Talk to me about Nocatee

DarcyLongfellow

Hey ladies :-). I don't post over here all that often, but I'd love people's thoughts on something.

DH and I currently live in the JTB/Hodges area. We love it -- super close to Target, Costco, the Town Center. I can get downtown in 20 minutes and to the beach in 10. Unfortunately, once you get past elementary school the schools are crap. Now, we've got a long time before that's an issue, but our plan is to move to St. John's county for the schools.

So, DH and I are casually looking at houses. We want to get an idea of where we want to be so we'll be able to jump on a good deal.

I'm a city girl at heart, so even Ponte Vedra is pushing it for me. I had gotten myself used to the fact that we'd move to PVB -- I love the Sawgrass area (my inlaws live there). But, DH is obsessed with Nocatee. I told him I'd seriously consider it and not just brush it off -- so, anyone want to give me their opinion on that area?

We drove around it today, and I found it incredibly depressing. I know the houses are all brand new and gorgeous and we could afford a huge house. But there is just nothing out there! I know the plan is to build a bunch of commercial stuff so it can be a "live and work" community, but right now it's nice wide, tree lined avenues to nowhere. And it seems like it would take me forever to get anywhere. (DH's commute isn't an issue because he works in PVB, and I stay at home.)

Anyone love Nocatee and want to sell me on it? Anyone have any opinions on it at all? Want to convince me to move to your favorite part of town?

Thanks :-). And sorry for wonky formatting -- I'm on an iPad.

Google83

I live near you and made the commute to Nocatee for a nannying job out there.  I'm sure it will eventually be more built up, but there were several times that I left and had to travel quite a ways before being able to get to a Target, etc.  

When out walking with the kiddo, I noticed that snakes and bugs are also an issue due to the marsh.  

 That said, I have some friends that are moving out there and totally stoked about it. 

 

PantsOffDanceOff

I think the Julington Creek/St. Johns area is much better than Nocatee. It's more of a liveable community with easier access to things. I grew up there so I may be biased.

DarcyLongfellow

PantsOffDanceOff:

I think the Julington Creek/St. Johns area is much better than Nocatee. It's more of a liveable community with easier access to things. I grew up there so I may be biased.

Is Julington Creek around the same exit off 95 as Baptist South, only head west instead of east?

I know I've heard of it, but I can't remember where it is!

Mrs_W_Pookie

DarcyLongfellow:

PantsOffDanceOff:

I think the Julington Creek/St. Johns area is much better than Nocatee. It's more of a liveable community with easier access to things. I grew up there so I may be biased.

Is Julington Creek around the same exit off 95 as Baptist South, only head west instead of east?

I know I've heard of it, but I can't remember where it is!

I think that would be considered more of the Bartram Park/Bartram Springs area.  Julington Creek would be more northwest of that.  If my internal compass is working correctly ... (Julington Creek is in St. Johns County).  Depending where you fall in the Bartram Springs area, you could wind up in Duval or St. Johns based on the county line.

PantsOffDanceOff

DarcyLongfellow:

PantsOffDanceOff:

I think the Julington Creek/St. Johns area is much better than Nocatee. It's more of a liveable community with easier access to things. I grew up there so I may be biased.

Is Julington Creek around the same exit off 95 as Baptist South, only head west instead of east?

I know I've heard of it, but I can't remember where it is!

Julington Creek is south of the Baptist South exit but there's no actual exit from 95 to get to it. You access it from SR 13 (or San jose, same thing) or from Philips and Racetrack Rd.

The area you are referring to is Bartram Park which is still Duval County.

TheyCallMeLiz

I currently live in Bartram Park, which is Racetrack road off Phillips (very close to the nocattee flyover). It took some getting used to when it came to being so far away from things. Its really not bad at all to me now, and as more gets develped and built, it would get even better.

Now if you were to travel further west on Racetrack road, you'll get into the Julington Creek area, which is more populated and has better access to grocery, dining, and other stores. You'll be very close to 13 (san Jose) which as you head north, of course, gets you closer to more shopping and such. Something to consider.

I myself am actually looking at a particular house that is about 1 mile west of I-95 at St. Augustine Road and I really like that Mandarin area. Im much closer to major highways that will get me where i need to go.

FWIW, I think Noccatee was a great idea, but an epic fail on execution and is HEAVILY overpriced (including rediculous association dues).

DarcyLongfellow

TheyCallMeLiz:

FWIW, I think Noccatee was a great idea, but an epic fail on execution and is HEAVILY overpriced (including rediculous association dues).

Thanks for giving me your insight :-)

When we drove through it, it just seemed incredibly depressing.  DH kept saying, "oh, it's going to be so great in 5 years."  And I kept thinking, yeah, and they said that 5 years ago too.

DH loved a neighborhood just east of Nocatee, right on the intracoastal (Marsh Harbor, maybe?), and I agree -- having views of the intracoastal and marsh from your backyard would be awesome.  But I think the houses with the good views are going to be much more expensive than he's thinking! 

TheyCallMeLiz

DarcyLongfellow:

TheyCallMeLiz:

FWIW, I think Noccatee was a great idea, but an epic fail on execution and is HEAVILY overpriced (including rediculous association dues).

Thanks for giving me your insight :-)

When we drove through it, it just seemed incredibly depressing.  DH kept saying, "oh, it's going to be so great in 5 years."  And I kept thinking, yeah, and they said that 5 years ago too.

DH loved a neighborhood just east of Nocatee, right on the intracoastal (Marsh Harbor, maybe?), and I agree -- having views of the intracoastal and marsh from your backyard would be awesome.  But I think the houses with the good views are going to be much more expensive than he's thinking! 

 Yes! Much more! I remember seeing vacant lots, small ones, going for $300k+. 

clseale13

DarcyLongfellow:

TheyCallMeLiz:

FWIW, I think Noccatee was a great idea, but an epic fail on execution and is HEAVILY overpriced (including rediculous association dues).

When we drove through it, it just seemed incredibly depressing.  DH kept saying, "oh, it's going to be so great in 5 years."  And I kept thinking, yeah, and they said that 5 years ago too.

Exactly this. This is what we were told (& thinking) 3 yrs ago when we were looking at homes. It's not much better now than it was back then. I'm so glad we didn't move there. Funny thing is that the people we bought our house from moved there. With the economy the way it still is, I don't see that place growing quickly anytime soon. 

BeaglePal

Hi, I have a house in a neighborhood in Nocatee Town Center.  I agree that it has taken longer than expected to build up the retail here, but that is largely due to the economy a few years back and the care that is being taken to attract the businesses.  I moved here recently, so have not experienced the frustration some people have waiting for retailers.  It seems to me that the area is at the right population level to be more attractive to businesses than it was even a few months ago.  (Nocatee is growing FAST.)

The huge Publix (grocery, pharmacy, liquor store), Baptist Health Primary Care, a couple of restaurants, a vet, an optometrist, a couple of hair cut/ spa places, a dry cleaner, and a Dailey's (gas station,convenience store, car wash) are all a five minute walk from my house.  My drive is about 20 minutes to St. John's Town Center or other big box stores, but, realistically, how often do I need to shop there?

In less than ten minutes, I also can walk to the gym, the pool, the water park, community park, and nature trails.  I can ride my bike to the beach, easily. The dog parks are great.  The schools are some of the best around. The food trucks and the farmers' markets come to us, and when they do, I can walk to them, as well.  The people are very friendly here, and there are community events and entertainment, so there are lots of ways to meet neighbors.

I think this is a really nice, diverse community with plenty to offer.  I looked at the other areas to which others who have replied refer.  I chose to live here because I could have a well-built, highly energy-efficient home that was walkable to things I like and use most.

FYI, CDD fees vary from neighborhood to neighborhood within Nocatee and also are determined by lot size.  Those fees help pay for the overall upkeep and ambiance, and are far more affordable than the fees in some communities I considered.  Hope this helps!