Both sit in St. Johns County. Both are gated, 55+, and genuinely amenity-rich. But they represent two very different philosophies about what makes a great retirement community.

Here's the honest, side-by-side comparison.

The Basics

Stillwater

  • Location: St. Johns, FL, off CR-210 near I-95

  • Builder: Lennar

  • Opened: Newer community, featuring the first golf course built in Northeast Florida in more than a decade

  • Centerpiece: Bobby Weed-designed 18-hole golf course

  • Cost model: Bundled, with golf and maintenance folded into community fees

Del Webb Saint Johns

  • Location: St. Johns, FL, along the CR-210 corridor

  • Builder: Pulte

  • Opened: 2020, and still actively building

  • Centerpiece: Anastasia Club, a 13,500-square-foot amenity center

  • Cost model: Traditional HOA plus a separate CDD

As one Northeast Florida 55+ research guide puts it plainly: Stillwater's bundled model is "great value if you golf and want zero yard work; an unnecessary cost if you do not play." Del Webb Saint Johns takes the opposite approach — a lower base HOA that gives you resort amenities without a golf premium baked in, but you'd need to join an outside club if golf is part of your retirement plan.

Golf: The Defining Difference

Stillwater's golf course is genuinely the community's identity. Designed by Bobby Weed — the same architect behind courses at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club and several other nationally recognized designs — it was recognized by Sports Illustrated as one of the most innovative course designs built in recent years, and it's the first new golf course built in Northeast Florida in over a decade. The course offers flexible 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-hole loop options alongside traditional rounds, plus a fully lit driving range with TopTracer technology. Golf membership comes complimentary for residents as part of the community fee structure.

Del Webb Saint Johns does not include an on-site golf course. Residents who golf regularly typically join a nearby club separately — meaning no bundled golf cost, but also no course at your doorstep.

Amenities Beyond Golf

  Stillwater Del Webb Saint Johns
Clubhouse New clubhouse with pro shop, lounge, full-service bar and restaurant Anastasia Club, 13,500 sq ft
Fitness Fitness center with strength and cardio equipment, aerobics studio Full fitness center and movement studio
Pools Resort-style pool Indoor and outdoor pools
Courts Pickleball courts Pickleball, tennis, bocce ball
Extras Ponds, picnic areas, full-time events coordinator Community garden, social rooms, lifestyle director

Location and Commute

Both communities sit within a similar radius of the county's major destinations — roughly 20–25 minutes to Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic, and St. Johns Town Center, and about 25–30 minutes to historic St. Augustine. Neither holds a meaningful commute advantage over the other; the choice comes down to community and cost structure, not location.

The Long-Term Tax Consideration (Applies to Both)

Regardless of which community you choose, Florida's Save Our Homes cap is worth understanding upfront: it limits your assessed value increase to 3% per year (or the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower) once you've filed your Homestead Exemption. In year one, you pay tax on close to market value — but by year ten, if home values have risen 30–40%, your assessed value can sit 20–30% below market, producing real, compounding savings the longer you stay. This cap applies equally at Stillwater and Del Webb Saint Johns, since both sit within St. Johns County.

Side-by-Side Summary

Category Winner
Lower monthly carrying cost Del Webb Saint Johns
On-site golf course Stillwater
Larger, more established amenity center Del Webb Saint Johns
Best value for a regular golfer Stillwater
Best value for a non-golfer Del Webb Saint Johns
New construction still available Both
Negotiating room in current market Stillwater (list prices running above recent per-sq-ft sales)

Who Should Choose Each

Choose Stillwater if: golf is a genuine, regular part of your retirement vision, you want zero-yard-work bundled maintenance, and you're comfortable paying a higher monthly fee in exchange for a nationally recognized course at your doorstep.

Choose Del Webb Saint Johns if: you want the lowest possible monthly carrying cost among comparable communities, golf isn't a priority or you'd rather join a club separately on your own terms, and you want a larger, dedicated non-golf amenity center as your community's centerpiece.

The Bottom Line

These two communities aren't really competing for the same buyer — they're built around two different visions of 55+ living. Stillwater bundles a genuinely excellent golf course and zero-maintenance lifestyle into a higher monthly fee. Del Webb Saint Johns delivers strong resort amenities at a meaningfully lower carrying cost, without golf built in.

The right answer isn't about which community is "better" — it's about whether you'll actually use that golf course often enough to justify paying for it every month, whether you play or not.

Want to Tour Both and Compare in Person?

I can walk you through current listings, real HOA and CDD documentation, and help you run the true all-in monthly cost for either community based on your specific lifestyle.

Call or text Gail DeMarco: 904-640-8000
St. Johns County 55+ Community Specialist
Serving Stillwater, Del Webb Saint Johns, Sweetwater at Nocatee, and all of St. Johns County, FL

Pricing, HOA, and CDD figures reflect 2026 estimates from realMLS, community developer sources, and local brokerage data current as of publication. Fees and inventory change frequently — always verify current figures directly with the HOA before making an offer.