Neighborhoods: Baymeadows
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/photos/1317402733_t224GXT-L.jpg)
Take a drive down Baymeadows Road, from Southside Boulevard to where it eventually meets with San Jose Boulevard. You'll pass through other major intersections - I-95, Philips Highway, Old Kings Road. Through a cluster of residences mixed with business parks mixed with shopping plazas and back again. Through tourist-catering restaurants and new and old hotels visitors can lie their head down in at night. But amidst the typical scenery of a road in a city with buildings and cars, pops out several eclectic store-front signs, advertising the worldly grocery food stores that sit behind them. It's in these ethnic enclaves along Baymeadows Road that Jacksonville's rich cultural diversity is revealed.
Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-jun-neighborhoods-baymeadows
I have played the Baymeadows golf course. Sad to see it in ruins now.
Also the best boba tea I have ever had anywhere is at Aroma Corners at the corner of BAymeadows and Old Kings Rd, next to Antojito Colombian bakery and Raja Indian spices. Highly recommend.
I had a condo on the golf course for many years. Glad we sold a couple of years before the closed the golf course.
There are some great indian restaurants in this area. My office only allows us 45 minutes for lunch and with traffic, that means Wendy's, Taco Bell or Firehouse Subs.
The old golf course is in a poor state. Any other plans? Does DR Horton still own it? What else could be done with it?
I stay over on prince square blvd. The old golf course is a real eye sore. Im not sure is responsiable for that pond but it looks a mess. Other than that, I still love the area. Its very quiet. Lots of police lurking around at times, but if thats going to keep the area safe Im all for it. It is a very diverse area. More Indian food than you can shake a stick at. LOL
And Im glad Peyton Veto that. That development would have be TOO much for an area that is already plagued with traffic congestion. I could not imagine if that would have went through. It would have been nice, be dear God the traffic would be a complete nightmare out here
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
Quote from: ben says on June 02, 2011, 08:39:38 AM
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.
I used to live over there a few years ago. The Indian restaurants and shops were great; we used to call it Bombaymeadows. I really got used to Thum's Up Cola.
There are a lot of great restaurants there, that's certainly the best part of the area. But the traffic... man.
I'd be interested to know any info that anyone might have on the Grande Boulevard Mall as my research has turned up very little (my first trip to Jacksonville was in '92). I know Jacobson's was the only anchor and held on long after the rest of the mall died (until the chain went bankrupt), that it was explicitly upscale-oriented, and that it used an off-putting "not for everybody" ad campaign when it opened, but that's about it.
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 02, 2011, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: ben says on June 02, 2011, 08:39:38 AM
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.
Yeah, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Hopefully as the core revitalizes we'll see that diversity reflected there in the businesses that come in.
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 02, 2011, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: ben says on June 02, 2011, 08:39:38 AM
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.
Most excellent point, duvaldude08! It would help to have a greater variety of choices concentrated in one area instead of forcing folks to drive all over the city/county for a decent dining experience. Maybe we could have an Indian restaurant or another type of cuisine instead of the 19 sushi places that populate Riverside-Avondale (Hyperbole is my friend, dammit!)
The Freedom Commerce Center is an environmental disaster. Its basically built on top of Julington Creek. There were ultimately plans to fill in the wetlands and build out the entire site, which basically streches all the way down to where Philips and I-95 meet and is almost entirely wetlands. Thank God that hasn't happened. The buildings there now should have never been built in the first place.
I remember about ten years ago there were plans to build a mall at the Freedom Commerce Center. There was even talk of a new offramp from 95 for the mall. The post-9/11 economy and the wetlands debate killed the project I believe.
May I point out that the article was extremely well written? I don't remember past articles having so much detail on the buildings and developments. Very informative. Nice Job Ennis and Sarah.
The Coffee Grinder in the Deerwood "mall" between the Publix and Winn-dixie has the most international clientele I've ever seen in a single place. They also have a DJ and music most nights. Also nearby is a restauarant that also offers very tall hookahs and a salsa dance club.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 02, 2011, 09:25:04 AM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 02, 2011, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: ben says on June 02, 2011, 08:39:38 AM
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.
Yeah, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Hopefully as the core revitalizes we'll see that diversity reflected there in the businesses that come in.
That would be nice. I really hope so.
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 02, 2011, 09:14:04 AM
I'd be interested to know any info that anyone might have on the Grande Boulevard Mall as my research has turned up very little (my first trip to Jacksonville was in '92). I know Jacobson's was the only anchor and held on long after the rest of the mall died (until the chain went bankrupt), that it was explicitly upscale-oriented, and that it used an off-putting "not for everybody" ad campaign when it opened, but that's about it.
That mall was one of the many things that was before Jacksonville's time. One of my older friends also told me that the stores in the Landing were somewhat "upscale" when it first opened. But honestly Jacksonville was very country back then and nobody had that kind of money. The demographics of this city has changed dramtically over the past 20 years I must say.
Quote from: stephendare on June 02, 2011, 11:14:18 AM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 02, 2011, 10:39:52 AM
Quote from: Wacca Pilatka on June 02, 2011, 09:14:04 AM
I'd be interested to know any info that anyone might have on the Grande Boulevard Mall as my research has turned up very little (my first trip to Jacksonville was in '92). I know Jacobson's was the only anchor and held on long after the rest of the mall died (until the chain went bankrupt), that it was explicitly upscale-oriented, and that it used an off-putting "not for everybody" ad campaign when it opened, but that's about it.
That mall was one of the many things that was before Jacksonville's time. One of my older friends also told me that the stores in the Landing were somewhat "upscale" when it first opened. But honestly Jacksonville was very country back then and nobody had that kind of money. The demographics of this city has changed dramtically over the past 20 years I must say.
Actually, there were plenty of people who had the money, and the stores were great.
However, the management and public relations of the mall were apalling.
The actual billboards read: "The Grande Boulevard Mall: Its not for everyone."
I was a consumate shopper at the time, and people who know me now would be surprised to know that I was once a clothing horse, but its true nonetheless---anyways there was even a small Chanel Boutique there (much to Sarah Barton's chagrin) and you could buy Claude Montana at the mall.
However, they depended on snob appeal, and they were so snotty that they offended the shit out of people who lived and shopped here.
Security would literally follow people who werent dressed appropriately around until they felt so uncomfortable that they left.
Oh Wow! Thats awful. I was only 10 when that mall was around. I remember going there probably once with my parents and we never returned
The Grand Boulevard Mall is far more successful as an FSCJ campus than it ever was as a mall.
Thanks for the info, Stephen. That's interesting about the Chanel store because I remember reading sometime in the late 90s (in a Jacksonville Magazine article on the most exclusive items for sale in Jacksonville) that Barton-Sligh downtown was the only place in the city that sold Chanel. So I would imagine how that would be distressing to Sarah Barton.
That ad campaign still amazes me. I can't imagine a worse way to promote upscale cachet.
Quote from: cline on June 02, 2011, 11:20:37 AM
The Grand Boulevard Mall is far more successful as an FSCJ campus than it ever was as a mall.
My wife had a class there a couple years ago, and I wandered around with her little sister, pretending it was a deserted mall that had been taken over by zombies. It seems like there was still a food court area but with no food. It was cool in a very weird way. The way that Market Square was never cool when it was empty. Actually I think Market Square mall WAS claimed by the walking dead for awhile there.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on June 02, 2011, 10:00:54 AM
May I point out that the article was extremely well written? I don't remember past articles having so much detail on the buildings and developments. Very informative. Nice Job Ennis and Sarah.
Ditto. ;D
Quote from: danem on June 02, 2011, 10:23:02 AM
The Coffee Grinder in the Deerwood "mall" between the Publix and Winn-dixie has the most international clientele I've ever seen in a single place. They also have a DJ and music most nights. Also nearby is a restauarant that also offers very tall hookahs and a salsa dance club.
Nearby restaurant is Mandaloun. The owner's family runs similar establishments throughout the UK.
Sorry for being nitpicky but the word has been thrown about throughout this article/thread. The Deerwood Center is technically an FSCJ "Center," not a "Campus." It's operated under the auspices of South Campus. The Deerwood Center has its own president (or at least used to), who reports to the South Campus administration.
For a listing of the school's locations:
http://www.fscj.edu/mydegree/campuses/
Quote from: Bativac on June 02, 2011, 07:56:44 AM
There are some great indian restaurants in this area. My office only allows us 45 minutes for lunch and with traffic, that means Wendy's, Taco Bell or Firehouse Subs.
The old golf course is in a poor state. Any other plans? Does DR Horton still own it? What else could be done with it?
Agree, great restaurants ... at least 4 and 2 up on San Jose. I think 5th element delivers! They all should seeing how much business they get dine-in...
Quote from: SarahTay on June 02, 2011, 02:59:07 PM
Quote from: Bativac on June 02, 2011, 07:56:44 AM
There are some great indian restaurants in this area. My office only allows us 45 minutes for lunch and with traffic, that means Wendy's, Taco Bell or Firehouse Subs.
The old golf course is in a poor state. Any other plans? Does DR Horton still own it? What else could be done with it?
Agree, great restaurants ... at least 4 and 2 up on San Jose. I think 5th element delivers! They all should seeing how much business they get dine-in...
Is 5th Element the one in the old Village Inn?
Yes. It is almost in front of the strip mall that had the old Calico Jack's in it.
Grand Blvd mall had night clubs. "Anne Tiques" was there failing to pay rent before they snuck out in the dead of night to reopen at the Landing in 87. "T-Birds", 50' and 60's venue, was there and stayed there for years until they moved to the out parcel in the Southside Target shopping center. The "hand jive" was the theme song for all the serviers to jump up on tables, counters, etc and do the "hand jive".
The article and pictures seemed to focus on Indian food. There are still other places along that strip not serving that style food. Cattleman's Barbeque, Gubios, Medeteriana, Vitos, Red Lobster, Woody's, Al's Pizza, The Loop, Gators Dockside, Ohmah Steak house, Chilis,Cracker Barrel, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc. ...... And the usual fast food suspects. Go out past Southside, past Deerwood, the other upper middle neighborhoods and near 9A you find Sticky Fingers, Outback, Subway, Sneakers, and Carrabas.
The stuff is here cause the people are here.
Quote from: Overstreet on June 02, 2011, 03:26:54 PM"T-Birds", 50' and 60's venue, was there and stayed there for years until they moved to the out parcel in the Southside Target shopping center.
Never knew T-Bird's was there. When it relocated it was no longer a 50's and 60's venue thats for sure. LMAO
I would like to add Rib Shack (Bar-b-que) and Los Toros (mexican).
There are lots of great restaurants there, that's for sure. The Indian places are just particularly notable because Bombaymeadows has the highest concentration of them in the city.
I miss Tango Pizza and Bull's BBQ.
Quote from: Tacachale on June 02, 2011, 03:41:23 PM
There are lots of great restaurants there, that's for sure. The Indian places are just particularly notable because Bombaymeadows has the highest concentration of them in the city.
Yes they do. I stay on princeton square blvd in Green Tree Place. So I am surrounding by them. They are very active. They are always walking and usually are the only ones on the tennis court.
Quote from: KenFSU on June 02, 2011, 03:42:58 PM
I miss Tango Pizza and Bull's BBQ.
Bull's is closed!!! It closed late last year. I was very upset about that. I miss the days of Miami Subs, Bennegins, etc.
Quote from: Overstreet on June 02, 2011, 03:26:54 PM
The article and pictures seemed to focus on Indian food. There are still other places along that strip not serving that style food.
There are only two photos of Indian food shops. I think you mean the recent forum discussion has been. The article was about the expanding cultural diversity and the layout of businesses in that particular area ... ethnic food just happens to be prominent.
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 02, 2011, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: ben says on June 02, 2011, 08:39:38 AM
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.
I think Baymeadows has become what it is today because of several organic factors at play. These include:
AgeBaymeadows was the Southside's booming retail district in 25-30 years ago. During that era, the section between Southside and Old Kings filled up with strip malls on nearly every corner and national chain style businesses in the outparcels. In addition, several multifamily communities and office complexes were developed as well, making the corridor a pretty dense suburban area by Jacksonville's standards. As time has gone on many of these places have moved on to today's booming latest and greatest, leaving behind a ton of building stock for new uses.
ImmigrationAt the same time Baymeadows was aging and the first wave of national retailers relocating, our region was (and still is) seeing a major increase in foreign-born population. Given the location, the availability of affordable housing, cheaper retail leasing rates, access to I-95, etc. the diverse population and businesses we see in the corridor today makes a lot of sense. That's pure organic growth at play.
Unfortunately, for urban core advocates, its a good drive away but it appears (at least to me) its simply a place that had the right available ingredients at a time when we witnessed major foreign-born population growth. Other than the era of time, its really no different from the organic growth that resulted in places like Tampa's Ybor or Detroit's Greektown. If the population wave would have happened 40 years ago, this atmosphere would have probably popped up in an area like Murray Hill or Springfield instead of aging first ring automobile oriented suburban districts.
Nevertheless, long term commuter rail and BRT plans should provide better connectivity between the urban core and the Baymeadows district.
Quote from: stephendare on June 02, 2011, 11:24:24 AM
What would you like to know, Wacca? There are a number of pivotal things that happened as a result of that mall, and its subsequent conversion to the FCCJ Campus. My mom was on the conversion team for FCCJ when the School decided to purchase the Mall for use as a Campus, and I was pretty involved in the theatre scene during the Jacksonville Actor's Theatre scandal that drove theatre back into the dark ages for the next 20 years.
A list of the stores? The development? What are you interested in?
Thanks for the offer. I tend to find malls and the reason they live or die to be fascinating, and I know that by '92 there was little left to it but Jacobson's. I'd be curious to know what stores were there and when the downward sprial began. I believe you already answered my other question as to how big a factor the blatant snobbery was in contributing to the mall's demise - you made clear that that went far beyond just the slogan in the ads.
This is what we have on Grande Boulevard Mall from our 2008 Malling of Jacksonville article:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/urbanjax7816/P1160184.jpg)
Quote"Its going to be something very unique, architecturally. Its not going to be the size of a major mall. It will be 25 to 40 percent of an Orange Park Mall."
Kennon G. Holmes, Senior Vice President for Project Development - Haskell Company.
It can be argued that Grande Boulevard Mall was the most infamous failure of a developer predicting shopping demands. Envisioned to serve the upscale market, Grande Boulevard opened at the corner of Southside Blvd. and Old Baymeadows Road. The 289,000 square foot, two story mall opened with Jacobson's as its anchor along with space for 68 upscale specialty shops. Grande Boulevard struggled from the start and was immediately labeled as "too ritzy for Jacksonville". By 1986, the number of open stores had dwindled down to 24.
The 1990 opening of the Avenues Mall would be the final nail in the coffin for Grande Boulevard. Excluding Jacobson's, which would last until the entire chain was shuttered in 2002, FCCJ took over and converted the complex into a community college campus in 1994.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2008-oct-the-malling-of-jacksonville
One no-longer-there place is somewhat of one of those strange coincidences (well, two) - Bombay Bicycle Club at Baymeadows and I-95
Bombay - even though the menu had nothing to do with the subcontinent, and
Bicycle Club - since it was replaced by a motorcycle dealership.
The Colombian Panderia (Bakery) on the Northwest Corner of Old Kings and Bay Meadows Road is excellent. Anyone wanting a taste of this wonderful international food try the
'pan de yucca', 'pan de queso', and for something meaty but not spicy try the 'empandas'
a sort of fried meat pie. If you get the empanada be sure and ask for lemon juice. Bite the end off your empanada and squeeze in some lemon for a heavenly treat. I agree that this is rapidly becoming Jacksonville's little melting pot neighborhood.
OCKLAWAHA
Have lived in Baymeadows since I moved here 10 years ago and I agree the diversity in restaurant choices is great. Noticed no one mentioned Tories Restaurant near Lemongrass nor Gubbio's Italian. Both are really good and underrated. Sorry to see Colonel Mustard's Burgers go out of business though. Col. Mustard's was greasy and low brow but a great "hole in the wall."
Quote from: Yossarianlives on June 02, 2011, 08:50:01 PM
Have lived in Baymeadows since I moved here 10 years ago and I agree the diversity in restaurant choices is great. Noticed no one mentioned Tories Restaurant near Lemongrass nor Gubbio's Italian. Both are really good and underrated. Sorry to see Colonel Mustard's Burgers go out of business though. Col. Mustard's was greasy and low brow but a great "hole in the wall."
Did Professor Plum do in Col. Mustard with a candlestick in the kitchen?
There is a TipTum Thai in the Winn Dixie Shopping Center on Baymeadows.
I had totally forgotton about the BBC. - Wow. Some of J'villes really good beers.
Col. Mustards is still open in Neptune off of 3rd St. I don't know if there were 2 stores or if he relocated, either way, they're awesome burgers. The Best - sorry 5 Guys.
I remember eating raw oysters until I was couldn't move at CJs. Good Times, foggy memories.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on June 02, 2011, 10:31:24 PM
There is a TipTum Thai in the Winn Dixie Shopping Center on Baymeadows.
I had totally forgotton about the BBC. - Wow. Some of J'villes really good beers.
Col. Mustards is still open in Neptune off of 3rd St. I don't know if there were 2 stores or if he relocated, either way, they're awesome burgers. The Best - sorry 5 Guys.
I remember eating raw oysters until I was couldn't move at CJs. Good Times, foggy memories.
Five Guys is disgusting to me and not worth the money (just puked me in my mouth)
Quote from: Charles Hunter on June 02, 2011, 08:13:10 PM
One no-longer-there place is somewhat of one of those strange coincidences (well, two) - Bombay Bicycle Club at Baymeadows and I-95
Bombay - even though the menu had nothing to do with the subcontinent, and
Bicycle Club - since it was replaced by a motorcycle dealership.
That's what was there! I could not figure it out to save the live of me. Well here's a list of what has shut down the past 8 years: Miami Subs, Burger King, Pizzahut, Bennegin's, China Buffet, Bulls bar-b-que, Bombay, Steak N Ale and Steak Out. Whew. One thing I did notice though is that some of the resturants that closed, were closed nationally, not just specific to Baymeadows Rd (Steak N Ale, Bennegin's and Miami Subs)
Don't forget Rio Bravo / Chevy's.
Loved that place, too.
Quote from: Non-RedNeck Westsider on June 02, 2011, 10:47:03 PM
Don't forget Rio Bravo / Chevy's.
Loved that place, too.
I never been there. Before I stayed out here, I worked in baymeadows back in 2001-2006 when I worked for BCBS. Me and my friend hit just about EVERY resturant on baymdedows rd atleast once. Guess we miss that one. OH YEAH and Lee's Chicken. Another chain that closed its doors. Loved their lunch buffet!
Quote from: Yossarianlives on June 02, 2011, 08:50:01 PM
Have lived in Baymeadows since I moved here 10 years ago and I agree the diversity in restaurant choices is great. Noticed no one mentioned Tories Restaurant near Lemongrass nor Gubbio's Italian. Both are really good and underrated. Sorry to see Colonel Mustard's Burgers go out of business though. Col. Mustard's was greasy and low brow but a great "hole in the wall."
Last time I went to Gubbio's last year it had gone downhill. Food quality was poor and service was sub par. I believe that they were sold and were no longer owned by the original family.
Quote from: thelakelander on June 02, 2011, 04:24:30 PM
Quote from: duvaldude08 on June 02, 2011, 09:00:07 AM
Quote from: ben says on June 02, 2011, 08:39:38 AM
Why does Baymeadows have to be so f'ing far away from anything 'urban core'...whether I'm driving from San Marco, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown, Springfield, it's alwaaaayyys too long to get there. Love the food, love the international markets--hate the drive & location.
That is the same thing I was thinking. Depsite what people may think, Jacksonville is VERY diverse. Problem, everything is so spread out and hidden that many people do not even know how diverse the city really is.
I think Baymeadows has become what it is today because of several organic factors at play. These include:
Age
Baymeadows was the Southside's booming retail district in 25-30 years ago. During that era, the section between Southside and Old Kings filled up with strip malls on nearly every corner and national chain style businesses in the outparcels. In addition, several multifamily communities and office complexes were developed as well, making the corridor a pretty dense suburban area by Jacksonville's standards. As time has gone on many of these places have moved on to today's booming latest and greatest, leaving behind a ton of building stock for new uses.
Immigration
At the same time Baymeadows was aging and the first wave of national retailers relocating, our region was (and still is) seeing a major increase in foreign-born population. Given the location, the availability of affordable housing, cheaper retail leasing rates, access to I-95, etc. the diverse population and businesses we see in the corridor today makes a lot of sense. That's pure organic growth at play.
Unfortunately, for urban core advocates, its a good drive away but it appears (at least to me) its simply a place that had the right available ingredients at a time when we witnessed major foreign-born population growth. Other than the era of time, its really no different from the organic growth that resulted in places like Tampa's Ybor or Detroit's Greektown. If the population wave would have happened 40 years ago, this atmosphere would have probably popped up in an area like Murray Hill or Springfield instead of aging first ring automobile oriented suburban districts.
Nevertheless, long term commuter rail and BRT plans should provide better connectivity between the urban core and the Baymeadows district.
+1!
Lakelander hit the nail on the head with the above insight. I always like reading his analysis of a city as a living, breathing organism that evolves as a creature of its times. It makes for all sorts of speculation about how cities might have developed under different circumstances. Like, what would have happened if Jacksonville did not experience the Great Fire of 1901? Or what would have happened in Miami if Fidel Castro did not take over Cuba?
Excellent article on the Baymeadows area, by the way...
I remember Brian Sexton the voice of the Jaguars calling Baymeadows the Ellis Island of Jacksonville. Many people that first relocated to Jax foriegn or domestic called Baymeadows home. When I moved back here in the late 90's we had an apartment there and eventualy bought a townhouse.
Don't see where anyone has mentioned "Stonewood Grill" at the corner of Baymeadows and San Jose. What a great place to eat!!! :)
Can any of you folks familiar with the area recommend any apartment complexes? Moving back to Jax in the fall to go to that "Art Institute" and I want my commute to be a short as possible. Size doesn't really matter (tee-hee).
Quote from: kells904 on June 03, 2011, 02:22:31 PM
Can any of you folks familiar with the area recommend any apartment complexes? Moving back to Jax in the fall to go to that "Art Institute" and I want my commute to be a short as possible. Size doesn't really matter (tee-hee).
To be honest, I would only Recommend Green Tree Place and maybe Hunter's Ridge. I currently stay in greentree place and it is worth the money. Majority of the other complexes on baymeadows you might want to stay away from. Not worth the money, bad management and terriable teanets.
Quote from: kells904 on June 03, 2011, 02:22:31 PM
Can any of you folks familiar with the area recommend any apartment complexes? Moving back to Jax in the fall to go to that "Art Institute" and I want my commute to be a short as possible. Size doesn't really matter (tee-hee).
I'm moving into Belle Rive apartments to be close to work and they look fairly decent...they're almost 100% occupied & they have hardwood floors in them which makes the transition easier from my old place in Riverside....but yeah there's a lot of complexes off SS blvd that just aren't up to par. Choose wisely grasshopper!
Quote from: David on June 03, 2011, 04:10:29 PM
Quote from: kells904 on June 03, 2011, 02:22:31 PM
Can any of you folks familiar with the area recommend any apartment complexes? Moving back to Jax in the fall to go to that "Art Institute" and I want my commute to be a short as possible. Size doesn't really matter (tee-hee).
I'm moving into Belle Rive apartments to be close to work and they look fairly decent...they're almost 100% occupied & they have hardwood floors in them which makes the transition easier from my old place in Riverside....but yeah there's a lot of complexes off SS blvd that just aren't up to par. Choose wisely grasshopper!
I know right! they will fool you because apartments LOOK very nice. You really have to do your homework for sure.
Several years back there were three supermarket chains within a block - Publix, Winn-Dixie (in the same locations where they still are today) and Food Lion (which is now a gym). Anyone remember Kenny Roger's Roasters chicken place in that same strip mall (behind Chili's). Just thinking about that place makes me think of the old Seinfeld episode... Rio Bravo was a fun place and the food was decent - nothing to write hoem to your Mexican grandmother about - but good).
My grandma was Italian. I've already written to her about it. :D
Looking for a new apartment sucks, I'm not really looking forward to it.
Thanks for the tips, guys. :)
There are a ton of decent apartment communities along Southside Blvd. between JTB and Avenues Mall, most are within a mile or so of Baymeadows in either direction.