Location: Vero Beach, Florida

Alex MacWilliam Inc.

Known as “The Hamptons of Florida”, the charming, seaside community of Vero Beach is one of the most coveted destinations on Florida’s east coast. Refined yet unpretentious, the casual chic village attracts an affluent, social, and corporate elite that prefers the peaceful atmosphere, vast amenities, and premier attractions.

On the barrier island you’ll find lovely boutique shops, epicurean delights from casual to farm-to-table and fine dining, numerous parks and wildlife refuges, and 26 miles of pristine, uncrowded beaches. Around town is a sophisticated and diverse cultural arts scene offering a Broadway-quality producing theatre, an award-winning art museum, opera, ballet, jazz, the symphony, film studies, distinguished and celebrated lecturers and speakers, plus a thriving, eclectic Arts District and blossoming Arts Village located in Historic Downtown Vero on the mainland. The community is also known for its varied and unique ecological and recreational options from kayaking or canoeing through protected preserves, spending a day fishing in the lagoon, river, or ocean to golfing, surfing competitions and polo matches.

The ideal locale for living life to its fullest, Vero’s unique setting includes an emphasis on low scale commercial buildings free from urban sprawl and congestion. It offers visitors a host of refined hotels, chic motels, and family-friendly resorts and efficiencies. For those seeking a home here, residential styles abound from sophisticated Mizner to Cracker-style to Mid-Century modern homes, condominiums, and townhomes located in private, gated environs or bike, pedestrian and golf-cart friendly neighborhoods. Whether seeking a primary/secondary residence or a vacation escape, Vero Beach is an undiscovered coastal gem.

Vero Beach was named one of the best small art towns in America by John Villiani in his book: The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. The accredited, 55,000 square foot Vero Beach Museum of Art is the largest cultural arts facility of its kind on Florida's Treasure Coast.

Gloria & Emilio Estefan’s luxury beachfront resort, Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa, is truly an extension of their home. Infused with its own spirited personality and style, it is designed for guests who yearn for transformation over accommodation, customization over conformity, and inspiration over predictability.

Opportunities throughout the area to explore and experience nature are boundless. The Indian River Lagoon is the most environmentally diverse estuary in North America and the Sebastian River is another favored destination, with miles of lush jungle waterways.

Opened in 1941 by the colorful and successful Waldo Sexton, the Ocean Grill is a landmark, family-owned Old Florida-style restaurant that combines its ocean view with Tiffany-style lamps, wrought-iron chandeliers, paintings of pirates, and plates of consistently fine food.

America’s largest small town professional theatre, Riverside Theatre produces Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Regional Theatre quality works, a Distinguished Lecturer Series, the Comedy Zone, and a Children’s Theatre for a total theatre arts experience for all ages that entertains, challenges, and educates.

BUYING LOCAL

Vero Beach is an affluent, second home and vacation home community with miles of riverfront and oceanfront properties. Compared to many other affluent resort communities like Naples, Palm Beach, Miami and other areas of South Florida and the West Coast, people are discovering that Vero Beach property prices are truly a bargain.

* The average price of a riverfront home on Vero Beach’s barrier island increased 30% in 2015 to $2,031,132 from $1,555,525 in 2014 with the average number of sales decreasing 25% with 38 homes sold versus 51 sold in 2014.

* Oceanfront home sales on Vero Beach’s barrier island increased 70% in 2015 with 34 homes sold versus 20 in 2014 while the average price also enjoyed a 20% increase in 2015 at $3,342,346 versus $2,787,772 in 2014.

* As Vero Beach continues to be discovered by savvy homebuyers, it is expected that inventory of riverfront and oceanfront residences will continue to decline and prices rise due to demand.