Why do you stay in Jacksonville?

[Coolyfett]

Simms3 ,I think youve made a good decision in moving to Atlanta. I dont know whether you chose to move there or had the opportunity, but your high vitality and enthusiaism makes you well set for the definitive urban area of the south.
i'm of the opinion that the great cities, and Atlanta is one, have had their peak in the 20th century.
One very big advantage of Atlanta is travel or global commuting. Atlanta is one of the worlds major air hubs. But technology and business is innovating the airline industry. As I'm fortunate to be able to travel abroad regularly,its actually cheaper to fly from jax to europe than direct from major hubs. Money has never meant so much for air travel than then today.
Anyhow, i compliment you on your experience in the big city. Get all you can out of it!

hmmmmmmmm.......

[TPC]

I grew up moving quite a bit, I’ve lived in Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado. I moved back to Florida from Colorado after my stint as a snowboard bum and decided to finish college. I didn’t like UCF, USF or UF and I had 2 friends attending UNF so I decided to move up to Jacksonville. The first year or so I lived near campus and was ready to leave Jacksonville as soon as I got my degree. Then something amazing happened, I was introduced to Riverside. Since then I’ve really enjoyed living here and see the great potential this city has. For all it’s potential, it has a lot of shortcomings though.

I’ve seen many of my friends who are well educated and motivated move because this city doesn’t offer much to keep them here. I’m only hanging around now because my girlfriend is in school and we will probably move to wherever she gets accepted for grad school. I like Jacksonville, primarily the urban core, but it needs to do something fast to keep the educated 20-35 year old demographic here.

[Dashing Dan]

I grew up on LI, went on to college in Philly and then to grad school in Chicago.  I drove straight here from grad school in early 1973, because I was a planner and Jacksonville was growing and in need of planners. By 1975 it was time for a move to Nashville and some much needed seasoning. 

But before leaving I met the love of my life at the Jacksonville Area Planning Board, and we have been married ever since.  We raised a nice family up there, and then we came back to Jacksonville (Avondale) in 2004. 

I have an office that I rent inexpensively downtown and I live less than 30" from the airport, so this is really a pretty good base of operations for a consulting planner.  Thanks to Southwest I can spend a half day or a full day back in Nashville, and still come home in time for bed.

[Ocklawaha]

Just curious.

Realistically, it seems like everything most of us want in a city -- urban vibrancy, great mass transit, a sense of identity, respect for the past -- is a long, long way off, and that's assuming that the city ever reverses its trend of screwing up every major undertaking it attempts.

Why stay?

masochist - definition of masochist by the Free Online Dictionary ...
mas·och·ism (m s-k z m) n. 1. The deriving of sexual gratification, or the tendency to derive sexual gratification, from being physically or emotionally abused... Where else could you go?

Ocklawaha

[iLenin]

Unfortunately my parents [dad especially] need to plan jobs ahead and to sell a house.
If this is accomplished, I'll be in my dreamland, New York City, hopefully brooklyn.
If I can't, I'll wait, and go there, or Moscow.

And is this liberal? If so, I feel like I can say my opinions about the people here...

I was just a little older than you when i left Jax for NYC. It was the most exciting event in my life. Its great to hear your energy for it. For me, and its just my opinon, NYC is a place for people like you young and full of energy. I think it would be great for you as it will, it is always, changing. The best time for so many were the 70s, like you said. I doubt you will catch such in these times, but you will go and make it your own.
Ive had enough of the city as over the years, ive seen so many of my friends leave for other places ( i am an artist). In moving to Jax i strive to help and move this city forward and i'm very happy with my results. But you should carry on with your desire.
p.s.   Moscow is a GREAT 2nd choice!

NYC is vibrant, and I have a former Floridian friend who just moved into Brooklyn. My energy for it mostly revolves around the people, the music, and the night ; also, the subway is a great factor (gotta love mass transit!) The 70s was probably interesting before it went into its economical decline. Russia too ; mostly for Russia, as a Leninist, I want to visit all of its memorials and I just want to visit Mother Russia in her own sense.

[ben says]

I grew up on LI, went on to college in Philly and then to grad school in Chicago.  I drove straight here from grad school in early 1973, because I was a planner and Jacksonville was growing and in need of planners. By 1975 it was time for a move to Nashville and some much needed seasoning. 

But before leaving I met the love of my life at the Jacksonville Area Planning Board, and we have been married ever since.  We raised a nice family up there, and then we came back to Jacksonville (Avondale) in 2004. 

I have an office that I rent inexpensively downtown and I live less than 30" from the airport, so this is really a pretty good base of operations for a consulting planner.  Thanks to Southwest I can spend a half day or a full day back in Nashville, and still come home in time for bed.

What town on LI?

[ben says]

I grew up moving quite a bit, I’ve lived in Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and Colorado. I moved back to Florida from Colorado after my stint as a snowboard bum and decided to finish college. I didn’t like UCF, USF or UF and I had 2 friends attending UNF so I decided to move up to Jacksonville. The first year or so I lived near campus and was ready to leave Jacksonville as soon as I got my degree. Then something amazing happened, I was introduced to Riverside. Since then I’ve really enjoyed living here and see the great potential this city has. For all it’s potential, it has a lot of shortcomings though.

I’ve seen many of my friends who are well educated and motivated move because this city doesn’t offer much to keep them here. I’m only hanging around now because my girlfriend is in school and we will probably move to wherever she gets accepted for grad school. I like Jacksonville, primarily the urban core, but it needs to do something fast to keep the educated 20-35 year old demographic here.

Couldn't agree more. I was born and raised here. Left to go to undergrad in Charleston, SC. Came back here for law school because I was short on options (always cared more about partying than studying in undergrad). Met my gf in undergrad, so she's here now (she's from NYC area). We loved it for 1-1.5 years. Riverside is amazing, the beaches are beautiful. There's 'stuff' here, for sure. BUT, we're bored. When I finish up with law school, probably heading back to Charleston, SC (unless my gf ends up going to grad school in Asheville, NC)...this time for good. Love Jacksonville--it's my home. But, I'm bored. I'll always have family here to visit, so that's good!

[duvaldude08]

Maybe Im just lame, but I really have fun in Jacksonville and Im in my 20's. I dont know if it has to do with the fact I hang around fun people, but we have NEVER had a shortageof things to do. The thing is were just party animals. We just club and drink our selves stupid LMAO But I will admit Jacksonville lacks alot of organized activity. We have spurts of activity DT, but definately not enough. We need things like the Jazz Fesitival year round. We are definately lacking in alot of areas.

[Dashing Dan]

I grew up on LI, went on to college in Philly and then to grad school in Chicago. 

What town on LI?

Freeport

[ben says]

Maybe Im just lame, but I really have fun in Jacksonville and Im in my 20's. I dont know if it has to do with the fact I hang around fun people, but we have NEVER had a shortageof things to do. The thing is were just party animals. We just club and drink our selves stupid LMAO But I will admit Jacksonville lacks alot of organized activity. We have spurts of activity DT, but definately not enough. We need things like the Jazz Fesitival year round. We are definately lacking in alot of areas.

It's not so much as things to do, but stimuli outside of getting drunk/high and hanging out with friends. As I mentioned in my post (maybe not clear enough), there's plenty of 'stuff' to do. I think it's incredible there's a beach and a river, both within 5-15 minutes drive from anywhere in the city. Again, Jax is my home, and I DO love it. No disrespect. Maybe it's because...well...Charleston is one of the most gorgeous cities in the US (maybe even the world), and I had the best four years of my life there. It's like living on a movie set. Food scene, buildings, public transportation, nice people, history that dates back to...well...a long ways. So, maybe I AM biased, but yes, I plan on returning there.

But hell, there are some things I'll really miss here.
13 Gypsies
Chamblin's
Avondale/Riverside
Bowl of Pho
San Marco Movie Theatre
etc etc etc. The list goes on...

[duvaldude08]

Maybe Im just lame, but I really have fun in Jacksonville and Im in my 20's. I dont know if it has to do with the fact I hang around fun people, but we have NEVER had a shortageof things to do. The thing is were just party animals. We just club and drink our selves stupid LMAO But I will admit Jacksonville lacks alot of organized activity. We have spurts of activity DT, but definately not enough. We need things like the Jazz Fesitival year round. We are definately lacking in alot of areas.

It's not so much as things to do, but stimuli outside of getting drunk/high and hanging out with friends. As I mentioned in my post (maybe not clear enough), there's plenty of 'stuff' to do. I think it's incredible there's a beach and a river, both within 5-15 minutes drive from anywhere in the city. Again, Jax is my home, and I DO love it. No disrespect. Maybe it's because...well...Charleston is one of the most gorgeous cities in the US (maybe even the world), and I had the best four years of my life there. It's like living on a movie set. Food scene, buildings, public transportation, nice people, history that dates back to...well...a long ways. So, maybe I AM biased, but yes, I plan on returning there.

But hell, there are some things I'll really miss here.
13 Gypsies
Chamblin's
Avondale/Riverside
Bowl of Pho
San Marco Movie Theatre
etc etc etc. The list goes on...

I feel you

[ben says]

I grew up on LI, went on to college in Philly and then to grad school in Chicago. 

What town on LI?

Freeport

South Shore, right?

Yeah, my girlfriend is from Mineola/Manhasset/Roslyn area. Incidentally, there are a lot of LI transplants in Jax...

[north miami]

Moran Theatre.....strolling out to the river at intermission........The Artist Series.........Florida Theatre........Ragtimes ( hit me with 'da Brick......Icy Cold Red Brick after a day at Talbot,delivered Rag Times via Ferry)

[Scarlettjax]

Moving here as a young'un from a small town in GA - where most of my family has returned - what keeps me in Jax? 

Since the relative completion of I-295, I can get where I need to be in town in around a half hour, tops, depending on the time of day.

A wide variety of sports - from the NFL to youth leagues in football, enough variety besides the fall seasons to keep me engaged and interested.

That funky, freaky small-town/big city dichotomy; we're not either, yet we ain't both.

Enough controversy politically to keep the talk going.

Urban vibe, suburban sprawl and rural relaxation...often all on one block.

Nature that hasn't been completely denied; although we keep trying.

People that strike up conversations with you about the most unlikely subjects in the cashier's line at Winn-Dixie.

Good places to eat unusual things in unexpected places. 

Meeting people who are passionate about the things that count to them, even if their cares are unimportant to you - just watch a whole City Council meeting and actually talk to the folks who filled out the blue card.

Yep, I like this place. 

[ben says]

Moving here as a young'un from a small town in GA - where most of my family has returned - what keeps me in Jax? 

Since the relative completion of I-295, I can get where I need to be in town in around a half hour, tops, depending on the time of day.

A wide variety of sports - from the NFL to youth leagues in football, enough variety besides the fall seasons to keep me engaged and interested.

That funky, freaky small-town/big city dichotomy; we're not either, yet we ain't both.

Enough controversy politically to keep the talk going.

Urban vibe, suburban sprawl and rural relaxation...often all on one block.

Nature that hasn't been completely denied; although we keep trying.

People that strike up conversations with you about the most unlikely subjects in the cashier's line at Winn-Dixie.

Good places to eat unusual things in unexpected places. 

Meeting people who are passionate about the things that count to them, even if their cares are unimportant to you - just watch a whole City Council meeting and actually talk to the folks who filled out the blue card.

Yep, I like this place.

Couldn't agree more.