WHY I LIKE LIVING IN THE JACKSONVILLE AREA

[MusicMan]

More of you should get out and hear The Jacksonville Symphony.  While the Jaguars were stinking up the field for the vast majority of the last 10 years the Symphony put out amazing concert after amazing concert. It's never sounded better or been a more hip representative of the COJ than it is today. They offer programs for everyone, and do it all for way less than what BB will be paid this year.  Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Palm Beach COMBINED do not have the community will to produce one full time professional symphony, but JAX has.
It's the largest and best cultural institution in Florida North of Orlando and does it all on a budget of $10,000,000. Employing about 90 people full time and several part time as well. I would estimate that 95% of that budget is recycled into Jacksonville' local economy as the average salary is $50,000 and goes to pay mortgages, rent, food, clothing, transportation and education expenses for those families.
I think it is safe and fair to say it is the only truly World Class performing arts organization in North East Florida.  And it needs your support. So get out there and discover another amazing thing Jacksonville has to offer. Buy a ticket. Show up. Jacoby Hall is nothing short of a miracle when you consider it is one of 2 Symphony Halls in the entire state of Florida.

Tickets here:    https://www.jaxsymphony.org/

P.S. Branford Marsalis to kick off the 2018-2019 Season next September.

[vicupstate]

9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.

Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm

This in my opinion is not only one of the best things about JAX, but also the most overlooked/ignored aspect by locals. Instead of trying to replicate South Florida, JAX needs to fully embrace the fact that is is NOT South Florida.

Plant OAKS as street trees instead of thousands of Palms.  Embrace that you represent the charm and slower pace of the Old South as well as still being part of FL. Embrace that this is were you want to live in FL BEFORE you retire. Emphasize that you are the business city not the tourist mecca of FL.  Tell the world, (believe me, it does not know), that you CAN live in FL and not have to live in a beige stucco/tile roof house.  You have a great story to tell, but it doesn't get told.   

[Adam White]

9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.

Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm

This in my opinion is not only one of the best things about JAX, but also the most overlooked/ignored aspect by locals. Instead of trying to replicate South Florida, JAX needs to fully embrace the fact that is is NOT South Florida.

Plant OAKS as street trees instead of thousands of Palms.  Embrace that you represent the charm and slower pace of the Old South as well as still being part of FL. Embrace that this is were you want to live in FL BEFORE you retire. Emphasize that you are the business city not the tourist mecca of FL.  Tell the world, (believe me, it does not know), that you CAN live in FL and not have to live in a beige stucco/tile roof house.  You have a great story to tell, but it doesn't get told.   

I'm totally with you on that.

[Snaketoz]

I like that I can own a home with a large yard, mossed draped oaks, hickorys, magnolias, and hibiscus.  To me, that beat hell out of going up to the 30th floor to my apt.  We have so much room!  Density may help some things, but to me I like a little space.

[heights unknown]

9. The hybrid vibe of modern Florida and the old South.

Yes, learned to embrace that Southern charm

This in my opinion is not only one of the best things about JAX, but also the most overlooked/ignored aspect by locals. Instead of trying to replicate South Florida, JAX needs to fully embrace the fact that is is NOT South Florida.

Plant OAKS as street trees instead of thousands of Palms.  Embrace that you represent the charm and slower pace of the Old South as well as still being part of FL. Embrace that this is were you want to live in FL BEFORE you retire. Emphasize that you are the business city not the tourist mecca of FL.  Tell the world, (believe me, it does not know), that you CAN live in FL and not have to live in a beige stucco/tile roof house.  You have a great story to tell, but it doesn't get told.   

Amen and well put my friend. I was born in Jacksonville and raised in Jasper Florida until age 8, and moved back to Jacksonville at that time, and, I KNOW North Florida. North Florida, from Ocala on North and then west, is the REAL FLORIDIA; not central, west central, southwest, or south/southeast Florida; loaded with tourists in those areas now with people from other states, and I don't like it. I live in Sarasota, which is where we moved to in 1969, and then I joined the Navy in 1974, and I'm here to tell you, this area is infested with tourists, obnoxious (most of them not all)  northerners who are brining a lot of their baggage to our state. When I visit Jacksonville, or any city in North Florida, I am brought back to my childhood, southern charm, slow pace, much more friendliness and neighborliness, etc., and, I miss it. If we don't get nuked, and if things continue as normal (don't say it can't happen cause things are too off the chain), I will possibly move back to Jacksonville to live out my last days. I miss it, and I want to come back and live the rest of my life there. Y'all can put your handkerchiefs back in your pockets and your pocketbooks now.