What I love about Jacksonville

[Keith-N-Jax]

History maybe,,character what character,,just MO as I said. This city has no character, especially when it comes to its downtown area.

[Sportmotor]

A lack of characteristic, would be a characteristic.

[Coolyfett]

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!

Are you holding a jag kitten in your avatar?

[I-10east]

   
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  |    |   |       |  I LUV JAX!!!
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[Bill Ectric]

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.

I can't believe I didn't know about Jerry's Bookshop! That's not far from my house, I'm going to check it out right away!

[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!

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 was born and raised in Tidewater but have spent the most recent two years of my life in Wisconsin. I'm eager to return to the South.

Thanks for the continued positive comments, too. I have traveled a lot and know that no city is all champagne and roses, as each has its challenges. The naysayer bloggers I've referred to are primarily on other JAX websites -- specifically the news websites -- and not so much on the Metro Jacksonville website. If the Metro Jacksonville website bloggers were anywhere near as consistently negative (and hateful toward other people), I'd have stopped reading it ages ago.

[BridgeTroll]

the most recent two years of my life in Wisconsin.

Where?  Spent some time there myself...

[VAgent]

the most recent two years of my life in Wisconsin.

Where?  Spent some time there myself...

I'm in Racine, just south of Milwaukee ... north of Chicago.

[Wacca Pilatka]

My top 10 reasons to love Jacksonville:

1) The most attractively situated city in America, possibly the world.  I will not argue about this.  Absolutely beautiful vistas all over the city.

2) Paradise for outdoor activities, eco-tourism, etc. with the climate, beaches, river, and preservation lands.

3) Professional football that is easy to love, with an easily accessible and beautiful stadium and the most fan-friendly organization in pro sports.  (VAgent and anyone else who might be relocating, I cannot recommend Jaguar games enough)

4) Architectural heritage that has seen too much neglect and destruction, but among the remains are buildings and architectural styles unique to the region and some remarkable groupings.

5) An underappreciated and distinctive history with battles for colonial control, the Civil War, one of America's largest metropolitan fires (followed by one of its most dramatic reconstructions), the rise of the silent film industry, civil rights milestones, the birthplace of a genre of music...not many cities can lay claim to all of that.

6) Despite what the Times-Union message board or the daily parade of hate in Vic Ketchman's mailbox would lead one to believe, this is one of the friendliest cities in the country, no question about it.

7) Clark's Fish Camp, Jenkins' BBQ, Metro Diner, Three Layers, Beach Road...I enjoy eating in Jacksonville, and there are no shortage of establishments with a healthy side of character to accompany the food.

Distinctive neighborhoods within shouting distance of downtown.

9) A developing arts and music scene calling out for greater recognition.

10) Downtown by night, especially on or from the water.

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who experiences any combination of these 10 elements and comes away with less than warm feelings toward Jacksonville just isn't human (or is a gasbag sportswriter looking for a cheap regional stereotype joke).  

[Wacca Pilatka]

I guess 8 and open parentheses = smily face with sunglasses.  Oh well...

[VAgent]

That's a great list! Thanks.

[Peg]

The Florida Theater
Jax Symphony Orchestra
Times Union Center
Art Walk
The pocket parks throughout the neighborhoods near downtown
The downtown skyline at night
Stately old homes and churches
Sally Industries
Peterbrooke Chocolate
Mayport shrimp!

[VAgent]

Excellent! I am hoping to get involved with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Chorus. I've been singing with the Choral Arts Society of Southeastern Wisconsin.

[Ocklawaha]

1. ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD
2. SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILROAD
3. SOUTHERN RAILWAY
4. FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILWAY
5. JACKSONVILLE TERMINAL COMPANY
6. JACKSONVILLE TRACTION COMPANY
7. RAILWAY EXPRESS COMPANY
8. SEABOARD COAST LINE
9. CSX
10. NORFOLK SOUTHERN
11. RAIL AMERICA
12. TALLEYRAND TERMINAL
13. FIRST COAST RAILROAD
14. WATCO SHORTLINES
15. MUNICIPAL DOCKS AND TERMINALS RAILROAD
16. ATLANTIC AND EAST COAST TERMINAL COMPANY
17. JACKSONVILLE AND ATLANTIC
18. JACKSONVILLE MAYPORT AND PABLO BEACH
19. JACKSONVILLE ELECTRIC RAILWAY
20. MAIN STREET RAILWAY
21. JACKSONVILLE AND LA VILLA RAILWAY
22. NORTH JACKSONVILLE STREET RAILWAY
23. ORTEGA TRACTION COMPANY
24. DUVAL TRACTION COMPANY
25. SOUTH JACKSONVILLE MUNICIPAL RAILWAYS


OCKLAWAHA

[KuroiKetsunoHana]

^ock, you're an interesting dude, but i think perhaps a little too singleminded...

best things about jacksonville that are still here (we've lost a lot ov nifty things, even in my brief lifetime):
some previously-mentioned bookstores (i love chamblin and jerry's, but they've already been heartily recommended).
jack rabbits.
park system (recently discovered the arboretum--fun little trails around a lovely lake).
urban decay (if you're into that sort ov thing, which i am--it's depressing that these buildings are falling apart, but they do it so beautifully; shades ov albert speer).
klutho's legacy.
MOCA.
the downtown public library (from both a reading and an architecture perspective).
kosta's pizza italian (their homemade italian dressing alone is more than worth the trip, and the rest ov the food is delicious as well).