Moving to Jacksonville. Help!!

Ocklawaha · September 15, 2008, 11:39:57 AM

Do you think if we slipped you a couple of big ones under the table, you could get away from the Big Easy with a streetcar or two?

Is race going to effect your decision? I think you'll find Jacksonville is quite liberal on the race-card based on the port or maybe the Navy and Railroads? Most any neighborhood in Jax has a nice mix of races, the Southside (also the name for the South and Southeast Side of the St. Johns River) are more like doctor Frank-n-furter, making a man - with blonde hair and a tan. West of I-95 downtown, Northwest, North to the Trout River, with scattered pockets in other areas tend to be more African. Unless we have some new item I'm not aware of, if your American Natuive, arabic, oriental, etc... are just scattered to the wind, even though we have one of the largest Arab populations in North America. For all of these reasons, seek out the little mom and pop restaurants, you'll find them wonderful.

Where ever you end up - WELCOME. Jump right in the water is fine, love to have you with us.
Remember two trolley cars, if you can fit them in someplace.

OCKLAWAHA

avonjax · September 15, 2008, 12:02:03 PM

Just curious....
Driven1 what part of town do you live in?

thelakelander · September 15, 2008, 12:41:46 PM

If you're looking for culture and character and using New Orleans as a measuring stick, focus on the older sections of town. Try looking in neighborhoods like Riverside, Avondale, Murray Hill, Ortega, San Marco, Springfield and St. Nicholas. You should be able to find something under or in your price range.

Ocklawaha · September 15, 2008, 12:50:46 PM

Got to say lake, Ortega and Ortega Farms was VERY good to me. I still have a great affection for the people in the old neighborhood. Mr. Hastings always made sure any young train buffs were equipped with the latest ACL RR Timetables. And Charlie Stringfellow, Mechanical VP? always had time to show us something on his live steam models. Mr. Skeins owned the "House of Bargains" chain, the grand-daddy of todays BIG LOTS, and he too always had time to take son Matthew and any friends along for the ride, buying, auctions, etc..
Willis Butts, "Gold finger of Yukon" always had change to buy a kid a hamburger... even a black kid (and if you knew Mr. Butts as I did, you might think that impossible!) Rich? Yes, by most standards, but still the salt of the earth type of friends. Even if the age difference was 50+ years.

OCKLAWAHA

second_pancake · September 15, 2008, 04:16:49 PM

I'll have a house for sale within that time frame in Avondale...~hint-hint~. In this downturn economy, I could really use a buyer!

RiversideGator · September 22, 2008, 05:40:01 PM

Quote from: jaxtrader on September 15, 2008, 10:25:21 AM
Riverside/Avondale and San Marco are both deceptively dangerous. They are literally across the tracks from some pretty sketchy areas. If I had a family I would seriously consider northwest St Johns county or southern Nassau county, depending on location of your employ.

This is total nonsense. I have lived in Riverside/Avondale for almost ten years now and have never been the victim of violent crime and neither has any of my neighbors or anyone I know. The worst thing I have heard of is some minor property crimes (car break ins and a few burglaries). Similar things can happen anywhere. If you are looking for character, I would strongly encourage you to check out the in town areas (Riverside/Avondale, San Marco, Springfield) rather than the sea of anonymous trip malls and strip malls that constitute suburbia.

SL32205 · September 22, 2008, 08:00:31 PM

Quote from: RiversideGator on September 22, 2008, 05:40:01 PM
Quote from: jaxtrader on September 15, 2008, 10:25:21 AM
Riverside/Avondale and San Marco are both deceptively dangerous. They are literally across the tracks from some pretty sketchy areas. If I had a family I would seriously consider northwest St Johns county or southern Nassau county, depending on location of your employ.

This is total nonsense. I have lived in Riverside/Avondale for almost ten years now and have never been the victim of violent crime and neither has any of my neighbors or anyone I know. The worst thing I have heard of is some minor property crimes (car break ins and a few burglaries). Similar things can happen anywhere. If you are looking for character, I would strongly encourage you to check out the in town areas (Riverside/Avondale, San Marco, Springfield) rather than the sea of anonymous trip malls and strip malls that constitute suburbia.

I agree with this. I've lived in Jacksonville 9+ years now, and during that time have lived in the Southside, northern St. Johns County, and now Avondale. As long as I continue to live here, it will be in Avondale. I suspect there are homes to be had for $275k these days.

JaxByDefault · September 22, 2008, 10:33:06 PM

If you are from the Garden District, French Quarter, Tulane area, Algiers, etc. then Springfield, Riverside, or Avondale will look most like home. If you're from Lakeview, try San Marco/Miramar. Slidel/ North Shore? Try the Southside and the exburbs.

Springfield has a nice cadre of former New Orleanians and Cajun/Katrina Coasters (or whatever else the Mobile to NO stretch is called these days). My family feels safe here --and would in Riverside, Avondale, and San Marco, too.

The Compound · September 22, 2008, 11:21:22 PM

I've lived in riverside for 14 years (home owner for 7) and would never consider leaving the riverside / Avondale area (we call it the island). I wouldn't even leave if a house was given to me. I love that everything is nearby, if not walking distance. Also, unlike most areas in Jacksonville, weekends are quiet and nearly no traffic.