Why I love Springfield

[zoo]

Risking a hijacking, thought I'd attempt to start a conversation about all of the reasons residents love Springfield. I'll start with a few short ones so others have plenty of room to add their two, on-topic, cents:

- Walkable and convenient to Downtown amenities
- 3 Layers, Uptown Market, Bateh's Pharmacy, Mike & Wafaa's, Tommy's, Hola, Fusion, and on, and on
- Engaged residents creating many fun activities (SACARC, Mommies Group, Garden Club, GLBT Center, Kickball team, etc...)

[GideonGlib]

Where/When/Who about the kickball team? Do you have more information on that?

[zoo]

I don't, but I know someone will chime in with that info for you eventually...

[thelakelander]

- Unique historical architecture that can't be found at the same scale and density in Florida.
- mature landscape which makes the community more walkable given Florida's climate.
- Home to one of Jacksonville's last remaining historic architecturally significant warehouse districts.
- Home to one of the most unique urban central parks in the South (it just needs a little cleaning).
- One of Florida's original TODs.  Bring the real streetcars back, please!
- Main Street's historical urban density gives it, its own special vibe making it a unique place in Jax.

[danno]

My Neighbors
My House
I have enjoyed seeing so much change in the last decade.

[cindi]

you never need an alarm clock.  Big Jim wakes you up at 7am, sends you to lunch at noon, tells you to get back to work at 1pm and yeahhhh it's time to get off at 5pm.  
awesooooommmmeee neighbors.

[Springfielder]

to name a few: my home, neighbors, Three Layers, Waffas and Uptown Market and Holas all in walking distance. The tree canopy, even though JEA butchered much of it. Having a front garden, large back yard, my neighborhood being very walkable at any time of day or night...

[Dan B]

The people.

[02roadking]

Where/When/Who about the kickball team? Do you have more information on that?

http://www.kickball.com/node/213813

[strider]

Diversity .... An acceptance of those around you for who and what they are... I am, of course, speaking of the majority here.  Walk to lunch from the store....walk from one of the houses... and yes, three layers to Carls to Yangs to A to Z to the pawn shops to ...the next good thing.... the unnown future of Springfield is the best thing to love.

[tpot]

my neighbors
proximity to I-95, I-10 and the airport
Uptown Market
3 Layers
Tree Canopy
My house
The Dog Park
Fusion
All the fun Parties!!!

[Johnny]

I have to go with the houses, neighbors, central location, activities, dog park, etc...

I can't leave out Three Layers being approximately 20 yards from my front door steps.

[Lunican]

No traffic.

[sheclown]

I gotta say "yes" to the Maxwell House coffee smell (part of the reason of 3 Layers success -- the not so subliminal suggestion to get a cup of coffee!)

The alleys for bike riding and dog walking.

The houses, old buildings, hidden surprises, potential for tomorrow just waiting to be discovered.

Tall buildings in the background.  Chickens in unlikely places.  Carl's french fries.  Tons of bus stops for those who can't drive.

Nice sidewalks.  Big trees.  Front porches. 

[movedsouth]

- having my cat bring in used condoms instead of mouse carcasses
- about 5 stolen bikes
- robbed at gun point once
- finding discarded shell casings after shoot outs outside my house twice.
- getting into fights with hookers after they and the raggedy cars cruising for them kept me awake
- getting maced by those same hookers
- being asked by JSO why I come out of my house at night (after complaining about the mace)
- telling a woman who asks why I live here about the great neighbors, and have her point to the empty lots and houses around me asking "what neighbors?"
- 2 broken car windows, one damaged car door. I should have stayed inside as JSO told me to.
- having to watch out for broken bottles when walking the dog
- trying to avoid having the dog eat too much discarded happy meals on our walk
- having choices: cross pearl street at Klutho "above ground" and get hit by a police cruiser running to Lincoln court, or "below ground" and stepping into human feces under the bridge.
- a neighborhood organization that tells me there is no crime.
- chasing would-be burglars from my porch twice.

sorry. I am done with Springfield. Why am I still here (physically)? Its cheaper to replace a car window here and there then getting a second mortgage and paying extra insurance on a house I can't sell.

Added later:
- having people who live far west tell me how great the east side is.