Saint Augustine

St. Augustine Historic District, the oldest city in the United States, boasts historic landmarks, quirky energy and proximity to beautiful beaches. Previously home to the Spanish, the English and pirates, this North Florida district is now both a thriving tourism hub and an established residential area. St. Augustine Historic District residents have a rich, eclectic culture at their fingertips. From the storied Spanish architecture of the Lightner Museum to the First Friday local art shows held at Plaza de la Constitution, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the beauty and creativity the area offers. There are over a dozen museums in the district, such as the Pirate & Treasure Museum, and weekly events like the St. Augustine Farmer’s Market. Perched in the heart of the Historic District is Francis Field, a local gathering spot used for large open-air events and festivals. The area also boasts a diverse local dining scene. Catch 27 is a favorite local restaurant that serves local seafood plates in a relaxing coastal ambiance, while The Prohibition Kitchen has a retro, early 1900s vibe and serves pub fare and decadent milkshakes. For groceries and retail shopping, residents can drive 3 miles south on Dixie Highway to land at stores like Publix and Walmart. When it comes to enjoying the outdoors, St. Augustine residents are spoiled for choice. The A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway stretches 2 miles across the Matanzas River to connect the St. Augustine Historic District to Vilano Beach. Here, residents can kick back, relax and enjoy the surf and sand stretching just under 4 miles. Another popular spot that draws crowds near and far is Anastasia Island, located just south of Vilano Beach. St. Augustine Historic District residents can take the famed Bridge of Lions to land on this laid-back barrier island, known for its 1,600-acre state park and white quartz sand beaches. Within the Historic District itself are several accessible recreation spaces. Ketterlinus Gym Community Center provides locals with basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, as well as a recently renovated playground. The residential streets of St. Augustine Historic District are lined with paved sidewalks and palm trees. Colorful bungalows, cottages and ranch-style homes are common, typically perched on lots averaging a quarter-acre. Homebuyers can also find updated Victorian homes dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s on the market, many of which are featured on the National Register of Historic Places list. Homes in St. Augustine have a price range of $700,000 to $1.5 million, with some entering the market at upwards of $5 million. "The neighborhood is a part of St. Johns County, the highest-performing school district in Florida. That's a significant attraction for parents, and one of the reasons homes don't stay on the market for long in the community," says Wally Sears, Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. The public Ketterlinus Elementary School earns an overall grade of A from Niche. Students then attend Sebastian Middle, which earns a B-plus from Niche, before heading to the county's oldest public school, St. Augustine High. This school earns a B-plus from Niche and offers technical and career pathways for students. The area’s west side is bordered by the main thoroughfare, Dixie Highway, which makes it easy to get to nearby cities. St. Augustine’s urban layout and ample sidewalks make it a highly walkable area, and the city also offers dependable bus routes to get around town.

Founded in 1866 by Black freedmen, Lincolnville is a longstanding community in America's oldest city, St. Augustine. The downtown community has several landmarks, green spaces and marinas to explore the marshy waterways. "The area has fabulous restaurants within walking distance. There are lots of big oak trees and azaleas; it's a very lush, mature landscape," says Beverly O'Nell, a Realtor with CENTURY 21 St. Augustine Properties with over 16 years of real estate experience. "Lincolnville is very historic, with old homes that are close together." Many of the neighborhood's architectural gems have wideset porches and elevated balconies. Although not an official historic preservation zone in St. Augustine, the neighborhood landed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Over the years, many of Lincolnville's oldest homes have been replaced with new constructions and vacation rentals to support tourism downtown. Some of these homes are a part of the ACCORD Freedom Trail, which highlights 31 historical markers demonstrating Lincolnville's involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park rests at the southern tip of Lincolnville, where the Matanzas and San Sebastian rivers merge. The green space honors local civil rights leaders and showcases large wind chimes anchored near the marshy edge. Residents visit Eddie Vickers Park for the athletic fields and playgrounds. Locals pay an entrance fee to swim in the pool next to the community center, which the St. Augustine Family YMCA manages. Most dining is concentrated between West King Street and Bridge Street. O'Nell recommends the Ice Plant Bar and St. Augustine Fish Camp. La Nouvelle Bistro is a new addition to the dining scene. The Corner Market, an establishment founded by formerly enslaved people, is a community staple and one of the few remaining from the area's past. The storefront used to serve as a barbershop and public library. But now, the store sells clothes, baked goods and a range of gourmet beet products. Across the San Sebastian River are several options for grocery shopping, including Publix and Target. The Lincolnville Historic Preservation and Restoration Society is an active group of volunteers dedicated to maintaining the community's character. In addition to advocating for the preservation of longstanding buildings, the society's most significant outreach comes in the form of a three-day event. "We put on the Lincolnville Festival, it runs from Friday to Sunday in November. The festival started with a need to fix homes in the community. The festival has been going on since 1976, and the society took it over in 2017," says Madeline Wise, the organization's founder. The neighborhood has many other events throughout the year. Porch Fest showcases local artists performing intimate concerts on different front porches throughout the community. Others gather for the Jazz Festival and Juneteenth celebrations. Established residences include American Foursquare, Craftsman bungalows and minimal traditional styles. The community has several contemporary homes built over the last ten years. "Lincolnville is a great little neighborhood in the middle of downtown St. Augustine. It's an up-and-coming area that has a lot of Airbnbs," says Vicki Brown, a Realtor with Century 21 St. Augustine Properties, with over 30 years of real estate experience. Many longstanding homes have been lifted and replaced. Homes sell in the neighborhood within 94 days, compared to the national average of 42. "Pricing can range from $425,000 to over $5 million for a spacious bayfront estate," says O'Nell. Coastal living comes with severe flooding risks and potential damage from weather systems such as storms and hurricanes. The city developed a Stormwater Program in 2021 to help combat potential risks to Lincolnville. According to Niche, the St. Johns school system is Florida's second-best district. Ketterlinus Elementary was built in the early 1900s and underwent reconstruction after a devastating fire in the 1980s. The school earns an A grade from Niche. Sebastian Middle, which has an A-minus grade, stands on over 75 acres, including a community garden, greenhouse and 15 acres of sporting fields. St. Augustine High has a B-plus grade and ranks No. 5 among the best public high schools in the county, according to Niche. The community also contains portions of Flagler College. Lincolnville has limited bus routes, aside from the Blue Line that runs near the college. "It's really a walking community. Whether it's to the historic district, Flagler College, or to work, people will be walking to get there," O'Nell says. Dixie Highway, also known as US-1, reaches across the coast. Interstate 95, about 10 miles away, brings drivers to the rest of the region. The area is about 35 miles from Jacksonville and 55 miles from Daytona Beach. The community has several houses of worship, including St. Paul AME Church and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. The neighborhood has a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. The elevated rate is due to a higher-than-average rate of burglaries in the community.

On a barrier island off the northern shores of Florida, sea breeze and sunshine are part of everyday life in the coastal community of Anastasia Island, in historic St. Augustine, the country's oldest city. Locals arrive home by traveling over the Bridge of Lions. The beloved community has several historical markers, battle memorials and even a small castle. "The community has a beachy, relaxed vibe that's minutes away from downtown. You could walk to most of the nearby attractions," says Garret Richardson, a Realtor with 97Park. Verdant front yards have dangling palm leaves and flared palmettos swaying in the wind, offering a laid-back tropical setting. Walking throughout the community, you'll also see sand-covered alleyways between homes. There is a wide array of housing styles and sizes here on the island. The vibrant Key West aesthetic can sit next to new homes with Mediterranean and Spanish influences. Near the beachfront, colorful coastal bungalows and new condos decorate the eastern seaside. "The neighborhood has a median listing price of around $700,000, but you will find multimillion-dollar homes closer to the waterfront," says Richardson. Young residents can take advantage of the St. Johns County school district, which is rated Florida's best public school system according to Niche. R.B. Hunt Elementary earned an A from Niche. Students may go on to attend Sebastian Middle or the county's oldest public school, St. Augustine High. The high school offers career and technical programs. If you're exploring the community and see cannons guarding an obelisk-style monument, don't be alarmed! You've reached the neighborhood Oglethorpe Park. The grounds are named after a General who defended the area during the 18th century. Today, the park is considerably more peaceful, as locals sit underneath the shade of oaks and palm trees. Take a stroll through the sculpture garden at Lakeside Veterans Memorial Park, or check out the preserved coquina watchtower at Fort Matanzas National Beach. The most popular outdoor attraction is arguably Anastasia State Park and the beachfront. Inhale the salty breeze while walking along sand dunes or have a staycation at the onsite camping grounds. To reach the tip of the beach, Curry's Point, you must take a serene 30-minute walk to the northernmost tip. For local flavors, head to the intersection of Florida A1A and Beach Boulevard — you can savor a pastry or a full-course meal at local bakeries and restaurants. Or go south to explore popular spots like Sunset Grille and Salt Life Food Shack. For a bit of nostalgia and entertainment with your dining experience, try Sarbez, which has a unique selection of grilled cheese sandwiches, live music, retro arcade games and air hockey. The Peruvian-style Llama Restaurant was named one of the top 100 restaurants in the country by OpenTable, for impressing visitors with creative and colorful plating presentations. Realtor Richardson recommends a local favorite, Mango Mango's, just a few miles south. "It has a mix of Caribbean-style and barbecue. The restaurant is relaxed and beachy. The food is awesome! It's over the bridge and right near the water," says Richardson. For on-the-water fun, anglers and boaters will enjoy the Frank Butler Park West public boat ramp. There's also quick access to the water at St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier. As a definitive boating community, you'll find a lot of fishing and boating charters to explore the waterways. Being affected by hurricanes and storms, the city was recently awarded a federal grant to reduce the impact of flooding in the neighborhood. The local government continues to find effective methods to minimize damage and improve water drainage after storms. Resilient and well-loved for its beautiful watercolor sunsets, Anastasia Island continues to be an exciting yet relaxing place to call home.

Bordered by the Tolomato River, the waterfront community of North City is known for its natural beauty, laid-back feel and convenient proximity to Downtown St. Augustine. Named an official historic district in 2009, North City is home to the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., and the scenic Windward Camachee Cove, a full-service marina and yacht harbor. North City has thrived since the early 1900s, booming along with local tourism in the '20s and still growing today. According to Afton McCall, owner of local event planning business Soirees for Days, “St. Augustine residents aren't resistant to change, especially not local business owners who've been here for generations. We appreciate the new opportunities that growth brings.” Properties here date back to the early 1900s, offering a range of historic architecture from cozy single-story cottages and bungalows to multi-story Victorian builds on the water. No two homes are exactly alike in this neighborhood. Canopies of mature oaks arch over the roads on Nelmar Avenue, shielding homes from the bright Florida sun. Residents take good care of their yards, many maintaining lush green grass and flower gardens. Smaller, modest homes go for between $200,000 to $400,000, while multi-story waterfront homes go for between $1.5 to $3 million. North City is in a flood zone, so homebuyers will be required to purchase flood insurance. The 40-acre Fort Mose Historic State Park overlooks the Tolomato River, offering amenities like a birding boardwalk, picnic tables and an interactive museum; this was the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in the country. Visitors can take guided tours with park rangers, explore cultural landmarks or just take in the scenic waterfront views. Kid-friendly Davenport Park is less than two miles from North City. Rated Florida’s second-best school district by Niche, St. Johns County schools include Ketterlinus Elementary, which earns an A, and Sebastian Middle, which earns an A-minus. St. Augustine High (go Jackets!), which offers an aviation and aerospace academy, earns a B-plus. San Marco Avenue’s northern region is lined with local eateries like El Potro Mexican Restaurant, a casual go-to spot for authentic Mexican cuisine that serves up vegetarian and vegan friendly options. For a formal dinner, head to Catch 27 for fresh, locally sourced seafood. Vilano Beach, located 3 miles from North City, is home to restaurants like Caps on the Water and Kingfish Grill, offering waterfront dining options. For groceries, residents can head to Winn-Dixie on North Ponce De Leon Boulevard or Publix at the Vilano Beach Town Center. Like most parts of St. Augustine, North City is a bikeable district. With 150-miles of dedicated bike-friendly streets and trails, biking is the most convenient way to explore St. Augustine while avoiding downtown traffic. Head south on the major I-95, which runs just west of North City, to be in Orlando in less than two hours (depending on traffic). The University of Florida Health Flagler Hospital is 3 miles from North City. The Northeast Florida Regional Airport is located 4 miles from the community. Vilano Beach, located just a few miles from North City, is home to the Sunset Celebration, held on the first Saturday of every month. This family-friendly event offers live performances, food and clothing vendors, and lots of games. Residents love that the celebration follows a unique theme each month, adding an element of surprise. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is just 3 miles away from North City, with a seating capacity of over 4,000 people. The venue hosts a variety of performances, including concerts, musicals and the occasional Broadway show, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.