can attend Parkway Elementary, Rivers Edge Elementary and Southern Oaks Middle School. Older students can attend Port St. Lucie High School, which offers visual and performing arts programs among its elective curricula.

A Publix-anchored shopping center occupies a centralized location along St. James Drive, which runs through the neighborhood. Dining options are concentrated at a small retail center in the neighborhood’s southwest corner. Parkway Plaza favorites include Meeter’s Deli, a popular independent sandwich shop, and Indian Café, a highly rated eatery known for its generous portions.

Written By

Matt Pallister

Photography Contributed By

Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio

Video By

Alex Finneran