Moving to Jax: Is there a chance to find walking neighborhoods out of Duval?

[JB]

Hi,

I am a new member and moving to Jax with my husband and 4 yr old kid. I lived in Manhattan and Hoboken, NJ (right across NYC) in the past ten years and love the opportunity to walk anywwhere I want and run my errands with no need to drive.

I have been reading the posts about moving to Jax on the interner in the past few days...Well, as far as I understand, the urban living is mostly in Riverside/Avondale, Springfield and San Marcos and all of them are in Duval County.

Based on my readings here, I think we have an obstacle here and I need your help. It seems that schools are much better in St Johns and Clay counties than Duval but walkable neighborhoods are all located in Duval. Now, my question is if we need to choose one over the other?

Is there any neighborhood in St Johns or Clay counties that I can at least walk to the grocery (such as Publix) and post office? Because I am running my small business from home and use USPS services all the time, I would like to be in walking distance to a post office. Of course, grocery is a must. It would be great if there are couple of restaurants, cafes, dry cleaner, and a movie theater around in walking distance...but I do not know if this sounds like a dream to have in St Johns and Clay counties.

Because my son will start the Kindergarden next year, we would like to be in a county with great schools and feedbacks about Duval county elementary schools make me hesitant to move there.

On additional note, we are looking for a rental until we get to know the city well...we may consider buying 1-2 years later once we settle down and make an educated decision to purchase.

I would love to hear your recommendations about St Johns and Clay counties, or any other if there are, with a chance to have both the urban living and good schools together...Any help?

Also, please let me know if you recommend any good realtors to help us with our rental search.

Thanks SO MUCH!

JB

www.junebeebaby.com

[Burn to Shine]

I don't know where the schools are however, I live within walking distance to all of the other things.  

In the general area - off Southside and Beach - there are plenty of condos and a few neighborhoods as well.

Also - off Southside and Touchton - there are plenty of apartments and condos - and still within walking distance - maybe closer to Publix, movie theater, food, etc....

Not a far drive to Riverside and San Marco areas.  Maybe 10 or 15 minutes.

[acme54321]

From what I have heard the elementary schools in San Marco and Riverside/Avondale are all pretty good.

[duvaldude08]

Welcome! Well sadly enough Jacksonville is the largest in the U.S. land wise, and it not walkable AT ALL. One would think a city of this size would be, but it isn't. To get anywhere here, you must drive point blank. The riverside and san Marco area are more pedestrian friendly, but don't look for anything comparable to NY or NJ. Clay county isn't walkable either. Not to sure about St. Johns county. Jacksonville is a very nice city, but we are not "urban" by any means. Jacksonville is more like a gigantic suburb. We are the poster child for " Suburbia America"

[Burn to Shine]

Welcome! Well sadly enough Jacksonville is the largest in the U.S. land wise, and it not walkable AT ALL. One would think a city of this size would be, but it isnt. To get anywhere here, you must drive point blank. The riverside and san marco area are more pedestrain friendly, but dont look for anything comparbale to NY or NJ. Clay county isnt walkable either. Not to sure about St. Johns county.

I disagree to an extent.  I walk to places all the time.  

It's not the most pleasant experience given the cat calls and whistles from random drivers...and the crosswalks and lights are a little scary and dangerous however, it is possible.  Especially, if you live close to things like I said above.  I've gotten use to the Southside area and it's doable.      

I also think if one lived in Riverside...there are plenty of places available to walk to or at least ride a bike.  Grocery, food, etc....

[Burn to Shine]

We are the poster child for " Suburbia America"

True.  And off topic, but for such a huge city...the radio stations here suck.  Just sayin'. 

I thought there would be plenty of choices given the pre-conceived notions of a vast array of diversity that I was expecting to find in moving to a large city.  I was incorrect in my assumptions.

[Bativac]

We are the poster child for " Suburbia America"

True.  And off topic, but for such a huge city...the radio stations here suck.  Just sayin'. 

I thought there would be plenty of choices given the pre-conceived notions of a vast array of diversity that I was expecting to find in moving to a large city.  I was incorrect in my assumptions.

Gotta agree with you there regarding the radio stations. I don't even bother anymore. I stick to the iPod.

About walkability - there are some walkable neighborhoods, but even someplace like San Marco doesn't have a grocery store within comfortable walking distance. As far as St Johns or Clay County, I'm not familiar enough with those areas to talk about their walkability or lack thereof.

When it comes to schools, I don't have kids, just memories of going to schools in the 1980s and 90s. There are definitely some excellent schools in the Duval County School System, but you gotta find 'em. Hendricks Avenue Elementary near San Marco has a good reputation. For high schools, Douglas Anderson and Stanton both have good records. Not sure about other schools. I've always thought 90% of what a kid gets out of school is going to be what he/she puts into school.

[CG7]

I would recommend Riverside/5-points. It has everything you are looking for.. grocery store , parks, stores, and great restaurants. There are nice apartments for rent across the street from a nice Publix anchored shopping center, whish is next to Memorial Park on the river. Unfortunately the closest post office in a couple of miles in Murray Hill.

[CG7]

Also the elementary schools are fine, once you get past that Duval County has a fantastic magnet program, such as Paxon abd Stanton 2 of the top 10 high schools in the country.

[CG7]

sorry about the spelling, I wasn't in the magnet program... I guess you can see why.

[ben says]

I lived in NYC for awhile, so I kinda know what you want.

My best bet is to move around Avondale/Riverside/5 Points. That, or San Marco. W/ Avondale-5Pts Area, you can walk to the dry cleaner, grocery store, movie theatre, 7-11, Chinese place, sushi, coffee, all within a few blocks.

As far as school--if you can afford it--the most quality education for Private school would be Bolles (about five-ten minutes outside of San Marco)

Don't mean to sound snobbish, but I'm not too sure what there is in the way of public schools...

[ben says]

Oh--and I do not recommend the Southside/Baymeadows/Touchton area....AT ALL. While there is some dense stuff in the way of urban amenities...it's probably the farthest away you could get from a NYC atmosophere. NO WALKING whatsoever on that side of town. Suburban nightmare.

I just had my girlfriend move down from Tribeca NYC. I know how it goes....again, your best best would be Avondale, Five Points, or Riverside....you have the added benefit of 'urban core' w/ historic buildings. Also, not to repeat myself, but San Marco is also very nice, but to enjoy many of that part of towns benefits, you'd need to live behind the stores and very close to the center of the square--kinda expensive

[ben says]

Don't mean to overpost, but again--I was in this situation w/ my girlfriend earlier this year.

I don't really agree that the better schools are in St. Johns County.

Duval County has Bolles, Episcopal, Bishop Kenny, etc. And I'm not an expert on public schools in the neighborhood, but I know Stanton is consistently a top 10 in the nation school.....Paxon is another good school, also in Duval county-Not St. Johns.

[Singejoufflue]

Outside of Duval? Not a chance. They barely exist within Duval, and even then, without a car, USPS will be a hassle as will groceries, unless you live at the Publix intersection.  As mentioned previously, Riverside/Avondale/San Marco would be your best bet; however, education will be the sticking point.  Quality middle/high schools do exist. As for elementary education, you will get a fair to middling education at any of the schools in those neighborhoods, and mostly your child's success will depend on your involvement and encouragement.  As for Bolles, you'll get an equal education at Stanton without the cost or snobbery.  But, I am a Stanton grad, so I am a little biased.

[Dog Walker]

I would recommend Riverside/5-points. It has everything you are looking for.. grocery store , parks, stores, and great restaurants. There are nice apartments for rent across the street from a nice Publix anchored shopping center, whish is next to Memorial Park on the river. Unfortunately the closest post office in a couple of miles in Murray Hill.

The elementary schools in this area are very good and Riverside Presbyterian Day School in 5 Points is a feeder school for all of the private high schools and magnet high schools in the county.

There is also an excellent UPS store near the Publix that can do most of the USPS stuff for you too.