Where Is Stuart, Florida? A Guide to Living Near Sailfish Cay

"Stuart, Florida is a small coastal city on Florida's Treasure Coast. It sits in Martin County, between Palm Beach County to the south and Port St. Lucie to the north. Stuart is the county seat, and it is built where the St. Lucie River meets the Indian River Lagoon. Sailfish Cay, a D.R. Horton townhome community, sits on the south side of the city just off U.S. 1.

That is the short answer. The rest of this guide explains what that location means if you are thinking about living here. We cover where Stuart is on the map, what the city feels like, and why a new townhome in this spot may fit your life.

Where Stuart Sits on the Map

Look at the east coast of Florida. Find West Palm Beach. Now move north past Jupiter and Tequesta. The next county up is Martin County, and Stuart is its county seat and largest city.

Here are the simple facts:

• County: Martin County. Stuart is the county seat, so the county government offices are here.

• Region: The Treasure Coast. That is the name for the stretch of coast that runs from Martin County north through St. Lucie and Indian River counties.

• Water: The St. Lucie River runs through town. The Indian River Lagoon is just to the east. Across the lagoon is Hutchinson Island, where the ocean beaches are.

• Neighbors: Jensen Beach is to the north. Palm City is to the west. Port Salerno and Hobe Sound are to the south.

The City of Stuart has its own government, police and city services. Some homes with a Stuart mailing address are in the city itself. Others are in unincorporated Martin County. Ask which one applies to a home you like, because it can change which services and rules apply.

Where Sailfish Cay Sits Inside Stuart

Sailfish Cay is at 747 SE Central Parkway. That puts it on the south side of Stuart. SE Central Parkway meets U.S. 1, also called SE Federal Highway, right by the community.

Why does that matter? U.S. 1 is the main north-south road through town. Go north on it and you reach downtown Stuart. Go south and you reach Port Salerno and Hobe Sound. Kanner Highway, also called State Road 76, connects to I-95 to the west.

We wrote a full road-by-road guide in getting around from Sailfish Cay to downtown Stuart. We name roads there, not drive times. Drive times change with traffic and the time of day, so we leave them out.

What Living in Stuart Is Like

Stuart is not a big city. It feels more like a large town. There are no skyscrapers. The tallest things you see are usually boat masts and palm trees.

Here is what people tend to notice first:

• The water is everywhere. Boats, marinas and fishing are a big part of life. Stuart calls itself the Sailfish Capital of the World.

• Downtown is walkable. The historic downtown has shops, restaurants, a theater and a riverwalk.

• The beaches are close. Stuart Beach and Bathtub Beach are across the lagoon on Hutchinson Island.

• Parks are easy to reach. Martin County runs a long list of parks, boat ramps and trails.

If you like the outdoors, Stuart has a lot to offer. We list the best outings in our guide to things to do in Stuart, Florida. If the beach is your main draw, read our Stuart, Florida beach guide.

Is Stuart a Good Place to Live?

That depends on what you want. Here is an honest look at both sides.

Reasons people like it

• A slower pace. Stuart is smaller than the big cities to the south. Many people move here for that reason.

• Water access. You can fish, boat, paddle or swim without a long trip.

• A real downtown. You can walk to dinner, a show or the riverwalk.

• Healthcare nearby. Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital is in Stuart.

• Newer homes. Communities like Sailfish Cay give you a brand-new home with modern features.

Things to think about

• Fewer big-city extras. Some shopping trips and events mean a drive south to Palm Beach County.

• Hurricane season. This is all of coastal Florida, not just Stuart. It is one reason impact-resistant windows matter. Sailfish Cay homes come with impact-resistant glass windows.

• Home prices. Stuart is not the cheapest part of Florida. Newer homes cost more than older ones.

Why a Townhome in This Spot?

A townhome shares walls with the homes next to it. In return, it usually costs less than a detached single-family house in the same area.

At Sailfish Cay, every home is a two-story townhome. Every plan has a two-car garage and two and a half baths. The five plans run from about 1,497 to 1,915 square feet of air-conditioned space.

Townhomes at Sailfish Cay have recently started in the high $400,000s. Call 561-704-0091 for today's numbers, because prices and incentives change.

If you want to see how the five plans stack up, read Sailfish Cay townhouse floor plans compared. It puts every plan side by side.

Who Stuart Fits Best

Stuart tends to fit a few kinds of buyers well:

• Families who want a newer home with three or four bedrooms and a garage.

• People moving from bigger cities who want a calmer daily routine.

• Buyers who love the water and want boating, fishing or the beach close by.

• First-time buyers who want a new home instead of an older one that needs work.

If you are buying your first home, read our first time home buyer Florida guide. It walks through the steps in plain words.

Daily Life Near Sailfish Cay

Being on the south side of Stuart puts some daily stops close by.

• Groceries: There is a Publix at Wedgewood Commons on SE Federal Highway, south of the community. Another Publix sits in the Downtown Stuart Shopping Center to the north.

• Healthcare: Monterey Medical Center is on SE Monterey Road nearby. Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital is on SE Hospital Avenue.

• Recreation: Sailfish Splash Waterpark is a Martin County water park on SE Ruhnke Street, just south of the community.

• Air travel: Witham Field is Stuart's small public airport, east of U.S. 1. For airline flights, most people use Palm Beach International to the south.

Schools are a big part of daily life for families. We never tell you which school a home is zoned for. School lines change, and only the district can confirm them. Read our guide to Martin County schools and daily life for how to check.

What Comes With a Sailfish Cay Home

Every Sailfish Cay townhome comes with a list of included features. The kitchen has 2CM granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The bathrooms have 2CM quartz tops. The home has impact-resistant glass windows, a tankless water heater and a smart home package.

The full list is in our guide to what's included in D.R. Horton townhomes at Sailfish Cay.

Ready to See Stuart for Yourself?

Reading about a city only goes so far. The best way to decide is to drive the roads, walk downtown and step inside a model home.

We can set that up for you. We will walk you through the plans, the included features and today's pricing and incentives. Incentives change often, so it pays to ask what is being offered right now.

Call 561-704-0091 or book your Stuart and Sailfish Cay tour.

Common Questions

Want to see Stuart in person? Call 561-704-0091 or book a visit at nationalhousesearch.com/schedule."