32206 crime worse than Newark, NJ???

[David]

There seems to be a lot of people moving from NJ lately, I met three people this past weekend moving form NJ. What is (or maybe better yet is NOT) going on in NJ?

Jacksonville has long been a popular relocation choice for New Jerseyans. In the late 90's I made about 7 long term friendships with recent transplants from North & South Jersey. They set up base down here and the onslaught of friends & family  moving down has been nonstop since then. I can't quite speak for North Jersey as only the minority of my friends are from there,  but South Jersey definitely feels similar to the outskirts of Jacksonville in some areas.

Plus it's cheaper here, it's warmer and Jerseyites are pretty down to earth people like us (plus it seems the rest of the north talks smack on NJ the same way the rest of Florida talks smack on us)  so Jacksonville really does seem like a good fit for those from up that way.

If you notice New Yorkers tend to migrate to the more bustling, populated regions downstate whereas Jersey peeps seem to settle in nicely here. In short, the good people of New Jersey were trying to make it to South Florida but ran outta gas after they crossed the state line so they said  meh, screw it! why not live here?

[Keith-N-Jax]

I always ask people from the north why or how did you end up here in Jax of all places. Many of them state they already have family living here.

[alta]

Almost every new resident I have met here is from out of state.  CA, OH, GA, NY, NJ are the states that come to mind.  That is what adds to the diversity of the neighborhood.  We have met so many great friends since moving here six months ago.  I looked up the crime stats for my address tonight.  I wish it would map out where the crimes actually happened.  I would guess that 90% are isolated to a few problem properties and don't effect the rest of the residents.  Can't wait until the government bulldozes all the H.U.D. properties.

[michelle]

The funny thing is, after I started this post, I decided to check the crime stats on the town I live in now.  Boy was I surprised!  I live downtown, but always felt very safe and walk and bike everywhere daytime or nighttime.  So, even though the crime stats are high, being without tv and therefore not watching the news, I just was not aware of it.  It also does not change my routine and wether or not I will let my kids walk a couple of blocks to a friends house.

why is it that I keep hearing from different posters that if I can avoid moving to jax I should???  I am actually really looking forward to it...

Michelle

[FinnegansWake]

I like Jax a lot. I've lived in Vermont, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida Gulf Coast, North Carolina, and Virginia...

A city is what you make of it.

Phil

[MattnJax]

I always ask people from the north why or how did you end up here in Jax of all places. Many of them state they already have family living here.

Yeah of all the people I know, family connections or work seem to be the main reasons that they move here. It almost seems like to me that the non-natives outnumber the native Jacksonvillians.