Jax: People Don't Feel Safe Walking Alone at Night

[Ocklawaha]

Well as another 'Ortega Brat,' I don't really have a problem anywhere in Jacksonville. Now if you guys REALLY want some 'sport walking' try a midnight stroll in Barrancabermeja Colombia! Bello in Medellin and several neighborhoods of Bogota are equally 'sporting.' Got to hand it to Brasil though, Rio beats anything I've ever seen in Colombia, Much of Rio is so bad that you can be beaten, robbed, raped, and shot, and actually feel good that nothing worse happened to you! BTW the pixar cartoon movie 'RIO' nailed the city's streets better then a National Geographic special.

Back to Jax., there are actually a couple of young blonde girls walking up and down Baymeadows Road near I-95 and time of day doesn't seem to phase them.

[simms3]

^My mistake, I was inadvertently equating Emporis to SkyscraperPage.  I was specifically referring to the photo thread of SkyscraperPage in which you begin by going out of your way to talk about Jacksonville's "horrible reputation" and to state that you are embarrassed to be from there.

None of this is intended to take away from the validity of the points you were making about the city's ridiculous destruction policies in that thread.  None of this is intended to take away from the validity of the leasing data you often provide on these forums.  It's uncomfortable to read, but as Stephen said, it's reality and it's useful to know rather than to deny and to be deluded.

As much as I'm not in denial about Jacksonville's problems, and as much as it pains me to know that everything you said about the destruction policies is quite right, I don't particularly appreciate seeing departed Jaxsons announce to the world how repulsive and embarrassing it is to be from the city.  It goes against trying to instill the kind of pride and sense of place that will lead to positive changes to counter whatever negative reputations the city does have, and it led to comments in the SkyscraperPage thread that were negative about Jacksonville, including one from a person who said he/she now dreaded an upcoming first-time trip there.  It's not helpful to Jacksonville or sophisticated or uplifting to say that it's embarrassing to be from there.  In fairness, I'll note that you talked further down in that thread about the good work MetroJacksonville does and spoke positively of the urban core neighborhoods, but the overall effect of the start of the thread was "Look at this dump you should never visit!  But don't equate it to me, as I'm far more sophisticated."

Well, see now you're having thin skin...there were a rash of threads about the destruction of other cities such as Buffalo, NY, and I thought highlighting historical photos shown many times here on MJ in similar format would be a way to highlight the history and "groundedness" of Jacksonville and to showcase its old bones and what's left.  My opening was pretty lighthearted and from the heart...Jax does have a reputation, and when you leave Jacksonville to go live in a big city with a bunch of uppity folks from elsewhere, you DO get tired of being lumped in with rednecks and "South GA" every time you mention the city...BUT as you later admit in your post I DO highlight MJ, the progress that's been made, and I make many positive points about the city.  THAT was my intent and I think it came across that way...more of a "pity thread about a lesser known city" that too frequently gets lumped in with the rest of new age suburban FL..."now that we know it has good bones remaining despite the horrendous destruction, what do we do?".

Compile that with my other threads...the Jax P&C (using MJ), my personal photo threads, etc...I've done a very good bit to highlight the city to a larger north american forum seen/used by people very unfamiliar with NE FL (and if they are familiar...they go by the stereotypes...which I have worked to minimize).

Besides, if you are active on SSP, where are you?  Jax has no representation besides Lake and I, and occasionally someone else.  At this point, any "press" is good press, LoL.

[Tacachale]

For all his cosmopolitan affectations, Simms is never more the silly insulated Ortega boy as when he pops off about stuff like this.

LoL...well thanks for assuming where I might have lived nearly a decade ago when I was living in Jax.  Besides, I know of an Ortega native who now lives in Soma in SF, and others in edgy parts of NYC.  In fact, it's really the Ortega/"rich" kids who seem to have branched out the most of people I knew growing up in Jax (to add to the snob factor I guess having parents who can afford to send you off to great universities in other cities so that you can then be on your way to live and work where you please will do that to you...)  I'd guess given where many of them ended up, they are a lot less "insulated" than your typical Jax native/still current resident.  Plus...I don't own a car and live in a neighborhood with a density of 35,000 ppsm in the central city of a "coastal" metro of 8 million people...I would have to guess I am exposed to a lot more on a daily basis than 99% of Jax is exposed to in a given year

I don't think there's anything controversial about what I said..."fear of walking alone at night" seems highlighted in the south.  Just look at the facts - racism (really amongst all groups) persists, crime IS elevated (usually black on black, but there is random violence that surges every now and again and it gets reported in the media), people ARE insulated moreso than people in the NE or on the West Coast (so it probably takes less to "scare" a less traveled southerner than a resident of Chicago, Baltimore, LA, etc)...bla bla bla.

I didn't assume it, you've said it in a number of your many posts about your favorite subject, yourself. For some reason, that particular bit of information sticks out in my mind when I read your posts . At any rate, when you start claiming that whole groups of people "tend to murder and rampage quite a bit, ah do deeclayuh", you're really only demonstrating that the following is true in at least one case:

2) There is still a tinge of racism and unfamiliarity with different people and cultures among people who grew up in the south

Some of the most insulated people I've known are also the ones who've traveled the farthest in terms of distance. Someone with blinders on can see the world without seeing world.

[simms3]

Well as another 'Ortega Brat,' I don't really have a problem anywhere in Jacksonville. Now if you guys REALLY want some 'sport walking' try a midnight stroll in Barrancabermeja Colombia! Bello in Medellin and several neighborhoods of Bogota are equally 'sporting.' Got to hand it to Brasil though, Rio beats anything I've ever seen in Colombia, Much of Rio is so bad that you can be beaten, robbed, raped, and shot, and actually feel good that nothing worse happened to you! BTW the pixar cartoon movie 'RIO' nailed the city's streets better then a National Geographic special.

Back to Jax., there are actually a couple of young blonde girls walking up and down Baymeadows Road near I-95 and time of day doesn't seem to phase them.

I have family in both Medellin and Barranquilla, and have visited.  I can't say they live in scary areas...2 cousins live in a gated community on a mountain overlooking the city, and 1 lives in the city in a wealthy area with glass shards over a stone wall and a gated entry.  Still...have spent my own time wandering around exploring by myself...very friendly people, VERY poor areas, and I find security in the heavily armed guards, police, and military units posted up everywhere.   Medellin has really made *serious* strides and seems to be on the path to bona fide powerhouse business center...escalators up mountainsides, decent public transit, new construction, etc.

[simms3]

I didn't assume it, you've said it in a number of your many posts about your favorite subject, yourself. For some reason, that particular bit of information sticks out in my mind when I read your posts

I know I may have inadvertently mentioned where I lived in ~<5 of my posts on here (out of >2,000)...prefer anonymity and discretion and my posting focus is on development/design.  Glad to know how you feel about me, though!

[Wacca Pilatka]

Well, see now you're having thin skin...there were a rash of threads about the destruction of other cities such as Buffalo, NY, and I thought highlighting historical photos shown many times here on MJ in similar format would be a way to highlight the history and "groundedness" of Jacksonville and to showcase its old bones and what's left.  My opening was pretty lighthearted and from the heart...Jax does have a reputation, and when you leave Jacksonville to go live in a big city with a bunch of uppity folks from elsewhere, you DO get tired of being lumped in with rednecks and "South GA" every time you mention the city...BUT as you later admit in your post I DO highlight MJ, the progress that's been made, and I make many positive points about the city.  THAT was my intent and I think it came across that way...more of a "pity thread about a lesser known city" that too frequently gets lumped in with the rest of new age suburban FL..."now that we know it has good bones remaining despite the horrendous destruction, what do we do?".

Compile that with my other threads...the Jax P&C (using MJ), my personal photo threads, etc...I've done a very good bit to highlight the city to a larger north american forum seen/used by people very unfamiliar with NE FL (and if they are familiar...they go by the stereotypes...which I have worked to minimize).

Besides, if you are active on SSP, where are you?  Jax has no representation besides Lake and I, and occasionally someone else.  At this point, any "press" is good press, LoL.

I don't see much good in arguing the point that saying "I'm embarrassed to be from Jacksonville" and expounding on it at some length doesn't exactly strike me as a lighthearted remark coming straight from the heart, nor an effort to minimize stereotypes. 

But I do think you are quite right that I could and should provide some positive commentary on the city on SSP.  I haven't been active on there, as you can probably guess from my confusing it with Emporis. 

Incidentally, most everyone I've taken around Jacksonville - primarily people from in and around DC, where I grew up - has grown to like it quite a bit despite the flaws that disappoint us all, and none came in equating the city with a negative national reputation beyond some of the bashing of the Jaguar fan base in the national sports press.  Maybe I'm not sophisticated enough to be aware of one.

[Ocklawaha]

I have family in both Medellin and Barranquilla, and have visited.  I can't say they live in scary areas...2 cousins live in a gated community on a mountain overlooking the city, and 1 lives in the city in a wealthy area with glass shards over a stone wall and a gated entry.  Still...have spent my own time wandering around exploring by myself...very friendly people, VERY poor areas, and I find security in the heavily armed guards, police, and military units posted up everywhere.   Medellin has really made *serious* strides and seems to be on the path to bona fide powerhouse business center...escalators up mountainsides, decent public transit, new construction, etc.

http://www.youtube.com/v/J7JbEEobeaQ?version=3&amp;hl=en_US

So your family is my neighbor? Cool. We have a 'finch' on the ridge above El Poblado, and had a condo in Poblado up the mountain from the Aguacatala metro station.

Bello where the railroad yards are is one of those neighborhoods where you could lose it pretty quick and frankly Jacksonville doesn't have anything like it.

Truth be told it's apples and oranges as Jacksonville isn't in the same league as Medellin, Bogota, Ciudad Panama, Lima, Santiago, Rio, Sao Paulo, etc... 

You are correct that there is a tangible 'energy' in the air in Colombia. It helps to wake up in the Andes a solid mile above sea level and know it's another 72 degree day. Clouds hovering all along the 13,000-19,000 foot peaks decorated with patches of snow make for breathtaking scenery (in more ways then one!)

My wife's niece owns the ''El Cantil - Ecolodge" El Cantil Ecolodge on the Pacific Coast, it's been featured in National Geographic and a number of other 'nature or natural' publications.

Again south of Nuquí, but this time only about 35 minutes by boat, think rustic cabañas with sea view balconies, as well as excursions to hot springs and cascades. The lodge offers diving, surfing, as well as whale watching during the season. Prices start from £147 per person for two nights.  www.elcantil.com.

[tufsu1]

I guess having parents who can afford to send you off to great universities in other cities so that you can then be on your way to live and work where you please will do that to you...)

Wow....just wow.

some of us grew up in families that could afford to do that....yet paid for school somewhat or completely by ourselves.....and many turned out just fine.

You really do need to keep a check on that snob factor

[Jumpinjack]

Need to change this thread to the Snob Patrol instead of Walking at Night.

[Tacachale]

Haha, I didn't even catch that one.

Simms if you think I've given out too much personal information I do apologize and I'll delete the posts if you want. But you may not realize how much personal info you give out in these forums.

[simms3]

I guess having parents who can afford to send you off to great universities in other cities so that you can then be on your way to live and work where you please will do that to you...)

Wow....just wow.

some of us grew up in families that could afford to do that....yet paid for school somewhat or completely by ourselves.....and many turned out just fine.

You really do need to keep a check on that snob factor

Take the quote out of context why don't you...wasn't referring to myself.  It was a tongue in cheek reply to me being falsely labeled an "insulated" Ortega kid, and I found it ironic while I'm being attacked for generalizing, the attacks directed at me are also doing just that (insulated Ortega kid?...LoL like I said, they've been sent on their way and are on their own in some other big city now, hardly "insulated" at this point)

My wry humor is completely lost on this forum...or maybe it's the fact that we have to type all of this out.