I will be moving to Jacksonville within the next 6 months. Can someone please give me a heads up regarding nice safe areas for my family to move. Thanks.
What kind of neighborhood do you like? Historic, suburban, gated, beaches, urban core?
I'd suggest Riverside/Avondale or San Marco. Both are historic, safe, well kept, easily accessible, with a wide range of home prices and ammenities.
Quote from: Nickpb0409 on September 12, 2008, 03:22:10 PM
I will be moving to Jacksonville within the next 6 months. Can someone please give me a heads up regarding nice safe areas for my family to move. Thanks.
JAX is a huge area, to help you better more info like where you plan to work, what your budget is and what type of living, urban, suburban, beach, rural would be for you, yes it is all here.
In general much of the problems like urban decay, crime and bad schools are found in the areas north and west of the urban core, the further from the core you get the less problems are found.
Yes, it really depends on what type of lifestyle you seek and type of commute you're willing to put up with. All areas of town have their good and bad points. For example, in some sections of the urban core blight is a major concern. On the other hand many of our suburban areas suffer from traffic congestion and the longest commute times in the state.
You're well on your way to making a very informed decision. Had I known about this site before moving to Jacksonville two years ago, the decision would have been much easier and quicker. However, I am happy with my decision for now.
Many factors will make the answer to that question much easier.
Yep less problems and none of that pesky character or history either!
But seriously if you're looking for a nice suburban neighborhood there's PLENTY of those here. I actually don't think Southside blvd or the Towncenter is that bad if you're looking for modern conveniences and newer construction.
The Southside (a very big area).
Quote from: rjp2008 on September 12, 2008, 04:09:15 PM
The Southside (a very big area).
which brings us full circle, place of employment, budget and lifestyle concerns will determine what would be a good place to relocate to. The OP might want to consider renting for 7+ months (anything less pays a tourist rental tax) before making any longer term commitments
^that's a good idea.
Thanks for all the input. I'm in the market for something under $275,000. I have a family so I want something safe. I am comming from New Orleans so I need a place with culture and character. Thanks for all the help so far.
check out St Johns county if you want to get as far away from the crime, defunct school system and general moronic decisionmakers of duval county as possible
Quote from: Nickpb0409 on September 15, 2008, 09:45:12 AM
Thanks for all the input. I'm in the market for something under $275,000. I have a family so I want something safe. I am comming from New Orleans so I need a place with culture and character. Thanks for all the help so far.
Will you have a job when you move here? If so tell us where it is located and we can recommend some areas
Quote from: Nickpb0409 on September 15, 2008, 09:45:12 AM
Thanks for all the input. I'm in the market for something under $275,000. I have a family so I want something safe. I am comming from New Orleans so I need a place with culture and character. Thanks for all the help so far.
where you work is an important piece of this puzzle, 275k can get you an ok place in many parts of the area but if you don't choose wisely you could set yourself up for commutes from hell. Regarding culture and character, both of those are in short supply, especially culture.
Riverside/Avondale and San Marco are both deceptively dangerous. They are literally across the tracks from some pretty sketchy areas. If I had a family I would seriously consider northwest St Johns county or southern Nassau county, depending on location of your employ.
Depending on where you live and where you work the commute can be bad. The reality is it is no worse here than other large cities. Jacksonville has a pretty good character and culture... both could be better.
Do you think if we slipped you a couple of big ones under the table, you could get away from the Big Easy with a streetcar or two?
Is race going to effect your decision? I think you'll find Jacksonville is quite liberal on the race-card based on the port or maybe the Navy and Railroads? Most any neighborhood in Jax has a nice mix of races, the Southside (also the name for the South and Southeast Side of the St. Johns River) are more like doctor Frank-n-furter, making a man - with blonde hair and a tan. West of I-95 downtown, Northwest, North to the Trout River, with scattered pockets in other areas tend to be more African. Unless we have some new item I'm not aware of, if your American Natuive, arabic, oriental, etc... are just scattered to the wind, even though we have one of the largest Arab populations in North America. For all of these reasons, seek out the little mom and pop restaurants, you'll find them wonderful.
Where ever you end up - WELCOME. Jump right in the water is fine, love to have you with us.
Remember two trolley cars, if you can fit them in someplace.
OCKLAWAHA
Just curious....
Driven1 what part of town do you live in?
If you're looking for culture and character and using New Orleans as a measuring stick, focus on the older sections of town. Try looking in neighborhoods like Riverside, Avondale, Murray Hill, Ortega, San Marco, Springfield and St. Nicholas. You should be able to find something under or in your price range.
Got to say lake, Ortega and Ortega Farms was VERY good to me. I still have a great affection for the people in the old neighborhood. Mr. Hastings always made sure any young train buffs were equipped with the latest ACL RR Timetables. And Charlie Stringfellow, Mechanical VP? always had time to show us something on his live steam models. Mr. Skeins owned the "House of Bargains" chain, the grand-daddy of todays BIG LOTS, and he too always had time to take son Matthew and any friends along for the ride, buying, auctions, etc..
Willis Butts, "Gold finger of Yukon" always had change to buy a kid a hamburger... even a black kid (and if you knew Mr. Butts as I did, you might think that impossible!) Rich? Yes, by most standards, but still the salt of the earth type of friends. Even if the age difference was 50+ years.
OCKLAWAHA
I'll have a house for sale within that time frame in Avondale...~hint-hint~. In this downturn economy, I could really use a buyer!
Quote from: jaxtrader on September 15, 2008, 10:25:21 AM
Riverside/Avondale and San Marco are both deceptively dangerous. They are literally across the tracks from some pretty sketchy areas. If I had a family I would seriously consider northwest St Johns county or southern Nassau county, depending on location of your employ.
This is total nonsense. I have lived in Riverside/Avondale for almost ten years now and have never been the victim of violent crime and neither has any of my neighbors or anyone I know. The worst thing I have heard of is some minor property crimes (car break ins and a few burglaries). Similar things can happen anywhere. If you are looking for character, I would strongly encourage you to check out the in town areas (Riverside/Avondale, San Marco, Springfield) rather than the sea of anonymous trip malls and strip malls that constitute suburbia.
Quote from: RiversideGator on September 22, 2008, 05:40:01 PM
Quote from: jaxtrader on September 15, 2008, 10:25:21 AM
Riverside/Avondale and San Marco are both deceptively dangerous. They are literally across the tracks from some pretty sketchy areas. If I had a family I would seriously consider northwest St Johns county or southern Nassau county, depending on location of your employ.
This is total nonsense. I have lived in Riverside/Avondale for almost ten years now and have never been the victim of violent crime and neither has any of my neighbors or anyone I know. The worst thing I have heard of is some minor property crimes (car break ins and a few burglaries). Similar things can happen anywhere. If you are looking for character, I would strongly encourage you to check out the in town areas (Riverside/Avondale, San Marco, Springfield) rather than the sea of anonymous trip malls and strip malls that constitute suburbia.
I agree with this. I've lived in Jacksonville 9+ years now, and during that time have lived in the Southside, northern St. Johns County, and now Avondale. As long as I continue to live here, it will be in Avondale. I suspect there are homes to be had for $275k these days.
If you are from the Garden District, French Quarter, Tulane area, Algiers, etc. then Springfield, Riverside, or Avondale will look most like home. If you're from Lakeview, try San Marco/Miramar. Slidel/ North Shore? Try the Southside and the exburbs.
Springfield has a nice cadre of former New Orleanians and Cajun/Katrina Coasters (or whatever else the Mobile to NO stretch is called these days). My family feels safe here --and would in Riverside, Avondale, and San Marco, too.
I've lived in riverside for 14 years (home owner for 7) and would never consider leaving the riverside / Avondale area (we call it the island). I wouldn't even leave if a house was given to me. I love that everything is nearby, if not walking distance. Also, unlike most areas in Jacksonville, weekends are quiet and nearly no traffic.