St. Augustine South offers convenience in a natural Florida setting
St. Augustine South, an established residential community conveniently nestled between a major highway and the Matanzas River, blends suburban convenience with natural beauty. “It’s a very large subdivision with several entrances along U.S. 1 South,” says Teresa Mercurio of Team 100 Realty, who has sold several homes there. “And the nice part is that it’s a neighborhood with reasonably sized lots. It’s fully developed along the Intracoastal Waterway. It has beautiful walking areas, and it boasts not one, but two public boat ramps.” Residents enjoy a laidback lifestyle with quick access to modern amenities and proximity to coastal attractions. St. Augustine South is just a short drive from the historic city’s buzzy downtown district and popular oceanfront destinations. “You’re literally minutes from the hospital and 10 to 15 minutes from the beach most days, and you're very close to shopping and local restaurants,” Mercurio adds.
Relatively affordable homes include waterfront options
Homes grace quiet, narrow streets that are shaded by a variety of mature trees. “It’s a rural subdivision; it’s not hoity-toity,” Mercurio says. “I was just showing property there last week, and a client was very excited to know they could have chickens.” Ranch-style homes are prominent, contemporary model homes are common, and multi-level homes with Coastal influences can also be found. Bikes and golf carts allow residents to easily make their way through the community. Prices of homes sold in the past year typically range from about $220,000 to around $600,000. “There are a wide range of residents because it’s affordable housing, but there’s a whole stretch along the waterfront with breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Those homes can sell for a lot more,” says Mercurio, who adds that county taxes keep overall housing prices low compared to the city of St. Augustine and other nearby areas such as the upscale suburb of St. Johns. Proximity to the river and the Atlantic coast means that homeowners should be aware that flooding and wind damage can be significant risks during hurricane season. The neighborhood is home to the St. Augustine South Improvement Association. The volunteer organization holds monthly meetings to keep residents apprised of news and developments related to their quality of life. The association works with county officials and local businesses who share its desire to preserve the area’s natural beauty.
Residents can access the river at two community parks
With destinations such as Douglas C. Crane Park and Shore Drive Waterfront Park, residents do not have to leave the community to access the river, a haven for boaters and anglers. The nearby Atlantic coast offers plenty of additional recreation for outdoors enthusiasts of all kinds. Featured destinations include several public beaches that line the city’s oceanfront and Anastasia State Park. Sailing, surfing, hiking and biking on the beach are just a few of the activities that visitors can enjoy across 1,600 pristine acres. The park is located on nearby Anastasia Island, which is also home to the St. Johns County Ocean & Fishing Pier, better known as the St. Augustine Beach Pier.
Nearby retailers, grocery stores and more are easily accessible
Nearby shopping and dining options are concentrated around U.S. 1. Walmart offers one-stop shopping about a mile away, and Publix anchors Cobblestone Village about 2 miles away. In between is Mall 2121, a community marketplace that features independent businesses and local artisans. Nearby restaurants offer everything from fast food to dockside dining. An array of highly rated shopping and dining options can be found in St. Augustine’s historic downtown district, within 5 miles of the community.
Students can attend schools under the direction of an A-rated district
The community is served by the St. Johns County School District, which earns an A from Niche. Younger students can attend Osceola Elementary School and R.J. Middle School, both rated A-minus by Niche. Older students can attend Pedro Menendez High School, rated B-minus. The UF Health St. Johns Academy of Future Healthcare Professionals is a highlight of the high school’s specialized career curriculum. UF Health Flagler Hospital is just outside of the community. Florida’s Controlled Open Enrollment program allows students to apply for transfers to schools outside of their geographic zones. Transfers are typically dependent upon availability of the receiving schools, which can be tracked on the district’s website.
U.S. 1 provides convenient access; traffic is not bad
U.S. 1 borders the west side of the neighborhood and provides access into the heart of St. Augustine. It also connects residents to nearby Interstate 95 and Interstate 295. “We don’t have nice, fancy roads like they do in St. Johns, but the traffic is palatable,” Mercurio says. “If it takes 25 minutes to get somewhere that usually takes 15, that’s what we call traffic.” Jacksonville and Daytona are roughly equidistant from the community. Each is about 50 miles away, and both have international airports roughly an hour’s drive from the community. Closer to home, Sunshine Bus Company is a countywide service that offers fixed routes and deviations with advanced notice. The STAR Circulator provides free transportation downtown.
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Written By
Matt Pallister
