Jacksonville and St. Johns County Florida real estate listings, home buying, selling and relocation information

With over one million residents, the six-county Northeast Florida region features continuous growth, endless opportunities, and a superior quality of life. As more people are discovering, we're "on the grow" with something for everyone. Whether you prefer the excitement of a bustling downtown or the serenity of our rural areas, you'll find what you're looking for in Northeast Florida. That's why Jacksonville is the "best kept secret" in the Southeast.

Jacksonville is not only an NFL expansion city; it's an expanding business city. The city and its five surrounding counties make up the area called Florida's First Coast, so named because it is located on the Atlantic Coast in the northeast corner of Florida, and was the first coast of Florida to be settled by Europeans.

The metropolitan area is now the 46th largest in the U.S. and has a total population of more than 1.1 million. The population is significantly younger than all other major Florida cities, with a median age under 35.3 years old.

Jacksonville's deep-water port gives access to all global markets. The combination of three major interstate highways, the port terminals, three major railways, and Jacksonville International Airport has made the area a major distribution center and a city of growing international commerce.

Jacksonville is a city of today and the future. Companies from around the globe have discovered that it is not only a superior place to live and play; it is a superior place for business.

Starting at the Nassau County line extending south to the Trout River, the North Jacksonville area has experienced some tremendous growth activity during the last decade. The growth is due in large part to the opening of the Dames Point Bridge (connecting North Jacksonville and Arlington), the expansion of the Jacksonville International Airport, the increased activity at the Jacksonville port, and new businesses moving into Imeson Industrial Park.

Many new housing developments and apartment complexes dot the Northside landscape and there is great potential for continued growth in this area because so much of the land is undeveloped. There are also many wooded country settings here and, along with easy access to any area of town, via I-95, I-295, and the Dames Point Bridge, North Jacksonville residents enjoy the serenity of an almost pastoral setting with the convenience of many businesses and services close at hand. Older residential neighborhoods offer affordable bungalows in shady, oak-filled areas.

In addition to access to plenty of waterways for boating and fishing, the area features the Jacksonville Zoological Gardens, one of Jacksonville's most popular attractions; Huguenot Memorial Park; Little Talbot Island State Park, and the Anheuser-Busch brewery. Some of Jacksonville's wonderful (and somewhat secret) seafood eateries can be found along the Trout River. Shopping centers, restaurants, medical facilities, schools, churches and much more are located conveniently in North Jacksonville.

Springfield is located just north of downtown Jacksonville, extending northward toward the Trout River with Main Street running northward through its heart. Part of the original city long before the 1901 fire, there are some magnificent late-Victorian period homes in the neighborhood which fell on hard times during the Depression. The area is experiencing a still-fledgling comeback with an influx of urban pioneers who are restoring these Victorian beauties and revitalizing the surrounding community. In addition, condominium units have been built on the south edge of the area, next to downtown. The neighborhood is convenient to downtown, Florida Community College at Jacksonville Downtown Campus and to public transportation.

The Westside area of Jacksonville is a vast expanse of land in the southwest part of Duval County, starting just north of I-10 extending down to Clay County, bordered on the east by the St. Johns River and continuing westward to Baker County. Much of the area is wooded, offering hunting and other outdoor activities; the river and waterways allow for boating, fishing and a number of water sports. Two major naval installations-NAS Jacksonville and Cecil Field-are located here as well as Herlong Airport, a small airfield.

With the intersection of I-10 and I-295, the Westside is home to a number of nationally known manufacturing and distribution centers. There are four small incorporated towns located in this part of Jacksonville including Baldwin, Marietta, Maxville and Whitehouse. Other Westside neighborhoods include Ortega Forest, Ortega Hills Lakeshore, Cedar Hills, Hyde Grove, Murray Hill and Normandy.

In close proximity to downtown, the area on the Westside was part of the original city of Jacksonville and offers a picturesque setting of stately oaks and south river views. Situated between the St. Johns River and Roosevelt Boulevard, the area provides cultural diversity, historical architecture and an urban feel.

The area features the Cummerland Museum, St. Vincent's Medical Center, and Memorial and Riverside Parks. Its parks are perfect Riverside settings for the art festivals and symphony pops concerts. Along with a mix of offices and homes, many physical and medically related businesses call Riverside home. Five Points, an eclectic shopping area, caters to the younger crowd.

Riverside was the city's earliest "suburban" neighborhood with most development predating World War I. It boasts many historically significant houses built by famous architects building in the styles of that period-Prairie style, Mediterranean Revival and Colonial Churches abound in this community and also reflect the beautiful architecture of early Jacksonville. Riverside is now part of the largest National Historic District in the Southeast and there is a concerted effort, through the Riverside/Avondale Preservation Society, to restore those homes to their original splendor. This trend has resulted in many of the big, older homes being restored and remodeled instead of being torn down.

Riverside has become an attractive neighborhood to young professionals who want a short commute to downtown and are interested in renovating an old home. There are many homes to choose from, including modest bungalows, small duplexes, apartments and condominiums, elegantly restored homes and waterfront estates.

Southward along the river is Avondale, part of the same National Historic District as Riverside. Avondale features even more stately mansions than its neighbor, many of these built in the prosperous 1920's reflecting the Mediterranean Revival style as well as Tudor, Norman and other European styles. Avondale has maintained a unique village atmosphere and family environment through the years.

The focal point of the neighborhood is the shopping district of Avondale featuring trendy gourmet restaurants and an array of specialty shops and boutiques. The lifestyle of its residents is enhanced with the presence of over a dozen parks, including Boone and Willowbranch parks, which provide tennis, softball fields, and plenty of paths for jogging, walking and biking.

Residents of Avondale also enjoy close proximity to downtown Jacksonville. You'll find apartment buildings, condominiums, small bungalows, and large, stately homes in the area.

Long considered home to "Old Jacksonville", Ortega is located on a peninsula between the Ortega and St. Johns Rivers, bordered on the west by Roosevelt Boulevard. The area is experiencing an influx of young middle to upper income professionals who are finding a wide selection of house styles in close proximity to boating and golfing as well as being convenient to downtown offices. Stately oaks overhang the winding main thoroughfare, which still has some of the most breathtaking views of the Jacksonville skyline the city has to offer.

Ortega has quite a number of churches for its size, and both public and private schools are convenient. Small parks along the riverbanks add to the charm, while the Florida Yacht Club and Timuquana County Club offer private, social and recreational opportunities.

Some larger estates have sold portions of real estate to make way for new homes; however, Ortega has been developed for many years. Families tend to stay in Ortega, and as a result, fewer homes are sold on the open market than in newer areas.

Clay County is a diverse mixture of suburban and rural areas spread over 592 square miles. The population is 136,930 with a projection of 157,000 by the year 2003. Its proximity to the urban amenities of Jacksonville and the more pastoral qualities of rural Clay County along with the most successful school system in the region make it the location of choice for many young families. A good many of its residents work in Jacksonville, a significant number being military and civilian employees at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.

In addition to the best public schools in the area, Clay County offers post-secondary education at the branch campus of the St. Johns River Community College and St. Leo's University. State-of-the-art health care can be had at the Orange Park Medical Center, the new Baptist St. Vincent's Urgent Care facility, and the recently opened Orange Park Cancer Center. The Orange Park Kennel Club, Club Continental, Orange Park Country Club and many other recreational facilities offer leisure activities for residents. Orange Park Township, located just south of Jacksonville on the west side of the St. Johns River, has long been considered one of the most desirable residential communities in the area.

Orange Park offers shopping at its own regional mall, complete with a 24 screen cinema, and a plethora of restaurants along Wells Road to tempt the palate of the most discriminating diner. Orange Park's explosive growth during the last decade continues to push southward along Highway 17 onto Fleming Island and the Doctors Lake area. Many new subdivisions and planned communities have emerged such as Pace Island, Hibernia Plantation, and Eagle Harbor; which features a golf course, a nature preserve, a pool and tennis complex, and a shopping village within its borders. The newest development along this busy corridor is Fleming Island Plantation by Centex just southwest of state road 220 and U.S. 17.

State Road 220 is also witnessing a rapid rise in the rate of new home building in the area along Doctors Lake and west across Swimming Pen Creek all the way to Middleburg. County Fathers recently completed a sector plan for the area to manage growth and preserve the beauty and rural aspect of that part of the County.

Middleburg, southwest of Orange Park, is the major population concentration for the center of the county. The area is home to the Ravines Golf and Country Club, a private residential community built on rolling hills, featuring homes and a golf course designed by PGA golfer and course designer Mark McCumber. For those who want large pieces of property, Middleburg offers multi-acre building sites.

In addition to Orange Park and Middleburg, Clay County has three incorporated municipalities: Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, and Penney Farms. Clay County features water sports of all kinds on the county's many lakes and rivers, and neighborhood parks are found throughout the county, many with picnic areas and tennis courts. Golfers are challenged on a variety of public and private courses, including the course at Magnolia Point Golf & Country Club near Green Cove Springs. Magnolia Point is also a private residential community built on rolling hills featuring homes on a golf course designed by PGA golfer and course designer Mark McCumber, located minutes away from Jacksonville off Highway 17 just north of historic Green Cove Springs.

Camping, biking, and nature watching are key attractions at Gold Head Branch State Park and camping is available at Kingsley Beach and Strickland's Landing on the banks of Kingley Lake. Jennings Forest is a wildlife management area that offers hunting for deer, turkey, wild hog, fox, squirrel, rabbit and other game during designated seasons. The county's new Black Creek/Ravines Conservation Area just north of County Road 218 at Green Road offers over 8000 acres of equestrian/hiking trails and primitive campsites along the banks of beautiful Black Creek. For the cycling, jogging and walking enthusiastic, the recently completed Black Creek Trail runs along the western side of U.S. 17 from Black Creek to Doctor's Lake.

Due east directly across the St. John's River from Clay County in the Northwest section of St. Johns County are Switzerland and Fruit Cove. Bound on the north by Julington Creek, the southern boundary of Duval County, Switzerland and Fruit Cove are beautifully nestled along the east banks of St. Johns River. This area is primarily a bedroom community for both Jacksonville and St. Augustine and features single family residences in a variety of subdivisions. The lack of commercial development in the area and the preservation of the scenic Bartram Trail (Highway 13) appeal to residents and newcomers alike.

Continuing north from Switzerland and Fruit Cove on Highway 13, just across Julington Creek (dividing St. Johns and Duval Counties) is Mandarin. During the last decade, the Mandarin area has undergone the greatest growth of any community in Jacksonville. Located at the southern end of Duval County with the St. Johns River as its northern boundary, Mandarin is also one of the oldest areas of Jacksonville, having been settled before Jacksonville was founded.

The area remains very popular. As the area has been building, some builders have redefined the parameters of popular communities like Mandarin, stretching historic boundaries ever outward.

Home to almost every kind of business and service, the community had been a rural community until the end of the 1960's, when developers began building homes. Now throughout the area are many types of residential neighborhoods, including some of Jacksonville's most affluent. The area is marked by huge oaks and sizable estates. Highway 13 leads through the heart of Mandarin, intersecting with I-295, making access to other areas of the city a breeze. In spite of rapid development, the Mandarin Community Club works diligently to maintain the integrity of the community and the entire community has maintained or increased its value.

Dividing Mandarin from the rest of Southside and San Jose neighborhoods is Beauclerc. Beginning at the east bank of the St. Johns River at Goodby's Creek, the area follows Baymeadows Road to just before Phillips Highway at Kings Road and features a big selection of residences in a number of subdivisions and a number of professional office suites and small businesses.

Continuing on Baymeadows Road to Southside Boulevard, and south on Southside to Phillips Highway is the area known as Baymeadows. I-95 surrounds the area and provides convenient access to all parts of the city. Exclusive residential communities such as Deerwood and Deercreek Country Clubs and a large concentration of apartment and condominium communities are pleasingly situated, along with some of the city's most attractive office parks.

The Avenues regional shopping mall, a large variety of retail establishments, and exclusive shops and boutiques offer residents a smorgasbord of shopping choices. The popular Baymeadows Road area bustles with popular restaurants, entertainment spots, and leisure-time activities. This area is home to a number of large businesses such as AT&T Universal Card, American Transtech, Nissan, Banc Boston Mortgage and State Farm Insurance.

A prime residential area, San Jose is home to landmarks such as Epping Forest, San Jose Country Club, Bolles School and a number of churches and synagogues. It is located just minutes south of downtown on the east banks of the St. Johns River. Spanish-style architecture is the mainstay of homes built in the 1920's in this area. Most of the homes were built in the 1950's and 1960's and there are few new developments in this area. One exception is Epping Forest Yacht Club. The former Alfred I. du Pont estate home and formal gardens overlooking the St. Johns River is a development of single-family homes and condominiums ranging in price from $325,000 to $1.5 million. Another exception is the Villages of San Jose, a secured community along San Jose Boulevard featuring patio homes and condominiums.

The San Marco area, located along the river and near downtown, was developed at the same time as Riverside/Avondale. Centered around the San Marco shopping district, homes in the area range from Mediterranean-style homes built in the 1920's, to homes recently renovated or rebuilt. Apartment buildings and condominiums are a popular choice for many young professionals who enjoy the close proximity to work, popular restaurants and entertainment spots. In addition to the shopping village featuring old-fashioned street lamps, a historic fountain and an array of unique and elegant shops, San Marco is home to Theater Jacksonville, Southside Baptist Church and several beautiful parks. The neighborhood hosts a number of special activities and festivities during the year.

Southside begins close to downtown with I-95 as its western boundary, extending to the east as far as St. Johns Bluff Road, extending from Atlantic Boulevard in the north, to the St. Johns County line in the south, Southside is such a large area and is composed of so many neighborhoods, retail areas and office parks, it defies description as its own residential entity.

Some of the best known areas in Southside include Southpoint Office Park, site of many diverse businesses and hotels located next to I-95; and Deerwood Park, located on Southside Boulevard at J. Turner Butler - home to companies such as Vistakon, IBM and Aetna. Both St. Luke's and Memorial Hospitals are located in the Southside, as is the University of North Florida on St. Johns Bluff Road, and the south campus of Florida Community College of Jacksonville on Beach Boulevard.

Housing ranges from single family homes to apartment communities and condominiums in new and old developments, offering something for everyone. Residents enjoy local golf courses, abundant restaurants and entertainment spots, and there is easy access to any part of town or the beaches via the many major routes including Beach Boulevard and J. Turner Butler, major east-west corridors, and the north-south corridor of Southside Boulevard, which continues northward into Arlington to the Dames Point Bridge. Churches representing many denominations call Southside home.

Surrounded by the St. Johns River on the west and north and the Intracoastal Waterway on the east, Arlington offers an abundance of waterfront property. The area has evolved from the days when there was little to do in Arlington into Jacksonville's best example of the typical postwar suburban residential area development and the fastest growing area for development of new subdivisions and homes.

The area features many amenities including a vast variety of shopping sites, such as Regency Square, Regency Park and Regency Court; a potpourri of restaurants and entertainment draws; and access to the waterways and all the action it has to offer. Arlington is home to Jacksonville University, Jones College, and Craig Airfield. Schools and churches abound in this area. The Fort Caroline National Memorial, commemorating the first European settlement in this area, is located in the heart of Arlington.

Just about every type and style of home can be found in just about every price range in the Arlington area. A myriad of apartment communities offers residents easy access to work, school and recreation activities.

East Arlington, or as many are now renaming it - the West Beaches - is the fastest growing area for new homes in Jacksonville.

From Atlantic Boulevard on the north, to J. Turner Butler Boulevard on the south, and the Intracoastal Waterway as its eastern boundary, there is plenty of raw land available for development. The area features numerous new developments and exclusive planned communities such as Queens Harbour Yacht and Country Club, Windsor Park Golf Club and Jacksonville Country Club, as well as new office building developments near and around the Mayo Clinic on San Pablo Road. The retirement community of Cypress Village is located adjacent to Mayo Clinic.

Just north of Jacksonville on I-95 is Nassau County, featuring Amelia Island and Fernandina. This area is known around the world as a very desirable resort area which has some of the most exclusive oceanfront properties on the east coast for those desiring vacation, second, and winter homes. These residences range in price anywhere from $75,000 to over $1 million. The area also offers year-round residents a wide variety of single-family homes, apartments and condominiums at varying price ranges.

Downtown Fernandina is cited on the National Register of Historic Places because of its preservation of late-Victorian architecture. The area features many bed and breakfast inns, many occupying the enchanting mansions from yesteryear, numerous restaurants, and recreational opportunities including golf, tennis and fishing. A focal point is Centre Street, with its wide array of specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants and historic landmarks such as Florida's oldest saloon.

Centre Street is also the site of the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, drawing over 100,000 each spring. Amelia Island Plantation hosts the Bausch & Lomb Championship every spring, a tennis tournament that attracts over 40,000 spectators. The Ritz-Carlton, located on Amelia Island, offers visitors and residents amenities including restaurants, entertainment, golf, tennis and a casino cruise ship that departs from downtown Fernandina Beach.

The drive to Amelia Island along Heckscher Drive and A1A offers spectacular scenery of serene salt marshes and oceanfront property along a restful oak covered roadway.

Beginning in the north at the mouth of the St. Johns River, you'll find Mayport, once a bustling fishing village now home to over 14,000 military personnel and civilians who work at the Mayport Navel Base. Mayport still has the charm of an old fishing village and features a number of fresh seafood restaurants and a commercial fishing district where shrimp boats can be seen daily heading out to or returning from sea. The only ferryboat operating in Florida makes numerous runs carrying cars and passengers from Mayport across the river to Heckscher Drive. If it's gambling you like, a cruise ship featuring dining and a number of Casino games departs from Mayport daily. Deep-sea charter boats are also available for deep-sea fishing.

Mayport's housing and apartment communities cater primarily to the military personnel and civilians who work at Mayport Naval Base.

Continuing south, you come to Atlantic Beach, a fully developed residential community featuring oceanfront homes that are a mix of early 1900's New England-style wood-shingle frame houses and more modern, pricey construction. Home prices vary depending on proximity to the beach. Beach access is maintained on many streets that extend to the ocean.

Atlantic Beach is home to the beautiful Selva Marina Country Club community and Fleet Landing, a lakefront retirement community whose residents are primarily retired professionals from the military services and government, their spouses and widows.

Where Neptune and Atlantic beaches meet, referred to by locals as "The Corner", are some of the most popular restaurants, including a brewery, and entertainment spots residents love to frequent. Along Atlantic Boulevard and A1A is an abundance of restaurants, strip malls, hotels and churches.

Neptune Beach shares many of the attributes of Atlantic Beach. Many of the oceanfront homes that line the beach are rented for summer visitors, causing the normal population of approximately 7,600 to more than double in summer months. Like Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach is fully developed with some light retail services located mainly along A1A. Home prices vary according to the proximity to the ocean. Stretching from the ocean to the Intracoastal Waterway, its neighborhoods are diverse and are home to renters, families and retired couples.

Jacksonville Beach is the oldest and, with a population of more than 20,000, the largest of Duval County beaches. It has a greater mix of residential, commercial, retail and industrial areas than other areas of the beaches. Much of the beaches' commercial area is located on Third Street, and while the bustling business environment adds to the atmosphere and economic well being of the city, it offers a myriad of shopping, dining and entertainment options.

Activities abound at Jacksonville Beach; various festivals and fairs take place around the Flag Pavilion; you can find professional and semi-professional volleyball tournaments on the beach; and, of course, cycling, surfing, wind surfing, beach combing and sunbathing are favorites for those who find the easy beach access appealing. South Jacksonville Beach, just north of J. Turner Butler Boulevard on A1A, offers a calm residential atmosphere and although beach access is more limited, there are those who prefer this area just for that reason.

Ponte Vedra Beach, once known as Mineral City, is located in the northeast corner of St. Johns County, just south of Jacksonville Beach. Both the Intracoastal Waterway and Route A1A traverse the community north and south making accessibility possible by watercraft and automobile. Through carefully preserved zoning regulations, Ponte Verda Beach has retained its marshes, lakes and lagoons, helping the area to become one of the most naturally beautiful and most sought after areas in Jacksonville. Neighborhoods such as The Plantation, Sawgrass and Marsh Landing offer outstanding lifestyles (including six country clubs, over 60 tennis courts and 153 holes of golf) for activity enthusiasts.

Many new apartment communities have been constructed in recent years, giving newcomers even more housing options.

The local population of approximately 24,500 and visitors alike are served by resorts such as Ponte Vedra Inn and Club and the Lodge at Ponte Vedra. Both offer four-star services and short-term rentals. Fine dining, shopping and entertainment are also readily available in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Ponte Vedra's claim to fame, however, is being the home of the international headquarters for both the PGA and the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals). Every March Sawgrass hosts the Players Championship and in October the ATP Tour hosts the Pro Tennis Classic, as well as exhibition matches and tournaments throughout the year. These organizations bring both money and prestige to the area and give Ponte Vedra Beach an opportunity to briefly shine on the international stage.

Along with these amenities comes a community with state-of-the-art medical facilities: Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center and Vicar's Landing are all easily accessible and only minutes away.

The nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, was founded by the Spanish in 1565; 55 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, and 42 years before the English colonized Jamestown; making it the oldest permanent European settlement on the North American continent.

St. Augustine's 12,000 residents live amidst this rich history every day and through archaeological digs, research and restoration, have carefully preserved this history which is shared with more than one million visitors each year. Tourism is the mainstay of St. Augustine's economy, with historical sites, the beaches and outdoor recreation being the biggest attraction for travelers. Historic landmarks abound and include the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the Spanish Quarter, a living history museum which interprets life in colonial St. Augustine circa 1740; the Fountain of Youth Discovery Park, the Mission of Nombre de Dios, and the grand Victorian structures built by Henry Flagler which now house Flagler College, St. Augustine City Hall and Lightner Museum. The city has more than 50 attractions, historic sites and points of interest.

Accommodations range from fine resorts to charming bed and breakfast inns; restaurants range from quaint cafes to four-star rated fine dining establishments, with many restaurants serving as attractions themselves. Shopping in St. Augustine is a buyer's paradise with boutiques, unique gift shops, antique stores, and museums waiting to be discovered on nearly every downtown street. On the outskirts of town are shopping malls and retail centers. Just off I-95 at State Road 16 is the gigantic and very popular St. Augustine Outlet Center.

Downtown St. Augustine offers established neighborhoods, several on the National Register of Historic Places, and ownership or rental opportunities are available, many with restoration and renovation possibilities.