O, Pioneer! 5 Secretly Cool Cities Where You Can Still Get in on the Ground Floor. Jax is #1.
If you're over watching Charleston patting herself on the back, can't even with Savannah's sleepiness but like the idea of hanging your hat in that part of the world, suspend disbelief and head down I-95 a piece. Yes, this is Florida, but ignore that little detail - most Floridians ignore Jacksonville, after all - until winter hits and you've still got plenty of sunshine and palm trees.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/David-Landsel/o-pioneer-5-secretly-cool_b_8233988.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/David-Landsel/o-pioneer-5-secretly-cool_b_8233988.html)
Pretty cool.
Thanks for sharing!
Good article!
I liked his angle. The only part that raised my eyebrows :o was the "distance from civilization" segment. Only for Sacramento to San Fran and Baltimore to DC would it kinda make sense. In no way would I consider Savannah the nearest "civilization" to Jax.
Many probably don't realize it but Daytona's MSA is almost twice the size of Savannah's. It's 45 minutes to an hour away. Orlando's MSA is an 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Exactly. And on top of that, I read that segment as a "what's the closest big city in case the subject locale feels too small and slow?" And obviously Savannah is not "the city" compared to Jax. Same for San Antonio...I doubt folks there think lets go to Austin when we need more excitement. (actually some might but I know others who take offense to that as well)
Quote from: ProjectMaximus on October 03, 2015, 11:53:09 AM
Exactly. And on top of that, I read that segment as a "what's the closest big city in case the subject locale feels too small and slow?" And obviously Savannah is not "the city" compared to Jax. Same for San Antonio...I doubt folks there think lets go to Austin when we need more excitement. (actually some might but I know others who take offense to that as well)
If I were going to bother driving as far as Savannah for something to do, I'd just deal with it and go to Atlanta. Savannah bores me - I much prefer Jax.
I liked the mention of the recent happenings in Hemming. I think The Friends are doing such good things there. When we go downtown it's always the first place we go to check the pulse.
I noticed the Savannah comment also. Funny thing is when I'm in Savannah on business, a lot of the younger (late 20's and 30s) crowd like Jacksonville. One comment you get is it is a real "city" with a downtown.
Interesting that the article actually mentioned things to do that my wife and I had planned to do yesterday. Lunch in 5 Points (Hawkers) visit to Cummer, drink at the Derby and then off to the Food trucks DT. The one thing we both noticed (as discussed much on MetroJax) was lack of fixed mode transportation. Due to many events it made driving and parking not much fun.
Gotta love the first comment. Had no idea if you don't live in Riverside or Murray Hill then you're literally in conservo nut job land.
(http://i.imgur.com/FEc6iuq.jpg)
Quote from: thelakelander on October 03, 2015, 11:46:18 AM
Many probably don't realize it but Daytona's MSA is almost twice the size of Savannah's. It's 45 minutes to an hour away. Orlando's MSA is an 1.5 to 2 hours away.
You do realize that the author of this particular article as well as most of the author's readers have a different idea of what they consider "cicilization" (safe to say its leaning more towards jazz festivals and Spoleto as opposed to Bike Week). No need to challenge Savannah to an MSA pissing contest. The author's geographic ignorance has more to do with his own selective bias.
Nice things said about Jax aside, what I really loved about the article is what he really wanted to point out about the cities mentioned is not necessarily what these cities have now, but the
potential these cities have for awesomeness. This is the type of publicity Jacksonville needs: Get in on the ground floor on this awesome community we're trying to build here.
Oh, no pissing contest. I've written enough stories similar to this to know the author won't give two cents about others disagreeing with him. I know I don't. In this particular case, I was simply responding to Project Maximus' comment.
I'm sorry, I can't take Baltimore seriously, esp after that Freddie Gray/rioting/diva mayor debacle there (no offense to any Baltimoreans). There always seem to be a push from the liberal intelligentsia (like the Huff) to prop up these failing liberal cities; Many of the residents in Baltimore proper do not pay taxes, and we all know that neighborhoods goes to sh*t when that happens. Many cities like this are propped up by the federal gov't (case one Detroit) which is not talked often about.
Quote from: JaxJersey-licious on October 04, 2015, 10:17:55 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on October 03, 2015, 11:46:18 AM
Many probably don't realize it but Daytona's MSA is almost twice the size of Savannah's. It's 45 minutes to an hour away. Orlando's MSA is an 1.5 to 2 hours away.
You do realize that the author of this particular article as well as most of the author's readers have a different idea of what they consider "cicilization" (safe to say its leaning more towards jazz festivals and Spoleto as opposed to Bike Week). No need to challenge Savannah to an MSA pissing contest. The author's geographic ignorance has more to do with his own selective bias.
Nice things said about Jax aside, what I really loved about the article is what he really wanted to point out about the cities mentioned is not necessarily what these cities have now, but the potential these cities have for awesomeness. This is the type of publicity Jacksonville needs: Get in on the ground floor on this awesome community we're trying to build here.
That's also what I took from it. Whatever their other assets, Orlando, Daytona, etc. aren't cool places. In terms of this article, proximity to SCAD and the Savannah bar district probably trumps proximity to, say, Downtown Disney or Jimmy Buffet's (R) Margeritaville (R).
I understood where he was coming from. However, I also understand and have lived Project Maximus's point. Savannah is a cool place, but it's also a small place. Depending on what you're in to, it can get old and boring pretty fast. With a city like Orlando, yeah there's Downtown Disney, I-Drive and Universal Studios and sprawl (like Abercorn in Savannah), but you can also find local "cool" spots like Thornton Park, Downtown Orlando, Winter Park, College Park, Audubon Park, etc., if you're willing to get off I-4. Having multiple vibrant pedestrian scale districts is something that a city like Jax can take advantage of too.
I think it's fair to say Jax is relatively close to a number of interesting or cool or whatever places - Daytona, Savannah, Orlando, Gainesville, St Augustine. So while the more jaded amongst us might lament that it seems you have to drive somewhere else to do or see something interesting, a more optimistic person might point out how well-situated Jax is.
I thought the article was interesting because it pointed out a few things that Jax is doing (like the breweries) and pegged it as a potential "next big thing" or more likely the "next, next big thing". Jax has lots of potential. And I think a lot of that potential could be realized or harnessed if the downtown could get sorted out.
A vibrant downtown would help but regional multimodal connectivity would go a lot further, IMO. Imagine if you could enjoy Riverside, San Marco or Springfield and have quick, easy, reliable and direct access to downtown, Jax Beach, St. Augustine, Fernandina, etc. Regionally, you'd have an environment where you could easily market several different type of scenes as a package.
Well on Saturday I had tacos with an ocean view, watched a surfing competition, and walked the beach on a spectacular day. Yes I had to drive (but it was an easy ride) back downtown, but I drove down one of America's best streets (Laura) and stopped a the food truck rally at the Landing, and had some more good food. I drove back to Avondale where we watched the River City Pride Parade. Walked home, cleaned up and walked to the River City Pride Festival in 5 Points. If Jacksonville isn't cool enough for some people, I don't know what else we can do. Peace
Quote from: thelakelander on October 05, 2015, 07:29:28 AM
A vibrant downtown would help but regional multimodal connectivity would go a lot further, IMO. Imagine if you could enjoy Riverside, San Marco or Springfield and have quick, easy, reliable and direct access to downtown, Jax Beach, St. Augustine, Fernandina, etc. Regionally, you'd have an environment where you could easily market several different type of scenes as a package.
I agree. To be honest, I kind of assumed the two would go hand-in-hand.
The thing that I loved was the lack of ridiculous bitching and moaning about what Jax doesn't have *and* the very clear acknowledgment of what I've said before about us -- very Florida, very Southern -- which should be celebrated because it makes us unique and attractive. Even the commenter talking about (and lamenting) the suburbs and tea party types -- hell, that's very attractive for a large segment of the American population.
The next decade for this city is going to be so damn exciting.
Aw man, he forgot to mention the Krispy Kreme doughnut burger you can get at Kickbacks!
Nice article, I recently went to Austin for a wedding and spent a day in San Antonio. There are actually many things I liked more about SA than Austin mainly having to do with the very historic and vibrant downtown SA has. Austin of course is very vibrant too but also becoming very modern and a little too cosmo for me. SA seems to have held on to its history more which makes it a very interesting place to visit, something Jax and most other cities should learn from. Austin still has a lot more to offer than SA as a whole, especially since SA seemed like kind of a dump outside of downtown. They have done a tremendous job preserving and investing in its downtown/riverwalk and if they see some of the surrounding neighborhoods improve it could be a very cool place to live, not just visit.
Quote from: peestandingup on October 04, 2015, 09:57:15 PM
Gotta love the first comment. Had no idea if you don't live in Riverside or Murray Hill then you're literally in conservo nut job land.
Except that's not what he said:
QuoteThe BEST parts of town are the liberal areas, like Riverside and Murray Hill. The suburbs are full of birther nut teahadists.
Quote from: stephendare on October 05, 2015, 03:47:52 PM
Quote from: I-10east on October 04, 2015, 10:56:28 PM
I'm sorry, I can't take Baltimore seriously, esp after that Freddie Gray/rioting/diva mayor debacle there (no offense to any Baltimoreans). There always seem to be a push from the liberal intelligentsia (like the Huff) to prop up these failing liberal cities; Many of the residents in Baltimore proper do not pay taxes, and we all know that neighborhoods goes to sh*t when that happens. Many cities like this are propped up by the federal gov't (case one Detroit) which is not talked often about.
dumb
Haha glad someone said it.
Quote from: UNFurbanist on October 05, 2015, 05:29:12 PM
Quote from: stephendare on October 05, 2015, 03:47:52 PM
Quote from: I-10east on October 04, 2015, 10:56:28 PM
I'm sorry, I can't take Baltimore seriously, esp after that Freddie Gray/rioting/diva mayor debacle there (no offense to any Baltimoreans). There always seem to be a push from the liberal intelligentsia (like the Huff) to prop up these failing liberal cities; Many of the residents in Baltimore proper do not pay taxes, and we all know that neighborhoods goes to sh*t when that happens. Many cities like this are propped up by the federal gov't (case one Detroit) which is not talked often about.
dumb
Dumb is correct. The biggest obstacle to Jacksonville becoming a fantastic city is the huge numbers of rednecks, thugs, litterers, tea baggers, obese heart attack candidates, and a general feeling of "it's good enough, don't raise our taxes". I hope before I leave this earth I am able to see Jacksonville change in a positive way.
Haha glad someone said it.
Quote from: finehoe on October 05, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on October 04, 2015, 09:57:15 PM
Gotta love the first comment. Had no idea if you don't live in Riverside or Murray Hill then you're literally in conservo nut job land.
Except that's not what he said:
QuoteThe BEST parts of town are the liberal areas, like Riverside and Murray Hill. The suburbs are full of birther nut teahadists.
Right. "Best" here meaning the urban areas he mentioned, whereas everything else (IE the suburbs) are a wasteland of backwards conservatives. I mean, if they're conservatives they must be birther nuts, right?? That's literally what he said.
And I'm not taking sides or defending any political party, but that's just a dumb statement, not at all accurate & makes the rest of Jax look like some kind of wasteland. The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).
Hooray for positive press, but I find it pretty mind-blowingly odd and really not all that surprising that nearly every comment is from someone in Jax doing what they think is best to further prop up the city. Hardly a peep from people in Baltimore, Sacramento, San Antonio, or Albuquerque (3 of these cities are significantly larger than Jax and one would assume would have more readers/posters).
A post from John F. Thompson, a self-described stay-at-home parent with a picture of his beautiful family/kids as his FB profile picture stating:
"Next time check out the country's coolest contemporary art museum featuring the newest rising stars in art from around the country - MOCA Jacksonville."
pretty much sums it up. Nothing wrong with any of this, but comments from young family men and women (pretty much my age with multiple kids already) times 20 hailing Jacksonville's contemporary art scene just seems so ironic to me, that's all.
Another comment:
"Jacksonville is one of the most Beautiful cities in the South despite the liberals who have no tolerance for any opinion but their own!"
I think it proves the point that the city has a huge inferiority complex and some stereotypes will always be true. Best to embrace. City is doing a better job at that!
I think the read on Jax is accurate and sounds very good without spin. Too much I read about some article describing Jax that sounds way too much like a spin piece. The very first sentence:
"A small but active community of entrepreneurs working double time to change the image of this large but sleepy city."
Is an amazing testament to what is happening in Jax, and clearly the author feels that, knows that, and acknowledges that. That's more props than anything I've read nationally about Jax in a really long time! Pretty sweet that just about all of those entrepreneurs are active posters on MetroJax. Wonder if one of them knows the author :)
Who the hell reads internet comments sections?
Quote from: peestandingup on October 05, 2015, 06:37:07 PM
Quote from: finehoe on October 05, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on October 04, 2015, 09:57:15 PM
Gotta love the first comment. Had no idea if you don't live in Riverside or Murray Hill then you're literally in conservo nut job land.
Except that's not what he said:
QuoteThe BEST parts of town are the liberal areas, like Riverside and Murray Hill. The suburbs are full of birther nut teahadists.
Right. "Best" here meaning the urban areas he mentioned, whereas everything else (IE the suburbs) are a wasteland of backwards conservatives. I mean, if they're conservatives they must be birther nuts, right?? That's literally what he said.
And I'm not taking sides or defending any political party, but that's just a dumb statement, not at all accurate & makes the rest of Jax look like some kind of wasteland. The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).
The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).I hope you see the irony in that post.
Aside from that, Joe Flowers is actually a pretty decent guy (and he teaches at UNF).
Quote from: simms3 on October 05, 2015, 06:39:50 PM
I think it proves the point that the city has a huge inferiority complex and some stereotypes will always be true. Best to embrace. City is doing a better job at that!
It just reinforces my opinion that people who read Huffington Post and post to their comment sections have inferiority complexes.
Quote from: Adam White on October 06, 2015, 12:49:27 AM
I hope you see the irony in that post.
LOL. Don't count on it.
"A city where I can get off of the ground floor" in Baltimore, no thank you. I'd rather not get shot. I'd rather live in Jax's Roosevelt Gardens. I don't give a damn if you guys think that what I said was 'dumb' just because I told the truth. 'Conservative Jacksonville' (whatever the hell that means...) is a hell of alot more stable than most liberal cities that use government help; Many of those cities DO use gov't help, do your homework, I'm not gonna do it for you.
All that the 9 o'clock left Huff Post FB crowd could talk about is how 'conservative' Jax is, but nevermind all of that total chaos and dysfunction in Baltimore...That's liberals for you....
Quote from: CG7 on October 05, 2015, 08:59:49 AM
Well on Saturday I had tacos with an ocean view, watched a surfing competition, and walked the beach on a spectacular day. Yes I had to drive (but it was an easy ride) back downtown, but I drove down one of America's best streets (Laura) and stopped a the food truck rally at the Landing, and had some more good food. I drove back to Avondale where we watched the River City Pride Parade. Walked home, cleaned up and walked to the River City Pride Festival in 5 Points. If Jacksonville isn't cool enough for some people, I don't know what else we can do. Peace
10/4!
The more some degrade our area the more they simply speak of themselves.
it can be wonderful here.It is. Relax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And in addition to the city activities there are myriad outdoor attributes,both in 'town' and just a wee bit away.
Perhaps our biggest call and challenge is to not destroy the very attributes we promote,or don't promote.
Funny how "Conservative" Avondale escaped assumed horrendous mention. Lucky us!
I'd like to haul the Huff Post folk to my west side camp and public lands complex,then a whirl wind through town and on out to Talbot. Then back to Florida Theatre.
Some truly outstanding areas are not so concerned about 'promotion'. Outsider assessments are treated with discernment. Differentiation.
Enjoy Jacksonville!
Quote from: Adam White on October 06, 2015, 12:49:27 AM
Quote from: peestandingup on October 05, 2015, 06:37:07 PM
Quote from: finehoe on October 05, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on October 04, 2015, 09:57:15 PM
Gotta love the first comment. Had no idea if you don't live in Riverside or Murray Hill then you're literally in conservo nut job land.
Except that's not what he said:
QuoteThe BEST parts of town are the liberal areas, like Riverside and Murray Hill. The suburbs are full of birther nut teahadists.
Right. "Best" here meaning the urban areas he mentioned, whereas everything else (IE the suburbs) are a wasteland of backwards conservatives. I mean, if they're conservatives they must be birther nuts, right?? That's literally what he said.
And I'm not taking sides or defending any political party, but that's just a dumb statement, not at all accurate & makes the rest of Jax look like some kind of wasteland. The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).
The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).
I hope you see the irony in that post.
It was a douchy comment, so yeah. Calling a spade a spade here. Feel free to call me one if I make such a dumb statement.
QuoteAside from that, Joe Flowers is actually a pretty decent guy (and he teaches at UNF).
He could be, I don't know him personally. But UNF isn't exactly the Harvard of the south though. And as far as professors anywhere go, a lot are OK, but many of them can be some of the dumbest people socially & cognitively I've ever met. My personal life requires that I meet a lot so you're just gonna have to trust me on that.
Quote from: peestandingup on October 07, 2015, 12:01:49 AM
Quote from: Adam White on October 06, 2015, 12:49:27 AM
Quote from: peestandingup on October 05, 2015, 06:37:07 PM
Quote from: finehoe on October 05, 2015, 01:20:39 PM
Quote from: peestandingup on October 04, 2015, 09:57:15 PM
Gotta love the first comment. Had no idea if you don't live in Riverside or Murray Hill then you're literally in conservo nut job land.
Except that's not what he said:
QuoteThe BEST parts of town are the liberal areas, like Riverside and Murray Hill. The suburbs are full of birther nut teahadists.
Right. "Best" here meaning the urban areas he mentioned, whereas everything else (IE the suburbs) are a wasteland of backwards conservatives. I mean, if they're conservatives they must be birther nuts, right?? That's literally what he said.
And I'm not taking sides or defending any political party, but that's just a dumb statement, not at all accurate & makes the rest of Jax look like some kind of wasteland. The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).
The guy's obviously a douche bag & has some kind of mental illness where he sees everything in black & white (Huff Post, so..yeah).
I hope you see the irony in that post.
It was a douchy comment, so yeah. Calling a spade a spade here. Feel free to call me one if I make such a dumb statement.
QuoteAside from that, Joe Flowers is actually a pretty decent guy (and he teaches at UNF).
He could be, I don't know him personally. But UNF isn't exactly the Harvard of the south though. And as far as professors anywhere go, a lot are OK, but many of them can be some of the dumbest people socially & cognitively I've ever met. My personal life requires that I meet a lot so you're just gonna have to trust me on that.
I don't necessarily agree with what Joe posted - though I think I understand what he was getting at. It's a bit rude, though. He's friends with a number of my friends and has always seemed like a nice guy.
I had some real idiots for professors at UF and UNF. I agree with you on that point.