Banner

RETIREMENT LIVING NAMES ST AUGUSTINE AS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE

Great Places to Retire

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine was discovered by Ponce de Leon in1513 and claimed for Spain. He named it La Florida. Over the next 150 years the area was first occupied by the French, then the Spanish. It was plundered by pirates, and clashes between the Spanish and British became more frequent after the English had colonized Georgia and the Carolinas. Hostilities ended in 1763 when Spain gave Florida to Great Britain in exchange for newly discovered Havana. But only 20 years later a second treaty returned it to the Spanish. Then, in 1821, Spain sold Florida to the United States. http://www.staugustinegovernment.com/

The state was occupied by the Seminole Indians at that time, and as settlers began to encroach onto the land, Indian wars ensued. By 1845 the area was finally safe for visitors, and Florida became the 27th state.

During the Civil War, St. Augustine was occupied by the Union Navy as part of its blockade of southern ports. In the late 1800s oil and railroad tycoon, Henry Flagler bought and made large investments in three of its grand hotels. Soon St. Augustine attracted the wealthy and became known as “Southern Newport.”

St. Augustine today is an historic city of 12,000 residents, with tourism as the mainstay of it’s economy. Its many historical sites, miles of Atlantic coast beaches, amenities, excellent fishing, and location along the Intracoastal Waterway all contribute to bringing nearly 2 million visitors each year. Much of its rich history has been preserved and is the foundation for tours, boat cruises, and museums. There are more than 50 attractions and historic sites.

Irene Arriola Real Estate, Inc.
81 King Street, Suite B Saint Augustine, FL 32084
Email: [email protected] | Office phone: 904.829.2002
Cell phone: 904.669.0691 | Fax: 904.829.2029