7 Things To Do In Northeast Florida For Retirees

 

Northeast Florida is a great place to live. It’s filled with activities for retirees, regardless of what you’re interested in. There’s no denying people love retiring in Northeast Florida, in fact, more and more retirees are happily buying a vacation home in the area. This interesting region of the state is a blend of old and new, offering residents numerous things to see and do.

You won’t grow bored in the First Coast. Here are seven things to do in Northeast Florida for retirees.

 

1. Take In Northeast Florida’s Rich History

Do you consider yourself a history buff? If so, you’ll love touring St. Augustine, where you can get to know the place where America developed its roots. People have been living in Northeast Florida for over 6,000 years, as St. Augustine was founded in 1565, 38 years before Jamestown and 55 years before Plymouth Rock. It’s a historical area with attractions that include the Colonial Quarter, Flagler College, and the St. Augustine National Cemetery.

 

2. Go Horseback Riding On Amelia Island

Have you ever dreamed of riding a horse on the beach with your significant other? You’re in luck, as Amelia Island, only forty minutes away from Jacksonville, offers horseback riding next to the Atlantic Ocean. As the island is home to thirteen miles of beautiful beaches, the opportunities for watching the sunset on horseback are seemingly endless. Don’t miss out on Fernandina Beach, a throwback to the Victorian era.

 

3. Visit The Area’s Art Galleries and Museums

Northeast Florida is a cultural hub, boasting many art galleries and museums for you to get lost in. Some of our favorites include the Cummer Museum in Riverside, The Museum of Contemporary Art near City Hall, the Museum of Science and History by Friendship Park, and the Karpeles Manuscript Library just off Main Street in Springfield.

 

4. Spend Time Surrounded By Nature At A Park  

From small neighborhood parks to large regional parks, you can’t help but become a nature lover once you move to Northeast Florida. Jacksonville alone is home to the largest urban park system in the country. Get outside, breathe in some fresh air, and enjoy the great outdoors.

 

5. Check Out The Fountain Of Youth

Living in Northeast Florida will make you feel young again, in more ways than one. According to legend, 500 years ago Ponce de Leon found a magical spring that lengthened the lives of those who drank from it. Whether or not you believe this old wives tale, you should check out The Fountain Of Youth. It’s a great spot to spend an afternoon and is one of our favorite out of the box activities to do in Northeast Florida.

 

6. Practice Your Swing At One Of The Many Golf Courses  

Get your clubs together and book your tee time, because the greatest golf courses are in North Florida. There are also TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse Tours, where you can see where golf legends like Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples have won THE PLAYERS Championship. See where it all happened and give the course a go yourself.

 

7. Sit Back And Relax On The Beach

You worked your whole life, and you deserve to kick back on the beach. Luckily, the best beaches are in the Northeast part of Florida. South Beach (no not Miami) is perfect for getting some alone time, Fort Clinch is home to a historic fort and Jacksonville Beach is made for having some fun in the sun. Check out the white-sand coastlines of Ponte Vedra Beach and the grassy dunes of Anastasia Park.

 

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7 Reasons People Love Retiring In Jacksonville

 

It’s no surprise Florida is at the top of the list when it comes to states to retire in. With 1,3500 miles of coastline to choose from the difficult part is deciding where to settle down.

We’re here to make the case for Jacksonville. People move to Jacksonville for many reasons. It’s relaxing and fun, the neighborhoods and communities are welcoming and warm, the weather is great, and there are so many dining and entertainment options.

Keep reading to see the 7 Reasons People Love Retiring in Jacksonville.

 

1. The Suburbs are Welcoming

Jacksonville is home to numerous suburbs perfectly suited for retirement. The Riverside neighborhood is filled with volunteer organizations, while Orange Park is known for their close-knit community and local produce. You really can’t go wrong, as no one neighborhood is better than the other.

 

2. The Food Scene

With new restaurants popping up regularly, barbecue joints to satisfy your cravings, breakfast spots to start your morning on the right foot, and an array of interesting food trucks, there are so many delicious dining options in Jacksonville. When it comes to what the area offers, you’ll never run out of places to eat at.

 

3. The Proximity To Other Places

Jacksonville’s ideal location in Northeast Florida makes day trips easier than ever. Have friends in the next town over? Want to check out that new Mexican restaurant outside of the city? It’s no problem getting anywhere and everywhere. There are several short road trips you can take from the city that make for fun excursions.

 

4. The Amenities

Area Vibes gave the amenities in Jacksonville an A+. When it comes to getting groceries, going shopping, and grabbing a coffee, you really can’t beat what the city offers retirees. Not to mention the incredible parks, the amazing libraries, the entertainment options, and the number of great fitness centers. Jacksonville’s public transit is top notch as well, so getting around to see all these things is as easy as can be.  

 

5. The Low Cost Of Living  

People love retiring and living in Jacksonville because the cost of living is so low. In fact, it’s lower than both the state and national averages. The housing costs in Jacksonville are also a lot more affordable than in similar cities across the state, coming in at 5% less than the national average. Even transportation, utilities, and groceries all boast a lower than average cost.

 

6. The Golfing is World-Class

Do you enjoy hitting the links and spending time on the green? Or are you new to the sport and looking to work on your backswing? Regardless, the best golf courses in North Florida will be right around the corner from your new home. To name a few of the popular ones in the area, there’s the Bent Creek Golf Course, Panther Creek Golf Club, and Hyde Park Golf Club.

 

7. And, Of Course, The Weather

Aside from the weather elevating your mood, it also helps your overall health. The Arthritis Foundation shared a study from Tufts University in 2007, where they discovered every 10-degree drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental increase in arthritis pain. Your kids and grandkids will want to visit all the time due to your warm and sunny location.

The long and short, Jacksonville is a great place to retire and we’re happy to call it home ourselves.

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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES SALLY YOUSEF MCHANTAF

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Sally Yousef Mchantaf to the Mandarin/St. Johns office.

Sally joins Florida Network Realty as a Realtor with an extensive background working in the Human Resources Department, as an HRIS Specialist in the Mashreq region, for Kraft Foods. In this position, Sally managed the migration of Cadbury’s SAP system (EuHReka) to SHARP, Kraft’s SAP system during the integration phase between Kraft and Cadbury. She led the interface process between these two systems, and worked to troubleshoot that crossover, train all users to become certified SAP users, and audited the accuracy of all systems on a monthly basis – for all the HR systems for Egypt, Levant, and Algeria.

Originally from Egypt, Sally graduated from Ain Shams University in Cairo with a B.A in Business Administration. She is fluent in Arabic – her mother tongue – English, and French. As a Realtor, Sally is eager to utilize the skills she’s learned – in sales, marketing, and customer service – to help her clients buy or sell their house and to help guide them through each step of the real estate process.

“I am excited to welcome Sally to the Mandarin office! With Sally’s strong background in business, customer service, and sales I know she’ll find success here. Sally is a true people-person who takes pride in taking care of each of her clients’ individual needs. I am excited that she has chosen to begin her career as a Realtor with Florida Network Realty,” shares Christine Scalf, Broker/Manager of the Mandarin/St. Johns office.

For more information, Sally Yousef Mchantaf can be reached by phone at 732.895.4798 or at Sally.Yousef@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: JaxHomeCatchers.com. The Mandarin/St. Johns office is located at 11576 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32223.

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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES MARK STUART

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Mark Stuart to the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

“I am excited to welcome Mark to the Beaches office of Florida Network Realty. Mark is a very successful Realtor who is joining us from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. With over 100 million in real estate sales, his proven Private Client Services approach yields unmatched results for his clients. From your very first meeting to the final closing, Mark provides best-in-class service to his clients. He has the experience you can count on and the passion to make things happen even with the most challenging circumstances,” shares Don Cline, Assistant General Manager and Broker/Manager of the Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office.

For more information, Mark Stuart can be reached by phone at 904.990.8140 or at Mark.Stuart@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: PrivateClientRealtor.com. The Beaches/Intracoastal West and Southside office is located at 375-1 Atlantic Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233.

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BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES FLORIDA NETWORK REALTY WELCOMES ASHLEY GIBSON

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Network Realty is pleased to welcome Ashley Gibson to the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office.

Born and raised in Northeast Florida, Ashley is eager to launch her career as a Realtor with Florida Network Realty. Before joining the Ponte Vedra Office, Ashley was self-employed as a Floral Supply Wholesaler and in this position, Ashley honed her sales and marketing skills – marketing products, cold calling potential clients, managing customer relations and achieving her sales goals.

Ashley’s strong sales background and her ties and connections within the Northeast Florida community are sure to give her a ‘leg up’ in the real estate market of Jacksonville – helping her clients to find not only a house but a home in a community where they can settle in and put down roots.

Throughout Ashley’s adolescent years she played national volleyball and was blessed to have been able to play in eight different countries. She continued her love for the sport through college and have now transitioned into a different phase of her life where family is her passion. Ashley is a wife and a mother of three – a one-year-old boy, Easton, two rescue dogs and a rabbit.

“I am pleased to welcome Ashley to the Ponte Vedra office! With her business experience in sales and marketing and passion for helping others, I know that she is the path to success here at our company,” shares Holly Hayes, Broker/Manager of the Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office.

For more information, Ashley can be reached by phone at 904.994.2654 or at Ashley.Gibson@FloridaNetworkRealty.com and website: AGibson.FloridaNetworkRealty.com. The Ponte Vedra/Nocatee office is located at 333 Village Main Street, Suite 670, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082.

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