Jacksonville heading for a White Flight

[JBtwinz]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

Actually I just read in 2024 Nassau County unseated St Johns County for top school district in the state, which was probably bound to happen with the explosive growth and diversification in SJC.

The twins just entered HS and while ratings may have gone up we still have problems and where SJC embraced the growth with building schools Nassau County is severely overcrowded in the schools and has been slow to address and build new schools.

The amount of new housing here is incredible and has been explosive. It was so quiet when we arrived 34 years ago and you can’t stop progress but it’s out of control.

As far as flight, Jacksonvilles urban core is unlike anything I have ever seen. Here the suburbs are where the explosive growth has occurred. The majority of those living here seem to favor the suburbs over the urban core. We have a beautiful riverfront and yet it’s desolate. Not so much because of crime but the areas population see no reason to visit downtown other than for events then it is in and out.

[Monello]

When I went through Jax last year, after being away for decades, I was shocked at the number of apparently homeless people hanging out downtown. That can't be good for the city's image. Especially for first time visitors.

I see plenty of new construction while driving around I295. Perhaps those are the landing spots of the folks moving away from declining areas. Those areas will be desirable for a while, until the criminal element moves in and cause a new flight cycle. You can't blame people for wanting to keep themselves & their families safe.

The data previously displayed does lend credence to a certain level of white flight. Or it could be that the Caucasian numbers are skewed by having a large amount of Hispanics move into the area. You would have to look at the total numbers, not just the percentage to determine if that is indeed happening. It could also mean that folks that previously identified as Caucasian have changed to identifying as Hispanic.

[Texas100]

I really have hope for Jacksonville. Grand Park, the way its laid out it looks like it has a lit of potential due to it's central location. Also the moncrief area. However Jacksonville is very segregated and it will be hard to convince people to move to these areas. I noticed that a lot of residents NEVER EVER cross the bridge. With the exception of Riverside and a couple other areas it's like 2 different worlds. Until the attitudes change the problems will continue.

[JBtwinz]

Originally Posted by Texas100

I really have hope for Jacksonville. Grand Park, the way its laid out it looks like it has a lit of potential due to it's central location. Also the moncrief area. However Jacksonville is very segregated and it will be hard to convince people to move to these areas. I noticed that a lot of residents NEVER EVER cross the bridge. With the exception of Riverside and a couple other areas it's like 2 different worlds. Until the attitudes change the problems will continue.

We've taken so many steps backwards since the landing days and the city continues to invest in the Jaguars but the downtown still remains desolate as far as restaurants and bars. It has helped bringing the Navy ship downtown as far as drawing people but with such beautiful River walks there's no where to have a drink or lunch on the beautiful riverfront.