Is Downtown Jacksonville Worth Investing In Right Now? Here's What's Changing

If you haven't driven through downtown Jacksonville in a few months, you might not recognize it soon. Northeast Florida is in the middle of one of its busiest development stretches in decades, and a lot of it is happening right along the St. Johns River. Here's a plain-language recap of what's coming to downtown and the surrounding area, based on local news reporting and the latest Thursday Night Live show.

1. A Culinary School Is Coming to Downtown Jacksonville

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) has picked Jacksonville for its new Southeast hub. A downtown city council member confirmed the news to News4Jax after the CIA's board made the decision. The deal…

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If you're researching Nocatee before a move to Northeast Florida, there's more to know than what shows up in a quick Google search. Greg DeTullio, Broker/Owner of the Living in Jacksonville FL Team, has lived and worked in the Ponte Vedra area and put together the details buyers most often ask about before touring homes here.

This guide covers where Nocatee actually sits, how it's governed, what it costs, and what day-to-day life looks like — updated for where the community stands today, since Nocatee has changed a lot even in the past year.


1. Nocatee Is in Ponte Vedra, Not Ponte Vedra Beach

Nocatee carries the 32081 zip code and the Ponte Vedra name, not Ponte Vedra Beach (32082). The two are separated by the Intracoastal Waterway, sometimes…

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Where Greg DeTullio would buy in St. Johns County if the budget started at $2 million?


If you had $2 million or more to spend on a home in St. Johns County, where would you buy? That's the question Greg DeTullio, Broker/Owner of the Living in Jacksonville FL Team, set out to answer. Greg spends his days helping buyers navigate new construction and luxury real estate across Ponte Vedra, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Nocatee — and he has strong opinions about which neighborhoods are worth the price tag.

A quick note: This list is Greg's personal opinion, based on his experience living and working in the area and reviewing recent sales. It's not a scientific ranking, and reasonable people can disagree. If you have a different favorite, that's okay — real…

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The 4,462-Acre Agricultural Enclave North of Nocatee: What St. Johns County Buyers Need to Know in 2026

By Greg DeTullio, Broker/Owner, Living in Jacksonville FL Team  |  July 17, 2026


A new state law took effect on July 1, 2026, and within days, the Davis family and The PARC Group had already filed to fast-track 4,462 acres of land north of Nocatee toward residential development. This isn't a rumor or a leak — it's a confirmed filing, and it's moving through the approval process faster than almost any development St. Johns County has seen. Here's what's confirmed, what's still an open question, and what it means if you live near Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, or 20 Mile.

1. A New State Law Is Fast-Tracking Development in St. Johns County

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Marsh Harbor vs. River Landing at Nocatee: Which Intracoastal Community Wins?

By Greg DeTullio, Broker/Owner, Living in Jacksonville FL Team  |  July 16, 2026

Toll Brothers has opened new construction inside Marsh Harbor, a gated waterfront community on the Intracoastal in Ponte Vedra, Florida. Buyers here have two paths: a custom-built home on an Intracoastal-front lot, or a move-in-ready Toll Brothers spec home starting in the low $2 millions. Below is a full breakdown of what's happening in the community right now, what things cost, and how to buy in without exposing yourself to the mistakes that trip up out-of-area buyers.

1. What Is Marsh Harbor in Ponte Vedra?

Marsh Harbor sits on the western bank of the Intracoastal Waterway, at…

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9 Things to Know Before Buying in EverRange (2026 Guide)

By Greg DeTullio, Broker/Owner, Living in Jacksonville FL Team


 Southeast Jacksonville just crossed a big turning point. eTown's remaining new-home inventory is drying up, EverRange — the master-planned community built to connect eTown and Nocatee — has already opened its first neighborhood, and a confirmed international surf park is now moving toward construction nearby. All three are tied to the same family's land and the same developer's decade-long vision for this corridor.

As a local relocation and new construction specialist, here's what you need to know before you decide where to buy, sell, or invest.

1. eTown's New-Home Inventory Is Thinning Out Fast

eTown, developed by…

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9 Things to Know About the First Coast Expressway, Nocatee Hub & Clay County Growth in 2026



Northeast Florida just crossed two big milestones. The First Coast Expressway is finally complete through Clay County, and Nocatee just announced a brand-new outdoor retail hub. Both are about to change where people choose to live, and both matter if you're thinking about buying in 2026.

As a local relocation and new construction specialist, here's what you need to know before you decide where to buy.

1. The First Coast Expressway Is Now Fully Open in Clay County

On June 29, 2026, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) opened the final Clay County segment of the First Coast Expressway (SR 23). The new stretch runs from US 17, just south of…

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Is the Pablo II by ICI Homes Worth It? A Buyer's Agent Tours EverRange's Newest Floor Plan



If you're comparing semi-custom builders in South Jacksonville, the Pablo II floor plan by ICI Homes is one you'll want to see in person before you decide. It's currently being built in Mariposa, the newest neighborhood at EverRange — and after touring it myself, I want to walk you through what it offers, what "semi-custom" actually means when ICI Homes says it, and the questions I hear most often from buyers looking at this plan.

I'm Greg DeTullio, a new construction buyer's agent based in St. Johns County who works throughout the greater Jacksonville area. Touring builder floor plans as they're released is part of how I stay ahead for my clients — not just…

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By Greg Detullio | St. Johns County & Jacksonville Area Real Estate

If you've been researching new construction homes in St. Johns County, you've probably come across Silverleaf — one of the most talked-about master-planned communities in the greater Jacksonville area. And within Silverleaf, there's a neighborhood that keeps coming up in conversations with my clients: Courtney Chase.

But here's the thing — Courtney Chase often gets confused with Courtney Oaks, Courtney Grove, and Hidden Creek. They all share the same zip code, the same gated Johns Island section of Silverleaf, and — in some cases — even the same builder. So before you start touring model homes, let me break down exactly what makes Courtney Chase its own distinct community, who…

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Jacksonville, Florida, doesn’t always get credit as a foodie city—but if you know where to look, the dining scene is far better than people expect.

As self-proclaimed food lovers, my wife and I have spent years exploring restaurants across Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, and St. Johns County. None of these places are sponsored. These are simply the spots we keep going back to.

If you’re living here—or thinking about moving to Jacksonville—this list will help you eat very well.

Our Top 5 Jacksonville Date Night Restaurants

These are our go-to spots when we want a great meal, strong atmosphere, and consistently excellent service.

1. Restaurant Orsay

Avondale – Jacksonville

[Image: Restaurant Orsay exterior or interior]

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