When people move to St. Johns County, Florida, they often picture themselves living near the beach.
But there's another option that deserves just as much attention: living farther inland.
The choice isn't simply about how close you are to the Atlantic. It's about price, insurance, commute, home size, amenities, and the way you want to spend your everyday life.
Here's a simple breakdown.
Coastal Living: Ponte Vedra & St. Augustine Beach
Living near the beach gives you something you can't recreate inland: easy access to the ocean.
Popular coastal areas include Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine Beach, Vilano Beach, and nearby communities.
What you get:
- Quick access to the Atlantic Ocean
- Beach walks, boating, fishing, and water activities
- Coastal restaurants and entertainment
- Strong vacation and second-home appeal
- A more relaxed coastal lifestyle
But coastal living usually comes with a higher price tag.
For example, Zillow's July 2026 data puts the typical home value in Ponte Vedra Beach at about $820,572, with a median sale price of approximately $828,833.
The trade-off: You may pay more for the location and need to pay particularly close attention to homeowners insurance, wind exposure, flood risk, and property condition.
Inland Living: More Space & More Choices
Move farther inland and your money can often stretch further.
Areas such as St. Johns, Fruit Cove, Julington Creek, World Golf Village, and communities along the I-95 corridor offer a very different lifestyle.
You may find:
- Larger homes
- Bigger lots
- Newer master-planned communities
- Resort-style amenities
- More suburban conveniences
- More options at different price points
For perspective, current St. Johns listings include homes around $415,000–$675,000 offering roughly 1,700–2,600+ square feet, although prices vary significantly by neighborhood and property.
World Golf Village also offers everything from smaller active-adult homes to larger golf-course properties, giving buyers a broad range of choices.
What About St. Johns County's Overall Cost?
The county's median value of owner-occupied homes was $489,200 in the 2020–2024 Census estimates, while the county's population reached an estimated 346,328 in July 2025—a 26.7% increase from the 2020 census base.
That growth is one reason buyers have so many different communities to choose from.
You don't necessarily have to choose between "beachfront" and "far away."
There are plenty of locations in between.
Which Lifestyle Is Right for You?
Choose Coastal Living If You:
✔ Want the beach to be part of your everyday routine
✔ Don't mind paying more for location
✔ Enjoy restaurants, boating, and coastal recreation
✔ Prefer a vacation-like atmosphere
✔ Are comfortable carefully reviewing insurance and flood considerations
Consider Inland Living If You:
✔ Want more house for your budget
✔ Prefer larger lots or newer homes
✔ Want extensive community amenities
✔ Need convenient access to I-95
✔ Don't mind driving to the beach
✔ Prefer a suburban or master-planned lifestyle
The Best Part? You Don't Have to Live on the Beach to Enjoy It.
One of the advantages of St. Johns County is that you can live inland and still have relatively easy access to the coast.
For some buyers, that's the sweet spot:
Buy more house inland and drive to the beach when you want it.
For others, being able to walk or bike to the ocean is worth paying a premium.
There isn't one "best" location.
There's the location that fits your lifestyle and budget.
The Bottom Line
Before choosing a St. Johns County neighborhood, don't ask only:
"How close is it to the beach?"
Ask:
"How do I actually want to live every day?"
If the beach is part of your daily routine, look closer to the coast. If space, amenities, newer homes, and value matter more, explore inland communities.
The right choice isn't coastal vs. inland. It's finding the right balance between location, lifestyle, and total cost.
Thinking About Moving to St. Johns County?
Call or text Gail DeMarco at 904-640-8000 to compare coastal and inland communities, including Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Nocatee, Fruit Cove, Julington Creek, RiverTown, SilverLeaf, and World Golf Village.
Housing values and market conditions change. Insurance, flood risk, HOA/CDD fees, taxes, and property costs vary by address. Always obtain property-specific information before purchasing.