LIVING IN JACKSONVILLE, FL -JACKONVILLE REAL ESTATE

Four years ago, my wife Monica and I made one of the biggest decisions of our lives: we moved from South Florida to Northeast Florida, settling in St. Johns County just outside Jacksonville.

We get asked all the time:
“Why would you leave South Florida?”
“Was it worth it?”
“Would you ever move back?”

So we wanted to share our story—both from the perspective of a real estate professional and a working mom raising a family—to help other families considering the same move.

Why Jacksonville Wasn’t Even on Our Radar (At First)

Jacksonville wasn’t originally part of our plan.

What changed? Family.

Monica’s parents relocated to Amelia Island, a small beach town about an hour north of Jacksonville. As we visited them more often, we kept driving through St. Johns County—and something clicked.

We started thinking:

• This feels like a great place to raise kids

• It’s closer to family in North Carolina

• It’s easier to travel up and down the East Coast

Funny enough, we never imagined we’d later own a mountain home in Georgia, too—but being in Northeast Florida made that lifestyle possible.

Why We Left South Florida

Leaving South Florida wasn’t about hating it—we loved many things about it. But for our stage of life, several issues became hard to ignore.

1. Rising Costs

Property taxes and homeowners insurance were climbing fast. Every year felt more expensive than the last.

2. Aging Homes and Maintenance

Our home was built in the late 1970s. Even after remodels, big-ticket items like:

• Roofs

• Plumbing

• Electrical
  kept coming up.

In Northeast Florida, we realized we could buy a larger, newer—or brand-new—home for similar money.

3. School Concerns

Our daughter was about to start pre-K. Her zoned school in Boca Raton was:

• Overcrowded

• Under renovation

• Potentially relocating students temporarily

That uncertainty didn’t sit well with us.

4. Walkability (or Lack of It)

Something as simple as walking around the block was frustrating—no sidewalks, traffic everywhere.

In our new community?

• Sidewalks everywhere

• Trails

• Even separate golf-cart paths

That difference mattered more than we expected.

How We Chose Where to Live in Northeast Florida

Our search started… honestly, pretty randomly.

Monica looked up top-rated school districts in Florida, and St. Johns County ranked #1 at the time. On a drive back from Amelia Island, we randomly toured homes in Julington Creek.

We ended up renting there first, in the same neighborhood we had stumbled into.

That rental gave us:

• Time to learn the area

• Time to see how our daughter adjusted

• Confidence we were in the right county

Why We Ultimately Chose Nocatee

Once our daughter finished pre-K, we knew it was time to buy.

We kept driving through Nocatee—drawn to:

• Newer homes

• Coastal / Key West-style architecture

But what really sold us wasn’t a house.

It was a Food Truck Friday.

Kids were running around. Families were talking. Music was playing. It felt like a real community, not just a neighborhood.

The next day, we went to:

• The farmers market

• Community events

• Kid-friendly activities

Between the petting zoo, bounce houses, and yes—even a draft knock ale—it became clear:

This is where we want to raise our family.

We also considered:

• Ortega Island near downtown Jacksonville

• St. Augustine

But Nocatee’s events, community energy, and closer beach access won out.

Northeast Florida vs. South Florida: The Real Differences

A Stronger Community Feel

In Northeast Florida, especially in St. Johns County:

• Families tend to be in similar life stages

• People are genuinely friendly

• Neighbors actually talk to each other

That was a big change—in the best way.

A Growing Area Full of Transplants

St. Johns County reminds us of South Florida 20–30 years ago.

It’s growing fast, and because so many people are relocating:

• Making friends is easier

• Kids connect families quickly

• Community events actually matter

Less Seasonal

South Florida often feels transient—snowbirds, seasonal residents, constant turnover.

Northeast Florida feels:

• More stable

• More year-round

• Still active, even with cooler seasons

What We Miss About South Florida

We’re honest about this—there are things we miss.

• Cultural events like theater and shows

• Restaurant variety (South Florida still wins here)

That said, with kids, nightlife isn’t a priority right now. And we’ve loved exploring:

• St. Augustine

• Amelia Island

• Georgia and South Carolina

All of which are much easier to reach from Jacksonville.

Any Regrets?

None.

Would we ever move back to South Florida?
No.

Moving here was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made as a family.

Yes, moving is stressful. But the ease of building friendships, the lifestyle, and watching our kids thrive made it all worth it.

Seeing them grow up in a place like this?
That’s been the biggest reward.

Thinking About Moving to Jacksonville or St. Johns County?

If you’re:

• Relocating from South Florida

• Considering a lifestyle change

• Planning a long-term family move

I’ve been exactly where you are.

As someone who’s made the move—and helps families do it every day—I’m always happy to be a resource, answer questions, or help you plan ahead.

Let’s Talk About Your Move

Call/Text: 904-599-2125
Email: Greg@LivingInJacksonvilleFL.com
Website: www.LivingInJacksonvilleFL.com

It’s never too early to start planning—and having the right information makes all the difference.

About the Author

Greg DeTullio is a Florida-licensed real estate broker and founder of the Living in Jacksonville FL Team, with 10 years of experience, 200+ closed transactions, and 65 five-star Google reviews.

He specializes in Jacksonville relocation and St. Johns County new construction, serving Nocatee, SilverLeaf, RiverTown, St. Johns, EverRange, Ponte Vedra Beach, and surrounding Northeast Florida communities.