How Do Outsiders View Jacksonville? An Article in Florida Trend Gives A Tip

[heights unknown]

In this forum, we are constantly giving our views, opinions, etc. regarding how we see our city and what must be done to improve it.  But how do others, especially outsiders, view Jacksonville?  Are we still viewed as the mumbling, stumbling, big city that never can with a redneck, hick and backwoods mentality? 

I stumbled across an article in the new August edition of Florida Trend and Jacksonville's image seems to be improving, on the rebound, and generally positive around the state.  To access that article, please click the links below, and learn more about how others view our city:

http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=2&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=3&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=4&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=5&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=6&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=7&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=8&aID=51436
http://floridatrend.com/article.asp?page=9&aID=51436

Might be premature, but in my opinion, based on this small article, Jacksonville's image, at least within the State of Florida is on the "up and up."

Heights Unknown

[Jason]

Honestly, the only negatives I've ever heard about Jax from outsiders is that they either have no clue where it is (other than Florida) and that there really isn't much to do here.

I'd say that we (for the most part) aren't seen in a negative light.  We're just shadowed in popularity and image by the tourist meccas to the south of us.

[heights unknown]

From "the grapevine," in conversations with people who I've conversed with who have been to Jacksonville and lived in Jacksonville, Jacksonville is slow, there's nothing to do (recreation, entertainment, etc.), and compared to other major cities in Florida there is just no comparison.  Before leaving Jax for another job in South Florida in 1995, these concerns never came to mind, however, after living in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area for 9 years, and then the Tampa/Sarasota-Bradenton area since 2004, I quickly found their concerns and negativism towards Jacksonville true and wholly founded, however, after visiting Jax numerous times since I left, Jacksonville is a much better city now than in 1995; there is much more to see, do, and experience in Jax now versus then; and...the town looks and smells much better, the image is more clean, pristine, but "Big Jax" still holds her southern charm and small town feel which I hope never disappears.

Heights Unknown

[BridgeTroll]

Great article!

[vicupstate]

I think there is a HUGE difference in the perceptions of Jax depending on where the perceiver is from.  Those from FL, but not NE FL, tend to see it negatively.  Outside of Florida, specifically Georgia (beyond the JAX media market), SC, NC, VA, etc. their really is NO perception, neither positive nor negative.  

Living in SC, I can honestly say most people throughout the state do not have a cognizant image of the city, except as a stop on the way to Orlando or beyond.  

When you see the CVB budget, you start to understand why.

The good thing about that is it presents a blank canvas upon which to paint.  The painter is on extend break though.  

[DetroitInJAX]

Funny you mention this.. I was checking in a Dutch family today traveling back to Amsterdam from their vacation.. As I was tagging their bags and getting their boarding passes I asked them how they liked Florida.  They informed me that they flew into Miami spent time there, drove to Orlando, spent time there, then came to visit friends and play golf in Jacksonville.

They found Miami too crowded and too dirty.

They found Orlando way too "touristy" and crowded, not to mention the daily 'fall-of-saigon' traffic nightmares.

They found Jacksonville just right they said.  In fact, if they ever returned, they would fly directly to Jacksonville and skip the rest of the state.  They loved the golf, loved the laid back southern pace, the people, etc..

[CrysG]

  In fact, if they ever returned, they would fly directly to Jacksonville and skip the rest of the state.  They loved the golf, loved the laid back southern pace, the people, etc..

Ahhh but would they LIVE here is the question?

[lindab]

Speaking for myself, CrysG, I would rather they visited, spent their tourist dollars in a happy haze, and left town.

[Sportmotor]

heights unknown your icon scares me 

[JaxNative68]

heights unknown - thanks for conjuring up the old smells of Jacksonville!

I remember back in the 70's when my relative would visit from NY and Mass. they couldn't get over the smell, but having been born and raised in Jax it was something I didn't really notice on a day to day basis (unfortunately I must have been used to it).  But having moved away for a while, when I returned, WOW did it almost knock me off my feet.  The smell is one of the things I'm glad Jacksonville has gotten rid of from its past.

I also remember as a child taking class field trips to the paper and paint plants (why there I still wonder to this day) and the smell of Jax was never more prevalent when closer to the source of the aroma.

I think the old Jax air is something that I have purged from my memory banks.

[stjr]

FYi, we have two threads on this article.  Here is the other one for cross reference:  http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,5664.0.html

[Seraphs]

In the nineties the responses from other Floridians were something like, 'Oh Jacksonville is just a big old dirty city.'  However, the responses from Floridians has changed unbelievably favorable form my experiences.

[Coolyfett]

In Florida, The other 3 top dogs know about Jax. Miami people think Jacksonville is boring, Tampa Bay folks resemble  Jacksonville folks like mirrors...Orlando has a lot of resentment toward Jacksonville for being so close to the Gators and having the Jaguars...I mean they hate those situation in Orlando. Orlando also does not have a beach, Jacksonville does not brag enough about its beach, but they should. Outside of Florida all people know is Miami. Even when I am at work I tell people I am from Jacksonville and the first thing they say is "Is it close to Miami?" or theyll say "Hey ain't you from Miami?" I just came back from St. Lucia in the west indies to see relatives...all they know is Miami and New York....My brothers were telling our cousins we are from Jacksonville and they would be like "I wanna come to New York" "If we come to America can you take us to New York?" People outside of the country either want New York, Miami or Los Angeles maybe even Seattle or San Francisco.... doubt Jacksonville ever comes up. Jacksonville was once the number 1 city in the state, but now it is fourth. I think Cecil Field should be a Navy base again. I think the future mayors should kiss more fortune 500 ass for the future of the city. Jacksonville to me has a major issue with just living in the present. They do not do many things for the future of the city. The population can change with the right leadership, with more people, comes more things to do.

[Keith-N-Jax]

I have friends in Tampa and South Florida, people in those cities never have anything nice to say about Jax. People know Miami and cities like New York and L.A. because those cities have made a name for themselves. If not for the Jaguars not many would know anything about Jacksonville. Other than that not much has changed here.

[johnsantangelo]

Speaking for myself, CrysG, I would rather they visited, spent their tourist dollars in a happy haze, and left town.

what the the dutch ever do to you? geez.