Here we go with my second installment of our trip down south. This time it’s all about Ft. Pierce and St. Augustine, both located on the east coast of the Sunshine State.
We left Venice on March 1st and took the drive across the state to Ft. Pierce, where we stayed at a ‘new to us’ resort called Road Runner. Our friends who we met last year in Naples, pictured above, have stayed there many times for a couple of months at a clip so we thought it would be fun to check it out. Our stay was just for a week, but we made the most of it. The resort was quite nice, and it was the only one we’ve stayed in to-date that had an awesome restaurant on site. Everything was fabulous and probably contributed to my weight gain during our trip :(.
We never really considered Ft. Pierce as a serious contender to hang our hats, but we did take an informal look at a few places without a realtor while we were there. Prices are a bit lower, but the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ holds true here. Ft. Pierce has a nice little marina and beach area, but a good part of the town is a bit run down and could use some love. Although we didn’t see any hard evidence of it, we were told this area has a lot of gangs and drugs.
The beach near the downtown area was a great place to hang out on a nice day, and seeing fishermen clean their catch by the docks and watching the seagulls vying for their share is fun to watch.
Edited: oops…they’re pelicans!
One windy day we road our bikes a few miles north towards Vero Beach on A1A when I noticed it was difficult for me to pedal. I kept at it for a while, thinking it was the wind slowing me down. It wasn’t. I had a flat tire! Ugh! Fisherman went back to the car while I walked my bike for about a mile, found a bench and waited for his return.
Another day we drove to Vero Beach, which is a more upscale area than Ft. Pierce and quite nice. We were standing outside a realtors office looking at their listings when a realtor came out and started talking to us. We ended up going inside and he asked what we like and don’t like, and first on my list of dislikes are cookie cutter homes. He then showed us two homes that looked just like a million other homes in Florida, and proceeded to say ‘these are anything BUT cookie cutter’. I knew right then and there he probably doesn’t even know what cookie cutter means. You would think a realtor would, right?
One of the highlights of my week in Ft. Pierce was meeting one of my readers, Bev. We had a lovely time having lunch in a restaurant on the water, and she was full of great information about the area. She’s a snowbird, and in the summer she lives less than 2 hours from our place in Massachusetts in a one room school house she and her husband renovated.
We also took a drive to Jensen Beach, which is just south of Ft. Pierce. It has a very pretty downtown with lots of great restaurants and shops, and they’re always hosting street fairs where the artists display their wares and food and music is aplenty.
The week flew by, and before we knew it it was time to say goodbye to our friends and head to the oldest city in America, St. Augustine, for 10 days. We had been here for a couple of days two years ago for New Year’s Eve, but it was cold and rainy so other than some shopping and checking out the downtown area, we didn’t do much. This time was different. First up was a visit to the famous lighthouse, where we lucked upon a guide giving some history about the lighthouse, then we took the 219 steps to the top…
and we were rewarded with this view!
We also visited the Alligator Farm one day, and Anastasia State Park another, where we took a walk along the beautiful beach. Oh, and I have a story about that!
So…we decided to take a walk from the park to St. Andrews Pier, located about 1.5 miles away. We got there easily, had a nice lunch, and started walking back.
And walking.
And walking.
We were both thinking the same thing, but didn’t say it. Finally, Fisherman looked at me and said ‘this seems like we’re walking a lot longer than before’. He was right.
But we kept walking.
After all, we knew we couldn’t have missed the entrance back to the park, so eventually we’d get to it, right?
But we had missed it.
We ended up walking at least 2 hours and probably nearly 7 miles. We had no water, but thankfully it wasn’t very hot. Toward the end I really thought I was gonna drop dead! My ankle started to bother me, and it was just plain exhausting! What started out as a relaxing, beautiful day turned into the day from hell. But we lived to tell the tale, and here’s a photo of the culprit:
Now it’s time to talk about our house search, and our feelings overall about St. Augustine.
When we were driving down to Florida at the beginning of our trip, we met a couple who described St. Augustine as being, excuse my french, in the ‘shit squall’. They said its location is right smack in the middle of the fronts from the north and south, resulting in rainy, windy and cloudy weather. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but what I do know is there were some very chilly days while we were there and I would expect and hope that by March it would have been a little warmer.
Unlike Florida, St. Augustine doesn’t have a ton of gated communities, and the ones that we saw, while beautiful, were a bit remote.
The two main communities were World Gulf and Palencia . Both have tons of amenities and many pretty homes that don’t seem to be as cookie cutter as those you might find in Florida. Our realtor said they were 20 minutes from the beach, but that’s if there was absolutely no traffic and you’ve got the wind at your back ;). Not only that, they were at least 15 minutes from just about anything, not just the beach.
I didn’t take too many photos of the downtown area, but I found this site that has some lovely shots if you’d like to check it out.
We left St. Augustine with a neutral impression…hadn’t crossed it off our list just yet but we weren’t super enthusiastic about it either.
Here’s my list of Pros and Cons…
PROS
Historical city, with great restaurants and lots of cool shops
Located in St. John’s County, home of the highest rated schools in Florida
Good sense of community…after Hurricane Matthew, everyone pitched in and got the city back on track quickly
Many cottage style, charming homes reasonably priced
Fabulous Farmer’s Market every Saturday
Quick drive to Jacksonville or Daytona Beach
CONS
Felt somewhat ‘touristy’ to us
Gated communities were isolated
Weather not as nice as Venice, which has remained our fav so far
Although the homes were priced slightly lower than those in Venice, the differences are negligible
After thinking about it, we’ve crossed St. Augustine off our list!
Next up, last but not least, Hilton Head and Asheville!
I’ll leave you with a photo of the most adorable restaurant I’ve ever seen! Couldn’t you see yourself living there (and maybe the chef comes with)? Love the fence with the turquoise finials! Who knows, maybe I have one of those in my future ;).
In other news…
My favorite nursery is only opened 10 weeks out of the year, and I happened to stop by the first day they opened this week and shot some photos. I couldn’t buy anything because it’s a bit too soon for our area to have annuals outside, plus we’ll be away for a few days soon so I’ll wait until we return.
Drop dead gorgeous!
I’ve been doing some purging, room by room, and the upstairs is almost finished. I’ll start working on the downstairs this weekend.
I’m into full-blown domestic mode lately. I made a chocolate cake last weekend. It looks better than it tasted. The icing was way too sweet for my liking, but the cake itself was pretty good.
I’m considering making a beach bag (or two) with some leftover fabric I’ve had for ages, and I’ve got an ‘ice-bowl’ in the freezer right now. In case you don’t know, that’s a bowl within a bowl filled with ice and maybe flowers or citrus then frozen. Remove the inside bowl and voila! I’ll show you next time if it doesn’t explode in my face.
Every time I try to purge and I go through books or sewing supplies or whatever, I end up making stuff so I can make use of all my stuff and end up having more stuff.
Makes sense to me ;).
Kim says
Wait. Did I read that right? Those are seagulls? Wow, your seagulls could EAT our seagulls! 😉 Can’t wait to see Hilton Head.
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
What a good time in that week! I think St. Augustine does not sound like your perfect little paradise. Too many cons and don’t like the sound of the weather there. If someone has lived there and calls it that! then you’d probably better believe it! It sounds like there are so many neat places in Florida to explore and check out and probably many little towns you haven’t even been to. Would be hard to decide! Would you give up your place in Mass.? or travel back and forth. You may have said but I forgot already! Your cake looks so yummy.. I feel like baking something too and have been in the mood, for some strange reason, for pumpkin pie! Hum.m.m.m.m. Marilyn
Rita C at Panoply says
I’m really loving your assessments, Doreen. That lighthouse in St. Augustine looks like it was, perhaps, the highlight. Your conclusion of St. Augustine doesn’t surprise me. I’ll be very curious of your impressions of HHI and Asheville. I predict Venice will remain your top selection.
Your trek of a beach walk reminds me of something similar my husband & I did at HHI. Every look into the distance felt like a mirage, lol. It’s not the reason I don’t care for HHI, but it sure left a lasting impression.
You look totally adorable in your denim dress, and don’t appear to have weight gain. If so, it looks good on you!
Happy weekend.
tammy j says
i’m loving your florida critiques! I know it’s the mecca for many. but I have no desire to live there.
i’m voting for ashville. it’s so picturesque.
although… higher up it has been known to actually have an autumn and snow I think!
so for a sunny beach girl… might not be your real cuppa.
if they forced me to live in florida I think venice would be it.
but oh… that little restaurant with the aqua colored finials… YES! how dear is that!!! xoxo♥
and ps… how come you always look like a teenager in your pictures? you’re just a proverbial gidget!
Brenda Pruitt says
When I moved to this apartment, I purged ALL of my fabric. A twenty year stash at least. Then I’m not tempted to make more things than I’m purging! Pouring rain here. Dark and thundering. I’ve been going out on the edge of the patio and shifting water with my broom so I don’t get flooded.
Brenda
handmade by amalia says
So nice to join you on your adventures to such gorgeous places.
Amalia
xo
Kris @ Junk Chic Cottage says
Hi Doreen,
It is so fun to go along with your travels as you look into these areas for possibly settling down. I have been to St. Augustine’s and kind of had the same feeling you did. Nice but nothing really grabbing you to say yes I would love to live here. Lots of great history. Love hearing and seeing these pretty destinations with you.
susan says
Love your travelogues, Doreen. So much fun being part of all the wonderful places you visited.
Beautiful flowers – can’t wait until it gets just a tiny bit warmer so I can play in the dirt. I love filling pots
with lots of color. Brightens up our little courtyard.
Vera says
Doreen I have been out of the loop in Blogland and when I came to visit your latest post I realized I was missing much … how you capture and frame your moments in time to make us feel we are part of it, to your honesty in your assessments of the most enchanting places your heart takes you too. And oh those Pelicans – hungry little boogers aren’t they?!
xoxo,
Vera
Jenna says
Such a great post! You have some amazing photography skills! 🙂 Keep up the great work, I always love reading your posts!
-Jenna <3
Follow me back? The Chic Cupcake
AnnMarie says
What adventures you two get into! Makes for great reading! Looking forward to the next adventure….
Red Rose Alley says
St. Augustine sounds great! Those Pelicans are something else! One of my favorite things to do is go to the nursery. These flower pictures are beautiful, Doreen. The Pink ones look like Zinnias? The chocolate cake you made looks so Yummy. It’s festive, and would be perfect for the fourth of July. I think that’s great that you’re giving a few things away. It feels so freeing, doesn’t it?
Have a lovely Sunday, my friend.
~Sheri
Mary - the boondocks blog says
Doreen this was such an informative post. Certainly you don’t want to live in a neighborhood that has gangs and such. Florida is so beautiful it reminds me of Greece with that gorgeous blue sky. I am really looking forward to to your next assessment. I too agree with lots of the ladies that Venice is the place for you only because it is not on the Eastern coast and therefore will not be hit directly by hurricanes. The crazy things we factor into our ideal living location.
Love all your photos of the flowers.
Kelly says
I always enjoy reading about your trips. You live such a lucky life to get to travel everywhere with your husband and then back home again. I love St. Augustine for a vacation spot. I have no idea what it’s like to live there though. We’ve always gone during the summer and it’s VERY hot and humid. Yes, it IS very touristy too. I do love the old historic homes in the city though. Can’t wait to hear about your other adventures and where you’ll end up moving!
Carla TePaske says
I am enjoying the pros and cons page you are adding to your posts regarding the town.
I do enjoy traveling along with you. I am learning a lot.
I like idea of decorating the cake with berries.
Carla
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Well, you two are certainly doing your homework!…I know people who live in both Ft. Pierce and St. Augustine…I guess that is from me living most of my life in Florida….My niece lives in the downtown area of St. Augustine..she and her hubby love walking to restaurants and shops…They bought their home about a year ago and love it..they used to live in a development in the suburbs of St. Augustine…Good luck on your search and give me a shout if you need a tour guide in my area!
Cecilia says
I know the one time we drove through St. Augustine in June, there was a terrible storm. Scariest one I’ve ever driven through! Pretty place though.
What fun to check out all the different places.
Silly realtor not knowing what cookie cutter meant.
Purging is hard work…I get distracted too. Have fun making more stuff. Lol.
Hugs
Judy says
Doreen, I love seeing pics of people on vacation!! You look so relaxed and happy. All such pretty places and I’m sure you will find the right one, and think of all the fun you are having looking. Happy Week to you..Judy
Amy says
I think the iffy weather factor was reason enough to cross St. Augustine off your list! Plus, who wants to live where you had that day from hell, lol! I think you’ll just know when you find the right place for you (I’m guessing you might have – the suspense is building!). Those flowers are magnificent!
Melanie says
I have friends that have vacationed in St Augustine and loved it, but I don’t know anyone who lives there. I know it’s a big vacation spot, so I can see why you say it’s touristy. Can’t wait to see what you think about Asheville and other areas!
Cyn says
I’ve loved reading all your recaps and seeing all the pictures. My guess would be, that for me, I’d have to spend a summer month in one of those places to really be able to decide! Running from one air conditioned place to another doesn’t sound one bit fun. lol I found Texas to be like that, even in February!
I have a feeling you have already decided and I’m anxious to hear!
Dewena says
Now you know why we moved from FL back to TN, we knew you wouldn’t be moving to St. Augustine and why stay if Doreen was not there?
We were in St. John’s County too and the school system was one main reason prices were so high. But I loved getting to see your pics since I never made it 20 minutes down the road to see it myself. It did always seem like it would have more charm than PVB.
Our granddaughters and their parents will be returning to HH this summer so I’ll look forward to seeing pictures from there, and of course from my beloved Asheville–even if I know down deep that the beach girl you are will never settle there. Maybe a condo for July and August to get away from the Venice tourists? You are buying your lottery tickets, aren’t you?
Julie says
Hi Doreen, so nice to hear and read about the different parts of Florida. I do love that little yellow house too that your ate at. I love that cake you baked, it looks beautiful and I bet it was yummy. Good luck with deciding where to settle down in FL.
Take care and enjoy the weekend.
Julie
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
It’s very interesting to read about the different towns in Florida you’re considering.
Nancy says
I’ve been to St. Augustine. Old town is charming, but I don’t think I’d choose to live there. Your flower photos are gorgeous. Walking through our local nurseries is one of my favorite things to do. I just love the variety I find there. Your cake looks pretty amazing, Doreen. The beach photo makes me want to head for the coast. Have fun exploring! ~ Nancy