Consider Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida as a Retirement Community

My family and I happened upon Ponte Vedra Beach, in northern Florida, when looking for a place to relocate from New Jersey. We had former neighbors who had moved there as a family several years ago, and they raved about this piece of "Paradise". Unfortunately, at this time, PVB did not meet our needs (the closest high school was in another county, and we have a daughter who still has two more years of high school to complete.) But living in PVB for the month of August was a terrific learning experience; as my older daughter, who is 19, said when we left "I wouldn't mind living here - in another thirty years!" And that pretty much sums up how the entire family felt about PVB - a fabulous place to retire!

The closest 'big city' is Jacksonville, about twenty-five to thirty minutes' drive away. Jacksonville, having hosted last year's Super Bowl, is undergoing a cultural renaissance of sorts. Once thought of by most as a blue-collar, backwater town, Jax is raising the bar on attracting new residents, both retirees and families. They now boast their own symphony, philharmonic, zoo, and other lifestyle attractions which make it a very pleasant place in which to live. Not having to pay state income taxes is a huge bonus for all residents of Florida. Jacksonville itself, once thought of mainly as a seaport/navy town, is now developing its own identify as a good place in which to live and raise a family in a wholesome atmosphere. Housing prices in Jacksonville itself are extremely attractive - a four bedroom, 2.5 house in a nice neighborhood will run you in the range of $350,000 to $450,000. Bear in mind that there are also condos galore, as well as oceanfront properties and homes on the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) that range from $1,000,000 up to $8,000,000 plus.