Hi
I will be moving to Jax soon and was thinking about living in the downtown area to be able to walk to office.
What are some of the good apartments in this area. My search gives me Carling and 11east. Any others to consider? Budget would be around $1000.
Where do people shop for groceries in downtown. I dont see too many places come up on the map. No trader joe's downtown? Or a whole foods or a super fresh?
Thanks for your help.
Fresh Market in Brooklyn. Winn Dixie downtown.
Have you actually visited downtown? Brookyl may be a better fit, and is still close to DT.
No I havent been in downtown but I have lived in centre city / downtown kinda areas in other cifies and want to avoid having a car.
Is Winn Dixie the Wawa of florida?
I'm afraid you will be rather disappointed when you come to downtown Jax for the first time. You're actually sacrificing amenities by living there instead of the other way around.
Before committing to downtown you may want to consider Riverside with a very short commute (or bike/bus) as that will give you perhaps the better carless experience.
Brooklyn's new apartments are over $1000.
Quote from: sgcray on August 01, 2015, 09:47:22 AM
Is Winn Dixie the Wawa of florida?
No, Winn-Dixie is a full grocery, and quite major throughout the southeast. It's footprint is similar to Publix, but it's historically been the less nice/cheaper competitor.
How much are the apartments at Metropolitan Lofts or City Place?
http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/locations/lc-18-downtown-jacksonville-living-spaces.aspx
What cities have you lived in?
Quote from: sgcray on August 01, 2015, 09:39:59 AM
No I havent been in downtown but I have lived in centre city / downtown kinda areas in other cifies and want to avoid having a car.
I strongly suggest you visit downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods before making a decision.
QuoteI strongly suggest you visit downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods before making a decision.
+1
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
Thanks for the link. I was unaware of a few of these downtown apartments.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 01, 2015, 10:31:50 AM
How much are the apartments at Metropolitan Lofts or City Place?
http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/locations/lc-18-downtown-jacksonville-living-spaces.aspx
City Place looks pretty cheap.
(http://www.cityplacejacksonville.com/photos/12.jpg) (http://www.cityplacejacksonville.com/photos/19.jpg) (http://www.cityplacejacksonville.com/photos/21.jpg)
QuoteStudio (Standard): $600 per month
Studio with Built-in Full Size Murphy Bed: $625 per month
1 Bedroom (Standard): $700 per month
1 Bedroom (Large Corner Units): $725 per month
2 Bedrooms/2 Baths: $975 per month
http://www.cityplacejacksonville.com/leasing/
Being a business having a stake in the downtown core; that is, one benefiting from every individual who chooses to reside in, or very near, the core, I will offer that there is the issue of sacrifice.
If I am to assume that an important objective, as held by many individuals in and out of government, is to enrich the core with people in the form of residents, then should we not encourage this new potential resident to invest in the core; that is, to sacrifice ultimate comfort and convenience for two or three years while the expected and anticipated "investors" prepare for projects that will finally bring the desired conveniences to the core?
As one perceives and appreciates any current benefits of living in the core, then the sacrifices become less important ... one becomes part of the movement to enrich it ... one becomes part of the slow movement to genuine revitalization. If everyone waits for full revitalization, avoiding sacrificing the great conveniences one desires, then the journey to full vibrancy is only delayed.
As in much of life ... the question is what one is willing to give ... as compared to what one is willing to take.
without mincing words - avoid DT.
If you need to be close to DT for work, consider Riverside/Avondale.
DT Jax is not 'urban living'
Quote from: Lunican on August 01, 2015, 01:14:41 PM
What cities have you lived in?
Philly and NY.. I enjoyed living in centre city in Philly.
Umm i really dont know what to expect now. Kinda spooked. I never needed a car before. Riverside could be an option but seems like its out of my budget.
Quote from: sgcray on August 02, 2015, 12:39:14 PM
Quote from: Lunican on August 01, 2015, 01:14:41 PM
What cities have you lived in?
Philly and NY.. I enjoyed living in centre city in Philly.
Umm i really dont know what to expect now. Kinda spooked. I never needed a car before. Riverside could be an option but seems like its out of my budget.
Downtown sir. That's the the place to live and be. I urge you to ignore the negative comments, as they are from people prejudiced to their neighborhoods, who wish they could live in the core. Downtown is coming back. Be there to see it. Participate in the return to vibrancy. Assist it. Enjoy it. Live it. :)
Quote from: sgcray on August 02, 2015, 12:39:14 PM
Quote from: Lunican on August 01, 2015, 01:14:41 PM
What cities have you lived in?
Philly and NY.. I enjoyed living in centre city in Philly.
Umm i really dont know what to expect now. Kinda spooked. I never needed a car before. Riverside could be an option but seems like its out of my budget.
Nah. The best accommodations are over budget but Riverside has a huge price range of options. The biggest issue is that available units through most of the neighborhood go very quickly, so it's almost a matter of checking craigslist or driving around looking for signs daily. You might reach out to Traditions Realty or similar company to assist you. If Center City in Philly and NYC (assuming thats what you meant by NY) are your barometers, prepare yourself for some shock. But please don't be scared. Just know that Riverside will be your best starting point in your search and quite likely would be your best final choice.
Quote from: ronchamblin on August 02, 2015, 12:49:07 PM
Downtown sir. That's the the place to live and be. I urge you to ignore the negative comments, as they are from people prejudiced to their neighborhoods, who wish they could live in the core. Downtown is coming back. Be there to see it. Participate in the return to vibrancy. Assist it. Enjoy it. Live it. :)
I love and appreciate your passion, ron. Jax is so much better for it. And I agree, I'd want everyone who is like the OP to move to downtown, as things would quickly improve. But I obviously can't preach it since I reside in San marco, and I also would rather a transplant enjoy the Jax metro than be unhappy in downtown if expectations weren't realized.
Anyway, I'm definitely not advising against living downtown, I am simply advising against choosing downtown by default, sight unseen. Cause in Jax, downtown is not the ideal carless neighborhood.
Appreciate comments PMax. Looking better for the core in that, according to Stephen, a Starbucks plans to move into the core within a fews months to a year or so. All the better for the total mix, when someone is entertaining living in the core. What we need to do now is get the Dalton Agency on a second level, and bring Boomtown back to Hemming.
If you end up choosing the core I would go with 11E. Not sure if it is in your price range but that part of DT is on an upswing and will soon have a bunch of good dining and nightlife options. I have a friend who lives there and she really enjoys it.
All that being said I hope you are ready to be a downtown advocate in your new home. Jax is a very friendly town and you will hopefully love it for many reasons. However, a strong urban lifestyle will probably not be one of those things. Like most cities in the south you might want to lower your expectations in that regard, especially coming from NYC or Philly. Jax needs people who are trying to build something down here. It is getting better (yes it was once worse!) and you will have plenty to do but you're kinda coming in at a transition phase if you will. Unfortunately the city has been so focused on the suburbs and neglectful of the core for decades that only recently has there been a return to our center. Think Detroit.
Don't be spooked because there is legitimately awesome stuff going on here and if you learn the JTA system you can get around but you might just need to adapt some. I think everyone on here just wanted you to be aware of the difference.
Welcome to the neighborhood! :)
Quote from: sgcray on August 02, 2015, 12:39:14 PM
Philly and NY.. I enjoyed living in centre city in Philly.
Umm i really dont know what to expect now. Kinda spooked. I never needed a car before. Riverside could be an option but seems like its out of my budget.
I lived in center city Philly during college...and now live in downtown Jax...they surely aren't the same, but I am still happy with my decision to purchase downtown almost 10 years ago.
Quote from: sgcray on August 01, 2015, 08:53:13 AM
Hi
I will be moving to Jax soon and was thinking about living in the downtown area to be able to walk to office.
What are some of the good apartments in this area. My search gives me Carling and 11east. Any others to consider? Budget would be around $1000.
Where do people shop for groceries in downtown. I dont see too many places come up on the map. No trader joe's downtown? Or a whole foods or a super fresh?
Thanks for your help.
There's 6-7 good Downtown spots that you may like. Most have been mentioned.
Winn-Dixie is a good grocer for basics, Fresh Market for higher end & speciality items.
Downtown Jax has a lot going for it. If you're expecting some urban Shangri-la, it's not, but if your have a bicycle, there's lots of nightlife, dining, essentials, event venues & festivals within a 5-10 minute ride. With more coming.
If you do not visit Town Center on your trip, you will regret it later as you spend many, many, many nights there, if young and single. Check it out, the dining, shopping and lifestyle that it has to offer. Downtown is not there yet, don't be lured into "shopping is coming, nightlife is coming", its already there at Town Center, and its closer to the beach, which is a huge draw for most newcomers to Jacksonville.
Until downtown has a game changer in the Landing or Shipyards, I would not move there. Riverside is a nice 2nd, but not nearly as many places as what TC has to offer.
Quote from: mtraininjax on August 03, 2015, 12:17:10 AM
If you do not visit Town Center on your trip, you will regret it later as you spend many, many, many nights there, if young and single. Check it out, the dining, shopping and lifestyle that it has to offer. Downtown is not there yet, don't be lured into "shopping is coming, nightlife is coming", its already there at Town Center, and its closer to the beach, which is a huge draw for most newcomers to Jacksonville.
Until downtown has a game changer in the Landing or Shipyards, I would not move there. Riverside is a nice 2nd, but not nearly as many places as what TC has to offer.
None of my friends enjoy spending free time at the Town Center, a mall.
Guess it kinda depends on your preferences, huh?
QuoteNone of my friends enjoy spending free time at the Town Center, a mall.
The packed parking lots speak for themselves....an open-air mall and......... community.
Quote from: mtraininjax on August 03, 2015, 12:31:50 AM
QuoteNone of my friends enjoy spending free time at the Town Center, a mall.
The packed parking lots speak for themselves....an open-air mall and......... community.
Packed parking lots kinda implies that the OP wouldn't be living carless. I think Riverside wins out over the SJTC on that score.
I lived in City Place for almost two years before moving back out to the beach. While not in the best of locations, the units are typically pretty nice for a cheap price. They are actually condo's so you deal with a landlord which is nice. Most of which have all been renovated and if you get one on a higher floor, you'll have the best view of downtown. It's also a short bike ride to Riverside and you are down the street from Hemming.
If you choose downtown, I would definitely consider it.
Quote from: mtraininjax on August 03, 2015, 12:17:10 AM
If you do not visit Town Center on your trip, you will regret it later as you spend many, many, many nights there, if young and single. Check it out, the dining, shopping and lifestyle that it has to offer. Downtown is not there yet, don't be lured into "shopping is coming, nightlife is coming", its already there at Town Center, and its closer to the beach, which is a huge draw for most newcomers to Jacksonville.
Until downtown has a game changer in the Landing or Shipyards, I would not move there. Riverside is a nice 2nd, but not nearly as many places as what TC has to offer.
Ive lived at the TC for a year and recently purchased a home in Avondale. Although not downtown (I wanted a house), I frequent there quite often and did so while living at the TC.
The TC is nice, new, fresh etc. but has an auora of chain establishments. After about 6 months, I was bored...
I'm single twenty-something and I would shoot myself in the head if I had to spend "many, many, many nights" at Town Center. If you love middling chain restaurants, every-mall-in-America stores, traffic, and exploring parking lots, then sure it's the place for you.
I lived in the Metro Lofts for a couple months before moving to Riverside. DT is still, at best, a work-in-progress. Riverside/Avondale and San Marco are the only neighborhoods I'd personally choose to live in for their approximation to an urban lifestyle.
I live in Downtown Jacksonville and love it! Downtown is showing lots of signs of life but you will need a car in Jacksonville, its too spread out to not have one.
It makes me laugh when people bash Downtown that there is no parking, no restaurants and no stores.
Grocery Shopping- Winn Dixie, Fresh Market or a 5 minute drive to Publix in Riverside
Restaurants- Sweet Pete's, Zodiac Bar and Grill, Azucena Deli, Super Food & Brew, Indochine, Burrito Gallery, Chomp-Chomp, Casa Dora
Uptown Kitchen abd Bar, Hola, Pho, Olio, the Landing
Parking- Meter Parking and Parking Garages
The issue most of the people in Jacksonville are suburbanites and want to pull up to the front door of a business. Go to a real city New York, Boston, Seattle, Chicago. You park in a parking lot or parking garage and walk.
Crime- I have lived DT for 6 months and feel totally safe walking around Downtown
Quote from: jake_jax on August 03, 2015, 02:32:58 PM
The issue most of the people in Jacksonville are suburbanites and want to pull up to the front door of a business. Go to a real city New York, Boston, Seattle, Chicago. You park in a parking lot or parking garage and walk.
While I agree with your sentiment wholeheartedly, the flaw with this particular argument is that we don't have any of the downtown amenities that those real cities have. Hard to make a case for that.
While Jax is a "big " city, downtown is still a work in progress. The best deal by far are the apartments at City Place. There are 2 currently active on MLS and are both less than $700 per month. These are nice "work force housing" options, meaning a place for someone making $30,000
or less to be able to afford.
The building is condos as mentioned before. The next most affordable apartments are 11E and The Carling, as well as Metropolitan Lofts.
Nothing available at Churchwell right now. The cheapest 1/1 I see at Berkman Plaza (a very well appointed building) is $1200.
This unit appears to have a great view of the St Johns River. If you can afford that I would give it a look. All these units I mention could be taken in a week, so don't delay.
From my view, suburbanites in major cities aren't really different from those in smaller cities like Jax. They spend most of their time in those suburbs as well. Their mall parking lots are just as filled as SJTC and they have just as many chain restaurants. Despite what some locals think, there's nothing really special about the SJTC or it's draw. It's pretty typical and shouldn't be used as an excuse to why DT Jax can't be better.
Thanks for all the comments. I will definitely give Downtown a chance. I will check out Carling or 11E first.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 03, 2015, 03:43:30 PM
From my view, suburbanites in major cities aren't really different from those in smaller cities like Jax. They spend most of their time in those suburbs as well. Their mall parking lots are just as filled as SJTC and they have just as many chain restaurants. Despite what some locals think, there's nothing really special about the SJTC or it's draw. It's pretty typical and shouldn't be used as an excuse to why DT Jax can't be better.
agreed
Quote from: sgcray on August 03, 2015, 04:27:47 PM
Thanks for all the comments. I will definitely give Downtown a chance. I will check out Carling or 11E first.
Those are cool places. Depending on when you come, there also may be some studios in The Strand (http://www.thestrandjacksonville.com/floor-plans/) at or about $1000 a month.
Downtown is a work in progress but that means everyone who invests there has a say in how it grows. You'll also have easy access to everything in the in-town neighborhoods within miles of you, plus your work if you'll be working downtown.
But yeah, you may want to invest in a car, or maybe, like, a scooter or something.
And should point out that a studio in Jacksonville is 550-700 square feet, the upper range of that could easily be a 2 BR in NYC or SF (or in some extreme cases, a 2.5-3BR).
Also, you can expect amenities in just about any building you choose to live in, "workforce" or not. And higher quality finishes and likely better management. Welcome to a struggling urban market - a tenant's paradise relative to what you may be used to.
In Jax I would go for a car over a scooter. You'll be doing highway driving, drivers in FL clearly don't know what to do around bikes and scooters and probably could care less and may have a middle finger bumper sticker to bikers, and some of the roads can be bumpy, particularly the highways.
You could give downtown a shot. Honestly, wherever you live you're probably driving to the grocery for food, and you won't find bodegas/corner stores basically anywhere for simple convenience. Also, yes, the nightlife is better in Riverside/Avondale and at the Beaches. But relative to what you're probably used to, the difference between the bar selection downtown and the bar selection along King St/Park in Avondale is fairly negligible, and the distance between bar districts even within the "same neighborhood" would be an impossible feat for a night in Manhattan, so everything is definitely driving distance.
I say go for downtown - your standards are going to be naturally quite high, and you're going to be in utter shock no matter where you live in the city.
My only question for you - $1000 budget coming from NYC/Philly? I know Philly's [relatively] cheap, but $1000 really really limits you in both cities. You won't have any problems in Jax, and that will be the *huge* plus for you, but what was your situation up north?
I actually took a picture of a new building in SF that is exactly what I was referring to above (size wise) this weekend:
274 sf 1 BR and 625 sf 3 BR "suites", average apt size is 354 sf (160 market rate apartments). Yes folks, it is possible, and don't inquire about what the rents are.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/281/20289176545_53a718d4f6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wUTkjH)
Photo Aug 01, 4 48 04 PM (https://flic.kr/p/wUTkjH)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/560/20262915216_03418c639a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wSyJKb)
Photo Aug 01, 4 48 11 PM (https://flic.kr/p/wSyJKb)
In Jax, a studio will be 650 sf, with even nicer finishes, almost no matter the building. It's amazing what you get for your buck, but the city itself doesn't have much to speak for...
354 square feet? That's the size of my garage.
Quote from: mtraininjax on August 03, 2015, 12:31:50 AM
QuoteNone of my friends enjoy spending free time at the Town Center, a mall.
The packed parking lots speak for themselves....an open-air mall and......... community.
Based on previous living choices (central Philly/central NYC) and looking for another downtown atmosphere, I wouldn't suggest the TC to this person. It is a glorified shopping mall and is not a community, not a neighborhood, not anything with substance. Just a facade made to look sort of like a fake town and endless parking lots, just like a mall (with a few scattered apartments that have fantastic views of parking lots and the freeway). It is enjoyable by those who like chain establishments and suburban atmospheres, which I'm guessing is not what this person is looking for. Believe me, the TC is going to seem like boring suburbia to this person, which is what I thought after moving from central Chicago. It is not impressive or inspiring to most people coming from cities like those. I go to the TC for certain reasons every once and a while, typically just to get something at a particular store that's there, but I wouldn't ever want to live within a couple miles of it. Traffic is insane and does not provide a pleasant, unique atmosphere.
If they didn't prefer living near King of Prussia in suburban Philly, which is significantly larger than SJTC, they probably won't care for living in the parking lot of SJTC either.
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
Quotewhy DT Jax can't be better.
Just because you hope it will get better and talk about it......doesn't make it so. Until the Landing or Shipyards move forward, downtown is dead.
QuoteDrive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
No no, you forget the abandoned "mothballed" houses, which do nothing but improve the property values.
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Quote from: mtraininjax on August 04, 2015, 11:48:24 PM
Just because you hope it will get better and talk about it......doesn't make it so. Until the Landing or Shipyards move forward, downtown is dead.
thank you for making this clear....as a resident of downtown for nearly 10 years, I was not aware that I was in fact dead
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Other amenities that stand out to me include a culturally diverse and engaged population, a mature landscape and having places like Waffa & Mikes, Uptown, Three Layers, Carl's and even Suntrust, Wells Fargo and the post office within close proximity of your residence.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 05, 2015, 09:05:54 AM
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Other amenities that stand out to me include a culturally diverse and engaged population, a mature landscape and having places like Waffa & Mikes, Uptown, Three Layers, Carl's and even Suntrust, Wells Fargo and the post office within close proximity of your residence.
Smartassery aside, these are the types of amenities I was thinking of in Springfield. Plus there's a dog park and a public pool. There's a hardware store in Brentwood that may be the easiest one to get to from Downtown. Et cetera et cetera.
Also a disc golf course, if you're into that sort of thing.
^ and tennis courts, community & events spaces, a dozen places to eat or so, some nightlife, a number of public events, playgrounds, community gardens, some shops, etc. You know, a kinda progressive neighborhood : )
Quote from: Tacachale on August 05, 2015, 09:23:22 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 05, 2015, 09:05:54 AM
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Other amenities that stand out to me include a culturally diverse and engaged population, a mature landscape and having places like Waffa & Mikes, Uptown, Three Layers, Carl's and even Suntrust, Wells Fargo and the post office within close proximity of your residence.
Smartassery aside, these are the types of amenities I was thinking of in Springfield. Plus there's a dog park and a public pool. There's a hardware store in Brentwood that may be the easiest one to get to from Downtown. Et cetera et cetera.
I hope you weren't thinking I was being a smart-ass by presuming that most apartments in Springfield have an in unit W/D. That is a super rare commodity in many many cities, even having working W/D in the basement of your building can be an "amenity" where the OP is coming from, so I promise by saying that I was being serious.
The one thing I'd have to ask, though, is are there really a lot of young people in Springfield? Seems like the pioneers that move there are generally family, older gay couple, or young military couple perhaps on the verge of having kids. I'm recalling this from all the interviews that MJ/some other site used to do years ago of the "new faces of Springfield" and I just don't remember singles in their 20s/30s, nor do I recall where all the apartments are (seemed like it was all single family homes?).
I believe he was referring to AngryChicken's comment about chicken restaurants, pawn shops and gunfire.
This guy asks one question and look how far this thread goes lol
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 11:30:09 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on August 05, 2015, 09:23:22 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 05, 2015, 09:05:54 AM
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Other amenities that stand out to me include a culturally diverse and engaged population, a mature landscape and having places like Waffa & Mikes, Uptown, Three Layers, Carl's and even Suntrust, Wells Fargo and the post office within close proximity of your residence.
Smartassery aside, these are the types of amenities I was thinking of in Springfield. Plus there's a dog park and a public pool. There's a hardware store in Brentwood that may be the easiest one to get to from Downtown. Et cetera et cetera.
I hope you weren't thinking I was being a smart-ass by presuming that most apartments in Springfield have an in unit W/D. That is a super rare commodity in many many cities, even having working W/D in the basement of your building can be an "amenity" where the OP is coming from, so I promise by saying that I was being serious.
The one thing I'd have to ask, though, is are there really a lot of young people in Springfield? Seems like the pioneers that move there are generally family, older gay couple, or young military couple perhaps on the verge of having kids. I'm recalling this from all the interviews that MJ/some other site used to do years ago of the "new faces of Springfield" and I just don't remember singles in their 20s/30s, nor do I recall where all the apartments are (seemed like it was all single family homes?).
In my opinion Springfield has the same problem that San Marco has in trying to attract young people and that is a lack of apartment options. Seems like a lot of young people would be interested in these neighborhoods if they had other options other than buying a house. The infrastructure is set up nicely for more apartments in both neighborhoods. Why can't a project like East San Marco get off paper? It seems like a no-brainer for a vibrant neighborhood like San Marco now that the economy has picked back up. And so many vacant or underused lots on Main Street right in the heart of the most historic neighborhood in the city? I'm guessing Springfield won't really pick up until downtown picks up but I don't see any reason for San Marco not having more options especially the northern part of it. I've heard the wealthy home owners in SM don't want any apartments but some nice apartment options may increase the value of their homes and make the neighborhood even more vibrant.
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 11:30:09 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on August 05, 2015, 09:23:22 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 05, 2015, 09:05:54 AM
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Other amenities that stand out to me include a culturally diverse and engaged population, a mature landscape and having places like Waffa & Mikes, Uptown, Three Layers, Carl's and even Suntrust, Wells Fargo and the post office within close proximity of your residence.
Smartassery aside, these are the types of amenities I was thinking of in Springfield. Plus there's a dog park and a public pool. There's a hardware store in Brentwood that may be the easiest one to get to from Downtown. Et cetera et cetera.
I hope you weren't thinking I was being a smart-ass by presuming that most apartments in Springfield have an in unit W/D. That is a super rare commodity in many many cities, even having working W/D in the basement of your building can be an "amenity" where the OP is coming from, so I promise by saying that I was being serious.
The one thing I'd have to ask, though, is are there really a lot of young people in Springfield? Seems like the pioneers that move there are generally family, older gay couple, or young military couple perhaps on the verge of having kids. I'm recalling this from all the interviews that MJ/some other site used to do years ago of the "new faces of Springfield" and I just don't remember singles in their 20s/30s, nor do I recall where all the apartments are (seemed like it was all single family homes?).
I was referring to AngryChicken's comment.
It seems like the local neighborhood school situation would keep most middle and upper middle class people with kids out of Springfield (and most of North & North West Jacksonville) unless they got them into a magnet school or were willing/able to pay for private school.
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 11:30:09 AM
Quote from: Tacachale on August 05, 2015, 09:23:22 AM
Quote from: thelakelander on August 05, 2015, 09:05:54 AM
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 02:30:50 AM
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 04, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
What are these amenities that you speak of in Springfield? Drive though chicken restaurants, pawn shops and sporadic gunfire?
Quote from: Tacachale on August 01, 2015, 02:11:56 PM
Yes, Downtown Jacksonville still has a long way to go, unfortunately. The exception may be the Brooklyn area, but as Max says the apts may be out of your price range. The surrounding neighborhoods should provide you with about anything you'd need, whether you chose to live in them or Downtown.
If you do decide on Downtown, I'd suggest you get the lay of Riverside, Springfield and San Marco where you'll find a lot of the amenities. If you decide on one of the surrounding areas you can get to Downtown relatively easily by bike or bus. I'm in San Marco and there are several apartments here for less than $1000. In northern San Marco there's now a good bus line that goes straight downtown and also the people mover. I expect Riverside and Springfield will be similar.
You probably have in-unit W/D. That's pretty huge.
Other amenities that stand out to me include a culturally diverse and engaged population, a mature landscape and having places like Waffa & Mikes, Uptown, Three Layers, Carl's and even Suntrust, Wells Fargo and the post office within close proximity of your residence.
Smartassery aside, these are the types of amenities I was thinking of in Springfield. Plus there's a dog park and a public pool. There's a hardware store in Brentwood that may be the easiest one to get to from Downtown. Et cetera et cetera.
I hope you weren't thinking I was being a smart-ass by presuming that most apartments in Springfield have an in unit W/D. That is a super rare commodity in many many cities, even having working W/D in the basement of your building can be an "amenity" where the OP is coming from, so I promise by saying that I was being serious.
The one thing I'd have to ask, though, is are there really a lot of young people in Springfield? Seems like the pioneers that move there are generally family, older gay couple, or young military couple perhaps on the verge of having kids. I'm recalling this from all the interviews that MJ/some other site used to do years ago of the "new faces of Springfield" and I just don't remember singles in their 20s/30s, nor do I recall where all the apartments are (seemed like it was all single family homes?).
Out of curiosity, where do Superintendent Vitti's kids go to school?
Springfield is gaining apartments all the time though many are really duplexes. And there are lots of children from many social economic groups of many different ages in Springfield today, which includes Historic Springfield as well as New Springfield. (1st to 12th, 12th to 20th). The rents drop at 12th. They come with and without w/d - depending upon whom you rent from ($$$). But there are several decent laundry mats close by.
I do think most do the magnet school thing but the local schools are not that bad and a couple which are magnet schools are ranked pretty high. My grand-kids (12, 2 and 0) now live in Historic Springfield and the 12 yr old goes to a private school, but not because the school is bad but a personal reason that also comes with a grant.
^^^I would never live in a place like Jacksonville that didn't have space and in-unit W/D. Honestly, one of the biggest draw backs of living in an incredibly expensive, old, dense city (of which we only have a few in this country) is that many if not most don't have room for an in unit W/D, and many don't even have in their building. I would consider access to W/D as one of the top 3 most important apartment selection criteria for living in an urban environment - you can be within 5 blocks of a full grocer or metro stop, but you should definitely be within a block at most of a very solid laundromat/Laundry Locker and a dry cleaner, and if not you should have W/D in your building.
In Jax, it really should come in unit.
As cheap as Jax is, it does really blow my mind to learn that there are shit small units in bad parts of town without W/D that rent out to people not considered in poverty. Does a $30K salary in Jax get one a W/D at least in the building, if not in unit?
^^It really depends on the specific circumstances. Some of the desirable units in desirable places to live just happen to not have W/D because of design or space issues. Obviously the higher end ones have a much higher chance of having it, but it's far from 100% in the historic homes.
In fact, in two of our units we have W/D hookups with the tenants opting not to put in their own units or have us install for a bump in rent. i.e., they are choosing to go to a laundromat instead.
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 05, 2015, 12:36:55 PM
It seems like the local neighborhood school situation would keep most middle and upper middle class people with kids out of Springfield (and most of North & North West Jacksonville) unless they got them into a magnet school or were willing/able to pay for private school.
Yup, most go the magnet school route. It's not difficult to access.
Quote from: AngryChicken on August 05, 2015, 12:36:55 PM
It seems like the local neighborhood school situation would keep most middle and upper middle class people with kids out of Springfield (and most of North & North West Jacksonville) unless they got them into a magnet school or were willing/able to pay for private school.
Schools are a major issue for me. We've gone the magnet school route (unwilling to pay for private school) but that requires a reverse commute in many cases, which somewhat defeats the purpose of living in the urban core. If Jax wants to really open up the flood gates to redeveloping it's core neighborhoods, addressing the public education situation will be critical to luring and keeping young families long term.
Quote from: simms3 on August 05, 2015, 11:30:09 AM
The one thing I'd have to ask, though, is are there really a lot of young people in Springfield? Seems like the pioneers that move there are generally family, older gay couple, or young military couple perhaps on the verge of having kids. I'm recalling this from all the interviews that MJ/some other site used to do years ago of the "new faces of Springfield" and I just don't remember singles in their 20s/30s, nor do I recall where all the apartments are (seemed like it was all single family homes?).
"A lot" is a relative term. I counted in my Facebook friends list, and have 196 friends in SPR in their 20's or 30's. I know more people than most, but still, for one guy that's a lot. SPR is a big mix of demographics, so their seems to a lot of everything.
Regarding apartments, reasonably priced apartments go fast, as do single family rental homes. There's a dearth of available rentals in SPR. To my knowledge, there's at least 4 multi-family projects going on now, and a 5th (nice new construction apartments on Boulevard) is working out their design details now.
^Nice. I also know a lot of young people living in Springfield. I think the nation's real estate bust a few years back has created an opportunity for young people to invest in the neighborhood that wasn't present a decade ago.
Personally, I think early-40's is quite young. Maybe that's just me.
Quote from: AbelH on August 05, 2015, 09:49:58 PM
Personally, I think early-40's is quite young. Maybe that's just me.
+1000
Quote from: AbelH on August 05, 2015, 09:49:58 PM
Personally, I think early-40's is quite young. Maybe that's just me.
I agree. Many of my friends and acquaintances in their 40s are still single/dating, rent, and may even have roommates. These are not people in Jax. I don't have 35+ year old friends in Jax, and I don't see much cross-age mingling amongst my peers there. In Jax, most of my friends are already married, many with kids, and most of them are younger than 30 still (heck I had friends get married and have kids right out of college!). 40s isn't not-young, but it's simply not "young" in Jax. If you want to prolong your younger years, you're just going to be totally out of place partying like that and doing "young people things" like that in a city like Jax. More at home on the W Coast or NYC. Helps to be gay.
Just my opinion and experience.
Quote from: AbelH on August 05, 2015, 09:49:58 PM
Personally, I think early-40's is quite young. Maybe that's just me.
I love you.
Quote from: AbelH on August 05, 2015, 09:49:58 PM
Personally, I think early-40's is quite young. Maybe that's just me.
also +1000 :-)
Simms: In the area, the 35+ age group is also often divorced with kids almost out of the house again.
Quote from: thelakelander on August 05, 2015, 09:21:19 PM
^Nice. I also know a lot of young people living in Springfield. I think the nation's real estate bust a few years back has created an opportunity for young people to invest in the neighborhood that wasn't present a decade ago.
That was my situation. Moved back to Jax in 2006 and looked in Springfield. $300k-400k+ homes. How was I ever going to be able to move in there? Then the market crashed and the houses dropped to where they should have been.
Quote from: Gunnar on August 06, 2015, 07:46:56 AM
Quote from: AbelH on August 05, 2015, 09:49:58 PM
Personally, I think early-40's is quite young. Maybe that's just me.
also +1000 :-)
Simms: In the area, the 35+ age group is also often divorced with kids almost out of the house again.
On fleek. Hilarious AF. Couldn't help myself there. But yea that's so true. And a little sad too.
Quote from: ronchamblin on August 02, 2015, 10:37:05 AM
If everyone waits for full revitalization, avoiding sacrificing the great conveniences one desires, then the journey to full vibrancy is only delayed.
Ron,I so admire your passion and commitment-I've been awaiting the realization of potential for decades. To the original post,I concur,consider Riverside/Avondale. I thoroughly enjoyed my apartment in Avondale.