Why do you stay in Jacksonville?

[fsujax]

so true field. Many out of towners love visiting and enjoy the riverfront downtown. it's the locals that are so negative.

[jcjohnpaint]

Oh and Memorial park riverfront is gorgeous! 

[NotNow]

This is a beautiful and blessed area of the country.  I choose to live here for many reasons.  Would I change some things if I could?  Yes.  But I won't bitch about what I can't control.  Work for what you want, but enjoy all of the wonderful weather, people, nature, etc. that Jacksonville has to offer.

[dougskiles]

I am going to write in 'fieldafm' for mayor.  That was an inspiring message and what I call VISION.

Thanks.  I don't feel so bad about my stolen bike now.

[finehoe]

Many out of towners love visiting and enjoy the riverfront downtown. it's the locals that are so negative.

Perhaps it's the difference between being in Jacksonville a day or two as compared to actually living here.

[dougskiles]

Many out of towners love visiting and enjoy the riverfront downtown. it's the locals that are so negative.

Perhaps it's the difference between being in Jacksonville a day or two as compared to actually living here.

The same could be said about every city that we compare ourselves to.

[mtraininjax]

$2 Natty Light Draft at Chicago Pizza along the water. Great place to watch the people go by on a Sunday afternoon.

[Wacca Pilatka]

FieldAFM, that was a wonderful post that echoes how I feel about Jacksonville.

I'm a (frequent) visitor, so perhaps my opinion could be dismissed as that of someone who only experiences Jacksonville for a few days at a time.  But I also read up on the city every day.  This site has made me far more aware of Jacksonville's shortcomings, but it has also made me love it more.

I love Jacksonville's history, architecture, natural setting, football team, and warm and friendly people more than I could adequately express.  I love my area too, and my job and friends are here and family nearby, but I would live in Jacksonville cheerfully and without questions but for those factors.

[simms3]

Many out of towners love visiting and enjoy the riverfront downtown. it's the locals that are so negative.

Perhaps it's the difference between being in Jacksonville a day or two as compared to actually living here.

This.  I think pretty much any place that's new/foreign/possibly exciting is fun to visit.  Living is an entirely different matter.

Plus, when I am in town and I encounter visitors to the area I do enquire, and I bet most of us do.  It's a sign that we are so down about our town from living here that we must ask every out of towner about it and hope for approval.  To comment that there are business visitors to our downtown from random places is also a sign that that is not as common as in other places.  Once you go to CBDs in Atlanta, Miami, New York, Houston, LA, etc you realize that there are at least as many business travelers as actual permanent office workers at any given time.  It's nothing new or extraordinary and it's not even a conversation starter.

I deal with out of towners pretty frequently and very rarely do I ask them how they like Atlanta because I could care less since I like Atlanta (for all its faults).  They're already familiar with the place, have been a million times, and will invest in something based on fundamentals (not on personal taste).  Jacksonville's fundamentals are so wishy washy that investors must rely on hopefuls and personal taste when investing in the city (which is why there aren't a lot of big time investors in Jacksonville).

[iLenin]

Unfortunately my parents [dad especially] need to plan jobs ahead and to sell a house.
If this is accomplished, I'll be in my dreamland, New York City, hopefully brooklyn.
If I can't, I'll wait, and go there, or Moscow.

And is this liberal? If so, I feel like I can say my opinions about the people here...

[JeffreyS]

You go for what you want in life and I wish you luck.

[hillary supporter]

Unfortunately my parents [dad especially] need to plan jobs ahead and to sell a house.
If this is accomplished, I'll be in my dreamland, New York City, hopefully brooklyn.
If I can't, I'll wait, and go there, or Moscow.

And is this liberal? If so, I feel like I can say my opinions about the people here...

I was just a little older than you when i left Jax for NYC. It was the most exciting event in my life. Its great to hear your energy for it. For me, and its just my opinon, NYC is a place for people like you young and full of energy. I think it would be great for you as it will, it is always, changing. The best time for so many were the 70s, like you said. I doubt you will catch such in these times, but you will go and make it your own.
Ive had enough of the city as over the years, ive seen so many of my friends leave for other places ( i am an artist). In moving to Jax i strive to help and move this city forward and i'm very happy with my results. But you should carry on with your desire.
p.s.   Moscow is a GREAT 2nd choice!

[duvaldude08]

I live in Jacksonville because it is easy to survive. Gotta a good job and alot of good things going on. Have great friend who know how to party and I hit up the NFL games on Sunday.  Im 29 years old and there has never been a shortage of things for me to do. I am not a very hard person to please, which is shocking for my age. I think it all depends on your personallity and what type of city you prefer to stay in. I am laid back so Jacksonville is fine for me. I have friends who stay in more progressive cities. Everytime I visit, Im ready to come home. To each its own. jacksonville is not for everyone just as Atlanta, Miami or NY is not for everyone. Its a free country and different people like different things.

[duvaldude08]

Many out of towners love visiting and enjoy the riverfront downtown. it's the locals that are so negative.

Perhaps it's the difference between being in Jacksonville a day or two as compared to actually living here.

This.  I think pretty much any place that's new/foreign/possibly exciting is fun to visit.  Living is an entirely different matter.

Plus, when I am in town and I encounter visitors to the area I do enquire, and I bet most of us do.  It's a sign that we are so down about our town from living here that we must ask every out of towner about it and hope for approval.  To comment that there are business visitors to our downtown from random places is also a sign that that is not as common as in other places.  Once you go to CBDs in Atlanta, Miami, New York, Houston, LA, etc you realize that there are at least as many business travelers as actual permanent office workers at any given time.  It's nothing new or extraordinary and it's not even a conversation starter.

I deal with out of towners pretty frequently and very rarely do I ask them how they like Atlanta because I could care less since I like Atlanta (for all its faults).  They're already familiar with the place, have been a million times, and will invest in something based on fundamentals (not on personal taste).  Jacksonville's fundamentals are so wishy washy that investors must rely on hopefuls and personal taste when investing in the city (which is why there aren't a lot of big time investors in Jacksonville).

Simms, dude serious question. Why are all your post comparing Atlanta to Jacksonville?? It doesnt matter the subject, it always ends up getting spinned to why ATL is better than Jacksonville. Just curious....

[duvaldude08]

Unfortunately my parents [dad especially] need to plan jobs ahead and to sell a house.
If this is accomplished, I'll be in my dreamland, New York City, hopefully brooklyn.
If I can't, I'll wait, and go there, or Moscow.

And is this liberal? If so, I feel like I can say my opinions about the people here...

I was just a little older than you when i left Jax for NYC. It was the most exciting event in my life. Its great to hear your energy for it. For me, and its just my opinon, NYC is a place for people like you young and full of energy. I think it would be great for you as it will, it is always, changing. The best time for so many were the 70s, like you said. I doubt you will catch such in these times, but you will go and make it your own.
Ive had enough of the city as over the years, ive seen so many of my friends leave for other places ( i am an artist). In moving to Jax i strive to help and move this city forward and i'm very happy with my results. But you should carry on with your desire.
p.s.   Moscow is a GREAT 2nd choice!

I noticed that age plays a huge role. Im 29. There are a few people I know that were older than me that screamed how they hated Jacksonville. They left to go to"bigger cities". After 7-8, they came back. (now in their late 30's)  I think its because they got older and was like " Okay this was fun, but Im think Im ready to go back to Jacksonville and relax again."