Living in St. Augustine, Florida
(Unfiltered Insights From the People Who Live Here)
Thinking about moving to St. Augustine, Florida? You’ve probably seen the beach photos, the historic charm, and the endless “Top Places to Live” lists. But what do the locals actually say?
I hit the streets of downtown St. Augustine, Anastasia Island, and even Palm Coast to get the real, unfiltered take from people who live this lifestyle day in and day out. No hype. No polished brochures. Just honest opinions from people who call this coast home.
Here’s what they had to say.
1. Uptown Gets Big Love From Transplants
One resident who moved to Palm Coast three years ago immediately pointed to Uptown St. Augustine as her top pick for newcomers.
Why?
You’re close to downtown but not swallowed by the crowds. Uptown has that quirky, local vibe, plus great restaurants, shops, and the kind of community feel that makes you want to stay awhile.
Q: What’s the best neighborhood in St. Augustine for a local vibe?
A: Many residents recommend Uptown for its location, charm, and relaxed feel.
2. The Biggest Pro? There’s Always Something To Do
Whether you’re single, raising a family, retired, or anywhere in between, locals say the same thing: there is always something to do.
You’ve got:
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Live music
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Great restaurants
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Water activities
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Historic attractions
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Date-night spots
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Local events and festivals
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Nature trails and parks
St. Augustine feels small, but you won’t get bored.
3. But… the Roads? Let’s Just Say They’re “Historic”
More than one person mentioned it:
Cute and charming doesn’t always translate to convenient.
Because St. Augustine is the country’s oldest city, the roads are narrow, parking is tight, and the infrastructure wasn’t exactly designed for 2025 growth.
Locals take it in stride, but if you’re coming from a place with wide suburban roadways, you’ll notice the difference.
4. The Food Scene Gets Rave Reviews
Everyone I spoke to lit up when talking about restaurants.
Some favorites that locals recommended:
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Llama (Peruvian)
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The French Pantry
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River & Fort
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Cortez’y’s Bistro (piano bar and singalong)
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Carrera Wine Cellar
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Fish Camp on the St. Johns River
St. Augustine’s food scene is diverse, local-driven, and full of surprises.
5. St. Augustine Beach Has a Loyal Fan Club
A resident who moved from Illinois four years ago said the beach lifestyle sealed the deal for her.
What she loves:
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The community is friendly and laid back.
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There are no chain restaurants.
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It actually does get chilly in the winter, so keep your sweaters.
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The scenery changes every few miles.
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Weekends are for ice cream, bocce ball, and wandering the Saturday farmers market.
She described her neighborhood in one word: Perfect.
6. Some Areas Get More Hype Than They Deserve
When asked which neighborhood felt overhyped, one local didn’t hesitate: World Golf Village.
It’s popular online, but not everyone feels it delivers the same magic as the more coastal or historic pockets of town. Just another reminder to visit in person before committing.
7. Longtime Locals Still Love It — Even With the Tourists
A young man who’s lived here basically his whole life said living in St. Augustine is “amazing,” and he wouldn’t trade it.
The only downside? You guessed it.
Tourists.
But he also admitted they’re essential to the local economy, so it’s a love-hate relationship most residents understand.
8. Newcomers Fall Hard for the Peacefulness
One brand-new resident who had only been here a week said she chose Woodland Estates for its quiet, family-friendly vibe and lush surroundings.
Her favorite thing so far?
Evening walks on the beach with her dog, who had never seen sand until moving here.
Her one-word neighborhood description: Welcoming.
9. Island Residents? They Don’t Leave the Island
If you’re moving to Anastasia Island, brace for island mentality. Locals joke that island residents will only cross the bridge for Home Depot or an emergency.
And honestly? They’re not wrong.
10. What This Means If You’re Thinking About Moving Here
The locals all agreed on one thing: St. Augustine is beautiful, friendly, full of character, and packed with things to do. But each neighborhood has its own vibe, pace, and personality.
If you’re moving here, don’t just pick based on Instagram. Explore. Walk around. Get a feel for each pocket of the city.
Thinking About Moving to St. Augustine? I Can Help.
I help people relocate, buy, and sell homes in St. Augustine every single day. If you want neighborhood insights, personalized recommendations, or a walkthrough of the areas locals love most, reach out anytime.
You can find all my contact information in the description and the pinned comment of the video.
And if you’re still in research mode, check out my:
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Community tour videos
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Neighborhood guides
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St. Augustine living playlist
They’ll give you a deeper look at the lifestyle, the hidden gems, and the pockets locals don’t always talk about.
Want to schedule a call? Click Here
Local Q&A: What People Ask Most About Living in St. Augustine
Is St. Augustine a good place to live?
Yes. Every local I spoke with said they genuinely love living here. The beaches, the small-town feel, the food, the history, and the friendly vibe all ranked at the top. The only downsides that came up were the tourists, narrow historic roads, and tighter parking downtown. But overall, locals describe the lifestyle as peaceful, beautiful, and full of things to do.
What are the pros and cons of living in St. Augustine, Florida?
You get a seriously good list of pros here:
You get a seriously good list of pros here:
• Walkable beaches
• Great restaurants without tons of chains
• A tight-knit community
• Strong local culture
• Outdoor activities in every direction
On the flip side, you’ll deal with tourist traffic certain times of year, limited parking in the historic district, and older infrastructure in some areas because, well, this city is old. Still, most locals feel the pros far outweigh the quirks.
Which neighborhoods do locals actually recommend?
In these interviews, the neighborhoods that came up were:
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Uptown St. Augustine for its local vibe and easy access to downtown.
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St. Augustine Beach for relaxed beach living and friendly neighbors.
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Anastasia Island for low-key coastal life with great food spots.
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Woodland Estates for quiet, family-friendly streets close to the beach.
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St. Augustine South for convenience and affordability.
Everyone agrees the best neighborhood depends on your lifestyle, budget, and how close you want to be to the beach or historic district.
Is St. Augustine Beach a good place to live year-round?
Absolutely. People who live there rave about the laid-back atmosphere, great restaurants, morning beach walks, the Saturday farmers market, and the fact that you still get a little “season” in winter. You’ll see locals in sweaters and boots once the temps dip, and they love it.
Is St. Augustine a good place to relocate to from out of state?
Yes. The majority of residents I met relocated from places like New York, Illinois, and other northern states. Every one of them said they felt welcomed quickly and found it easy to build a community. The coastal lifestyle, pace of life, and variety of neighborhoods all make St. Augustine an easy “yes” for out-of-state movers.
And if you’re comparing areas or trying to figure out which pocket fits you best, that’s exactly what my team and I help with every day.