St. Augustine, Florida is the oldest city in the nation. Often called The Ancient City, St. Augustine still boasts an Old World charm for those who stroll its cobblestone streets. Tourists flock to St. Augustine by the thousands each year, drawn in by the opportunities to view famed landmarks such as Castillo de San Marcos and the St. Augustine lighthouse. You can take a carriage ride here, an evening stroll, or check out a ghost tour where you can hear stories about the haunts that are rumored to still walk the ancient streets.
There are few limits to the things you'll find to do in St. Augustine. You can visit the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park that's the actual site of Florida's first settlement in 1565. This park is Florida's oldest attraction and a main event for visitors to the city.
You might also enjoy Ripley's Believe It or Not, which is housed in a castle constructed in 1857. It's the first and oldest of the Ripley museums and offers all sorts of oddities and extraordinary exhibits for visitors to ogle and enjoy.
Possibly, a Ripley Red Train Tour is more your style. Taking the Red Train around town gets you discounts at 100 shops. It also allows you to relax and enjoy the sites while learning more about the fascinating history of this flagstone city.
Villano Beach, in the north, provides the perfect opportunity for beach combing. Easily accessed from multiple points, including Usina and North Beach, this stretch of sand and surf features its own boardwalk and fishing pier, along with an abundance of restaurants and beach shops.
Further south is Anastasia State Park which offers four miles of beach for exploring. This area also boasts a bird sanctuary and a salt tidal marsh. It's a great place to put in a kayak or canoe or to catch a little windsurfing.
St. Augustine Beach is the prime beach attraction in the city. Featuring the St. John's County Ocean Pier, it's the best spot for families who want to try pier fishing or volleyball. There's even a splash park for the kids.
St. Augustine might be a nice place to visit, but it's an even better place to live. The median home price in this tropical paradise is just over $275K, but it's expected to rise quickly over the next few years. If you're considering the move, sooner is better. Glassdoor currently lists over 3,800 jobs available in and near the city, and the crime rate has fallen steadily over the past four years.
When you consider everything the charming, historic city of St. Augustine has to offer, it's easy to understand its popularity. Consider adding the nation's oldest city to your list of future hometowns.
