DISCOVER STUART, FLORIDA
MARTIN COUNTY - SEE ALL IT HAS TO OFFER
Welcome to Paradise in Stuart, Florida, located in Martin County, a colorful mixture of several small communities clustered around expansive waterways flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. Discover the communities of Stuart, Palm City, Sewall's Point, Jensen Beach and Hobe Sound, Florida. Those familiar with its countless amenities consider it the gem of Florida's popular Treasure Coast, located a few miles north of Palm Beach on the beautiful South Atlantic Ocean.
Following are a few reasons why Martin County has been "discovered" as the nearest thing to paradise in the continental United States.
DELIGHTFUL SEMI-TROPICAL CLIMATE
Benefited by the Atlantic's southeast trade winds, the nearby Gulf Stream and one of America's largest fresh water lakes, Lake Okeechobee, on the west, Martin County enjoys a pleasant year-round climate similar to Hawaii's with an average annual temperature of 73 degrees.
Located just south of the "frost line," it rarely freezes in the winter and does not suffer the extreme heat waves sometimes experienced by such cities as Chicago, Washington, or Phoenix. Overall, the climate generally is considered superior to that of Florida's west coast.
CLEAN AIR
Ocean breezes, low density of population and the absence of "dirty" industry mean clear skies -- no air pollution -- no smog!
EXTRAORDINARY COMBINATION OF OCEANFRONT AND INLAND WATERWAYS
Beautiful water views almost everywhere you go, 200 miles of navigable waterfront, and comfortable year-round water temperatures make Martin County a paradise for avid boaters. The breadth of these waterways means very few "no-wake" zones.
A BOATING & FISHING MECCA
Martin County has received international recognition for its excellent sail fishing. Other big fish regularly caught offshore include dolphin, wahoo, cobia, grouper, African pompano, kingfish, and snapper, to name a few. The warm surf along miles of uncrowded beaches also produces a great variety of fish including whiting, croaker, pompano, snook and tarpon; and the inland waters are famous for their giant snook (to 40 inches and 40 pounds), big redfish, sea trout and tarpon.
AN INLET TO THE ATLANTIC
A convenience not enjoyed by every seaside community, makes possible this wide variety of boating and fishing opportunities, letting fish in and the boats out!
LAKE OKEECHOBEE
Located in the western portion of the county and the Savannas in the northern portion are known for their prize bass.
BOATING "HIGHWAYS"
The Intracoastal Waterway -- up to a mile wide in Stuart -- will take you south to Key West or north as far as you want to go. The Okeechobee waterway spans the state and will take you all the way from the Atlantic to the Gulf of Mexico making it the only cross-shore waterway to the west coast of Florida.
LOCATION
Martin County enjoys easy access to I-95 and the Florida Turnpike which makes it conveniently located to other Florida destinations as Palm Beach, Miami or the Keys to the south, and Orlando, Cypress Gardens and Kennedy Space Center to the north.
West Palm Beach International Airport is only 45-60 minutes away, and there is a local airport for private planes.
PROXIMITY OF CARIBBEAN ISLANDS
A whole sea for exploration is at your doorstep with the Bahamas but a few miles offshore -- minutes by air, and 4-5 hours by boat. Easy access to the Ports of Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami make cruising the more southerly islands an enjoyable possibility.
NATURAL BEAUTY
Martin County, just south of the "frost line," offers the exotic natural beauty that only a tropical or semi-tropical climate can provide: lush greenery fed by the tropical rains, towering palm trees swaying in the trade wind breezes, majestic Banyan trees so large you sometimes drive through Banyan "tunnels," and yellow, pink and red hibiscus that won't stop blooming. The South Florida flora, coupled with the omnipresent waterways and their verdant islands, produce magnificent vistas in every direction accentuated by the spectacular bird life: pink ibis, roseate spoonbills, great gray herons, white egrets, diving pelican, soaring osprey and eagles, celebrated storks, and dancing sandhill cranes. And to top it all, there are those breathtaking sunrises and sunsets -- a product of beautiful skies and extensive reflective water.
YEAR-ROUND GOLF AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Only minutes away from anywhere are 31 beautiful golf courses in exciting tropical settings -- championship courses by such great designers as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Pete Dye. If golfing is not your pleasure, you may choose one of the areas many popular activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing, boating, fishing, tennis, baseball, and football to mention a few.
FRIENDLY PEOPLE LIVING AN INFORMAL, RELAXED LIFESTYLE
Considering the local population's casual attire, you wouldn't know that their per capita income is one of the highest in the state. The many advantages of living here have attracted some of the country's most successful people -- good neighbors!
SCHOOLS
Our school system is one of the finest in Florida. A very high percentage of our high school graduates move on to the finest universities and colleges in the nation. In addition to the public school system which has been expanded within the past five years, there are also parochial and private elementary schools. On the college level, Indian River State College, Barry University and Florida Atlantic University operate branches in the surrounding areas.
LOW DENSITY POPULATION
As the least urbanized of any area on the Southeast Coast of Florida, Martin County is known for its controlled growth policy to avoid some of the problems experienced by other popular communities. For example, you will not see any "high rises" in Stuart. Local ordinances prohibit building anything more than four stories high and new developments are required to include major "green areas."
LOW CRIME RATE
Martin County is considered one of the safest communities to live in anywhere. Professional criminals are almost nonexistent. That's why there has been such an influx of new residents seeking a level of safety they did not enjoy where they came from.
REVITALIZED DOWNTOWN
The largest community in Martin County is Stuart. Now the beauty, safety and fun of this charming city have been enhanced by the revitalization of its "old town" neighborhood, one of the most delightful attractions in the whole area with its riverside boardwalk, tree lined streets and sidewalks, variety of restaurants, and quaint shops of every kind.
SHOPPING AND DINING
In addition to Martin County's many restaurants, it offers a number of attractive shopping malls, including Treasure Coast Square with 1.3 million square feet under roof and five major department stores. For the shopper who wishes to expand his or her horizons, the Palm Beaches are just 30 to 45 minutes away.
TAXES
Florida is one of only a handful of states having no state income tax! Local taxes generally are lower than they are in better known cities.
ARTS
Although it maintains a small-town atmosphere, Martin County still provides some of the culture of the larger cities. Community theater, art galleries, art festivals, museums, and proximity to Palm Beach and Orlando are just a few of the cultural amenities to be enjoyed.
REAL ESTATE
Martin County offers a wide variety of affordable choices for the home buyer. Whether you desire luxury living on the ocean or waterways (Martin County has more waterfront property than any other county in the state.) or prefer the seclusion of more open spaces, Martin County has it all.
MEDICAL
Three area hospitals have provided Martin County with a multitude of medical professionals, leading-edge technology, and medical specialties. Martin Memorial Hospital was named one of the nation’s top 100 orthopedic centers and support staff in December 2000. The area also provides nursing home facilities, rehabilitation centers, and a variety of senior services.
MARTIN COUNTY BECAUSE...
ARTS & CULTURE
Arts Festivals - Chautauqua South
Arts Galleries/Studios
Barn Theatre
Elliott Museum
Lyric Theatre
Movie Location - 007 Moonraker - N. Fork of St. Lucie River
National Recognition for Main Street Renovation Program
Performing Arts Center - Kravis
Proximity To Palm Beach/Orlando
BOATING
Access to the Bahamas - 52 Miles Offshore
Gulfstream provides natural cleansing/fish movement
Inlet To The Atlantic
Marinas
Only Cross State Canal/Bahamas
Sailfish Club
Very Few "No Wake" Zones
BUILDING RESTRICTIONS
Environmental Restrictions
Four-Story Limits
Low Density Developments
No Parking Meters
Setbacks/Green Space
Tree Lines Visible
LOW CRIME RATE
High Per Capita Income - Low Crime
24-Hour/7-Day Sewall's Point Police Coverage
FISHING
Gulf Stream
Inlet To The Atlantic
International Recognition for Sail/Bass Fishing
Salt/Brackish/Fresh Water Fishing
Surf/Wading/Bridge Fishing
Year-Round World Class Fishing
GOLF/SPORTS
Baseball Stadium
Children's Programs
Diving
Football - Dolphins
Flying - Airport
Free Beaches
27 Golf Courses designed by nearly all top nationally known designers/Several Public
Hunting
Snorkeling - Man made Reefs
Tennis Clubs
Windsurfing
United States Training Center for 1996 Laser Sailing Team
Year-Round Season
YMCA
LOCATION
Bahamas Several Miles Offshore
Florida Turnpike
I-95
Local Private Airport
Palm Beach International Airport
MEDICAL
Leading-Edge Technology
Medical Specialties
Multitude of Medical Professionals
Nursing Homes
Rehabilitation Centers
Senior Services - Meals, Transportation
Three Area Hospitals
NATURE
Bird Watching - Sanctuaries
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
North & South Fork St. Lucie River
Savannas State Park
Sea Turtles, Manatee, Dolphin
SCHOOLS
Barry/FAU/IRCC
Environmental Center
Less Competitive
Private/Number Of Students Per Class
SAT #2 In The State
Student Enhancement Programs
SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Driving Style
Feeling of Trust - Miami In the 50's
Historic Value
Laid Back Atmosphere
Friendly People
Quality Restaurants
Renovated Downtown
Small Town Atmosphere
TAXES
Lower local taxes
No state income tax
WATERFRONT
Affordable Variety
Boat Ramps Good
Elevation
Mile Wide Rivers Vs. Narrow Tributaries
Oceanfront - Four-Story Limit
Purchased Access To Beaches
200 Miles Of Navigable Rivers
WEATHER
Below The Frost Line
Between 2 To 7 Degrees Of Average Mean Temperature Of Honolulu
Clean Air
East Vs. West Coast Florida - Ocean Breezes
Gulf Stream
No Smog
Parallel to Acapulco
Tropical Island Atmosphere - Palm Trees
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