Flagler Beach - Cool Town

About 20 miles north from Daytona Beach on A1A, you come upon Flagler Beach – a small beach town with a population around 5000.

Where the beach in Daytona is expansive with hard pale sand, the Flagler beach is much more narrow, and reddish in color. This seaside community is less crowded than its beachy neighbors, with fabulous fishing opportunities. The Flagler Municipal Pier is a good place for recreational fishing and other ocean activities. 

Flagler Beach is named after Henry Flagler, oil tycoon and Florida railroad developer, who was a key figure in the development of East Florida as resort and vacation destinations.

Flagler Beach has been voted one of America's 15 Coolest Small Towns list for seven consecutive years, and the only Florida town to receive this title! With its distinct personality, a little flair, its own style and pace, Flagler Beach demands a spot on that list, which is culled from almost 1000 small towns in the US.

What do you get when you go to Flagler? No condo skyline! Unpopulated beaches. Affordable hotels and motels. East-facing mom-and-pop restaurants where you can relax while gazing out onto the ocean. 

The aforementioned Flagler Pier is a historic structure, built in 1928. The Flagler Beach Pier is a great spot to capture some beautiful photographs—or some local fish. The pier has its own bait shop that sits on the entrance with tons of supplies available for rent. The pier is also a great place to watch surfers and families hanging out on the beach. For lunch, try one of the fun little restaurants in the vicinity.

Thirty-eight miles up A1A, along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, is St. Augustine. From Flagler Beach, it’s a great day trip with lots to explore in St. Augustine, as well as along the way: The research center Marineland Dolphin Adventure. 

And don’t miss Bulow Plantation Ruins – a historical site that stands as a monument to the rise and fall of Florida Sugar Plantations in the early 19^th century. 

So, whether you live along the Fun Coast or are just visiting, make sure to check out the charms of Flagler Beach! 

Referrals are how we build our business, and it is an honor to help your friends and family with their real estate needs.

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells 

Port Orange Has It All!

Most everyone has heard of the famous Daytona Beach. A destination for bikers, spring breakers, race fans, and beach lovers. But if you say you live in Port Orange, you are most often met with blank stares.
  

Port Orange is, of course, part of the greater Daytona Beach Area, and is a nice-sized city in its own right. Moreover, Port Orange has some claims to fame – so read on to find out more!

Port Orange is considered to be a principal city in the Fun Coast region of the state of Florida. The city's estimated population in 2013 was 57,203.

Port Orange was settled by John Milton Hawks who brought freed blacks to work at his sawmill after the U.S. Civil War. Esther Hawks established an integrated school in the area. The colony struggled soon after its creation and most colonists left. The area that became known as Freemanville is a legacy of the settlers that held on in the area.

Over the last 30 years, Port Orange has grown in leaps and bounds. It now features a broad spectrum of retail and entertainment establishments, fine restaurants, YMCA, library, and parks. Notably, Palmer Chiropractic college, which draws a younger-than-Florida-average population to Port Orange, is located in Port Orange.

Spruce Creek High School regularly makes the top 100 high schools in the US, and it boasts an International Baccalaureate program as well as an international award winning Jazz Band.

Among the top 10 things to do in Port Orange are the beautiful Sugar Mill Gardens and Cracker Creek . Trip Advisor has a comprehensive list. 

Port Orange is the 7^th safest city in Florida and the second safest city of its size (over 45,000 population). The police have a big presence, and it is generally known that you better not drink and drive – ever – but especially not in Port Orange! City council is very active in planning and expansion. If you want to get involved – and involvement is welcomed – the City of Port Orange makes it easy.The city has a Facebook page and so does the Port Orange Police! 

Whether you already live on the Fun Coast, or are considering a relocation to this area, Port Orange is worth your consideration! In addition to being a small city that has everything, it in perfect proximity to all other cities along the fun coast – Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ormond Beach, Ormond by the Sea, Flagler Beach to the north; Ponce Inlet, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater to the south. And of course it's a hop, skip, and a jump to Orlando!

Housing options include the gated golf communities, as well as many neighborhoods with moss draped oaks and water views along creeks, bays, and the beautiful Halifax River (Intracoastal Waterway).

Come to Port Orange 

and see what you’ve been missing!

  Referrals are how we build our business, and it is an honor to help your friends and family with their real estate needs.

Creative Florida Living 

Janet Sells