Just moved near there. It's probably too late to be asking this, but how is the safety of the area? I've been there about a week now and it seems safe and quiet, but I've heard some talk about the area and I'm just wondering what others think. It might go without saying for any area in Jax, but, for example, is it safe to walk around/jog during late evening/night? I've only been in Jax for a few years so I don't really know. Thanks!
McDuff can be a little crazy if you're north of Park St. The school kids can tend to get out of control sometimes. Offstreet parking on Friday nights can be a chore during football season, many driveways get blocked. My car was broken into multiple times, so don't leave anything valuable in the car.
South of Park st, I'd say you're generally a little safer. McDuff is a major road in the area due to connecting with Roosevelt, and there's lots of idiot driving faster than they should be. There are quite a few bums that frequent the area. Willowbranch park is poorly lit, drug baggies are a frequent find, as are needles. So watch where you play. And I wouldn't walk around it at night... if you do, just go down towards riverside ave and go that way. Riverside ave is a bit nicer to bike/jog. Herschel is quiet as well. But I would tend to stay off of McDuff proper.
There are quite a few sex offenders in the area and a registered predator on the other side of Willowbranch park at Cherry st. and Sydney.
South of Park Street, McDuff shouldn't be any problem at all.
No place is 100% safe, but speaking for myself I wouldn't worry about walking late at night in that area.
Welcome to the neighborhood!
I lived a few blocks over on Herschel for a while. I did have a couple problems while I was there, but it was not anything violent. Someone got into my car one evening when I forgot to lock it, but that could have easily been prevented by locking the door. I also had someone hit my car when it was parked on the street and then just skip without paying for damages or anything. And I'm not crazy about Willowbranch Park either. I lived a 2 minute walk from Willowbranch, but I would much rather take my kids to Boone.
Here is the sheriff's interactive website for you to narrow down your neighborhood and look at reported crime statistics: http://maps.coj.net/crimestatsdiscl.asp?sJAxGIS=Y
Late at night, there are always going to be fewer eyes on the street which means less people out and about to watch or deter crime. McDuff, like Stockton and a few other streets, is a gateway from a big highway into a residential community. All this to say, this is not a sealed and gated community so pay some attention to your surroundings, don't get distracted by music or phones, and make friends with the neighbors.
Oh yeah and welcome to a really great neighborhood.