Is there a Marina Location Like Fernandina Beach ?

[squarpeg]

I am at Fernandina Beach city marina for the winter. I decided on this location because you are basically living in town. You do not need a car. It is a lovely town, tons of bars and restaurants which I frequent, quaint, and safe. The "publics" and walmart are an easy bike ride. Honestly I would stay forever but there is two things that could use improvement. Most importantly is the 2 huge papermills that are here. They are hard to take, depending on the wind. It is also somewhat colder then I would like, so anywhere south of here is in the right direction. What I really want though is a marina with a great walkable town, lots of restaurants and pubs at my door, I have been to ft Lauderdale and miami, to big, to much crime, expensive. I pay $13.00 a foot here. Maybe St Augustine and Coco Beach? Opinions please. Thanks

[wingNwing]

Check out Vero Beach - you can stay on a mooring for $15/day. Bus to town for groceries, restaurants, "everything" is free.

St Aug is a great town but won't be any warmer than Fernandina. OTOH, there's a great brewpub just across from the muni marina.

[colemj]

There is a small marina in New Smyrna that is right in the middle of town. Several nice little restaurants and bars, and you can walk to the beach side for lots more restaurants and bars. An ABC and a good hardware store are right in town, and the Public, Walmart, etc are a short bike ride away (they are even walkable).

Fort Pierce is another area that has marinas right in town, as does Stuart.

Mark

[Hudson Force]

I also like Vero Beach and New Smyrna. Fort Myers, Gulfport, Melboure, Tarpon Springs and Ortega River or River City Brewing in Jacksonville also have town center access.

[dennisjay]

We were docked in Fernandina Beach for five months a couple year's ago and loved it. Can't wait to go back and hang out at O'Kane's. Best Irish pub in the U.S.

However, we share you concerns about the paper mills and the cold. A nice walkable town is St. Augustine. The city just put out a new mooring field that looks to be affordable. Check it out. We will be there next month.

[markpierce]

Which of the 8 national flags do you fly?

[LostAtSea2011]

New Smyrna Beach.

[teejayevans]

Stuart has everything you want and more. Its warmer, beautiful riverwalk area with a park, shops, outdoor cafes, etc. Can walk to Walmart, Publix, ACE hardware, hospital; shuttle available if you desire. Moorings available, most new and nice marina.
Tom

[squarpeg]

Thank you all for the reply's I am going to check out these destination, for possible relocation next year. We definitely need a marina as opposed to a mooring.

[COCG47]

If you want to try the FL Gulf Coast, try the marina we are in - Pasadena Marina. Nice and small, walk to everything, pool, free WIFI, etc. Less than $13 a foot too.

[squarpeg]

Looked at St Augustine last weekend. The city marina looks like what I am looking for in terms of location, was somewhat more expensive then Fernandina, Does not have the paper mill issue, however I actually like the town of Fernandina better. St Augustine is just full of an endless stream of tourists. Fun for the day (when your one of them ) but a turn off over the long run. Town has some of that fake feel to it. No one mentioned Coco beach, is there anything there? I'll continue to look at your suggestions, Thanks again

[JanetGroene]

How about Daytona Beach Municipal Marina?

[squarpeg]

I have not been down to look at the marina in Daytona. I did visit that town quite a number of years ago and seem to remember it was kind of a seedy. I don't remember thinking highly posative things about it and I have not been back since. Maybe that is changed or my perceptions will be different. I will be going down that way so I should stop and see. Any thoughts on Daytona?

[motion30]

I guess it depends what you like but for my taste you are no where near far enough south to enjoy the warm weather you need to be south of central fl the keys are great

[speciald@ocens.]

Simpson Bay in Sint Maarten/ Saint Marten. Too far South? You can go every where by dinghy, no charge to anchor on the French side. Every boat need available, low price beer and booze. Easy access from airport to anywhere. Warm weather as well.