Often referred to as the nations oldest city and a tourist hotspot Saint Augustine is also home to about 14,000 residents, if you're one of those 14,000 this article is for you. Growing up in this town I definitely faced some pretty unique situations and struggles, if you hail from this historic city chances are you probably have too. (and if you're not a local consider this your cheat sheet and insight to some of St. Augustine's greatest quirks)
1) "I'm caught on the bridge"
Let's start with the obvious if you are from St. Augustine you have had to deal with "The longest bridge of my entire life" and sometimes the bane of your existence, also know as The Bridge of Lions. Being the primary way to commute between downtown and the island there is always ongoing traffic, this however isn't the problem the problem is that the Bridge of Lions is a drawbridge and what seems like every five minutes the bridge goes up for just the right amount of time to make you late for where ever it was that you really needed to be on time to. That being said "Sorry I was caught on the bridge" has become one of St. Augustine natives most used and viable excuses.
2) The struggle that is downtown parking
With St. Augustine being a small town, the list of things to do isn't exactly extensive so going downtown is usually pretty high on that list. Just prepare to leave your house an hour early because you will be circling the fort parking lot 23 times before giving up and just parking in Lincolnville.
3) The number one traffic jam aka the horse and carriage.
If you're driving downtown and you're wondering why everyone in your lane is suddenly going .05 miles per hour, 8/10 times you're stuck behind a horse and carriage aka a tourist mobile.
4) Trolleys
The other 2/10 times, you're stuck behind a trolley.
5) Leo
If St. Augustine has to have a mascot let it be Leo Bloomfield. If you don't know him by name you are sure to know him by his cheery demeanor and his shorts, mostly his shorts. To find him just look for the beard, the eye patch, and of course the bright green shorts.
6) Seeing the Nights of Lights being set up and mentally preparing yourself for the hailstorm that is tourist season.
What was rated by USA Today as one of "The top 10 light displays in the country" is better known by the locals as tourist central. As beautiful as the display and tree lighting ceremony is most natives will be catching it from the other side of the bridge.
7) Walking downtown thinking, Jack Sparrow is that you?
If you see a pirate or what you think might be Christopher Columbus don't worry you're not going crazy, it's just an average weekday morning in downtown St. Augustine.
Overall these are just a few of the traits that make St. Augustine a uniquely charming place to live, pirates and all.
