Moving to St. Augustine, FL,

You have grown weary of residing in your current dwelling and desire to relocate to a city that will captivate your heart and make it difficult to leave. Consider moving to St. Augustine, Florida, as it offers the potential to fulfill your aspirations.

St. Augustine, founded in 1565, is the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the contiguous U.S. Notably, it’s also the oldest continuously occupied European and African-American settlement. It’s home to Fort Mose, the first settlement of formerly enslaved African Americans in North America. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, the city played a significant and crucial role. Presently, it offers many historical attractions, including military forts and castles, as well as a variety of cultural events.

This is not enough to describe the “ancient city” of Florida; there’s a lot to know about the facts and offerings of the city. So, read the blog post and determine if relocation to St. Augustine, FL, suits your taste!

Quick facts before moving to St. Augustine, FL:

Where is St. Augustine, FL, Located?

St. Augustine, Florida, is in the northeastern part of the state, serving as the county seat of St. Johns County.

It’s about 40 miles south of downtown Jacksonville on the Atlantic coast.

Positioned on a peninsula between the San Sebastian and Matanzas rivers, it is just inland from the Atlantic coast on the Intracoastal Waterway.

Population in St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, FL’s population is estimated to be 15,180 as of July 1, 2022.

Diversity in St. Augustine, FL

St. Augustine, which was known to have a diverse melting pot with cultural influences from the British, Irish, French, Minorcans, Africans, Spanish, and Native Americans, has now a diverse racial and ethnic composition, including White (85.5%), Black or African American (6.4%), Hispanic or Latino (7.5%), and Asian (1.5%).

Additionally, Two or More Races (5.5%) and Other races (4.1%) contribute to the diversity.

St. Augustine’s 82 out of 100 diversity score indicates its much greater diversity than other U.S. cities.

Various groups, including Native Americans, Africans, and immigrants from the Canary Islands have historically influenced the city’s population.

Cost of Living in St. Augustine, FL

Here is a table summarizing the cost of living indexes in St. Augustine, FL:

Cost of Living Factor	Value
Cost of Living Index (COLI)	110.9
Housing Index	26% higher than the national average
Grocery Index	2% lower than the national average
Healthcare Index	100.5
Utilities Index	5% lower than the national average

How Is the Housing Market in St. Augustine, FL?

Once you move to St. Augustine, FL, you must decide whether to buy or rent a home, which is why check out the critical housing and rental stats of  St. Augustine:

• The median sale price of a home in St. Augustine, FL, was $455K last month, increasing by 13.7% from last year. 
• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median home value in St. Augustine, FL, is $497,500 for St. Augustine Beach and $416,100 for St. Augustine City. 
• The homeownership rate in St. Augustine, FL, is 74.9% for St. Augustine Beach and 82.4% for St. Augustine City. 
• The median sale price per square foot in St. Augustine is $256, up 7.8% from last year, and another source reports the median listing price per square foot as $379.
• The percentage of the population that rents in St. Augustine, FL, is 34.33%.

Average rental price in St. Augustine, FL

• The median rent in St. Augustine, FL, is $2.13K.
• Studio apartment: Approximately $823 per month
• 1-bedroom apartment: Approximately $1,468 per month
• 2-bedroom apartment: The prices range between $826 and $1,942
• 3-bedroom home: The average rent is around $2,518 per month
• 4-bedroom home: The average rent is approximately $2,475 per month

How is the job market in St. Augustine, FL?

• St. Augustine, FL, anticipates an impressive future job growth of 50.1% over the next decade, surpassing the US average by 16.6 percentage points.
• As of 2023, St. Augustine boasts a 3.6% unemployment rate, indicating a healthy job market compared to the national average.
• The average annual salary in St. Augustine is $61,315, an average hourly rate of $18.41.

Top employers in St. Augustine, FL

• Flagler College
• City of St. Augustine
• Hydro Extrusion USA, LLC
• KeHE Distributors
• Flagler Health+
• St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
• Brown Jordan Intl
• Ring Power Cat

Most common jobs in St. Augustine, FL

• Office Manager
• Medical Assistant
• Registered Nurse
• Receptionist
• Housekeeper
• General Manager

Highest paying jobs in St. Augustine, FL

• Outpatient Psychiatrist
• Commercial Service Electrician
• Nurse Practitioner
• Nurse Educator
• Physical Therapist

How safe is it to live in St. Augustine, FL?

St. Augustine has higher crime rates than the national average; safety perceptions differ based on specific areas. Researching and visiting different neighborhoods is essential when deciding where to live before moving to St. Augustine.

1. St. Augustine, Florida, has a crime rate of 2,951.3 per 100,000 people, 26.98% higher than the national average.
2. The violent crime rate in St. Augustine is 336 per 100,000 people, surpassing the US average of 22.7.
3. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in St. Augustine is 1 in 185 or 1 in 206.6.
4. The property crime rate in St. Augustine is 2,615 per 100,000 people, higher than the US average of 35.4, with a 1 in 32 chance of being a victim.
5. In 2020, St. Augustine reported the lowest crime rate in 25 years, with 533 index crimes including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft.
6. Crime rates within the city can vary, and residents generally consider the northwest part the safest.

Top Safest Neighborhoods in St. Augustine, FL

• Downtown St. Augustine/Old City
• Lincolnville
• Anastasia Island
• Saint Augustine Beach
• Butler Beach
• Vilano Beach
• Saint Augustine Shores
• Blacks Ford
• Treaty Park
• The Slammer and the Square/Elwood
• World Golf Village
• Palencia/New Neighborhood
• Bakersville

How Fast Can You Commute in St. Augustine, FL?

1. St. Augustine Commute Time: The average commute time in St. Augustine, FL, varies with areas, with one stating 18 minutes and another indicating 21.6 minutes.
2. Comparison to U.S. Average: Both figures, however, are less than the U.S. average commute time of 26.4 minutes.

Public transportation in St. Augustine, FL

1. Sunshine Bus Company: St. Johns County operates the Sunshine Bus Company with two local routes – the Red Line serving A1A, Downtown, and the Government Center, and the Blue Line serving shopping centers like Cobblestone and Flagler Auditorium.
2. St. Augustine Rider (STAR): STAR is a free circular bus service in downtown St. Augustine, starting at the Visitor Information Center and stopping at key locations such as Avenida Menendez and Cathedral Place.
3. Free Shuttle Service: During busy times, the City of St. Augustine provides free shuttle service and parking in collaboration with Old Town Trolley Tours and Ripley’s Red Train Tours.
4. Taxi and Ride-Sharing: St. Augustine offers taxi services, Uber, and Lyft for additional transportation choices.
5. Walkable City: St. Augustine is highly walkable, with a walk score of 85 out of 100, making walking a convenient option.

How’s the weather in St. Augustine, FL?

Among the primary considerations for relocating to St. Augustine, Florida, is the appeal of its warm weather patterns. The following offers a concise summary of the city’s weather conditions to provide a brief overview.

1. St. Augustine, Florida, features a humid subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild winters.
2. The city experiences four seasons, but they are less distinct than in more temperate climates.
3. St. Augustine receives approximately 50 inches of rain annually, with the wet season from May to October and the dry season from November to April.
4. Snowfall in St. Augustine is infrequent, averaging 0 inches per year.
5. St. Augustine enjoys an average of 223 sunny days per year.
6. The hottest month in St. Augustine is July, with an average high temperature of around 91°F, while January is the coldest, with an average low temperature of 45°F.

How is the Education in St. Augustine, FL?

Regardless of your educational pursuits, whether they are at a university, culinary school, or an institution of your choice, St. Augustine has the resources you need. The following information is essential for anyone moving to St. Augustine, Florida.

1. St. Augustine, FL’s leading high school, St. Augustine High School, is ranked #4,012 in National Rankings, with an overall average ranking of 9/10 for schools in the area.
2. The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences charges $13,737 for tuition in the 2023 Fall term.
3. Saint Augustine’s University estimates undergraduate tuition and fees at $8,448 per semester.
4. St. Augustine College has a tuition cost of $488 per credit hour.
5. St. Johns County School District, including St. Augustine, has 54 schools serving 48,032 students, with a reported student-teacher ratio 18:1.
6. However, the student-teacher ratio at specific schools like St. Augustine High School can vary and is reported as 21:1.

Best Middle Schools in St. Augustine, FL

1. St. Johns Virtual Franchise
2. Liberty Pines Academy
3. Alice B. Landrum Middle School
4. Gamble Rogers Middle School
5. Pacetti Bay Middle School
6. Fruit Cove Middle School

Best Elementary Schools in St. Augustine, FL

1. Valley Ridge Academy
2. Julington Creek Elementary School
3. Durbin Creek Elementary School
4. W. Douglas Hartley Elementary
5. Ketterlinus Elementary School

Best High Schools in St. Augustine, FL

1. Ponte Vedra High School
2. Creekside High School
3. Allen D. Nease Senior High School
4. Bartram Trail High School
5. St. Augustine High School

Best Universities and Colleges in St. Augustine, FL

1. Flagler College
2. St Johns River Community College
3. University of St Augustine for Health Sciences

What are the best things to do in St. Augustine, FL?

If St. Augustine is your upcoming relocation destination, you are in for a delightful experience. This city has many remarkable activities and attractions to engage and captivate visitors. Kindly peruse our comprehensive list for further details.

1. Climb to the top of St. Augustine Lighthouse for city views and explore maritime history exhibits.
2. Witness rescued wild animals at St. Augustine Wild Reserve.
3. Explore the oldest masonry fort in the U.S., Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
4. Discover fine and decorative 19th-century art at the Lightner Museum.
5. Wander down the pedestrian-only St. George Street, filled with boutiques, museums, and eateries.
6. Experience living history at the Colonial Quarter, spanning the 16th to 18th centuries.
7. Uncover pirate history at the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.
8. Visit the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, where Ponce de Leon is said to have landed.
9. Tour the Old Jail for a glimpse into 19th-century prison life.
10. Dive into the city’s spooky past with St. Augustine Ghost Tours.
11. Relax on a boat while watching the sunset on a Sunset Cruise.
12. Enjoy the beautiful beaches near St. Augustine for a leisurely day by the coast.

Best Neighborhoods in St. Augustine, FL

The best places to live in St Augustine, Florida are:

1. Historic Downtown
2. King Street District
3. Lincolnville
4. Uptown
5. Anastasia Island
6. Butler Beach
7. Dupont Center/Summer Haven
8. Elwood Whites Ford
9. Casa Cola/Durbin
10. Route 312/Mizell Rd
11. St. Augustine Beach

What are the Pros and Cons of Living in St. Augustine, FL?

The table below encapsulates an insightful summary of the advantages and disadvantages associated with moving to St. Augustine, Florida:

Pros of Living in St. Augustine, FL	Cons of Living in St. Augustine, FL
Rich history and charm	Tourist trap
Beautiful beaches and outdoor recreation	Parking issues
Great schools	Proximity to the ocean (risk of hurricanes)
Proximity to Jacksonville and other major cities	Higher rates (cost of living)
Art and culture	Murky waters
No state income tax	Lack of diversity
Local economy boosted by tourism	High poverty rate
Access to shopping	High utility costs
Homeownership	High housing prices
Outdoor adventures	High cost of living due to tourism
Cost of living	Hurricanes and tropical weather
Growth of the area and new infrastructure	High cost of car insurance
Mild climate	High rents
Wildlife	Limited job opportunities outside the service industry
Downtown St. Augustine
Entertainment and events
Close to several major airports

Conclusion 

Individuals who do not originate from Florida often possess unique motivations for moving to Florida and selecting St. Augustine as their residence, in addition to the abovementioned considerations. Suppose concerns such as higher living costs, poverty rates, housing prices, and hurricanes were eliminated. In that case, the city offers numerous compelling reasons for those contemplating a move to St. Augustine to make it their permanent home. Should you find that the city aligns with your preferences and requirements, we sincerely hope you will enjoy a fulfilling and enriching living experience in this historic and remarkable city of Florida.