Living in Riverside North of College St

[JFman00]

Looking at a rental near the train tracks (south of them) off of King St. When I've looked at purchasing properties in the area, it felt like things get increasingly sketchy the further north of College St one gets (John Gorrie notwithstanding). For those that live there or frequent the area, do you feel safe?

Also, how's biking in Riverside? I've never biked much so really not sure what to expect.

[ricker]

The area seems to have been steadily , surely, albeit slowly improving.

Thanks to all of the increase in activity  from CoRK, Bold City, Intuition, old Walkers/The Garage, Carmines, Peles, Salty Fig, Bella Sera, Loft, Rogue, Park Place, Zen-Cog, Black Hive tattoo, Bold Bean, Chocolate Blonde, the new construction of Eagle Eye Care on Stockton Between Ernest and Gilmore, Kickbacks, and other great events like the programming of foot races among other efforts to breathe fresh new life into this grid, a true rebirth has taken root and proven to be very positive!

When I am out running errands I over hear many more and more people talking about their recent and planned nighttime excursions into the bustling little King Street district here lately.

As a still sort of new home owner who initially somewhat reluctantly purchased a fixer I tell you it is a dream come true!

Depending on the qualities of the subject property, I would confidently offer the opinion that you probably would not regret investing in a home for yourself or rentals to add to a portfolio.

Having worked in the property management industry in different capacities over the years, learning from experience on the full gamut of multifamily residential "communities", safety is relative.

I left the business last year (though maybe not permanently) after feeling that I had a bit of a target on the back of my head everyday as I walked from my office to my truck based upon the number of evictions I was processing.

I mention this sad fact because statistically the grid bound by Post, Interstate 10, the Roosevelt I-10 connector, and Stockton - Osceola  has apparently begun to stabilize over the last few years.  Crimeviewcommunity.com, ShAdCo (Sherriffs Advisory Council meetings), sexual offender predator data, sales and rental data, truancy problems, grafitti tagging almost nil, and the diminishing vagrancy issues all seem to converge to indicate that the area in question is about as average as any part of town or better.  Geographically situated with a natural spill over of choice traffic with Riverside-Avondale being on the American Planning Associations list of one of the greatest places to hang your hat, it is increasing in popularity and continuing to become noticeably more dense with folks who show their pride in ownership and actively (though in some instances slowly -- like myself) work to improve their properties and curb appeal.

To sum it all up, go for it.
Prices are really good, and if you want something much edgier than say Fairfax, though just as walkable if not more so while costing FAR less and offering greater potential for speedier and higher rate of return both of and on your investment, great value may be found in taking a chance in "Silvertown" 

Welcome neighbor!

[FSBA]

Yeah I was in a similar position. I was looking at a house on Gilmore not too long ago. Needed some work but it already had a perfect layout to retrofit it into a duplex. Turned out it needed more work than I thought and ultimately backed out. That being said, the area seemed ok to me.

[ricker]

Forgot to address biking!

Definitely one of THE ABSOLUTE BEST neighborhoods to bike through!

Pretty safe and simple to commute and very scenic destinations close by for leisure.  Willowbranch park and inlet canal next to the Beau Rivage on St.Johns Ave, feeding the birds at Kent campus, minnows in Boone Park, the duck pond in Riverside Park in 5 points, RAM (riverside arts market), Cummer museum and riverfront gardens, Riverwalk(s), connection to the Landing and Laura St. Downtown for first Wednesday ArtWalk monthly, the chimney swifts at the church on the corner of Riverside Ave and Mallory/Cherry, Baker and Stinson parks, watching the progress in Brooklyn/Unity Plaza, not TOO disconnected from SanMarco, very practically located near enough to the Beaver St Farmers Market, not to mention the currently growing community gardens, and more I am certain I can't think of at the moment.

Uniquely wonderful area of Jax.

[JFman00]

Is it just me or does the area feel poorly lit (both in quantity and quality of street lighting) for an urban neighborhood?

[ricker]

Is it just me or does the area feel poorly lit (both in quantity and quality of street lighting) for an urban neighborhood?

As a regular reporter of street light  outages, I guess I am wondering which areas you feel need more light, better light?

As with any area of any town I've ever driven through there some areas I would not want to walk, but on my bike I feel safe everywhere.

[JFman00]

Next time I'm around I'll have to write them down. It was mostly residential only streets off the main thoroughfares. The most glaring areas I can think of off the top of my head are the places around King/Post where people park (Forbes maybe?).

[ricker]

Could always email 630city@CoJ.net and ask for higher wattage on the ground.
Include exact pole numbers and specific language,
For instance, Pole number XXXX currently has dim #7 cobra head at the top.  Because of all the pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists converging, seeking safety in this destination zone where it is too difficult to parallel park under inadequate wattage, and too often drivers run stop signs, for the sake of much needed increased safety, is it possible a higher output rated cobra lamp like a 15, 20, or a 25 could be considered at this pole #xxxx on Forbes St near King and Carmines Pie House ?

^The above is just a generic example of what you may want to try.
Keep us posted of your responses please!

[InnerCityPressure]

I think this all depends upon your definition and standard of safety.  Are you putting your car CD player at risk?  Probably.  Are you putting your life on the line?  Probably not.  There are plenty of petty thieves roaming parts of Riverside at various times of year.  There are not many armed robberies or acts of random violence.  There are a number of low income minorities in that area.  Does that bother you?  If it does, then it's probably a bad match.  Just be smart and don't make yourself a target and you are pretty safe in most areas of Jacksonville.

[MusicMan]

The quadrant north of College bounded by Margaret St and Stockton is highly desirable and quality properties there bring solid prices. The quadrant bounded by King St and the RR tracks is not as solid, but moving in the right direction. Do your due diligence on the block you are looking at, keep in mind fixing a house is easier than fixing a block/location.

[JFman00]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Will definitely keep the streetlights in mind whether I decide to move to the neighborhood or not. Will be looking at a couple places in Riverside and San Marco today to rent.

[luvjax]

I have lived in Riverside for four years now. I love it! It's all about attitude. There are those who complain about the parking of folks coming in to spend time at King and Post. I live in the thick of it and do not mind at all. Even when I have to pick up a beer bottle or two in my front yard, I love it. I would much rather see these buildings full of people having a great time, supporting the young entrepreneurs who created these fabulous places and supporting our community, than to have boarded buildings with graffiti everywhere.
I have never had anything stolen from my property. There have been bikes, stereos, ipod stereos, skateboards, on my front porch for months at a time and a motorcycle in the front yard and no one has bothered them.
I personally do not bike that much. However, tons of folks bike in this area. I usually walk where I need to go. I love walking and everything is close by.
FYI...I have had several people offer to buy my home as I am sitting on the front porch watching the crowds and enjoying life. I do not believe I will have any problem selling once I have finished restoring its beauty.
But, I'm not selling 

[heatherlfdx]

as long as you are on this side (points at map) of i10 you are safe. it is all relative to you and your friendliness. if you are not a "hi neighbor" kind of person don't go much past dellwood anywhere until you hit murray hill past edgewood. in 18 years of living all over riverside and avondale the only things i have ever had stolen off my porches were metal objects a bicycle and a crutch. i dont think anything made with metal tubing is safe anywhere. bicycles, lawn chairs, ladders, crutches, copper garden sculptures, etc. the metal hounds look far and wide for that stuff.

[JaxNole]

I've lived on Ernest on the east side of Stockton since 2005 and have never had any property stolen or damaged or poo flung at me. I was warned that Ernest was in transition and, exactly eight years later, the changes have been only for the better.

It doesn't hurt that half of our neighbors came from up north where they felt a sense of community. I'm talking about saying hi to each other, sharing home-cooked meals, and even chasing after dogs when they get loose.

The demographics reveal those, for instance, of all colors, education levels, and income. The buildings on either side of us are Section 8, but the tenants are wonderful neighbors. Roughly 30% of my block is gay, some still have Mitt stickers on their cars, and others sit on their porch observing while neighbors are at work.

Be situationally aware, talk to neighbors, visit at various times of day and during the week.

As for biking, it's fun and generally safe. I wish more cyclists would observe stop signs, though, instead of running through an intersection. I almost hit a guy yesterday at Stockton and Oak when I had the green light and he gave me the finger!

[JFman00]

Wrote off the rental off of Dellwood and King (didn't like the floorplan). Between an apt on Oak off of King and an apt a block away from San Marco Square.