How Close Do I Want To Live To The Beach…and How Much Will It Cost Me?
Most people moving to our area tell us that they want to live “as close to the beach as possible”. This means different things to different people. For some of our clients…this means they want to be able to walk or bike to the beach…..for others….it means a 10-15 minute drive….and for some…..they are happy as long as it is within 45 minutes.
All of these cases will have a great impact upon the price of your eventual new home….so this is one of the very first questions about your lifestyle that you will have to determine….what is really most important to you.The same house that is located 10-20 minutes drive to the beach will be substantially lower in price than a similar home that is walking distance to the beach. Is it more important to be right at the beach and have a smaller older home with less upgrades and small yard….or for the same dollar amount to have a larger home, larger yard, and a home with more upgrades?
A typical standard quality “mainland” home that is 15 minute drive to the beach (3 bedroom,2 bath,2 car garage, 1800 sqft) can cost around $250,000…..whereas that same type of home will cost you around $330,000 if you are within biking distance to the beach (1 mile), and upwards of $450,000 if you are within walking distance (1-2 blocks).
For a visual comparison….take a look at homes that are currently for sale on Anastasia Island in the St Augustine Beach area versus homes for sale on the mainland of St Augustine zip codes 32084 and 32086) that are a 10-15 minute drive to the beach.