Relocation guide · St. Johns County
Moving to St. Augustine, Florida
Everything someone moving to St. Augustine from another state actually needs to compare — distances, schools, taxes, flood zones, HOA and CDD costs, and where to check each one yourself.
Approximate driving distance and typical time outside peak traffic. Check your own route: Open in Google Maps, opens in a new tab
St. Augustine at a glance
Where it is: On the Atlantic coast in southern St. Johns County, about 40 miles south of downtown Jacksonville.
Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement in the continental United States — and its housing market reflects that in ways no other Northeast Florida city does. Homes in the historic district can come with architectural review requirements, unusual insurance considerations and renovation constraints that simply do not exist in a 2021 build.
Cross the Bridge of Lions to Anastasia Island and you get beach living with a different flood and wind profile. Head north to Vilano Beach, west to World Golf Village, or south to Crescent Beach and you are effectively in three more distinct markets. It is also a strong second-home and seasonal market, which changes the buyer pool for sellers and the analysis for investors.
Who this area tends to suit
- Second-home buyers — A walkable historic core, beaches and a genuine sense of place.
- Character buyers — Historic homes with real architectural interest — and real due diligence requirements.
- Retirees — Coastal living without a big-city footprint.
- Families — St. Johns County schools, with a very different lifestyle from the Nocatee corridor.
What it costs and how it works in St. Augustine
Typical homes & communities
Historic homes in the district and Lincolnville, mid-century houses in St. Augustine South and Davis Shores, beach cottages and condos on Anastasia Island, and newer construction inland at World Golf Village and Murabella.
Historic District · Lincolnville · Davis Shores · Anastasia Island · St. Augustine Beach · Vilano Beach · Crescent Beach · Butler Beach · World Golf Village · Murabella · St. Augustine South
New construction
Mostly inland and west of I-95 — World Golf Village, Murabella and communities along SR 16 and CR 210.
Shopping & restaurants
St. George Street and Aviles Street in the historic district, San Marco Avenue, the outlet malls near I-95, and beachside dining on A1A.
Parks & recreation
Anastasia State Park, the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Reserve, Fort Matanzas National Monument, Lighthouse Park and miles of county beach access.
Nearby destinations
Castillo de San Marcos, Flagler College, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Fountain of Youth park, World Golf Hall of Fame area and St. Augustine Beach.
Commute
I-95 and US-1 north to Jacksonville; A1A along the coast. Commuting daily to downtown Jacksonville is a real 45–60 minute drive each way — practical for some, not for others. Tourist traffic in the historic core is a factor in season.
Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), opens in a new tab · Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), opens in a new tab
HOA & CDD
Historic-district homes usually have no HOA but may sit in a designated historic district with exterior review requirements. Inland communities like World Golf Village and Murabella typically have an HOA and sometimes a CDD.
Home prices
Prices move constantly and vary street by street, so no figure is published here. For current, verifiable numbers ask Omer for a comparative market analysis on the specific streets you are considering, or look up recent sales through the county property appraiser below.
Schools
Attendance zones change as the area grows. Always confirm the current assignment for a specific address with the district before you write an offer.
Flood zones
Flood zone varies street by street across Northeast Florida. Look up any address you are serious about, and budget for flood insurance if the lender will require it.
Property taxes
Florida property taxes are reassessed after a sale, so the seller’s current bill is not what you will pay — especially where a homestead exemption is in place. Use the county estimator with your expected purchase price.
Home insurance
In Florida, roof age, construction type, wind-mitigation features and flood zone drive the premium more than the purchase price does. Get an insurance quote during your inspection period, not after.
Check it yourself — official sources
St. Johns County
- St. Johns County government, opens in a new tab
- St. Johns County School District, opens in a new tab
- SJCSD attendance-zone locator, opens in a new tab
- St. Johns County Property Appraiser, opens in a new tab
- St. Johns County tax estimator, opens in a new tab
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center — search by address, opens in a new tab
- Florida Dept. of Revenue — homestead & property tax exemptions, opens in a new tab
- Florida Dept. of Financial Services — insurance consumer services, opens in a new tab
St. Augustine — common questions
What does it actually cost to own a home in St. Augustine?
The purchase price is only part of it. In St. Johns County the monthly figure is set by the property tax after reassessment, homeowners and windstorm insurance, flood insurance where the zone requires it, and any HOA or CDD obligation. Historic-district homes usually have no HOA but may sit in a designated historic district with exterior review requirements. Inland communities like World Golf Village and Murabella typically have an HOA and sometimes a CDD. Run the county tax estimator with your expected purchase price rather than the seller’s current bill.
Which school district serves St. Augustine?
St. Augustine is served by St. Johns County School District. Attendance zones change as the area grows, so confirm the current assignment for a specific address with the district before you write an offer — the zone, not the district, is what determines the assigned school.
Is St. Augustine in a flood zone?
Flood zone varies street by street across Northeast Florida, and St. Augustine is no exception. Look up the specific address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. If the property sits in a high-risk zone your lender will require flood insurance, and that premium belongs in your budget from the start rather than after closing.
How far is St. Augustine from downtown Jacksonville and the airport?
Downtown Jacksonville: ~40 mi (≈ ~50 min). Jacksonville Int’l Airport (JAX): ~50 mi (≈ ~60 min). Nearest beach: ~5 mi (≈ ~10 min).
Why will my property taxes in St. Augustine be different from the seller’s?
Florida property is reassessed after a sale, so the seller’s current bill — especially with a homestead exemption and the Save Our Homes cap in place — is not what you will pay. Use the county property appraiser’s tax estimator with your expected purchase price to get a realistic number.