What it really costs to live in St. Augustine after you move to Florida

"What does it really cost to live here?" is one of the questions we hear most from people moving to St. Augustine, St. Johns County and Palm Coast. The home price is only part of the answer. Here's what to budget for, and the steps that protect you.

Property taxes and the homestead exemption

Florida property taxes are based on assessed value, and they can look very different for a new owner than for the seller who's lived there for years. Once you own the home and live in it as your permanent residence as of January 1, file for homestead exemption by March 1 with the county property appraiser.

Homestead lowers your taxable value. It also brings you under Florida's Save Our Homes cap, which limits how much your home's assessed value can rise each year. That's why the seller's tax bill is not a reliable preview of yours.

Homeowners, wind and flood insurance

Insurance is the cost that surprises people most. Get homeowners, wind and flood quotes during your inspection period, not after. A few things that move the number:

• Flood zone. In Zone AE, lenders require flood insurance. Ask for an elevation certificate.
• Age of the home. Older and historic homes usually need a 4-point inspection and a wind mitigation report for insurance.
• Roof, electrical, plumbing and HVAC. These affect whether and how a home can be insured.

If you're looking in the City of St. Augustine, our neighborhood guide notes where elevation matters most.

HOA dues and CDD assessments

Resort-style amenities in St. Johns County usually come with HOA dues and often a CDD, or Community Development District. A CDD paid for the community's roads, utilities and amenities, and it's billed on your property tax bill, not with your HOA dues.

A CDD has two parts: a debt portion that stays flat until the bonds are paid off, and an operations portion that can change each year with the district budget. Ask for the current assessment and the bond payoff year, then add CDD, HOA dues and taxes together to compare the true monthly cost of each community.

New-resident to-dos

• Driver license. Florida gives new residents 30 days to get a Florida driver license.
• Vehicles. Plan to title and register your vehicles in Florida.
• Homestead. Put January 1 and March 1 on your calendar.

Visit in summer before you commit

St. Augustine in March and St. Augustine in August are different experiences. If you can, visit in summer before you commit, and explore like a resident: run errands, drive at rush hour and see the neighborhood on a weekday.

How we help you budget

Our Homebuyer Journey starts with how you want to live and what you want to spend each month, not just a price range. When we compare communities, we put HOA dues, CDD assessments and insurance considerations side by side so there are no surprises after you move.