Biggest changes since 2001

[Paisleyparker330]

I'm curious, as I think about moving back to my hometown after being away over 12 years...what has been the biggest most notably change(s) since 2001?

Another question...since the ocean is what I miss the most about being home, I'm considering moving to the beaches area when I return,. What can anyone currently living in that area or maybe who has moved recently can say are some pluses and minus to living there?

I'm a pretty quiet person that enjoys relaxing in a peaceful atmosphere at home. One of my thoughts is that the beaches might be too much of a party place. Thoughts?

[duvaldude08]

I'm curious, as I think about moving back to my hometown after being away over 12 years...what has been the biggest most notably change(s) since 2001?

Another question...since the ocean is what I miss the most about being home, I'm considering moving to the beaches area when I return,. What can anyone currently living in that area or maybe who has moved recently can say are some pluses and minus to living there?

I'm a pretty quiet person that enjoys relaxing in a peaceful atmosphere at home. One of my thoughts is that the beaches might be too much of a party place. Thoughts?

There hasnt been much change the past few years, but since 2001, yeah there's been quite a bit. Someone with more time cn post them for you 

[Ocklawaha]

I just returned from the Andes about 5 years ago, and yes a lot has changed.

Here are a couple for you:

Arlington has fallen on hard times

Regency is DEAD

Southside Blvd is the same nightmare but with 100,000 more vehicles

Mayport is teetering

The Wonderwood connector will proabably not take you anywhere you want to live

Atlantic Beach is still struggling with 15,000 young sailors, nuff said

Neptune is lost in time

If your not into urban, SOUTH OF BEACH BLVD, Gate Parkway, Kernan, Hodges and San Pablo are pretty nice

Jacksonville Beach, has stabilized and except for converting the 'downtown' into a boring, 'also ran' Beach, the south end of town is nice enough that HGTV has found it. Jax Beach DOES have some really high quality events throughout the year.

http://www.youtube.com/v/pUCCdi5BaCc

PONTE VEDRA

Ponte Vedra,  along Ponte Vedra Boulevard is even more stunning then before... pretty much all the way to Vilano Beach

Sawgrass is, well, SAWGRASS

Nocatee and Palencia are very nice for planned suburban communities and there are DEALS in Palencia still, Palencia  and Julington Plantation, have some nice water access.


World Golf Village? Wanna buy my place? Come on down!

[Tacachale]

Paisley, don't listen to Ock. Since 2001 so much has changed especially at the Beach that it's hard to remember what it was like before. The AB/NB Town Center and downtown Jax Beach projects from the late 90s have paid off, and the Beaches have become a destination again. Much of Atlantic and Neptune have retained their architecture and appeal, but there's a lot more to do in walking or biking distance than 12 years ago. Jax Beach has become a prominent nightlife center again, and of course the Beach is easily accessible. Ponte Vedra remains the same sprawled-out, unwalkable bedroom community it always was, but if that's your thing, there are a few decent restaurants scattered around now. If you want beach access without a country club membership, you probably want to avoid Ponte Vedra.

The major downsides to the Beach are the increasing expense of living there, and the distance from everything else. There's been a lot more - and often more affordable - development just west of the ditch, but they're you're standard suburban developments, and they contribute to already substantial traffic and mobility problems in eastern Duval.

A lot has gone on downtown too. The Better Jacksonville projects have completed, and there are several new residential highrises on the Southbank and rehabbed residential on the Northbank. The contemporary arts museum has moved downtown, and is now owned by UNF. Chamblins Bookmine has opened up a store there and continue to do great things. Downtown development has struggled for the last several years, but we've seeing signs of really cool small business growth down there right now.

As Ock says, the Southside has become the "it" suburb of the moment, and a huge mall is out there now, if you're into that. If you have kids in school, St. Johns County has some of the best, though not much else.

I highly recommend the urban core. Riverside continues to be the coolest part of Jax, with a lot of new and positive growth, though I'm also partial to San Marco. We're about to get our fourth production craft brewery in as many years, and we now have a full fledged arts district. All told, it's an exciting time to be in Jacksonville.