Why do you stay in Jacksonville?

Jaxson · February 17, 2011, 09:32:12 AM

I stay in Jacksonville because my friends and my immediate family live here. I have established ties and roots with them (especially my folks). I have moved away before and missed my friends and family most. I also missed the positive memories and events from my past. To move to a 'better' city would force me to start a new life from scratch. I live in an imperfect city, but it has wears like an itchy sweater during winter that, although uncomfortable, gives me comfort against the elements.

CG7 · February 17, 2011, 09:34:06 AM

If you owned a kayak, you would understand!

BridgeTroll · February 17, 2011, 09:36:58 AM

Quote from: Ocklawaha on February 17, 2011, 09:32:08 AM
Because when you've lived all over the America's and really shake out the pros and cons, Jacksonville's biggest problems are minuscule compared to the next best place!

OCKLAWAHA

Agreed.

jcjohnpaint · February 17, 2011, 10:07:15 AM

Well... My wife and I just moved here for jobs and we are kind of hooked. For some reason we really like it here. We are from the northeast and do miss the vibrant core, but I am sure it will come. I did a lot of research on this city before we decided to move here and things are moving forward due to some forward thinking groups (hint). I think the recession set a lot of cities back, so it looked like progress was lost, but we need to just wait. Personally I do want to see the core thrive not because I want to make this place more like where we came from, but just because it is economically healthier and a hell lot better for the environment. The people here are also very special. We have made such deep friends since we have been here. Personally I think when we first got here we kept moving in the back of our heads, but as we live here that sediment seems to become undesirable.

Shwaz · February 17, 2011, 10:16:08 AM

Great topic / question.

When I was growing up, I and all my friends were always counting down the days until we could move out of Jax.

In my early 20's I started traveling extensively and each place that I visited I looked at as an opportunity for relocation. By my mid 20's I was still traveling but had found myself rooted in my job and even deeper in this city. Now at 30 I couldn't be happier here.

I'm getting married in April. Both of our families are here and provide great support.

I picked up golf a year or so ago playing every chance I get.

March thru September I spend on the boat cruising the spectacular NE FL waterways... fishing in the intercostal or beaching on an uncrowded stretch of sand in St. Augustine is where I've found the most peace in life.

Late August through December it's Jags games and the football season... tailgating with friends & family.

Nightlife priorities have taken a back seat to rising early and enjoying the day. I'm sure one day my priorities will shift again and maybe that means wanting out of Jax again... but for now everything I love is right here.

PeeJayEss · February 17, 2011, 10:16:22 AM

Burrito Gallery.

Also, being from the real 'burbs of NJ, the sprawl in this town isn't all that bad relatively speaking. Also, there's no traffic here which is nice (If you think Jax has traffic, you have never seen traffic). See NJ, LA, DC, or SoFL to a lesser extent for both of these points.

mtraininjax · February 17, 2011, 11:55:02 AM

QuoteI've been here for seven years now, and as optimistic as I was when I first moved here, I'm really reaching that point where I kind of see Jax as a legitimately lost cause.

I'm only here because I am making money hand over fist and someone has to do it.

Doctor_K · February 17, 2011, 11:56:19 AM

Quote from: mtraininjax on February 17, 2011, 11:55:02 AM
QuoteI've been here for seven years now, and as optimistic as I was when I first moved here, I'm really reaching that point where I kind of see Jax as a legitimately lost cause.

I'm only here because I am making money hand over fist and someone has to do it.

You must be one of those evil rich Republicans we've all heard so much about!

Captain Zissou · February 17, 2011, 12:16:26 PM

Quote from: mtraininjax on February 17, 2011, 11:55:02 AM
QuoteI've been here for seven years now, and as optimistic as I was when I first moved here, I'm really reaching that point where I kind of see Jax as a legitimately lost cause.

I'm only here because I am making money hand over fist and someone has to do it.

Do tell. Are you selling lift kits for pick up trucks??

Doctor_K · February 17, 2011, 12:21:13 PM

Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 17, 2011, 12:16:26 PM
Quote from: mtraininjax on February 17, 2011, 11:55:02 AM
QuoteI've been here for seven years now, and as optimistic as I was when I first moved here, I'm really reaching that point where I kind of see Jax as a legitimately lost cause.

I'm only here because I am making money hand over fist and someone has to do it.

Do tell. Are you selling lift kits for pick up trucks??

Or camo-painted rifles?

Or UF Gators gear?

cephus · February 17, 2011, 12:55:52 PM

I am from here, moved away at 18, lived all over south Florida, the Northeast, and LA, CA. Moved back in 2003 due to job loss in CA and change of careers to law. At 39, I wasn't interested in big city nightlife; I've enjoyed the growth of happening bars for grownups in this town (especially downtown and Riverside - thank you Dos Gatos and Kickbacks). I miss my friends very much, most of who live in NYC or LA, but I have family and close friends here too and for a while it was econimically good to live here. lately though my job situation has been bad and I just got a fantastic career opportunity, so I will be leaving Jax Monday and moving to Tallahassee for a couple of months, then West Palm Beach.

DA_MONSTER · February 17, 2011, 01:09:57 PM

Quote from: PeeJayEss on February 17, 2011, 10:16:22 AM
this town isn't all that bad relatively speaking

Couldn't agree more. This is about as far south as you can go before everyone speaks spanish.

Seriously though if you think Jacksonville is that bad, then go spend some time in Leesburg, Dade City, Lake City and Deland.

Maybe you will appreciate what we have here...

Beloki · February 17, 2011, 01:45:10 PM

I lived in jax for3 years and I was disappointed about the downtown area and missed the big city. Right now I live in a big city and miss jax. How easy it was to get around and the room and space of Jacksonville, clean beaches and friends. Here in houston it is always busy and crowded and congested. I Hope to live in jax once again....they should focus on getting a smaller part of downtown really vibrant and alive and grow from there. Open a a NFL museum and position aretired navy ship In the st johns river downtown as a museum as well.

JeffreyS · February 17, 2011, 01:53:51 PM

The winter is too cold in Chicago.

finehoe · February 17, 2011, 02:14:23 PM

I grew up in Jacksonville and always liked it just fine, until I went away to college and found out what a real city was like. I love the excitement and diversity that a true urban (as opposed to suburban) city offers. I still visit Jacksonville with some frequency because most of my family lives there, and the first 24 hours or so that I'm there I think "this isn't so bad, I could live here." But that feeling quickly evaporates and by the end of the trip I can't wait to leave.

I agree with some of the posters above who say that a few years ago it seemed like things had finally begun to move in a positive direction. But like so many times in the city's past, the opportunity was squandered and in many ways things appear to be at all-time lows.

I find it interesting that an oft-recited reason for people staying/not leaving is the place is cheap. Maybe I'll return when I retire.