The 100 Best Places to Raise a Family

[Metro Jacksonville]

The 100 Best Places to Raise a Family



Find out where Jacksonville ranks among the best and worst places to raise a family.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/814

[Charleston native]

Too hilarious. And here I am in Columbia, SC, just having a baby boy in November. I hope and pray I can GTFOOH soon!

[SunKing]

kind of subjective dont you think?  Behind LA and Vegas?  What kind of families are they talking about?  The worst list is obvious except Flint should be at the bottom.

[Charleston native]

I'd like to know what made my current city of residence so low. I knew that I didn't like it here, but when I observe several publications making extremely negative measurements about Cola, it REALLY reinforces my opinion and judgement.

[thelakelander]

All of these types of lists are subjective.  Even Flint can be a great place to raise a family in certain circumstances.  By the same token raising a family in Billings, Montana is not for everyone.  I know I would prefer to raise a family in Philadelphia (one of the worst on the list) over Columbus, GA (the 4th best city, according to the rankings).

[Driven1]

finishing ahead of Jax...



#4 - Columbus, GA (huh?)

#11 - Wichita, Kansas

#23 - New York, NY (wow, what does this say about us?)

# 25 - Louisville, KY (similar to Jax in size and with a river running through it)

#30 - Ann Arbor, MI  (yes, even with MI having one of the worst economies in the union, Ann Arbor is ahead of us)

#46 - Akron, OH (now, THIS is sad)

#61 - Atlanta, GA

[Charleston native]

Driven, I try not to pay attention to the cities that beat Jax, because as Lake said, the list is subjective. I would relish in the fact that Jax is in the top 29% of cities in the US to raise a child. That says something, and I think it's great. It further convinces me that Jax is where I would love to settle down with my family.

I guess my hometown is somewhere in the middle. However, this measurement of Columbia says something, because I believe many people here want to completely ignore the bad things which need fixing. There are a few good things about Columbia, but believe me, I'd had my fill of it.

[Driven1]

yeah, i would have to agree.  Columbia SEEMS like the armpit of South Carolina and the eastern seaboard states...not of the entire south though.  I think there are parts of Mississippi and Alabama that might lay claim to that. 

[thelakelander]

Even Columbia has its good parts.  There are some decent neighborhoods around Downtown, The Vista, USC and Five Points.  Perhaps its time for a "Learning from Columbia" article.

[stug]

I'm really curious what criteria they used to compile this list. Portland, OR just one spot ahead of us? Give me a break. Portland has clean air, good schools, less crime, healthier food choices, public transportation, it's bicycle friendly ... I'm genuinely surprised Jacksonville made the list at all.

[Ocklawaha]

I think someone is a bit bias? Come on now:

Los Angeles is 12

and

Santa Clarita is 56

Either this group has NEVER lived in Los Angeles, or they ALL live there. Santa Clarita? My gosh, one of the
most livable places in California, largely built on the frame of Valencia California, a planned City of the 1980-90's period and transit/bike/walk friendly. I'd say more then 1/2 of the films of this era that depict typical
"Seventh Heaven" "Weeds" or "Leave it to Beaver" families, are shot in this idealic town. They have commuter rail too.

Something about this one smells to high heavens!

I'd take Jax over LA, any day of the week for my family.

Ocklawaha

[Charleston native]

Even Columbia has its good parts.  There are some decent neighborhoods around Downtown, The Vista, USC and Five Points.  Perhaps its time for a "Learning from Columbia" article.

Lake, you should know that those locations are primarily for students, DT workers, and politicians. I didn't go to USC as an undergrad, and I had bad experiences there with parking and general treatment of students during my masters program, not to mention how sub-standard our department was in providing network opportunities. Thus, I have no desire to embrace USC activities. DT is mostly dead at night when school is out, especially in comparison to some of the pictures I've seen in Jax. Besides, having a few things downtown is not the only thing that makes a city good to raise a family.

Trust me, Jax is far more scenic, beautiful, and thriving than Cola. Who wouldn't want to live in a big city with 15 minutes to the beach, downtown, and tons of recreation parks near the river?

[thelakelander]

I agree the Columbia's downtown could use a lot of work.  However, regardless of the economic engine, a couple of those neighborhoods are attractive, even a few north of downtown.

Trust me, Jax is far more scenic, beautiful, and thriving than Cola. Who wouldn't want to live in a big city with 15 minutes to the beach, downtown, and tons of recreation parks near the river?

No doubt.  Jacksonville's setting makes it very attractive.  However, it would be more attractive if we could take a decayed section of our inner city and turn it into a Vista-like urban nightlife and entertainment district to complement what we already have.

[Charleston native]

^Absolutely. What impresses me about you guys is your determination not to rest on the city's current success, but to even make it better.

BTW, I'll be driving through your town this Tuesday...headed to Mickeyland with the extended family, and it will be my 6-month-old son's first trip. I'll be sure to point out cool places for my wife and show her why Jax is a great place to settle down. I wish we could actually stay in Jax for a few days.

[Ocklawaha]

Welcome home Charleston Native, we'll try and remember to wave as you pass through. Hope the trip goes well, ENJOY.

Ocklawaha