Buying a home soon - thinking of Springfield...

[brainstormer]

Let's not forget the Third and Main additions which I believe will be opening during 2009.  A new breakfast cafe and market, from what I've heard.  Anything else going in there?  Someone said a sub shop, but that could just be "hope."  Who on here has the inside scoop?  You would think the developers would want to announce the plans as soon as leases are signed.  We also have a post office on main street which is easy to walk to.

[thelakelander]

^City Kidz Ice Cream Cafe will also be going into Third & Main.

City Kidz Ice Cream Cafe serves premium hand scooped ice cream, all natural fruit smoothies, kosher gourmet fresh baked cookies, real lump meat crab cake sandwiches, gourmet sandwiches, seafood cocktail, espresso drinks, and gourmet juices.

http://www.citykidzicecream.com/about-city-kidz/menu/index.html

[77danj7]

Any decent retail in 3rd and Main would be wonderful!!!!

[jbm32206]

True that

[JaxByDefault]

I live on the now much-maligned lower Walnut Street and I can honestly say that the recent shooting is not indicative of our immediate area. [The shooting affected the a family on our block, the matriarch of which many of us lower Walnut residents care for deeply as a beloved neighbor. Our thoughts are with her.]

We've been here over two years. While we do live on the edge of SPR, we typically have fewer complaints about foot traffic, property crime, etc than friends elsewhere in the neighborhood. It's pretty quiet; we know all of our neighbors. We walk to Three Layers for neighbor coffee chats; we have great porch parties, and we look out for each other. Springfield was the right choice for our family. We do not regret it. (To be fair--I think we would have been equally happy in Riverside.)

[downtownparks]

To be fair--I think we would have been equally happy in Riverside...

Boooo Hisss!!!!!

Actually, Im kidding. Riverside, generally speaking, are extremely supportive of Springfield, and I think most Springfielders spend the bulk of our money in Riverside. The neighborhoods are actually pretty closely aligned.

[brainstormer]

Lake, thanks for the tip on City Kidz.  Their website says there is a current location in the 1800 block of Main.  How come I have never heard or seen this place before?  Does it actually exist?  The menu looks great and will be a nice addition to the 3rd and Main development.

[thelakelander]

The current Main Street location may just be an office.  They currently cater special events locally.  3rd & Main will be their first storefront operation in Jacksonville.

[77danj7]

Awesome...I haven't really been able to keep up but do we know an "Expected" completion date for 3rd and Main

[zoo]

May 2009.

[nvrenuf]

I spoke to Mike at A&A Auto. He still plans to open a Mediterranean restaurant at 6th & Main. He is actively working on the building interior and making sure everything is up to standards for food prep. Probably opening once Main St construction is finished.

[jbm32206]

Yeah, that's what he told me...that it'll open when the construction is finished...I can't wait!!

[fsu813]

My wife and I are also looking for a home in a historic district (Riverside, Avondale, San Marco, or Springfield). You can defenitely find the most for your money in Springfield.

HOWEVER, we are living in Springfield currently, for about 9 months now, renting, a few streets north of 8th and West of Main. The homes on our street and block are alll nice and well maintianed.

A few things have turned us off to the area though:

1) Our neighbors home was broken into a couple months ago in broad daylight, with an alarm sign in their yeard (that wasn't in service), on a corner lot, right through the front door with no cover. A neighbor just happened to see them as they were running away with a couple bags worth of valuables, including guns.

2) The past 2 months 3 people have been held up at gun point. 1 in a car during the day, she drove just drove off. 1 just a few steps from thier house ( a couple got held up actaully) in the evening, not late, and 1 walking from Shands across to 8th street to the twin towers, around 8pm.
I'm sure the criminals don't live in the historic section, but they do know where to go when they need to score.

3) Just yesterday, our metal plant stand was stolen off of our back porch. It's more like a large fireescape, actaully, but we had a few plants on a nice looking pewter plant stand. Well, that's gone now, they left the plants. Again, in the middle of day, while my wife was home...she didn't hear anything.

Now if I were buying ahome by myself then I wouldn't mind living here. I grew up in Riverside in the late 80's & early 90's which was very similar. It doesn't bother me much. However, my wife doesn't feel safe and I certainly can't blame her. I know that there are nicer blocks (which have homes in the high 200's and 300's) in the area, but we can't afford that right now. 200k is our max...and for that you have to buy a home that does have some nice houses, but also some not so nice ones, and is just a stones throw away from some nasty corner store.

This being said, in 10 years I think Springfield will be similar to Riverside. But 10 years is a long time to wait, and I don't want to be one of those victims who's home is broken into, is robbed at point blank range, etc. And who ever said it's safe to walk alone at night.......pshh.....some blocks perhaps, but certainly not the majority without looking over your shoulder the whole way.

We will probably buy a home else where, in less we can find a 200k or lower home in one of the nicer parts of Springfield.

[jtwestside]

fsu813 I think you hit it right on the head. I really like the area and I think that in the next 5-10 years we will see a lot of great things there. But the truth is (and I've said it here before) I think it's over priced. I'm not faulting anyone, I realize that it's not cheap to rehab! (especially between 2003-2006) Hell, if it were all of the houses in the area would look like new and we probably wouldn't be talking about 5-10 years. However, the reality of the area is that it's not a UTOPIA in the middle of the jungle. There is a lot that has yet to be done in regards to rehabilitation of homes in the area. And even if every home within the SPR historical district were perfect the surrounding area brings it's own set of challenges in the way of spill over drug violence (where everyone says "they were just shooting at each other" the problem is that bullets aren't that smart.)

I think it's important not to over romanticize it. Don't get me wrong, I still see the area as the where I would like to be unfortunately I think it will involve a short-sale or foreclosure.  From what I've seen 200k gets you either barley livable, or on the very out skirts of the neighborhood. All things considered it just doesn't add up when compared to other places.

[strider]

fsu813 - dont give up on Springfield.  Yes there are some areas that are better than others, but overall, it's not that bad.  Yes, I hear what you are saying about the crime, but I also know that same stuff has happened and will continue to happen in much of Riverside and Avondale.  If you really want this type of historic house, you really won't do better than Springfield anyway.  Yes, look for the forclosures if you can, and also remember that some owners will sell at these depressed prices because they can not wait, foreclosure or not.  Even new houses are being built in Springfield for 150K.  I just heard that an all but ready to move in house went for a little over 30K. All of this is bad news for those of us who bought and rehabbed a few years ago (we have elected to dig in and wait this out), but this is good news for anyone who wants in now.  There will never be a better time financially. 

If you just want a nice house in a nice neighborhood, look further north by the river.  The prices are in line, most of the houses have great details, many are brick, most were built in the forties and the crime is somewhat less (at the moment, anyway - who knows for tommorrow).  There will be some great choices in your price range - and even much less. You are also still just minutes away from town, and other areas like Riverside.  Reasonable shopping is also close by.

It is a great thing that you can buy now and it is a great time to buy.  Good luck with your search.