Alys, Rosemary, Watercolor

Paula, from everything you've said about your places...I think you are on the East end of 30A. PCB is East, not West of 30A..just a little detail that had been bothering me!:cool:

You're absolutely correct, goodwitch. Thanks for correcting me. I did the same thing about 3 years ago on this site and Kurt corrected me. I am east-end/west-end challenged. I am on the east end of 30A and love it for the reasons I mentioned. There are reasons to love just about any part of 30A -- it depends on what you're looking for.

😀

don't forget about these...

45393
47365
44325

It just could be the house for you! 😀

don't forget about these...

45393
47365
44325

It just could be the house for you! 😀

😀
could be, and i've already got a realtor. 😀

the streets are too narrow in rosemary for me, and i don't hang out there often watercolor is nice for all the reasons mentioned above, but there's a lot of flux over there now. there is quite a lot of green space within WC. Alys is quite bright, but the details have been thought out to the nth degree. andreas considers it his crowning acheivement. the level of finish detail is not seen anywhere else on 30a, and i don't believe the entire developement is zero lot line based, just the first phase everyone knows already.

ymmv

Josh,

Please do not be so sensitive - I did not mean to critique you - your writing just did not come across as opinion to me - does not matter at all though how I read it and you are correct that you were giving your opinion.

I am also not remotely interested in getting into an argument with you on this thread. My only point was to state that in my opinion, all 3 communities offer quite different architecture, landscape and amenities and an apple to apple comparison is difficult (again just my opinion).

And fluidity between communities means that it is very easy to go from one to the other and that is a good thing because one does not necessarily have to live in one of these to appreciate their amenities.

Dislaimer: Not trying to start another argument - just an observation, which of course is only my opinion.

As a casual bystander of this thread, it seems you were quite sensitive to what Josh wrote and jumped in to defend Rosemary and Alys against what was clearly his opinion (at least to me). It also came off as confrontational, for what it's worth.

Dislaimer: Not trying to start another argument - just an observation, which of course is only my opinion.

As a casual bystander of this thread, it seems you were quite sensitive to what Josh wrote and jumped in to defend Rosemary and Alys against what was clearly his opinion (at least to me). It also came off as confrontational, for what it's worth.

Does it matter? I think we've all agreed that each development has its good and bad points. We all have our reasons for liking one development more than another. However, all have great residents, interesting architecture, and desireable amenities. Any one of these places would be a great place to own a home.

Now lets move on.

Does it matter?

For the purpose of the question asked, no it does not matter. But it seems like there are just so many people on here that take offense when someone doesn't have the same opinion on something. Disputing facts is one thing, but opinions vary like the weather. Why must everything be so confrontational?

Now lets move on.

Ummm, with all due respect, you are not the boss of me.

For the purpose of the question asked, no it does not matter. But it seems like there are just so many people on here that take offense when someone doesn't have the same opinion on something. Disputing facts is one thing, but opinions vary like the weather. Why must everything be so confrontational?



Ummm, with all due respect, you are not the boss of me.

I'm offended. Are you trying to pick a fight? ;-)

I'm offended. Are you trying to pick a fight? ;-)

Nope, not at all, but it seems like of a lot of that going around. :lol:

Thank you spin, was seeing the same problem on here.

If you would buy a house in one of these communities, which one would you pick? please explain why, if possible. What other communities are worth looking at? Where are the best values?

Everyone has such different opinions and preferences that I don't know how their answers will help you. Unless, you can provide more information on what you qualities you like and dislike in a community and a home. Also, it would be helpful to know if this would be strictly an investment, primary residence, or second home. Are you looking for an interior home, or one with Gulf views or Gulf Front? Lastly, if you are considering Alys Beach, I assume that price is not an issue? If it is an issue, what are your price limitations?

I may like a drink of Malibu and Sprite, but don't expect to like it just because I drink it. ;-)

Everyone has such different opinions and preferences that I don't know how their answers will help you. Unless, you can provide more information on what you qualities you like and dislike in a community and a home. Also, it would be helpful to know if this would be strictly an investment, primary residence, or second home. Are you looking for an interior home, or one with Gulf views or Gulf Front? Lastly, if you are considering Alys Beach, I assume that price is not an issue? If it is an issue, what are your price limitations?

I may like a drink of Malibu and Sprite, but don't expect to like it just because I drink it. ;-)

Yes ? Smiling Joe just put it much better than me as did CCK! Answering some of these questions would be helpful.

Those communities are all great, but isn't the question really "where" within them? A house in the far corner of Watercolor may not even have near the same qualities as one that has quick access to the beachclub, Seaside restaurants and a pool or two. What I would love to know as a non-local is the "skinny" on spots in these communities.

Does anyone have a view on Cypress Dunes?

Lastly, it seems there are some magic spots along 30A where the savy buyer gets a house, close to the beach, his or her own private pool and close walking access to a great community without the association fee. I am thinking that Water's Edge is one of those spots, as well as Long Vue drive.........am I right?
:chill:

Smilin,

I will try. The property would be a 2nd home and an investment. Price is always an issue - meaning the property must combine good value & upside for the purchase price. I like all 3 communities. The location and style of Alys intrigued me - but I have not been down there in about a year. A place in Alys would not be a stretch, but if the value/upside/stability of Alys were not on the same level as any other communities, style and architecture become a secondary consideration. It seems that the price/SF in Alys is much larger than other areas, and question whether it is worth it.

Everyone has different opinions as to what they like and where they like it. I appreciate all of the feedback and enjoy reading why people feel a certain way about it - You folks know the area a helluva lot better than I, and am trying to gain as much local "scoop" as possible.

Sambuca, that is a little more helpful information, but still not nearly enough to be able to give you good info. You seem to be caring only about upside potential. Nothing wrong with that, it just isn't the norm for my buyers. Here goes my brief thought (at least I hope that I can keep it brief) based only on upside potential for those three communitites. WaterColor is probably the least expensive of the three, and there are plenty of ammenities and parks, and pools. Because there are already many existing homes in there, and many of those are currently on the market, sellers may be more willing to offer some good prices. Some are spec homes with the builders still holding on to the deed. If the builder bought the lot prior to 2004 he may not have as much in it and can underprice the competition. St Joe is undercutting the people who have already bought in order to get more cash in the bank. Personally, I like many things that WaterColor has to offer, and for me, it would feel a little more like home to me with much more land used as trails, Western Lake access, Publix down the street and close to Seaside, and centrally located east/west along 30A. I couldn't live year round, because of the numerous reasons summed up as, it is a second home and rental community. I think WaterColor has many more natural features than the other two, and it may be more bang for your buck if you can shop around and find someone who desparately needs to sell.

Which brings me to Alys Beach thoughts. Being that it is so new, there are not desparate builders and owners in there who are trying to sell, so you won't be finding those sales contracts covered in blood. You will pay a substantial price. It is IMO, the most distinct development in Walton County. The buildings are concrete, and may withstand a major storm better. I am not a structural engineer, but I would rather be in one of those houses when the mother storm hit rather than a stick frame home in WaterColor. The homes in Alys look more similar to me than the homes in WaterColor and Rosemary. Probably because they are all white. I like the feeling when inside the homes and courtyards because of the white walls bringing in so much light, but when outside without sunglasses, I have a very different opinion for the same reason of the enhanced light reflection. I think Alys Beach may become the place in SoWal where the who's who end up buying because of the privacy provided by the courtyards. I can easily see international buyers buying up Alys Beach. You said that it has been a year since you have seen it. It is growing rapidly. The pool is not like any other I have seen in the US resorts. It is not complete but coming together quickly. Personally, if I were buying in Alys Beach, I would buy one of the larger "compound" lots toward the northern part of the development. It is easier to escape the crowds, but still fairly close to everything. Go take a look at the house which is under construction on the compound lot. It is not your typical home, and I like it more than most homes I have been in down here. You need to think outside of the box when exploring it.

Rosemary Beach -- Where else have architects had the freedom to design some dream homes? This is one of the most architectural diverse communities I have ever seen. The thing I most dislike is that overly-crowded feeling I get when driving or walking through there. I love to look at the houses, but I find the tight lots make it difficult to see all of the beauty of the designs. Unless I am in a house overlooking an open courtyard, I just couldn't live there, and even then, I would still find it challenging. That community and general area are growing quite a bit and feels much better than it did two years ago. Expect strong prices, and there will be some upside potential on the right properties.

My personal order of preference would be WC followed by Alys Beach, then Rosemary Beach, if these were the only three I considered.

What a great analysis SJ! :clap_1:

Good job SJ!! :clap_1:

Well put Joe

Sambuca, that is a little more helpful information, but still not nearly enough to be able to give you good info. You seem to be caring only about upside potential. Nothing wrong with that, it just isn't the norm for my buyers. Here goes my brief thought (at least I hope that I can keep it brief) based only on upside potential for those three communitites. WaterColor is probably the least expensive of the three, and there are plenty of ammenities and parks, and pools. Because there are already many existing homes in there, and many of those are currently on the market, sellers may be more willing to offer some good prices. Some are spec homes with the builders still holding on to the deed. If the builder bought the lot prior to 2004 he may not have as much in it and can underprice the competition. St Joe is undercutting the people who have already bought in order to get more cash in the bank. Personally, I like many things that WaterColor has to offer, and for me, it would feel a little more like home to me with much more land used as trails, Western Lake access, Publix down the street and close to Seaside, and centrally located east/west along 30A. I couldn't live year round, because of the numerous reasons summed up as, it is a second home and rental community. I think WaterColor has many more natural features than the other two, and it may be more bang for your buck if you can shop around and find someone who desparately needs to sell.

Which brings me to Alys Beach thoughts. Being that it is so new, there are not desparate builders and owners in there who are trying to sell, so you won't be finding those sales contracts covered in blood. You will pay a substantial price. It is IMO, the most distinct development in Walton County. The buildings are concrete, and may withstand a major storm better. I am not a structural engineer, but I would rather be in one of those houses when the mother storm hit rather than a stick frame home in WaterColor. The homes in Alys look more similar to me than the homes in WaterColor and Rosemary. Probably because they are all white. I like the feeling when inside the homes and courtyards because of the white walls bringing in so much light, but when outside without sunglasses, I have a very different opinion for the same reason of the enhanced light reflection. I think Alys Beach may become the place in SoWal where the who's who end up buying because of the privacy provided by the courtyards. I can easily see international buyers buying up Alys Beach. You said that it has been a year since you have seen it. It is growing rapidly. The pool is not like any other I have seen in the US resorts. It is not complete but coming together quickly. Personally, if I were buying in Alys Beach, I would buy one of the larger "compound" lots toward the northern part of the development. It is easier to escape the crowds, but still fairly close to everything. Go take a look at the house which is under construction on the compound lot. It is not your typical home, and I like it more than most homes I have been in down here. You need to think outside of the box when exploring it.

Rosemary Beach -- Where else have architects had the freedom to design some dream homes? This is one of the most architectural diverse communities I have ever seen. The thing I most dislike is that overly-crowded feeling I get when driving or walking through there. I love to look at the houses, but I find the tight lots make it difficult to see all of the beauty of the designs. Unless I am in a house overlooking an open courtyard, I just couldn't live there, and even then, I would still find it challenging. That community and general area are growing quite a bit and feels much better than it did two years ago. Expect strong prices, and there will be some upside potential on the right properties.

My personal order of preference would be WC followed by Alys Beach, then Rosemary Beach, if these were the only three I considered.

Looks who's been going around -sans moi???? Excellent analysis btw - you are always so fair and balanced...