Jax's Inferiority Complex

[Bativac]

I don't think the people of Jax have any more an inferiority complex than people of, say, Cleveland, or Tampa, or Bloomington, IL or something. People who live in a place for a long time and can't get what they want out of it - whatever that is - are going to start to see more negatives than positives. Personally, my wife and I are leaving either late this year or early next year, because we have seen no real deep, positive changes in Jax over the past several years and are ready to move on. (That and my wife and I are sick to death of the heat and mugginess!) And I say this not only as a lifelong resident but as a 3rd generation native whose family is big and fairly well known in the area. We put our money where our mouth was, hoping the city was on the verge of improving: we bought a house in an older neighborhood right across the river from downtown. Unfortunately the recession took more of a toll on development than we thought it would and things seem to have slowed to a crawl.

I've traveled extensively and outside of some major cities (SF, NYC, LA, DC, etc) Jacksonville isn't markedly better or worse than any other mid-range sprawling city. There are issues, like public transportation, that frankly are problems in most US cities. People (like me!) talk about downtown being a dead zone but even Seattle and Portland's downtown areas shut down at 6 or 7. In my case - and probably in the case of most other people who aren't happy here - it's less a problem inherent to Jacksonville and more a case of the city just not being what we're looking for.

Many people who complain may just be looking for some kind of utopia that doesn't exist. Doesn't mean you shouldn't try to work towards it. But I don't think the inferiority complex thing is unique to Jacksonville at all.

[Sentient]

People (like me!) talk about downtown being a dead zone but even Seattle... shut down at 6 or 7.

No.  Belltown is a mere 5 blocks from Seattle Town Hall and Pioneer Square is 7 blocks.  Both areas are firmly downtown and close at 2AM.

Actually Seattle is a great comparison to downtown Jax as the layout for much of the downtown is very similar - small CBD, waterfront and Sports Stadium right there.

[David]

The more I traveled across the country the less I disliked Jax. Outside of a few major cities, I see a lot of the same thing everywhere in the country.  As a recent article said, we are pretty average. I think that's the problem people have with it here, they're wanting something more out of a city that's pretty typical of most mid-size american cities. Nothing wrong with that, just gotta figure out what'll make you happy.

[thelakelander]

The more I travel, the more I accept Jax for what it truly is. A small average US city that has the potential to be a great average US city. I also agree that outside of a few major cities (and a couple that were major before WWII), there's not much difference between the rest. There are some areas where a few places are better off than others, but that applies across the board. Nevertheless, being an average place does not mean you can't continue to invest in your quality of life to carve out your own niche economically. I think places like Portland, Minneapolis, Columbus, Charlotte, Salt Lake City,etc. are doing a pretty good job at that. I'd love for Jax to start seriously investing in its quality of life as well.

[I-10east]

We're already the youngest urban city in this state

Actually we are the oldest major city in Florida. There are many factors as to why South Florida (followed by the Tampa Bay area, and Central FL) is the most populated areas in the state than to simply say 'Jax is underachieving'.

[thelakelander]

I believe the median average age is higher than Jax in Miami and lower in Tampa and Orlando.

[Know Growth]

Well we are probably within five posts of "if you all don't like Jax you can just move!" level introspection.

Well, I'll probably end up like four other family members and end up moving away.

Why is it that so many newcomers to the "Jacksonville" area head directly to surrounding counties?

Jacksonville's "Millionth Mania",the celebration of "Jacksonville's" Millionth resident,complete with Barnett Bank sponsorship,COJ Events Office engagement, fire works downtown was pure reflection of inferiority. Only by including surrounding county population could "Jacksonville" muster claim to coveted "Millionth" resident.
Carl Hiaasen,in his book "Kick Ass" surmised that the effort could have in fact been brilliant diabolical depromotion.   

But things are looking up! Why,with only five liquor serving establishments at the Shoppes Of Avondale,we can now hope for more! More! More!

In fact we can rest some,and enjoy what we have. And pray neighborhood decline,influences are not cause for "Flight"

Colorado's recent effort to become the finest cycling state in the Nation is a hint to an outlook that spurs confidence and anticipation,a positive 'growth' driver,a reflection of cities and towns not saddled with Inferior outlook,or Inferior inclinations.

[I-10east]

We're already the youngest urban city in this state

Actually we are the oldest major city in Florida. There are many factors as to why South Florida (followed by the Tampa Bay area, and Central FL) is the most populated areas in the state than to simply say 'Jax is underachieving'.

youngest average age.

Gotcha, my bad.

[Tacachale]

Well we are probably within five posts of "if you all don't like Jax you can just move!" level introspection.

Well, I'll probably end up like four other family members and end up moving away.

Say it aint so.

[I-10east]

There will be plenty of people to replace the ones that will move away; Jax is a growing city. The grass in NOT greener on the other side for me, this is my home, but we do have an epidemic-like inferiority complex.

[CCMjax]

The more I travel, the more I accept Jax for what it truly is. A small average US city that has the potential to be a great average US city. I also agree that outside of a few major cities (and a couple that were major before WWII), there's not much difference between the rest. There are some areas where a few places are better off than others, but that applies across the board. Nevertheless, being an average place does not mean you can't continue to invest in your quality of life to carve out your own niche economically. I think places like Portland, Minneapolis, Columbus, Charlotte, Salt Lake City,etc. are doing a pretty good job at that. I'd love for Jax to start seriously investing in its quality of life as well.

I agree that Jax is a lot like the average American city, although I don't really accept with the average American city is, so therefore I don't accept what the status quo has been in Jax.  We are the wealthiest country in the world and have been for some time yet our average section of our average inner city looks like something in a third world country.  If the average inner city streets in Jax like University Blvd and Beach Blvd are comparable to average inner city streets across the country (which they are for the most part) then that is pretty sad and we should be ashamed for accepting that.  Most cities across the country have a long way to go to improve their quality of life.  Short-sighted development and bad urban renewal strategies have destroyed huge areas in many cities and we are paying for it now. 

I think the average person is starting to realize a little bit more nowadays how much the built environment around you impacts your mental health and quality of life where for so long smart planning and design was an afterthought, or not a thought at all.  Just make a quick profit and feed the market demand, don't think about how it impacts the community because that costs money, move on to the next project.  Hopefully in places like Jax, the "average" American city, there continues to be more of a push towards smart growth, growth that is sustainable and increases the quality of life.

[Adam White]

There will be plenty of people to replace the ones that will move away; Jax is a growing city. The grass in NOT greener on the other side for me, this is my home, but we do have an epidemic-like inferiority complex.

Based on my experience, the grass isn't necessarily greener, it's just... different. All cities and towns have their positives and negatives. It just matters what's important to you - and what you prioritize. No one place is going to offer everything.

[thelakelander]

There will be plenty of people to replace the ones that will move away; Jax is a growing city. The grass in NOT greener on the other side for me, this is my home, but we do have an epidemic-like inferiority complex.

Based on my experience, the grass isn't necessarily greener, it's just... different. All cities and towns have their positives and negatives. It just matters what's important to you - and what you prioritize. No one place is going to offer everything.

I agree.

[rohicks]

No matter the side's perspective, Jax needs to do a better job of selling itself.....if the goal is to compete other regions for economic development opportunities, retain workforce talent, millennials, be successful at downtown development, etc. If Jax doesn't really care what its image is to the outside world, then don't. At the end of the day, it's really that simple.

No, it isn't. Honestly, Ennis, there's an absolutely weird vibe (unacknowledged, it seems to me) where many folks downstate and out-of-state (and far more than I care to admit locally) seemingly want us to apologize for being Southern. That's never going to happen, hopefully. Just as mediocrity is in the eye of the beholder, some of the worst elements of that "apologize for being southern" attitude appear on this board regularly, IMHO. It's downright bizarre to me. The ignorant (and there's really no other way to phrase it) navel-gazing, the criticisms that lack any context whatsoever, the "I know better than you hicks" hubris -- DAYYYYUUUUUMMMMMM !!!

I'm doubtful Jacksonville needs to do a better job of selling itself at all. That's a hard-wired presumption that rarely gets questioned here. I'm questioning it. We sit at a unique crossroad. People who will praise things Southern have a harder time doing so when encountering it in Jacksonville. People who are quite accepting of things Florida have a harder time accepting the same in Jacksonville. That is not so much about us, that's about them, and they're just going to have to catch up with this hybrid city (to me, it's *that* simple, really) -- Very Florida, Very Southern.

We're already the youngest urban city in this state -- we don't have a problem with millenials, we just don't quite have the attitudinal mix that some on this board would prefer. The praises of Tampa, Orlando and Miami are outlined on this board with little apparent comprehension that their primary "leg up" on us, when you really get down to brass tacks, is a tourists' winter-weather-preference that the city can do nothing about. There are many, many negatives in each of those locations that easily match the negatives of Jacksonville. Florida cities, not just Jacksonville, come under heavy criticism out-of-state and much of it is as ignorant as this often unproductive local criticism of Jax. Some of this urban core stuff, so clearly developed for a non-Florida or non-Southern climate & reality -- man, come on Ennis. Come on, man.

We have glaring issues in Jacksonville, no doubt about it. We absolutely have to figure out a way to move forward downtown but it sure seems like that is happening. At least it does to me. Faster, please -- I agree. Shad Kahn, Peter Rummel et al., Godspeed to them and a host of others. But from Brunswick and the Golden Isles down to Palm Coast, the region really seems to be coming of age to me.

Anyway, I'm listening to some Donny Hathaway and this post has taken way too much of my evening musical enjoyment. Y'all do a good job of recognizing what is special about this city and region, and what could be even more special. I don't mean to say that you don't. The attitudinal mix of constructive criticism just seems -- seems -- to be a bit off too often.

I moved here almost 5 years ago (this Jan) and I came from a small town of about 5,000 with a couple bigger surrounding cities within driving distance including one that is almost identical to jax in population size. I haven't lived anywhere where else but my hometown, jax, and a slightly bigger city just south of my hometown that's around 150,000 people. I have travelled to other cities and you are spot on. Since moving here I've thought this exact same thing for years when hearing people complain. Never said it publicly because I knew it would create a bitch fest. We definitely need to always find a way and strive to make Jacksonville better everyday, but the lack of acknowledging the what this city has to offer is annoying.

Coming from someone that lived in a town of 5,000 and 150,000 people for 26 years and didn't have a 1/4th of what Jax has to offer really makes you appreciate this city much more more. A lot of people here have no idea how good Jax really is compared to other places. So thanks for speaking up; I'm glad to see someone else out there feels the same way.

[CCMjax]

No matter the side's perspective, Jax needs to do a better job of selling itself.....if the goal is to compete other regions for economic development opportunities, retain workforce talent, millennials, be successful at downtown development, etc. If Jax doesn't really care what its image is to the outside world, then don't. At the end of the day, it's really that simple.

No, it isn't. Honestly, Ennis, there's an absolutely weird vibe (unacknowledged, it seems to me) where many folks downstate and out-of-state (and far more than I care to admit locally) seemingly want us to apologize for being Southern. That's never going to happen, hopefully. Just as mediocrity is in the eye of the beholder, some of the worst elements of that "apologize for being southern" attitude appear on this board regularly, IMHO. It's downright bizarre to me. The ignorant (and there's really no other way to phrase it) navel-gazing, the criticisms that lack any context whatsoever, the "I know better than you hicks" hubris -- DAYYYYUUUUUMMMMMM !!!

I'm doubtful Jacksonville needs to do a better job of selling itself at all. That's a hard-wired presumption that rarely gets questioned here. I'm questioning it. We sit at a unique crossroad. People who will praise things Southern have a harder time doing so when encountering it in Jacksonville. People who are quite accepting of things Florida have a harder time accepting the same in Jacksonville. That is not so much about us, that's about them, and they're just going to have to catch up with this hybrid city (to me, it's *that* simple, really) -- Very Florida, Very Southern.

We're already the youngest urban city in this state -- we don't have a problem with millenials, we just don't quite have the attitudinal mix that some on this board would prefer. The praises of Tampa, Orlando and Miami are outlined on this board with little apparent comprehension that their primary "leg up" on us, when you really get down to brass tacks, is a tourists' winter-weather-preference that the city can do nothing about. There are many, many negatives in each of those locations that easily match the negatives of Jacksonville. Florida cities, not just Jacksonville, come under heavy criticism out-of-state and much of it is as ignorant as this often unproductive local criticism of Jax. Some of this urban core stuff, so clearly developed for a non-Florida or non-Southern climate & reality -- man, come on Ennis. Come on, man.

We have glaring issues in Jacksonville, no doubt about it. We absolutely have to figure out a way to move forward downtown but it sure seems like that is happening. At least it does to me. Faster, please -- I agree. Shad Kahn, Peter Rummel et al., Godspeed to them and a host of others. But from Brunswick and the Golden Isles down to Palm Coast, the region really seems to be coming of age to me.

Anyway, I'm listening to some Donny Hathaway and this post has taken way too much of my evening musical enjoyment. Y'all do a good job of recognizing what is special about this city and region, and what could be even more special. I don't mean to say that you don't. The attitudinal mix of constructive criticism just seems -- seems -- to be a bit off too often.

I moved here almost 5 years ago (this Jan) and I came from a small town of about 5,000 with a couple bigger surrounding cities within driving distance including one that is almost identical to jax in population size. I haven't lived anywhere where else but my hometown, jax, and a slightly bigger city just south of my hometown that's around 150,000 people. I have travelled to other cities and you are spot on. Since moving here I've thought this exact same thing for years when hearing people complain. Never said it publicly because I knew it would create a bitch fest. We definitely need to always find a way and strive to make Jacksonville better everyday, but the lack of acknowledging the what this city has to offer is annoying.

Coming from someone that lived in a town of 5,000 and 150,000 people for 26 years and didn't have a 1/4th of what Jax has to offer really makes you appreciate this city much more more. A lot of people here have no idea how good Jax really is compared to other places. So thanks for speaking up; I'm glad to see someone else out there feels the same way.

Most of the people on this board, from what I can tell, are dreamers and ideas people, myself included.  We constantly explore how to improve things from the way they currently are.  This is just habit and is not a bad thing.  I have done this no matter what city or town I've lived in, and I've lived in some great towns.  We are all interested in cities and how they develop and what works and what could be better.  Jacksonville is a good average town but not a great town, so most of the bitching you hear is because there are a lot of people out there that know Jacksonville could be a great town because the ingredients are there they just haven't been mixed together.  I'm not talking about great town as in 3 million people with everything imaginable, but great for its size.  Beautiful river, Ocean, historic neighborhoods, active population, great location, Florida beaches yet still has a mild season with some seasonal change, etc.  These are all great traits that not every city has.

I'm not exactly sure what meaning the "apologize for being southern" comment has.  I'm from up north originally and like the fact that Jax is more southern than the other Florida cities.  In fact I think that is the one defining, obvious attribute that separates Jax from "them" in a good way.  It has both worlds, southern and Florida I agree, and that's a good thing, and that is exactly what Jax should be embracing.  I get annoyed because I see a Jacksonville that has gotten away from that culture and wants to be more mundane and just like everywhere else.  Maybe I'm missing your point.