We all hear things said about Jacksonville that is negative in nature, but I'd like to talk about what's good about living here, and what we could do to make others feel positive about our great area.
I love the old neighborhoods in Jacksonville. San Marco, Riverside, Springfield, Ortega. Is there anything more beautiful than Talbot Island late in the afternoon on a sunny day? Walking on an uncrowded beach. A drive down SR13? A short trip to St. Marys, or St. Simons Island, GA? Amelia Island and Fernandina. A ferry ride to Mayport for fresh seafood? A concert in the Florida Theater. A short trip to St. Augustine. A hot breezy evening watching the Jumbo Shrimp. The buzz at a Jaguars game. We have it made.
The great ALL-PUBLIC beaches.
The SJTC. (Don't shoot me.)
The relative ease of getting around a (geographically) huge city.
The amount of sunshine. (Seriously, coming from one of the cloudiest places in the USA, most of you have no idea how good you have it with this.)
Being able to drive my convertible 12 months a year, instead of four.
The fact that you cant drive anywhere without seeing something gigantic being built, be it housing, office towers, retail, highways, ...
The areas that are finally getting to where you can walk to a restaurant, locally owned store, or local brewery. Riverside, 5 points, San Marco, Springfield.
I was born in Jax, and lived there in the mid to late 60's, joined the Navy and lived in Jax for 60% of my 20 year Navy career (cause I loved it so much though there wasn't much to do back then), and lived in Jax for two years after I retired from the Navy. I used to love just going downtown and sitting in Hemming Plaza, going to the beach or to Mayport to check out the Navy ships or eat at a good seafood restaurant, or going to one of the very small towns in Duval, Baker or Nassau Counties like Callahan, Baldwin, Maccleny, Hilliard, etc., just to get good hometown southern down home cooking, or to experience the small town atmosphere similar to the little town in Hamilton County that I was raised in (Jasper, FL). I miss Jax; and plan on possibly moving back very soon. I keep tabs on Jax's progress through this forum, and through regular internet surfing on various subjects relevant to the city of Jax. I have always rooted for Jacksonville and moreso now being that things seem to finally be moving; GO JACKSONVILLE!!!
GO JACKSONVILLE! I love my hometown, we have our flaws but I see our city becoming an even better place to work live and play....All those Jacksonville haters are just fuel for Jacksonville to become a world class city. If you're on this website just to bring negativity, PLEASE LEAVE.
Quote from: TimmyB on April 12, 2018, 05:40:18 PM
The amount of sunshine. (Seriously, coming from one of the cloudiest places in the USA, most of you have no idea how good you have it with this.)
I never realized how much I took that for granted until moving to Michigan. I like snow and winter sports, but the cloudiness makes winter so depressing. I have a marker board at my desk with a tally of how many days since the sun was out and I actually got to erase the tallies today. But looking at the forecast, there's gonna be 7 more tallies on there soon...
Quote from: Sonic101 on April 12, 2018, 09:06:50 PM
Quote from: TimmyB on April 12, 2018, 05:40:18 PM
The amount of sunshine. (Seriously, coming from one of the cloudiest places in the USA, most of you have no idea how good you have it with this.)
I never realized how much I took that for granted until moving to Michigan. I like snow and winter sports, but the cloudiness makes winter so depressing. I have a marker board at my desk with a tally of how many days since the sun was out and I actually got to erase the tallies today. But looking at the forecast, there's gonna be 7 more tallies on there soon...
The closer to Lake Michigan you are, the worse it is. I did some serious weather analysis when we were looking at places to move to. What I discovered was SW Michigan (where I lived) was EXACTLY the same as Portland Oregon, with the exception of the winter months being snowy and freezing instead of rainy and 45 degrees! Depressing as hell, and you don't realize it because it's what you grew up with.
I lived in Norfolk Virginia for 2 years, Stuttgart Germany for 2 years, Thurso Scotland for 2 years, and this was during my naval career, and, these 3 cities/areas were cold and way up north except for maybe Norfolk which is mid latitude; and the rest of the time I was in Jacksonville, either at Cecil Field or Naval Air Station Jacksonville. In 1988 to 1990, when I was stationed in Stuttgart Germany, I swore I would never live in another cold climate...and I haven't since then. The worse of the three, believe it or not, was Norfolk Virginia which is about on the same latitude as Northern California. The gulf stream kept Stuttgart and thurso Scotland warmer than the norm so their winters were cold yes, but not like Norfolk. I grew up and was born and raised in North Florida; so those mild to moderate springs and autumns, hot summers and moderate winters were just what the doctor ordered, and, what I also like about Jax is though it is in Florida, there are seasons, and the trees acutally turn in the autumn and shed for the winter, and spring comes a little earlier than up north. Southern cooking, southern drawl, slow to midlin attitude and lifestyle, big city yes but with a small town feel; that's my Jacksonville, and by God when the time is right, I plan to come back before I meet my maker!
I like that it is a sprawl. I grew up at the beaches, so when I lived in Jax I spent most of my time there in Atlantic Beach. But you can spend a day at any of the little pockets of communities in Jax and feel like you were in a different city. I kinda liked that. Sometimes I would take a day off and spend the morning at Riverside, or another at San Marco or Downtown. I was never really so hung up on the fact there there was no defined central area of activity. And the traffic is not as bad as people make it out to be (although I know a bunch of the short cuts and back roads to get where I need to be).
I moved to Jax in 1979 (at the age of seven) because my dad was stationed here. With the exception of about six months in Gainesville, a year in CT and another six months in Tampa, I lived in Jax until I moved away in January 2007.
I try to come back to visit every year. I love Jax and it will always be home to me. Like any city or town, it's not perfect. But specific things I love are:
1) The Beaches. I was never a huge 'beach person' growing up, but have grown to really appreciate them in recent years. They're wide and relatively unspoiled. My wife's family lives about a 1/2 mile or so from the beach in Neptune Beach and nothing is more relaxing to me than getting up early and lying on the beach on that first day of my holiday. It's so peaceful and relaxing - I can actually feel the stress melting away.
2) The river. I love the St Johns river. Growing up near Mill Cove, I used to play along the banks of the river - it was so wild and undeveloped at the time. The river (and its pocket parks) featured pretty heavily in my routine from college onwards.
3) Riverside (and the so-called 'urban core' in general). I've had so many great times in Riverside.
4) The people. Everyone is really friendly. Maybe it's a Southern thing or an American thing - but the people are very warm. And they can be very enthusiastic about stuff.
5) The history - particularly the architectural history. I used to love poring over Jacksonville's Architectural History. It's a great book - and it should serve as a warning about what we risk losing if we don't change. Jax has a lot of very interesting buildings and neighborhoods.
The real answer is simply that it's my hometown. Without that, I honestly doubt I'd give Jax too much care or attention.
But besides that, the things that I think make Jax special:
1) The COL specifically at the beaches and popular urban core neighborhoods. It is far cheaper than many comparable parts of other cities. Especially oceanfront and riverfront.
2) With our specific size and growth trajectory, it is one of the easiest places to make a lasting impact city-wide. You don't have to have huge resources or groundbreaking ideas...the city is already doing well and you get to shape it just by being involved. Especially for passionate and energized young professionals that was a common refrain.
Besides that I love pretty much everything listed by Adam and TimmyB, but they are not necessarily unique to Jax.
Quote from: Adam White on April 13, 2018, 06:46:25 AM
4) The people. Everyone is really friendly. Maybe it's a Southern thing or an American thing - but the people are very warm. And they can be very enthusiastic about stuff.
It's definitely not an American thing haha I used to think it was a Southern thing, but having traveled around and lived elsewhere, now I just think it's a Jacksonville thing.
I completely agree with ProjectMaximus's two points. The quality of life you can achieve for such a relatively small amount of money is unlike any other city I've been to.
I agree; not a southern thing or American thing, just a Jacksonville thing. Yeah, she's southern, but a different kind of southern. Jax has it's own identity apart from other southern cities. I don't know specifically whether Jax is still as cheap as it used to be when I lived there, but I'll bet it's not as expensive as other large cities and if you move to Jax, you get much more bang for your buck!
I'm glad you asked because lately I have been asking myself this very question and honestly, I am drawing a blank.
I agree with the common responses (beaches, weather, cost of living etc) but I'm gonna say a reason that no one will. Jax is in the center in terms of politics as a plus, opposed to being a leftist city. I know that many will say 'Jax is conservative' but I disagree; the democratic representation in Jax is always highly underestimated. With the US Silicon Valley shift in politics here in the internet age, there aren't any true major conservative US cities left IMO.
Quote from: I-10east on April 23, 2018, 10:13:26 PM
I agree with the common responses (beaches, weather, cost of living etc) but I'm gonna say a reason that no one will. Jax is in the center in terms of politics as a plus, opposed to being a leftist city. I know that many will say 'Jax is conservative' but I disagree; the democratic representation in Jax is always highly underestimated. With the US Silicon Valley shift in politics here in the internet age, there aren't any true major conservative US cities left IMO.
I think Jacksonville is to the right of center on politics, but ticking ever so slowly to the center. In my opinion that is a good thing.
Quote from: I-10east on April 23, 2018, 10:13:26 PM
I agree with the common responses (beaches, weather, cost of living etc) but I'm gonna say a reason that no one will. Jax is in the center in terms of politics as a plus, opposed to being a leftist city. I know that many will say 'Jax is conservative' but I disagree; the democratic representation in Jax is always highly underestimated. With the US Silicon Valley shift in politics here in the internet age, there aren't any true major conservative US cities left IMO.
Is "typing out of your ass" an established term?
Quote from: Adam White on April 24, 2018, 09:24:47 AM
Quote from: I-10east on April 23, 2018, 10:13:26 PM
I agree with the common responses (beaches, weather, cost of living etc) but I'm gonna say a reason that no one will. Jax is in the center in terms of politics as a plus, opposed to being a leftist city. I know that many will say 'Jax is conservative' but I disagree; the democratic representation in Jax is always highly underestimated. With the US Silicon Valley shift in politics here in the internet age, there aren't any true major conservative US cities left IMO.
Is "typing out of your ass" an established term?
WOW...
The reason I like living here is similar to Max's - Jacksonville is in a place where individuals can really make an impact on the city just by getting out there. The groundwork is laid, the city is moving along, and now pretty much anybody who wants a say in the direction it goes can do it. The low cost of living and comparatively robust local economy certainly help. People actually getting involved and becoming invested in local things is a big change from how things were when I was growing up here in the 80s and 90s.
Quote from: Adam White on April 24, 2018, 09:24:47 AM
Quote from: I-10east on April 23, 2018, 10:13:26 PM
I agree with the common responses (beaches, weather, cost of living etc) but I'm gonna say a reason that no one will. Jax is in the center in terms of politics as a plus, opposed to being a leftist city. I know that many will say 'Jax is conservative' but I disagree; the democratic representation in Jax is always highly underestimated. With the US Silicon Valley shift in politics here in the internet age, there aren't any true major conservative US cities left IMO.
Is "typing out of your ass" an established term?
Say something intelligent (which you are seemingly capable at times) and debate me, debunk what I said, or simply disagree like Snaketoz did. It's not hard, unless you wanna win a Stephen doppelganger contest, and brashly sound like an ahole...
Quote from: I-10east on April 28, 2018, 01:05:07 AM
Quote from: Adam White on April 24, 2018, 09:24:47 AM
Quote from: I-10east on April 23, 2018, 10:13:26 PM
I agree with the common responses (beaches, weather, cost of living etc) but I'm gonna say a reason that no one will. Jax is in the center in terms of politics as a plus, opposed to being a leftist city. I know that many will say 'Jax is conservative' but I disagree; the democratic representation in Jax is always highly underestimated. With the US Silicon Valley shift in politics here in the internet age, there aren't any true major conservative US cities left IMO.
Is "typing out of your ass" an established term?
Say something intelligent (which you are seemingly capable at times) and debate me, debunk what I said, or simply disagree like Snaketoz did. It's not hard, unless you wanna win a Stephen doppelganger contest, and brashly sound like an ahole...
Dude, I tried that with you on the thread about California and your response was to basically call me a liberal and insult me.
But - my apologies. You and I don't tend to see eye to eye on much of anything, but we've got a pretty cordial relationship.
I think you make a lot of unsupported statements. And I don't get the conspiracy theory you are peddling about Silicon Valley. In any event, your reasons for loving Jax are your reasons and it's not my place to tell you that you're wrong. The only points I would quibble (other than the bit about Silicon Valley, which still confuses me) are a) Jax being a 'center' politically and b) the existence of 'leftist' cities.
A) Jax might have a decent number of Democrats, but that doesn't make it 'centrist'. It's still conservative. Look at all the churches, the sprawl, the road explosion, the massive military presence (and the constant ego-massaging of the massive military presence), the inability to effectively provide public services because of a fear of taxation, etc. Jacksonville did elect a black, Democratic mayor. But he was a right-wing Clintonite 'third way' adherent, not anyone remotely 'left wing'.
B) You *might* be able to make a case for there being cities where the demographics are highly liberal (and that the governments of those cities reflect the demographics - SF is a great example). But right vs left is primarily about economics - capitalism vs socialism. Socialism (or even social democracy, for that matter) is practically non-existent on the political map in the USA. And there are no 'leftist' governments in the USA, at national, state or municipal level. The most you can argue is that some cities are more liberal than others - and that tends to be a trend with cities anyway, as urban populations tend to skew more liberal. And liberals are centrists.
Oh - and one final clarification. The main reason for the 'typing out of your ass' comment was that I don't understand why you seem so willing to see a political angle in everything. And it usually involves a conspiracy. As I said, your reasons for loving Jax are your reasons. But even a pinko like me is able to love Jax and not use the thread as a vehicle to bash the politics of the vast majority of residents.
The country's news used to be dominated by the old school New York liberals in the 90s era; they was not perfect but make more sense IMO (back when Senator Barrack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton believed in a border for this nation). The old NY dems didn't have many divisive wedge issues that the liberals have today with the Silicon shift.
I used to be a Democrat, but I switched to No Party Affiliation because the Dems (hijacked by the progressive Silicon Valley) went bonkers with their ever growing lefty wedge issues (infantilizing minorities, globalistic views, anti gun but it's okay for criminals to have them, the anti-US globalistic Paris Climate accord with the US giving tons of money to globalist bureaucrats while other countries don't have to pull their 'hypothetical' weight) I could go with others too.
I don't know what to say to you if you didn't notice the leftist paradigm shift. Could you get fired for having conservative views in the 90s? IMO unlikely. Could you get fired now with the leftist FB, Twitter etc etc for something that you said ten years ago? IMO definitely. The old NY run legacy media (CBS, NBC, ABC) are dinosaurs compared to the instant 'snap your fingers' social media of today; that's a main reason for the paradigm shift. California politics control's NY today, not the other way around when the more moderate 90's NY mainstream media was king.
Jax (along with every major US city) has many liberal run programs that's built into the politics (not to mention if you're too right of the aisle on social media that could get you fired; no political protections). The fact that a man on his own business had trouble displaying the US flag and military flags on his business should tell you that everything is not all hunky dory conservative in Jax.
IMO the layout of a city has nothing to do with being 'conservative or liberal'. Because last time I checked, a city like Memphis also has sprawling roads too, and no one would call it's politics 'conservative'. Baltimore had tons of churches in the inner city, is it still 'conservative'? The sighting of the star and stripes or a military base doesn't automatically equal 'conservative' because that's way too cliche. Also somehow a US flag proudly displayed doorside of some Philadelphia brownstone isn't so 'conservative' as one displayed an suburban house here in Glynlea; Why is that the case? San Diego is a big military city (that has their military ego constantly massaged, whatever the hell that means....) Is it a conservative city? I would say that it's centrist, or maybe even slightly left of center with Cali's bureaucratic nonsense built into the state.
As for me being 'conspiratorial' I got woke with the Silicon Valley politics theory from a sports writer named Jason Whitlock (yes he's a Fox News contributor and 'conservative', whatever that means, because twenty years ago he would be a liberal). He's very smart, and his take on modern politics is excellent IMO. I also have a piece from the Atlantic (far from being the Drudge Report) and they concurred with what I said. So there you go, one prospective from the left agrees with one on the right.
Have any issue to what I said on if it's true or not (not personal opinions of course), look it up. Google is your friend. I'm not gonna play the 'Everything I said is offbase and unsubstantiated' condescending Stephendare-esque game; I will take that as a cop out if so.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/when-silicon-valley-took-over-journalism/534195/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pFoKliTwV8
On a lighter note; Rockville is pretty awesome.
Even if you aren't a golfer, the TPC can be a great event to attend. Wednesdays are the best days to see the golfers practice. Fun to people watch too.
Quote from: remc86007 on April 28, 2018, 11:35:48 PM
On a lighter note; Rockville is pretty awesome.
Will be there today... Woohoo 8)
1. The trees in Avondale on evening strolls.
2. The boating is phenomenal.
3. Talbot Island.
4. I love the restaurant scene.
5. Beaches.
6. Jaguars.
7. The windows in Ruth's Chris.
8. MetroJacksonville.com
9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.
10. The Riverwalk. (from RAM, the Y, the Landing and the fountain etc.)
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 29, 2018, 09:52:06 AM
9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.
Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm
Don't forget-The Jacksonville Zoo.
Just got back from a camping trip and I'm also going to throw in the natural spaces in the area or easily accessible to it. We're less than 2 hours away from dozens of springs, which is not something you can get in other states.
More of you should get out and hear The Jacksonville Symphony. While the Jaguars were stinking up the field for the vast majority of the last 10 years the Symphony put out amazing concert after amazing concert. It's never sounded better or been a more hip representative of the COJ than it is today. They offer programs for everyone, and do it all for way less than what BB will be paid this year. Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Palm Beach COMBINED do not have the community will to produce one full time professional symphony, but JAX has.
It's the largest and best cultural institution in Florida North of Orlando and does it all on a budget of $10,000,000. Employing about 90 people full time and several part time as well. I would estimate that 95% of that budget is recycled into Jacksonville' local economy as the average salary is $50,000 and goes to pay mortgages, rent, food, clothing, transportation and education expenses for those families.
I think it is safe and fair to say it is the only truly World Class performing arts organization in North East Florida. And it needs your support. So get out there and discover another amazing thing Jacksonville has to offer. Buy a ticket. Show up. Jacoby Hall is nothing short of a miracle when you consider it is one of 2 Symphony Halls in the entire state of Florida.
Tickets here: https://www.jaxsymphony.org/
P.S. Branford Marsalis to kick off the 2018-2019 Season next September.
Quote from: seaspray on April 29, 2018, 06:15:44 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 29, 2018, 09:52:06 AM
9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.
Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm
This in my opinion is not only one of the best things about JAX, but also the most overlooked/ignored aspect by locals. Instead of trying to replicate South Florida, JAX needs to fully embrace the fact that is is NOT South Florida.
Plant OAKS as street trees instead of thousands of Palms. Embrace that you represent the charm and slower pace of the Old South as well as still being part of FL. Embrace that this is were you want to live in FL BEFORE you retire. Emphasize that you are the business city not the tourist mecca of FL. Tell the world, (believe me, it does not know), that you CAN live in FL and not have to live in a beige stucco/tile roof house. You have a great story to tell, but it doesn't get told.
Quote from: vicupstate on April 30, 2018, 12:50:01 PM
Quote from: seaspray on April 29, 2018, 06:15:44 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 29, 2018, 09:52:06 AM
9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.
Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm
This in my opinion is not only one of the best things about JAX, but also the most overlooked/ignored aspect by locals. Instead of trying to replicate South Florida, JAX needs to fully embrace the fact that is is NOT South Florida.
Plant OAKS as street trees instead of thousands of Palms. Embrace that you represent the charm and slower pace of the Old South as well as still being part of FL. Embrace that this is were you want to live in FL BEFORE you retire. Emphasize that you are the business city not the tourist mecca of FL. Tell the world, (believe me, it does not know), that you CAN live in FL and not have to live in a beige stucco/tile roof house. You have a great story to tell, but it doesn't get told.
I'm totally with you on that.
I like that I can own a home with a large yard, mossed draped oaks, hickorys, magnolias, and hibiscus. To me, that beat hell out of going up to the 30th floor to my apt. We have so much room! Density may help some things, but to me I like a little space.
Quote from: vicupstate on April 30, 2018, 12:50:01 PM
Quote from: seaspray on April 29, 2018, 06:15:44 PM
Quote from: JeffreyS on April 29, 2018, 09:52:06 AM
9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.
Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm
This in my opinion is not only one of the best things about JAX, but also the most overlooked/ignored aspect by locals. Instead of trying to replicate South Florida, JAX needs to fully embrace the fact that is is NOT South Florida.
Plant OAKS as street trees instead of thousands of Palms. Embrace that you represent the charm and slower pace of the Old South as well as still being part of FL. Embrace that this is were you want to live in FL BEFORE you retire. Emphasize that you are the business city not the tourist mecca of FL. Tell the world, (believe me, it does not know), that you CAN live in FL and not have to live in a beige stucco/tile roof house. You have a great story to tell, but it doesn't get told.
Amen and well put my friend. I was born in Jacksonville and raised in Jasper Florida until age 8, and moved back to Jacksonville at that time, and, I KNOW North Florida. North Florida, from Ocala on North and then west, is the REAL FLORIDIA; not central, west central, southwest, or south/southeast Florida; loaded with tourists in those areas now with people from other states, and I don't like it. I live in Sarasota, which is where we moved to in 1969, and then I joined the Navy in 1974, and I'm here to tell you, this area is infested with tourists, obnoxious (most of them not all) northerners who are brining a lot of their baggage to our state. When I visit Jacksonville, or any city in North Florida, I am brought back to my childhood, southern charm, slow pace, much more friendliness and neighborliness, etc., and, I miss it. If we don't get nuked, and if things continue as normal (don't say it can't happen cause things are too off the chain), I will possibly move back to Jacksonville to live out my last days. I miss it, and I want to come back and live the rest of my life there. Y'all can put your handkerchiefs back in your pockets and your pocketbooks now.