Originally featured on the Parade of Homes Jax website as part of the 2026 Parade of Homes.
If anything was meant to be, it was the way the Nicholson family found their way to Nocatee. What started as a Ponte Vedra getaway and a casual “if the opportunity ever presents itself” quickly turned into an unexpected call that made it all a reality.
In 2023, Yahara and Ryan Nicholson with their two young children. When Ryan traveled to Orlando for a work conference, they turned it into a family trip, then carved out four kid-free days by leaving Kelan (now 7) and their daughter Mariela (now 5) with Yahara’s parents. They headed north to Ponte Vedra Beach, fell hard for the area and caught themselves saying what so many visitors say: We could see ourselves here.
Three months later, out of the blue, Ryan got a call about a job opening at Sawgrass Country Club. By October, the Nicholsons were unpacking in their new neighborhood, Palm Crest at Seabrook.
Now, two-and-a-half years later, they say Nocatee is everything they hoped it would be. Between standout amenities, a genuine sense of community and a lifestyle built around kids, connection and the outdoors, Yahara compares it to resort-style living.
Before the move, the Nicholsons asked people they trusted where they should live. The answer was always the same: Nocatee, and their first visit confirmed it. It happened to be Food Truck Friday, and the community felt instantly alive — kids running freely, families gathered outside and preserved land and trails woven throughout. It felt like a nature sanctuary designed with families in mind.
“There’s always something to do. There’s always people to hang out with, and everyone else we meet has kids,” Ryan says.
That sense of community now defines their routine. The Nicholsons have built a tight group of friends, several families they do everything with and their kids move easily between houses, part of what Ryan calls “this roaming band of kids.” The kind of old-school neighborhood freedom that feels increasingly rare.
It helps that the community is designed for it. Parks, trails, ponds, pools, splash parks, playgrounds and sidewalks are everywhere. One fun local tradition has become a family ritual: playground hopping. “There are so many playgrounds, and you don’t have to stick to just yours,” Yahara says. “We like being able to hop around.”
Being near the water is central to the family’s lifestyle. Mickler’s Landing Beach is close, and the kids spend hours at neighborhood pools, splash parks and water parks. “Being less than 10 minutes from two water parks is really cool,” Yahara says. “Our kids are water babies.”
For Ryan, who grew up in the Midwest, fishing was a defining part of childhood, and sharing that tradition with his son mattered deeply. After the move, he bought Kelan his first fishing pole and began taking him to nearby fishing ponds. Kelan “was totally amped up,” and the outings became one of those bucket-list experiences Ryan had long imagined.
Daily life in Nocatee feels safe and easy. The community's schools are excellent, and the family appreciates being close to shopping and dining as the Town Center continues to grow. Favorites include Catullo's Italian and Coastal Wine & Tapas. "We lived in Napa for a couple of years," Ryan says. "So, the wine market's a good place for us to be." They also take advantage of their proximity to St. Augustine. "It's 25 minutes to downtown," he says. "We'll just hop in our car, head down, and hang out for the evening."
Their current home, built by Providence Homes, sits on a quiet cul-de-sac surrounded by preserve land. The Magnolia floor plan, one of only two in the neighborhood, stood out immediately for its curb appeal, yard, open layout and the builder's attention to detail. The cul-de-sac has become a gathering point — their own little town square. "The kids ride around on their bikes and motorized vehicles, and our neighbors are nearby," Yahara says. "We all get together. It's a great house and a great spot."
For the Nicholsons, Nocatee is home for the long term. They are already planning their next chapter within the community, a larger space to support their evolving needs. After years of talking about building, they secured one of the final lots in Reflections at Seabrook and are beginning the design process with Dostie Homes.
"Nocatee is almost done building," Yahara says. "We wanted to get in before there's nothing left." As Yahara puts it, "If we're going to build, which we've always wanted to, now is the time to do it."
"There isn't anywhere better if you have little kids," Yahara says.
Ryan is quick to add that life in Nocatee "speaks for itself." When his aunt and uncle came down to visit, they returned home with a contract on a house. "They're a different generation than we are with young kids," Ryan says. "But they have really come to appreciate it, too. There's something here for everybody."
For more information about new homes at Nocatee, explore www.Nocatee.com, stop by the Nocatee Welcome Center or call 904-924-6863.