Fernandina beach real estate

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

30 years ago I lived in Jax Beach. I am seriously considering a move back down to florida. I was thinking of something near the beach, near Ft. Clinch S.P. Does anybody know of any real estate up that way ?

K9Torro · 03-27-2009, 05:28 PM

Matt

I would not even consider moving into FL right now due to the skyrocketing cost of insurance and high taxes on property, plus you would not recognize that area right now if you have not been back, Nassau county has grown significantly since you left.

I would take a look at coastal Georgia, the taxes on property and insurance is much cheaper along with the gasoline prices and general real estate cost. You can get alot more property for the same money and still have the beaches and the warm weather and be just a few minutes from a large area like Jacksonville or Savannah.

Just my .02

Todd

MBAtarga · 03-27-2009, 06:55 PM

In Georgia you get the gnats too!

K9Torro · 03-28-2009, 04:13 AM

Mark you get them in that part of Florida as well, the area he is talking about is right across the river/state line not much difference when it comes to bugs and such.

Todd

KFC911 · 03-28-2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

30 years ago I lived in Jax Beach. I am seriously considering a move back down to florida. I was thinking of something near the beach, near Ft. Clinch S.P. Does anybody know of any real estate up that way ?

I lived in Jax for a few years, and made several trips down to the beaches (including Fernandina) every week back in the late 80s. I don't even recognize the places as they've changed so much in just 20 years (I go back a couple of times each year to visit old friends). If you've been away for 30, I suggest you revisit (if you haven't lately) as it "ain't the same...for better or for worse". I visited the outer banks of NC a few years ago, and was so disgusted with the "progress" since the 70s that I'll likely not return anytime soon.

K9Torro · 03-28-2009, 05:01 AM

Hey KC, Jax has become a real HOLE, it is the murder capital of the South and crime is rampant in all of Duval county. But the real killer for Floridians are the constantly rising taxes and insurance costs which have been largely unchecked for years.

The development of that area is astounding, it aint the sleeply little place it used to be, the best values are across the river in Georgia, you still have the same weather and water activity that you have in Fernandina.

Todd

KFC911 · 05:11 AM

We used to fish in the St. Mary's river quite a bit (I-95 crosses over it on the state line for those that are not familiar). I wouldn't want to live in Jax these days, but my long time buddy has a 30' sailboat and the St. Johns river (and occasionally the Atlantic ocean) is our playground, so I "suck it up" and go every chance I get

.

ps: Last Memorial Day weekend, I was back in Jax after spending three days on the sailboat (mouth of the St. John's down to St. Augustine race and return via Intercoastal) having a beer with another long time buddy when some drunk pulled a knife on us in a bar. We were "minding our own business" and I still don't know what set him off...he could barely stand, and the situation was diffused imnediately. But you are correct...

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Torro

Hey KC, Jax has become a real HOLE, it is the murder capital of the South and crime is rampant in all of Duval county. But the real killer for Floridians are the constantly rising taxes and insurance costs which have been largely unchecked for years.

The development of that area is astounding, it aint the sleeply little place it used to be, the best values are across the river in Georgia, you still have the same weather and water activity that you have in Fernandina.

Todd

While true about the murder rate, it is mostly black on black crime and for the most part, just the lower black areas, not all of Jax. Of course the leaders in the black community blame the Police, but when the Police have to shoot a black man who is shooting at them, they whine that the Police are out to get them

Some areas Police office just won't go because of this.

Fernandina is a nice area, but as stated, the development is huge, another choice is St. Augustine.

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

I am interested in St. Augustine also. It is one of my favorite places in FL !
I used to go there on Sundays (the only day I didn't work). There was a place in the old town section where they would roll cigars...mmm, fresh cigars !

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

I am interested in St. Augustine also. It is one of my favorite places in FL !
I used to go there on Sundays (the only day I didn't work). There was a place in the old town section where they would roll cigars...mmm, fresh cigars !

So do you just want to be at the beach or just close??

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

I am ok with either

KFC911 · 03-30-2009, 01:57 AM

St. A is just way cool...no comparison imo

kaisen · 03-30-2009, 05:43 AM

Jim Cesiro, a Floridian, said that insurance rates are much lower now.

K9Torro · 03-30-2009, 06:50 AM

Hi Byron,

Did'nt mean to take a slap at your ole home town there, but a lot of the area has gone to the dogs it seems. I go down to the uniform stores (Patricks/Harrisons) and it looks like Beirut...

St Aug is a great place, I would really recommend it.

Glad to hear some of the insurance/taxes are going back down for you guys, I have not lived in Fl for five years it was really shooting up then at least in Miami where I moved from.

Todd

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by K9Torro

Hi Byron,

Did'nt mean to take a slap at your ole home town there, but a lot of the area has gone to the dogs it seems. I go down to the uniform stores (Patricks/Harrisons) and it looks like Beirut...

St Aug is a great place, I would really recommend it.

Glad to hear some of the insurance/taxes are going back down for you guys, I have not lived in Fl for five years it was really shooting up then at least in Miami where I moved from.

Todd

I know Todd,

When I was young, Arlington (where Brumos is located) was a nice area, but sect. 8 housing been forced there & on other areas, and have destroyed the areas they moved into

As far as insurance cost, as long as you aren't in coastal flood zones, price isn't as bad.

tmsautoart · 03-30-2009, 08:16 PM

Ditto on Byrons comment. I grew up in the beaches area just south of Jax bch (Ponte Vedra). Talk about growth! Byron probably remembers the way that area was 25 years ago vs. now. Very crowded.
As far as crime goes:
The crime is probably 90% located in the NW corner of Jax. (there are some exceptions like the Arlington area) and is probably 100% drug/gang related. So unless your a drug dealer, buyer, thief, crackhead or associate with drug dealers/users gang members etc., your fine. Jacksonville is very spread out. (I think its the largest city square mileage in the US) You can drive for an hour and still be in Jacksonville. That crappy part of town is a world away from the beaches or me. It would take a good 40 minutes to get from the bad NW part of town to the beaches area for instance. Think about a 40 minute drive radius around some of you....i'm sure there are some pretty shady places. I lived in CT. for a while where a 1 minute drive was all that seperated some nice areas from the bad. There are some VERY nice areas in this town for sure.
I should work for the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

Skytrooper · Skytrooper's Garage

When I was down there I worked installing drywall in custom homes in Ponte Vedra and the small homes built around Sawgrass C.C..

I have a couple realtors sending me stuff for St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach/ Amelia Island. A couple possibles in the mix (even the wife likes 'em)

tmsautoart · 04-01-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

When I was down there I worked installing drywall in custom homes in Ponte Vedra and the small homes built around Sawgrass C.C..

I have a couple realtors sending me stuff for St. Augustine, Fernandina Beach/ Amelia Island. A couple possibles in the mix (even the wife likes 'em)

Ponte Vedra was my neck of the woods growing up. It's still a very nice area though getting a bit overcrowded. I would imagine it's still a pretty good bang for the buck compared to up north.

tmsautoart · 04-01-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skytrooper

I am interested in St. Augustine also. It is one of my favorite places in FL !
I used to go there on Sundays (the only day I didn't work). There was a place in the old town section where they would roll cigars...mmm, fresh cigars !

That would probably be St. George st. buy the Castillo De San Marcos fort that your talking about. I went to Nease High School a couple miles away and was tempted a few times to skip school and spend the day down there. That area is great, but like I said a few posts above: it's one of those places that just a few blocks away is a very bad run down section w/ high crime. Cross over to the west side of A1A and you'll be lucky to get out.
Don't know what your price range is, but i'd look a little north of that part of St. Johns county. Even off of 95 there are some great areas that won't be far from the beach. Try Nocatee/ west Ponte Vedra area. It's 15 minutes from the beach. Here is the link:

http://www.nocatee.com/

I can tell you the builders have lowered the prices a ton since they first started building.

Sunroof · 04-01-2009, 09:43 AM

We went to Fernadina several weeks ago and its a decent commute from Jacksonville even via the St. John's River ferry you can catch at Mayport.

Given a choice I would check out St. Mary's in Georgia just up I-95 past Woodbine. St. Mary's was an old fishing village that is known now as the gateway to Cumberland Island (via ferry). The older part of town is really neat and homes are reasonable in town. The big deal is KingsBay Submarine base that is supported by a growing community all off I-95. Sorry, accessing any beach is a drive, but the cost of living is less, the weather is no different than north Florida, the old Gilman Papermill is closed and the air is clean and the livin good. Savannah is north and Jacksonville south. If you are a fisherman its a paradise! Ramps in town and the intracoastal waterway close by.

I lived in St. Augustine (Commanchee Cove Marina) and at Green Cove Springs back in the 1980's. My wife and I love St. Augustine, but the cost of housing is still way too high!! Jacksonville to me was always a mixed bag of chaos! The nicer housing spots are south along the St. John's River, out toward the beach or Sawgrass area. Jax. is a huge city with a small town mentality................

Check out south Georgia and St. Mary's or cruise up to St. Simon's Island. Both are worth a visit.

Bob

PS. That cigar store is no longer open in St. Augustine. You have to enjoy a smoke at Stoogies!