Before I take out-of-town buyers to look at homes in Martin County, I like to pull out a map and show them the water. Most people already have the Atlantic Ocean in mind when they picture living in Florida. What catches them by surprise is how the St. Lucie River winds through our communities, how the Indian River Lagoon follows the coastline, and how much time they could spend on the water without ever heading offshore.
I’ve spent more than 25 years helping people buy and sell homes on Florida’s Treasure Coast. I still catch myself looking down when I cross one of our bridges, but the view is only part of what’s kept me here. In this episode of Florida Explained, I share seven things I love about living in Martin County, from dinner and a show in downtown Stuart to the people who make this place feel like home.
1. You can get out on the water in Martin County, even without a boat
From Stuart, boaters can follow the Okeechobee Waterway inland across Lake Okeechobee and continue all the way to Florida’s Gulf Coast. Closer to home, the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon give you plenty of options for an afternoon of fishing, cruising, kayaking or paddleboarding.
If you love the idea of taking a boat out but have little interest in storing or maintaining one, a local boat club is worth considering. You can also enjoy a perfectly good afternoon on the Stuart Riverwalk watching the boats go by, and nobody’s going to hand you a repair bill when you get home.
2. Downtown Stuart makes dinner and a show an easy evening out
I remember when downtown Stuart had a handful of shops, a restaurant or two, and a Lyric Theatre that had seen better days. Today, one of my favorite evenings starts with dinner downtown with friends and ends with a short walk to the Lyric for a performance. It’s an intimate theater, and I appreciate having a place to see talented artists right here in Stuart.
Downtown is just as enjoyable when you have nothing planned. You can browse the boutiques and galleries, walk along the waterfront and decide where to eat as you go. Although if you’re going with my friends, you may want to allow a little extra time for that last part.
3. It’s easy to get to know people in Martin County
Over the years I’ve spent volunteering with local organizations, I’ve seen how generous people here are with their time. Schools, charities and community groups have a way of bringing longtime residents and newcomers into the same room to work on something they both care about.
I call it the Martin County infusion. Someone moves here from across the country, gets to know a few neighbors and, before long, is the one waving hello and welcoming somebody new. That’s one of the things I value most about living here, especially after watching the area grow.
4. The beaches, parks and golf courses give you plenty to do outdoors
A free Saturday in Martin County could mean a walk at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, an afternoon at Indian Riverside Park or a beach day on Hutchinson Island. Golfers can choose from public courses and private country clubs, and there are plenty of ways to stay active if you’d rather play tennis or pickleball, ride a bike or get out on a trail.
People sometimes tell me they’re moving here to slow down. Between the golf, the boating and the beach, I always wonder where they’re going to find the time.
5. There are good places to eat in Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City and Hobe Sound
One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon is at a casual waterfront restaurant where we can linger over lunch and watch the boats. When I’m catching up with a friend I haven’t seen in a while, I’d just as soon have a quiet table where we can hear each other without having to lean halfway across it.
That’s what I appreciate about the locally owned restaurants around Stuart, Jensen Beach, Palm City and Hobe Sound. We have places for both kinds of meals, and going out for a good dinner can be as simple as staying close to home.
6. Martin County homes range from oceanfront condos to horse properties
A buyer who wants to drink coffee overlooking the Atlantic and leave the landscaping to someone else might start with oceanfront condos on Hutchinson Island. Someone who wants room for horses, a garden or more land should see western Martin County. It still surprises people that an equestrian property and an oceanfront condo can turn up in a search of the same Florida county.
In between, you’ll find single-family homes with backyards and private pools, townhomes and villas with less exterior upkeep, and country club communities with golf, dining and fitness facilities. When I help buyers narrow that list, I want to know what they’d like to do on an ordinary weekend and what they’re willing to maintain when they get home. That tells me as much about where to start looking as the number of bedrooms they need.
7. West Palm Beach and Palm Beach International Airport are within reach
I enjoy living in Stuart and being able to head south when I want the shopping, restaurants or cultural attractions of the Palm Beaches. Depending on where you start in Martin County and what traffic is doing, downtown West Palm Beach can be roughly 45 minutes to an hour away, sometimes longer. Palm Beach International Airport is also a practical option if you travel for work or make regular trips to see family.
What I appreciate most about that drive is coming home. After all these years, I still look forward to crossing the water on my way back to Stuart, making plans with friends downtown and running into someone I know. Those are the things I’d miss if I ever left.
If you’re thinking about moving to Florida’s Treasure Coast, I’d love to hear what you have in mind for your life here. Whether you’re picturing a condo on Hutchinson Island, a neighborhood in Palm City or a home close to downtown Stuart, I can help you decide where to start. Contact Maria Wells at Lifestyle Realty Group.
If you already call the Treasure Coast home, tell me in the video comments what you love about living here. You can find more of my local neighborhood tours on Maria Wells’s YouTube channel.