Why do you stay in Jacksonville?

[Ralph W]

"People that strike up conversations with you about the most unlikely subjects in the cashier's line at Winn-Dixie."


So... you've met my wife...

[JamesD]

I am a Jax native. I am 28 years old and absolutely love it here! Mayby it is because I have never lived anywhere else? I am married now and have a baby, so my wife and I are really looking forward to Jacksonville's future!

[Dashing Dan]

I grew up on LI, went on to college in Philly and then to grad school in Chicago. 

What town on LI?

Freeport

South Shore, right?

Yeah, my girlfriend is from Mineola/Manhasset/Roslyn area. Incidentally, there are a lot of LI transplants in Jax...

Definitely South Shore.

People knock Freeport but it really has a lot going for it.  It was a good place to grow up. 

[Ocklawaha]

OCKLAWAHA

[iLenin]

Maybe Im just lame, but I really have fun in Jacksonville and Im in my 20's. I dont know if it has to do with the fact I hang around fun people, but we have NEVER had a shortageof things to do. The thing is were just party animals. We just club and drink our selves stupid LMAO But I will admit Jacksonville lacks alot of organized activity. We have spurts of activity DT, but definately not enough. We need things like the Jazz Fesitival year round. We are definately lacking in alot of areas.

It's not so much as things to do, but stimuli outside of getting drunk/high and hanging out with friends. As I mentioned in my post (maybe not clear enough), there's plenty of 'stuff' to do. I think it's incredible there's a beach and a river, both within 5-15 minutes drive from anywhere in the city. Again, Jax is my home, and I DO love it. No disrespect. Maybe it's because...well...Charleston is one of the most gorgeous cities in the US (maybe even the world), and I had the best four years of my life there. It's like living on a movie set. Food scene, buildings, public transportation, nice people, history that dates back to...well...a long ways. So, maybe I AM biased, but yes, I plan on returning there.

But hell, there are some things I'll really miss here.
13 Gypsies
Chamblin's
Avondale/Riverside
Bowl of Pho
San Marco Movie Theatre
etc etc etc. The list goes on...

I feel you

Same here... Along with friends, 13 gypsies chamblins riverside smmt. All will be missed..

[chachisweda]

I'm originally from South America, married to an american, two kids in College and lots of histories to tell...We lived in South Florida for quiet 8 years and moving to Jacksonville was a big change but we like it a lot.....we are basically urban people and Downtown and surrounded areas always have great activities, good restaurants, beautiful views and a lot of potential for the future..I wished more people try moving in!

[jcjohnpaint]

OCKLAWAHA

Oh that picture is timeless! 

[Ocklawaha]

I'm originally from South America, married to an american, two kids in College and lots of histories to tell...We lived in South Florida for quiet 8 years and moving to Jacksonville was a big change but we like it a lot.....we are basically urban people and Downtown and surrounded areas always have great activities, good restaurants, beautiful views and a lot of potential for the future..I wished more people try moving in!

De que parte de sur America eres?

OCKLAWAHA

[hopeart]

I stay in Jacksonville for the wonderful place it already is and the potential it has to be truly great.  Yes, I want a downtown with greater energy and activity and a city that honors its past, while looking forward.  I do want my city to celebrate and take care of its natural assets and take some risks.  With that said I love Jacksonville because of the people, the beauty of the river, parks, beaches and the dizzying number of things to do in any given week.

My fave things about Jax...

Riverside/Avondale walks where I can end up in a park, on the banks of the St. Johns, or at Mojo4, Biscottis, 13 Gypsies or RAM

The Cummer Museum and MOCA

The ability to see fun theater at Theater Jacksonville, Players by The Sea, ABET, etc. on any given weekend

The Symphony, Ritz Chamber Players, local bands in a variety of venues almost any night of the week

Driving from downtown, down Heckscher and experiencing industry and the most glorious landscapes anywhere in just a few short miles

The Jazz Fest

Art Walk

The downtown library

Chamblins Downtown

13 Gypsies, Orsay, Moonriver Pizza, Chew, OBrothers Pub

Being the home of "Lift Every Voice and Sing"

Riverwalk

Jacksonville Suns Baseball...riding my bike to the games down the riverwalk from Riverside

Jaguars Football in the fall

Our Public Radio station, WJCT

It is a generous community, a beautiful place that is still trying to embrace its strengths and find the determination to actually tackle its weaknesses.  I want to be part of that debate and the work ahead.  I plan on staying in Jacksonville because of all these things.

[manasia]

Only because of my child that is here. We have now established a bit better of a relationship so I am looking to relocate again.

[Jaxson]

I stay in Jacksonville because of my family in Orange Park.  I also have developed bonds (e.g. my church community) that would be difficult to recreate in a new city.  I guess I am sentimental that way.  If I was a solitary man, I would probably be living in Baltimore or Philadelphia.

[Anti redneck]

I don't. Mainly because of work.

I grew up in jacksonville and I swear this city hated kids aged 13-18! There was NEVER anything to do, you could never go out anywhere, it used to baffle me when rednecks referred to this as a "city" (still does). I swore that one day I would move out!

A few years back, we moved to texas and it was the worst thing that ever happened to me. The hate towards outsiders was unbelievable, every single person there tried to brainwash you, it was just as bad as jacksonville. I thought jax wasn't so bad afterall. So I moved back in late 2010, thinking it must've gotten better. I actually think it got worse. I love nightlife and there was less of one, I like a good music scene and it seemed diminished, there were no good jobs hiring (and yes this was when the economy got really bad). The rednecks here got what they wanted by making things go even more backwards. Regency looked terrible, the beaches were dead, everything that I remembered was gone.

And on top of things, there was a campaign by these rednecks wearing bulldog gear complaining on how they wanted the jaguars to leave jacksonville. (For the record, I find the anti-jaguar behavior to be with more bulldog fans than I do with gator fans.) Some of them actually said that lots of crime would go away if they left. I say it would only get worse. These rednecks are the same people fighting those who are trying to make the city move forward. They get angry about those who "want to make jacksonville a city, because that's just not jacksonville".

I left once again, mainly because there was no work I could find. Maybe one of these days, I'll move back if there was anything there for me personally. It's sad to see these rednecks and hoganites ruin what could be a perfectly good city.

[thunnus]

I'm a Denverite by birth to age 18 and moved here after stints in Charleston, Spain, and adult Denver. 

I stay in Jacksonville (Fairfax) because it has everything that a major city has to offer at half the price.  If I were to live in Denver in a comparable neighborhood (Wash Park, Capitol Hill, Cheeseman), I would be spending 3X+ for the same 4,3 that we own. Secondly, the lack of a state income tax keeps us living here.  We have 3 kids under the age of 6 and Fishweir Elem is an absolutely acceptable elementary school, I can walk to Harp's, Monty's, Publix, and Tom & Betty's in the same afternoon with my kids.  We can park our cars on Friday afternoon, and not move them until Monday morning.  We're both teachers in the inner-city schools, have been for longer than most people would dare, and love everything about this town. 

[duvaldude08]

I have found that everybody is different. Every person has their preference. I know people that love ATL, and I know some that hate ATL. I know several 100 percent bread new yorkers that hate it and said they will never go back yp New York because of the crime and snow, and they only go up there to visit, eat, shop, then come back to Jacksonville. Im only 30, but Im one of those people that dont need a whole lot of night life. As long as I have something to do when I get in the mood Im fine. From about January-August the Arena is super bust with concerts, basketball games, comedy shows, and the list goes on. Not mention to mention all the plays that are always happening. There is stuff to do. Contrary to a previous post, the nightlife has actually picked up in Jacksonville, especially in the urban core. There are tons more bars, clubs and resturants than there were 7 or 8 years ago.

[ben says]

I have found that everybody is different. Every person has their preference. I know people that love ATL, and I know some that hate ATL. I know several 100 percent bread new yorkers that hate it and said they will never go back yp New York because of the crime and snow, and they only go up there to visit, eat, shop, then come back to Jacksonville. Im only 30, but Im one of those people that dont need a whole lot of night life. As long as I have something to do when I get in the mood Im fine. From about January-August the Arena is super bust with concerts, basketball games, comedy shows, and the list goes on. Not mention to mention all the plays that are always happening. There is stuff to do. Contrary to a previous post, the nightlife has actually picked up in Jacksonville, especially in the urban core. There are tons more bars, clubs and resturants than there were 7 or 8 years ago.

Agree. My fiancé is from the NYC area, moved down to Jax about 2 years ago, with no plans to move back up North. Hates the weather, the rat race mentality, cost of living, the dog-eat-dog life, etc. She'll always love the big city life, and we visit NYC frequently, but outside of a few visits a year, very happy down here. In fact, upon first moving down, she was flabbergasted how great the shopping, restaurants, and weather are down here. If you like boutiques, the shopping is good. If you like an up-and-coming restaurant scene, you have that too. Good weather--obviously.