Buying a home soon - thinking of Springfield...

[Bativac]

I've been lurking here for awhile, reading about the Springfield area. I'm getting married soon and am seriously considering buying a house in Springfield (assuming the banks start lending in the next 6 months). My fiancee is drawn to the area. She's lived all around the country. I, on the other hand, am a 29 year old Jacksonville native, and my dad is a Jax native, too, whose grandmother grew up in Springfield... and he thinks I'm crazy!

I guess my question is, for people who have recently moved into the area - how bad is it, really? My dad is convinced it's an unsalvageable ghetto, but I don't think he's driven thru there since the 1980s. I've driven thru recently, during the day and at night, and it doesn't look anymore dangerous than some parts of Riverside. Certainly the Christmas lights were gorgeous, on the few blocks that had lights up.

Are there any hassles I'll face, buying a home over there? I'm looking for something that needs some work (painting, flooring) but not a complete rehab... can I expect to run into many code issues?

We're currently renting a place in an area I grew up in, the Lakewood area (off Hendricks, right where it hits San Jose). How does the environment compare with something like that? Are the neighbors pleasant but still leave you alone? Is it safe to walk the dog after dark?

We hate to spend a ton of money for a tiny house in San Marco or Avondale, and those places have all become yuppiefied. At the same time, we don't want to live in a ghetto... Help!

[jbm32206]

Welcome to the forum. Historic Springfield is a fantastic neighborhood. Your father's opinion about the area is out dated by about 10 years...there's been major improvements, and you should come see for yourself. I suggest that you also check out the neighborhood forum, http://www.sparcouncil.org/forums/

[brainstormer]

Some random thoughts that might help   I just recently moved to Springfield from Downtown.  I'm in a nice renovated rental.  My friends just bought a house on Laura Street and moved in a week ago.  They got a fantastic deal and while their house needs some work, it is certainly livable.  They also are very impressed with their neighbors.  I know numerous people who live on or next to Market Street, so look there as well.  The Main Street construction is annoying but hopefully someday will be completed.  The part that is finished looks great.  You are going to get more house for your money in Springfield.  I would say try to stay away from buying near the "crack" markets on Eighth.  These little stores attract the drunks and drug addicts, and I know a homeowner who has had trouble with overflow into his property.  There are a number of homes in foreclosure/for sale south of 8th and that's where I would look first.  The third and main complex is going to be very nice and is really turning around that area of main.  Make sure to check out the Three Layers Coffehouse on Walnut.  Get a "Jeff Square."  You will love it    

[alta]

Moved to Springfield six months ago.  Great neighbors, Great Neighborhood!

[Steve]

I just went to contract on a house in Riverside, but I think Springfield is a great neighborhood.   Tell your dad that a lot can happen in 25 years to a neighborhood.

Whenever I talk to people, that I what I find a lot of - the people from out of town like it, the Jacksonville Veterans can't imagine it as a good neighborhood.

[Deuce]

I'm also a Springfield resident and I love it. I'm a Jax transplant but my girlfriend is a native and she loves it too. Your family's perceptions, like most people I talk to in Jacksonville, are way outdated. Not to diss your pops but he clearly knows nothing about development or urban trends. Nothing is an unsalvageable ghetto, I've see worse hoods in DC improve quicker than Springfield has. I moved to SPR three years ago and the neighborhood was already liveable and the area has only improved. It is safe to walk your dog after dark and there's a great new dog park in Confederate Park. Market & Laura are definitely prime streets but there are plenty of deals to be had. In addition to the boards, I suggest just walking around the neighborhood and talking to people. Good luck on your loan!

[Steve]

BTW, as far as teh lending thing - I actually found the banks pretty easy to get money from.  Not to say it's ever a given, but as long as you are buying for a primary residence, it's not too bad.

I wouldn't talk to Wachovia or Countrywide, but I'd consider someone like EverBank (who is Jacksonville-based BTW).

[nvrenuf]

Tell your dad that a lot can happen in 25 years to a neighborhood.

the Jacksonville Veterans can't imagine it as a good neighborhood.

This is VERY true. I have many friends who were born and raised in Jax. They have a hard time pushing past the mentality of Springfield 20 or even 10 years ago. It amazes me, nothing ever changes huh? Is there still some crime? Sure, just like the rest of the city. Even in Queen's Harbor as we are told by JSO. Yes there are still some homeless hanging out and drug addicts, like any urban neighborhood. Is it prevalent? No. Is it the ghetto? No. But I'm talking about Historic Springfield not the general area referred to as Springfield. There are low income people living in Hist SPR, these are the ones assumed to cause all the crime right? Not true, it is the very low income and desperate/"no options" people that are in the surrounding areas of Hist SPR that make up the predominance of the criminal activity. I say "no options" while rolling my eyes. But that is the way they see their lives: much easier to take from someone else than work for it yourself.

Hist SPR is a great place to live even for a security-phobic person such as myself. Why don't you and your fiancee join in on the New Year's Eve Wandering Cocktail Party and get to know 100 or so of your potential new neighbors? You'll find the info at the website jbm32206 mentioned.

[77danj7]

My wife and I were newly weds several years ago and have lived in Springfield for 5 years on Market St.  We absolutely love it and can not imagine living in any other neighborhood!
Things have changed dramatically in the five years we have been in the neighborhood and they have all been for the better of course.  It's a good time to move into the neighborhood as the Main St renovation project is being completed and hopefully retail along with the 3rd and Main project are completed.

[downtownparks]

What they said!!! Its a great neighborhood. If I didnt live in Springfield, I dont think I would still live in Jax.

The only thing I recommend to new and perspective buyers is to coming in with your eyes open. Get to know the area around the house you want to buy, and make sure your ok with it. There are areas more active than others. I was hanging out with my father in law on my front porch on Christmas day, and in the two hours we were sitting there BSing, the only people who passed us were my neighbors who I could identify and knew. This is a dramatic decrease in the amount of foot traffic from when we moved in 5+ years ago, and to be frank, surprised even me.

[Bativac]

Thanks, guys. You have provided valuable insight. My fiancee has had her heart set on a place in Springfield for months now so I don't really think I had much choice, anyway!

I feel like I made my dad look like an idiot -- I should mention that his grandmother's home was in Springfield, and he saw the area fall from what it was in the 1950s to what it became, in the 80s and 90s. He did drive thru the area several months ago, but I don't think he was impressed. What a couple people said is true -- people from out of town don't have the negative perceptions of the area that natives have.

I'm justifying it by thinking I can get a lot more house in Springfield for a lot less money, and it looks like the area is on the upswing, versus someplace like San Marco that is almost prohibitively expensive, at least for a middle class couple like us (well, okay, upper middle class). The property values ought to improve, especially if I buy something soon. (You guys are reading my thoughts here. I'm typing as I convince myself!)

Someone mentioned the New Year's Eve Wandering Cocktail Party. We might just check that out.

Thanks again! I'll keep you guys posted! Thanks also to the guy who mentioned the local bank!

[hooplady]

Nah, your dad doesn't sound like an idiot.  If he saw the area go into its worst decline then that's a tough perception to shake.  A couple of drive-through visits won't do it, and truthfully you may never win that battle!

I bought my house in 2003 and I had to deal with the same type of stuff - we all have.  You either fall in love with this place or you don't...it really can't be put into words.  Having said that, don't overly romanticize it either, or you'll be setting yourselves up for disappointment.

The wandering cocktail party is one of the most fun events we have (and we have a lot of them!) and it gets bigger and better every year.  Can you imagine another neighborhood where people just open their homes to anybody who shows up, just for fun?

[Chaz1969]

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2008-12-29/1_dead_in_springfield_shooting

[alta]

Well since Chaz didn't elaborate on this story I will.  This was a drug related killing on the edge of Springfield.  Crime in Springfield has dropped dramatically over the last five years.  Do a search on www.coj.net on crime statistics.  Springfield has a much lower crime rate than Riverside but doesn't have that perception. 

You should attend the Wandering Cocktail Tour tonight.  The people in this neighborhood are awesome!!!  We hosted a stop on the Thanksgiving tour.     

[blizz01]

So what/who defines Springfield's boundaries?  It seems to me that whenever the police - or, more often the media report a crime in Springfield, this board is quick to point out that it was actually on the fringe or outside of the immediate area.  My inquiry is not meant to be flippant, but there seems to be some confusion (by me, obviously) as to this slice of heaven nestled within close proximity to many of JAX's unfortunate happenings.  If this individual was not shot in Springfield, then where?