What do you love about Jacksonville?

[Jason]

Alright everyone.  With all of the negatives swarming this administration and the apparent lull in notable downtown/urban development, lets try a thread that focuses on nothing but the positives.

What is it that you love about Jacksonville?  What brought you here?  What is your favorite amenity?  Let's see if there is anything that someone might not know about.  What say you?!

[thelakelander]

Sure... here's a few.

1. The location.  Not many cities can lay claim to having a major river and direct access to the Ocean.

2. The history.  Jacksonville has enough of its bones left that we could completely turn its fortunes around with the right moves.

3. The Architecture of the core.  Most cities in the South (especially Florida), are pretty bland.  While our modern architecture is nothing to brag out, our historic stock is pretty impressive.  Not many cities can lay claim to their own Architectural style.  Jacksonville can with it's prairie school hybrid thats pretty dominant in Riverside, Avondale and Springfield.

4. We're ten years behind our peers.  While this can be viewed as negative, for those who are interested in urban real estate and redevelopment, this is a big plus.  This was a major factor in my decision to relocate to Jax a few years back.  I now have an opportunity to be a part of something that many places have already achieved.

[Ocklawaha]

I'll bite on this one Jason...

Food? Spirit? Hey, nothing beats Jacksonville's Southern Charm, the region takes a beating from Hollywood and the folks who believe we all belong to the KKK. But really? Jacksonville has a harmony, a spirit, a love of life which is just not found in other Cities. From the Southern Menus to the Jazz Festival. One of my fondest memories of this City was at the festival someone announced "let's join hands Jacksonville..." You could FEEL the air, it was electric.

Skyline? Okay, so it's not New York or Miami, but I think it is prettier then either. Ours is an unfinished master-work of some great cosmic artist. With our new Port announcements it's just a matter of time until it blooms.

History? Where else in Florida's major Cities can you find the legends that roll out of our Rivers, Inlets, Streets and Rails? Jacksonville IS FLORIDA HISTORY. We built the State, don't believe it? Read the books. Jimmy Buffet read of "Hero's and Crooks" while sitting under a distant Banyan Tree. Anyone wanna bet where those historic figures were from? Perhaps we don't see our importance as an outsider can. We are always first to downgrade our roles in the USA as Cowford. Yet, when a would-be World Leader took control in Germany, he ordered just two landings in the USA, Long Island New York, and where? JACKSONVILLE! Could it be that even the most evil man of recent history saw what we can't? Jacksonville, is the key to Florida.

If our City doesn't light your fire, your wood's wet!

Ocklawaha

[copperfiend]

The weather, the beach and the Jaguars.

[jbm32206]

When I first considered moving from the northeast, I was undecided between the Tampa area or Jax...I had visited both and liked both. I think what the clincher was...that although Jax is pretty good sized, it still held a small town kind of atmosphere. Yeah, that can also be a drawback, but for me, coming from a very large city, that's what I was looking for. A more laid back kind of tone and the diversity of people. I also love that there's still somewhat, seasonal changes.

I also like how here in Jax, you can drive through the various neighborhoods and you go from seeing the newer communities with little to no trees and every house looks the same, to the older areas such and Springfield and San Marco...where there's wonderful old houses...as well as pastures with cows and goats. It's a fantastic mixture, unlike most large cities.

True, there's a lot we need to do, like bring life to downtown...but overall, I love this city and have no desire to live anywhere else! All the complaints about this and that, are expected. There's always something with anywhere you live that needs correcting and/or changing...that's part of life.

[I-10east]

What, a positive thread on Metrojax! What happened to the doom and gloom and this is the worst city on the planet; I kinda missed that; Just kiddin'

As for what I love about Jax is basically everything; Where can I begin?

The Ritz Theater
The Florida Theater
Treaty Oak
Adventure Landing(Although we really need an amusement park)
The Big Jim
The Jax Landing
The SJTC
Maxwell House Plant and sign
The Beaches
The Jaguars and the stadium
The Suns and the Baseball Grounds
The Arena
Nearby beautiful St Augustine
The old neighborhoods like Springfield
The largest (I don't care what the haters say) park system in the country
The contrasting architectural styles from old to new
The Southern charm
The seven bridges
The DT skyline
The Navy bases
The large corporations like Winn-Dixie, CSX, Fidelity National Financial, Steinmart, Everbank etc.
The Mayo Clinic along with alotta other fine hospitals

This message is brought to you by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce

[Jason]

I created this thread just for you I-10 


The first thing I think of upon moving to Jax from Daytona is the downtown area.  Growing up at the beach left a lot to be desired but Jax has fulfilled that by having a truely urban experience and a beautiful downtown skyline surrounded by historic neighborhoods and majestic natural beauty.  The more time I spent in and around Jax I was constantly suprised by her rich and vibrant history and how this city, although still relatively small by comparison, had a big city feel and mentality.  Jacksonville has a lot of "firsts" throughout its history that instills a lot of pride and bragging rights

I also love the fact that Jax is so expansive which allows each area to develop its own personality but still be a part of a whole.  Also the natural settings that surround us are absolutely beautiful.  We have wonderful beaches, camping, hiking, swimming, urban entertainment, shopping, dining, sports, etc that is rarely more than 30 minutes away.  This city is also supprisingly easy to navigate because of its natural surroundings.