Hello! New to site. Considering a move to Riverside...

[A-Finnius]

Hello All Good to Meet You,

I have been following the posts on this site for a couple of weeks now because I am considering moving from the southside to Riverside.

I've lived in Jacksonville for around eight years now but i've always resided around the 32256 zip code.  Over the past year I took a new job in downtown Jax and I am on the verge of putting an offer on my first home that is located in riverside just north of the Publix/Als Pizza shopping area. 

I really enjoy the area but I am kind of hesitant to make an offer on the house after I researched some the crime Stats for the area. Then I read the posting about the river-side break in that occurred on the block of Ernest and Margarette.  That is right in the area that I am looking to purchase.

I am an avid jogger and enjoy being outside a lot with my Dog (he's not a watchdog).  Is this area getting safer or is the crime increasing.  I love the historical value of the neighborhood and would like to be a part of that community.  I would love to hear comments from any of the residents of Riverside.

Thanks and I look forward to being a regular member of these forums.

[BridgeTroll]

Welcome to the site... I predict you will get quite a number of opinions regarding the Riverside area...

[fsujax]

Riverside is a great area. Remember 32204/32205 covers a large area, so don't be too scared of the crime stats. I live in Springfield and believe me it isn't nearly as bad as some would make it out to be. I grew up in Riverside, graduated from Lee HS. I know the area like the back of my hand. I have seen so many changes take place all for the positive. You have so many restaurants, grocery store, coffee shops pretty much within a 2 mile radius. You will never know until you try it!

[Lucasjj]

I have lived in Riverside for four years and I have never felt unsafe in the area. My suggestion is to come over and jog in that area in the times you would be jogging. Take different streets to get a view of what is around, and see if you are comfortable with it. This will give you a better feel of what will be around you than just driving through. My girlfriend and I jog around several times a week, on many different roads, and have never ran into a problem.  

[fsu813]

Riverside is safe. I lived most oif my life there, my mom & dad still live there (on Myra). It's a great neighborhood and is as safe as any other "normal" neighborhood. I wouldn't be overly concerned about crime AT ALL. That said, you always have to be aware and take appropriate precautions....but nothing out of the ordinary.

To your larger questions.....Riverside 15 years ago was very similar to how Springfield is now, perhaps not even as nice. It's improved 100% and rapidly the last 5 years - with much more to come. It will eventually be like Avondale.

[David]

It depends on how easy of a target your house is I believe. I lived off Myra & Stockton for a year and never had any problems over that way. I regularly walked up to five points at all hours and never felt in dangered. Overall, I would say there's not usually violent crime in the area, the last year or two has had some freak occurances which both made national headlines (the jaguars player, the dj incident) so that might be skewing some's perception of Riverside since it got so much media attention.

I've been more of a patron of Riverside my whole life than a long time resident, i'm sure the old schoolers can give you more details.You'll hear people complain more about panhandling than anything else though.

[jaxtrader]

I love Riverside...buts its walking distance from some pretty bad areas. There have been some disquieting incidents of late. For example, in March the ice cream shop next to Al's was robbed at gunpoint, just after sunset. I would not let it deter you from moving...it is a vibrant walkable neighborhood...but if I were to walk around there at night, I would carry a gun.

[A-Finnius]

seriously? A Gun?!? Im not really a gun-toting type of guy so that post kind of bothers me.

[Ernest Street]

There will be transients and kids passing through scoping things out. As with all areas of Jax you will be a victim if you leave any nicer bicycles out or flaunt your wealth. A wrap around fence will help secure things.
The Folks around here are friendly and neighbors try to watch each others property when they can.

[Lucasjj]

I walk from the bars at Five Points on a regular basis and have never carried a weapon. I also have walked and biked around the area at night and have never had an issue. Carrying a gun is not necessary. However you do need to be aware of your surroundings just like any other city neighborhood in the core. Everyone's comfort level is different though, so you really need to spend some time over there to get a feel of what you are comfortable with.

[Steve]

A-Finnius - I live in Riverside with my wife, and we are EXTREMELY happy.  We were cautioned by her mom (which was really due to the fact that she was a social worked for 20 years, and 20 years ago it really was kind of a shady neighborhood - part of the reason that Springfield has struggled a bit; long time mindset).  Now, keep in mind that where you live in Riverside makes a HUGE difference.  North Riverside (north of 10) is a night and day difference - and I wouldn't recommend that, mainly because I don't see an upside to the neighborhood.

Crime as a whole is DEFINITELY decreasing in the neighborhood.  Also, one thing to remember about crime stats:  the urban neighborhoods ALWAYS look worse on a stats map, because it doesn't reflect the fact that the neighborhood is significantly more dense than one on the southside (think about the amount of land that 100 people live in off of Southside Blvd, then compare that to Riverside).

Anyway, I've talked long enough.  If you have any specific questions/details that you would rather not share online, PM me or email me (my email address is public)

Steve

[iluvolives]

I lived in Riverside most of my life and come from a family of avid runners. There is no better place to live and have an active lifestyle. It doesn't matter if it is 5:30 AM or 10:00PM you always see people running, walking dogs or riding bikes through the neighborhood. I lived of Gateparkway for a short period and felt less secure running on the southside, not enough foot traffic.

[fsu813]

(ha) i think whoever said they would carry a gun is completely crazy.

in fact, it's laughable.

and ridiculous.

you don't anything more than your eyes, ears, and brain to be safe ANYWHERE, least Riverside.

(what have people become if they think Riverside is somewhere you need to carry a gun around in!.....good gravy that's just ridiculous).

I see Wayne Weaver jog down Stockton in the evenings when it's getting dark, he doesn't have a gun. =) (ha).

[jaxtrader]

Weaver has a bodyguard trailing him in a bulletproof Maybach

[ubben]

I live in Avondale and ride my bike to 5 Points several times a week. The neighborhood is great and I wouldn't worry about crime anymore than anyone should in Jax Beach, Southside, Mandarin, etc. You will love this side of town if you enjoy a more cosmopolitan, diverse feel. Just pic the street that feels right for you. Some are a little shabbier, some are immaculate. It's great for walking around, looking at architecture, there are lots of restaurants and bars for socializing. Welcome to the neighborhood!