What I love about Jacksonville

[Bill Ectric]

Welcome! I'm also a big fan of Chamblins Book Mine and the Public Library. I can go online, log in to jaxcat.com, and put books on hold. If they don't have a book, they will almost always get it. They email me when it's available and I just pop in to the University Park Branch in Arlington and pick it up. And Chamblins! It's like going into one of those magic shops in a Harry Potter movie.

[Bativac]

Anyone who is a fan of old books should visit Jerry's Bookshop in the old Town and Country shopping center, right at the foot of the Mathews Bridge. I've known him for over 15 years, and he has had a copy of just about everything ever published at one time or another. Plus, Jerry is as knowledgeable as anyone I've ever heard of when it comes to old authors, publishing houses, etc.

That and the riverwalk are 2 things I love about Jacksonville. And the beach. There's 3.

[floridaforester]

here are several that come to mind immediately;

1) I'm not the biggest beach person, but there are some fantastic beach spots where you can have the entire beach to yourself;  Hannah Park, Little & Big Talbot Islands, areas of Amelia island

2) Many incredible natural areas just a 15 minute drive from downtown;  Ft. George Island (definitely check out the off-road Segway tours & Kingsley Plantation), Timucuan preserve, Hugenot park

3)  Hundreds of miles of waterways to explore with a kayak or canoe.

4)  Easy pace of life and friendly people.  I can still say Hello or Good Morning to a perfect stranger without someone assuming I have an ulterior motive.

5)  Riverside!  I love my neighborhood and being able to walk or bike anywhere I would want or need to go without having to leave my bubble.  I've lived in Jax most of my life and this is the only neighborhood where I have felt part of a truly special community.

[xian1118]

Every choice we make, individually, is an opportunity for growth or decline.

What a profound statement.  Welcome Kirk.  Great first post(s)!

Couldn't agree more. All the input in this forum make me think that MetroJax needs a running thread for positive contributions that highlight great things about Jacksonville. I believe the contributors to MetroJacksonville have by far the most insight into the hidden treasures of the city and appreciate the little things. A running thread would be great for visitors headed to the city and an alternative to the T-U and Folio.

[VAgent]

It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

[cybertique]

Things I like:  Orsay, Blue Fish oyster bar, Biscottis, an open minded and accepting population ( for the most part), the best beaches in the US, and the superior road system.   Things I do not like: the proximity of those Navy bases that cause the airport to be far out in the middle of nowhere, an undereducated and unskilled labor force ( and if you own a business here you know what I'm talking about), the extreme summer heat and humidity  and the lengthy duration of those summers.

[JaxNative68]

Thanks for the positve post about Jax and welcome.

I grew up in Jax, moved away for roughly 14 years, and moved back about 10 years ago.  The things I missed most while away, and throughly think are positive assets of the city are the laid back life style, the beaches, the many different waterways to put a kayak in, the fishing and the weather.  This city usually gets the short end of the stick, but for most people, it easier to complain about something than it is to hand out a compliment.

Also, I am amazed that nobody has jumped down your throat about your parking meter statement.  Any time I have mentioned them, I felt like I should be belly down on a platter with an apple in my mouth from the comments that follow.

[Keith-N-Jax]

It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

There's positives and negatives to every city. Most on here may bash, but they(I) only want the best for our city. All cities have good and bad areas Jax is no different. Surround yourself with outgoing and positive people and you will find no matter where you live can be an adventure. Jax has alot of hidden gems most don't know about. Hope you enjoy your stay and welcome to all new comers.

[Wacca Pilatka]

It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays. 

[heights unknown]

It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays.  

I agree, we all point out Jax's shortcomings and the fact that Jax could be so much more and falls very short of its full potential and/or what it could be.  Nothing wrong with that.  On the flip side, there are the things I like about Jacksonville:

1) It's southern charm
2) Though it's a big city it has a small town feeling
3) Hospitality
4) It's history (what it was until the mid-50's)
5) It's character (no other Florida city acts, behaves and thinks like Jacksonville)
6) It's spaciousness and wide open feeling (lots of land, parks and forests for a city)
7) The trees and foilage though it's a big city (especially lots of oaks, thick brush, pines, flowers, plants, etc.)

"HU"

[heights unknown]

2. The Navy transplants. Its an unvalued resource for international and national human imports. I am a product of it. The Navy brings people from everywhere, people from everywhere have ideas and cultures they bring to the table. The "World of Nations Fest" is probably supplied by Navy sailors and their dependents. No way in hell should Jacksonville be letting Norfolk beat them at anything. Even if its a Florida v. Virginia fight, Jax gov should be more agressive in getting not just 1 but 2 nuke carriers.

I really love number 2; especially the nuke carriers issue.  We've always had two carriers at Mayport not one; so they should put two there.  And yes, there are a lot of Navy transplants that stick around after their tour or retirement and make Jax home. Nothing wrong with that but leave your northern, western, and midwestern mannerisms where you came from!

I am odd in that I spent over 70% of my Navy career in Jax, but, I am a Floridian; yes weird but I am and was at home all those years though I was in the Navy...and I loved it!!!

"HU"

[Keith-N-Jax]

It is so nice to read positive comments about Jacksonville. I'll be moving there in a week and a half and have been wondering if that was a good decision. People in various blogs can get pretty nasty and negative about the city, apparently not knowing or caring that outsiders are reading the blogs and using the information to form preconceived notions about the area. Thank you for giving me hope!

VAgent, are you from Virginia?  I live there (outside of Newport News), but Jacksonville has long been my favorite city and I visit often.  I never understand a lot of the negativity toward Jacksonville--I think it is a wonderful city.  This site and the vast majority of those who post here do point out its shortcomings, but not in a gloom-and-doom or unbalanced way.  They also highlight Jacksonville's many positives and provide informative, attractive, even moving photo tours and essays. 

I agree, we all point out Jax's shortcomings and the fact that Jax could be so much more and falls very short of its full potential and/or what it could be.  Nothing wrong with that.  On the flip side, there are the things I like about Jacksonville:

1) It's southern charm
2) Though it's a big city it has a small town feeling
3) Hospitality
4) It's history (what it was until the mid-50's)
5) It's character (no other Florida city acts, behaves and thinks like Jacksonville)
6) It's spaciousness and wide open feeling (lots of land, parks and forests for a city)
7) The trees and foilage though it's a big city (especially lots of oaks, thick brush, pines, flowers, plants, etc.)

"HU"

Number 5 imo is why we have the problems that we have.

[aaapolito]

And I will add, the Jaguars!

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

+5 internets to Keith-N-Jax.

[David]

I agree, we all point out Jax's shortcomings and the fact that Jax could be so much more and falls very short of its full potential and/or what it could be.  Nothing wrong with that.  On the flip side, there are the things I like about Jacksonville:

1) It's southern charm
2) Though it's a big city it has a small town feeling
3) Hospitality
4) It's history (what it was until the mid-50's)
5) It's character (no other Florida city acts, behaves and thinks like Jacksonville)
6) It's spaciousness and wide open feeling (lots of land, parks and forests for a city)
7) The trees and foilage though it's a big city (especially lots of oaks, thick brush, pines, flowers, plants, etc.)

"HU"

Number 5 imo is why we have the problems that we have.
[/quote]

Yep,  if only we could have less of a blend of character and history than we already have, then maybe we would be more in line with the rest of Florida.