? for Springfield RESIDENTS

[Southbanker]

I am a prospective home buyer considering Springfield.  It seems much more affordable than RAP.  That is a good thing as a buyer, but it does seem like prices have dropped more in Springfield than RAP which could be a concern. 

So tell me about your hood.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  What is the best street to live on?  East of Main or West of Main?  Are you worried that the economic downturn will make the homeless and/or crime problems worse?  Any personal experience w/ crime in the historic district? 

I have spent some time in Springfield over the last couple of months and have developed more of a comfort level with the neighborhood.  Really, I am just curious to hear from some residents. 

Thanks

[Downtown Dweller]

We have lived in Springfield for almost three years, moving here from outside of the state. Our house has only gained in value, and even with the downturn the value has still maintained its gains. I think value depends on the type of property you buy. Our house is unique, with a unique set up with a very large yard AND a very large carriage house with over 1000sqft apt on top. If you select the right property in the right location, your value will hold. In any case the longer term investment in Springfield will yield greater gains then in Riverside or Avondale.

Crime? What crime? LOL! We have crime, but it is mostly of the irritant type, you can still find some prostitutes working BLVD, or confederate park late night/early morning. I occasionally have someone pushing a shopping cart down the street (according to JSO this is not a crime even if the “pusher” is not named Winn-Dixie), and some homeless asking for money or work. I guess that depends on where you are living too as I have seen less and less everyday. Once in a while something may disappear from your porch or yard, although with our HUGE dogs this has never really been an issue for us. This year it appears the termites are the biggest “criminals” in the neighborhood.

As for the good…. Well if you like parties, gatherings, or events, then this is the neighborhood for you. There is the monthly cocktail party (First Friday), the Thanksgiving Wandering Cocktail Party, Christmas open house, Monthly Springfield Wine Club, Fourth of July Throw back baseball, fireworks viewing in Klutho Park, Heritage Days, Dog Days, Turkey Bowl, adult/kids kickball, Soccer, Bi-annual sidewalk sale on Main St, and many others. There is several “groups in Springfield too, the Woman’s Club, The Mommies Group, SPAR, SACARC, the Springfield Wine Club, and I am sure I have missed a few. We are also within walking distance of the best library outside of New York City! I am partial to the NW quadrant; it is always quiet, with less traffic than the SE or SW. Of course I am sure others will chime in on their quadrants too…. But the Westside IS the Best side!

I personally would not live anywhere else in Jacksonville. The only change I would like to see is to have more restaurants and stores in the neighborhood, but am positive they are coming.

You can also check out the SPAR Forum Board for postings from residents...

http://www.sparcouncil.org/forums/index.php

[jbm32206]

I've lived in Springfield for over 10 years and have watched it's rebirth from within....and that's both the west and east sides of Main street. As DTD just said, there's some crime but overall, it's quite safe and a wonderful place to live. I also wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

[fsujax]

I have lived in Springfield for over two and a half years, rented the first two and purchased my house in December of last year.  So far so good for me.  I live on East 3rd st.  I have had no major problems. I have great neighbors and we all care very deeply about the neighborhood. I believe the neighborhood is still on the upswing and things will only continue to get better.  The more people who move in that actually care the better it will get.  The only negative I deal with is services, drive to Regency, Riverside or Philips Hwy. for shopping. That will get better though as time goes on.  Come join the fun!

[walter]

I've lived in "the hood" for 8 years now and wouldn't live anywhere else.  Sure we've got our problems, which neighborhood doesn't.  I've personally seen a dramatic decrease in crime over the past 3 years. 

As to the decrease in home values...its to be expected.  Springfield went off like a rocket about 2 -3 years ago.  I used to look at zillow.com and laugh when I saw what they said my house was worth.  Truthfully I think now its about what it should be, so its actually not deflated, but consistent with the true market value.

There are a lot of things happening now, but there is still a lot of work to be done.  I would like to think that SPR will always be a work in progress and will probably lament the day it becomes that place in the old postcards.

Where to live?  Thats subjective for sure.  From what I gather, everyone likes their part of the hood.  You probably can't go wrong if you find your dream home.  There will be people around you who feel the same.  Hope this helped.

[downtownparks]

I would agree with Walter. I think our prices are about right now. I think everyone saw Dollar signs in our 2003-2005 boom years, and were asking stupid prices on houses. (200k for a house with no walls? really?)

I actually think the downturn has been good in a lot of ways for Springfield because a lot of the scumbag flippers and real estate squatters have been loosing their shirts and having to drop their price or have the banks reclaim the home (no, not all flippers/investors are bad) This means houses that have sat dilapidated for years are getting into the hands of people who are acting on them. New home sales are still happening at a steady, albeit slower clip as well. From what I understand our new home sales numbers are higher than other areas of Jax, on average. (Im sure that number is based on availability vs stock. SRG doesnt overbuild, and as such has a much smaller stock of homes than a DR Horton type builder might)

dollar for dollar, sq ft for sq ft, I think Springfield is the best deal in Jax. Especially if you work downtown.

[Johnny]

My wife & I have lived here in SPR about 4 years on the East side. We are very pleased and enjoy what is going on with the blocks surrounding us. There is only 1 house remaining that needs to be renovated. I've spoken with a realtor that says just the opposite of home values for the neighborhood though. From their understanding, Springfield is one of the very few places in the country in which homes are actually still increasing in value, just homes as a whole are not selling b/c of the market. This could be partially b/c new renovations are bringing the streets to a more complete look/eye appeal or the more comfort level people are feeling with this area, considering it used to be known as the bad side. Either way, i've not been concerned about my property value since we've moved in. We have a coffee shop on the corner that everyone loves and lots of great neighbors.

As for the crime, we have had no problems since originally moving in, we  had some lawn equipment that was within reaching distance removed from our backyard. In a way, that's my fault, can happen anywhere and I didn't protect my belongs. We feel safe living here and are very happy with the purchase. We still find ourselves to be pleasantly surprised by how quiet it can be even though we live this close to downtown.

We have cool places and things to do. Shantytown, 9th & Main, Three Layers, etc... First Friday, Cocktail parties, Dog Days in the park, etc... Always something going on.

By the way, the east is far nicer than the west 

[downtownparks]

By the way, the east is far nicer than the west 

Yeah right. In your dreams, buddy. Everyone knows the Westside is where its at!!! ESPECIALLY Laura Street!!!

[strider]

Basically, if you move to Springfield expecting a Southside Gated Community Cookie Cutter type thing, you won't like it.  If you move wanting a community who's residents covers the entire social economic spectrum with everything, good and bad, that that implies, then Springfield is the place for you.

I would say that 90% of the crime one sees in Springfield falls into the "annoying" category.  The rest is normally not an threat to you unless you are immediately involved in it - IE drugs, ETC.

Housing values have indeed fallen somewhat in Springfield.  Yes, condemned houses are at or below what they are really worth again, but many good houses simply are not selling - just too much inventory and too few buyers.  Not that many months ago, there was something like a 30 month supply of houses.  To much supply brings housing prices down.  I would assume a lot of those houses were just taken off the market as I have seen fewer signs lately.  It is a “if you can hold on, don’t sell now” situation for sellers - and I don’t just mean in Springfield.  A few really good Springfield houses ended up in foreclosure so that brings all of the comps down and therefore the potential values if you need a loan or need to sell.  Pretty much the same as just about anywhere else in the country.  The truly good about a place like Springfield is that it will always attract a few buyers and that the values will always be perceived to be a little higher than most places because of the historic protections.  Bottom line is that it is a great time to buy in Springfield if you can.

[Springfield Girl]

I've lived in Springfield for over 7 years and love the neighborhood. I bought in what most would have considered a terrible location at the time but I fell in love with the house and had to have it. The location has really cleaned up and I am quite happy with my decision. I think location is relative in Springfield. You pay more for a nicer location now but it will all be good in the end. A less desirable location will cost less in most cases but will have a tremendous upside due to the potential of profit as the location gets better in the future. I feel completely safe here with my biggest gripes being litter and slow commercial developement. You will not find a friendlier, more involved community in Jax. Every week we have to make decisions on which functions we can attend and which ones we have to miss out on due to the multiple choices. Last evening I went on a bike ride organized by another Springfield resident. He led us to a grave in Evergreen Cemetary where he told the story of the local minister buried there that went down with the Titanic. How cool is that?! If you enjoy meeting great people and having lots of fun, Springfield is the place for you.  

[Springfield Girl]

The reason you see less signs is because homes are selling. Six houses have sold within two blocks of me in the last two months. My new neighbors are from Ohio, Michigan, Tampa, Riverside, Southside, Baymeadows and one unknown. Another house across from me just got rented. I have not seen the new residents yet but I am assuming by the quality of the property and rent amount that they will be decent neighbors. I was at my friends house Saturday night celebrating their move to Springfield where I met another new couple from New York. I think the market downturn has helped Springfield by making it more affordable and getting new residents in.

[Southbanker]

Thanks for all the replies.

Prices have definitely come down.  As a buyer that is a good thing.  I will continue to look in RAP, but it seems like there are much better deals in Springfield and I am now seriously considering it instead of just thinking about it.  Plus, I have to admit that being part of its revitalization appeals to me.

Actually, my main complaint now is the lack of dining and retail.  It has a nice coffee shop and a cool place for a beer, but we need a Biscottis or Chew type place to open up.  And fix Main St...God what a mess!

[Downtown Dweller]

I have to admit that being part of its revitalization appeals to me.
Actually, my main complaint now is the lack of dining and retail.  It has a nice coffee shop and a cool place for a beer, but we need a Biscottis or Chew type place to open up.  And fix Main St...God what a mess!

See... you are already a "Springfielder"!!!!

[jrtmom]

We have been in SPR for 2 years now.  The 2 years before that lived in San Jose Forest (DuPont/St. Augustine Rd).  We knew exactly TWO of our neighbors.  Nobody every came outside!!  In fact one of our great neighbors in SPR lived around the block from us in the old 'hood and we never met them!

If you want a community where if you aren't involved, it's your own fault....and somewhere that people actually talk to you and look out for each other, then you want SPR.

Oh, and don't listen to downtownparks.  He wishes he lived on the EAST SIDE.   

[fsujax]

Thats right the East side is the best side!!