transplanters opinions of Jacksonville (Orlando, St. Augustine: transplants, amusement parks, high crime)

[d*lifter]

For those who moved to Jacksonville (recently or semi-recently) from other major metro areas, what are your opinions of the place? I'm in the DC metro area and considering a move down there, but there's a few things that make me go "hmmm". So I'd like to hear what some others, who came from large market areas, have to say. Thanks.

[Dappleganger]

The biggest things you will miss are the unique foreign restaurants, good mass transit, decent clubs/bars/music and the diversity. You won't miss the traffic, you'll love the beach/river and the life around it, you'll love the laid-back attitude, wearing flip-flops to everything, St. Augustine and of course much cheaper housing prices.

[JimRom]

We moved back to Jacksonville after 20 years in the St. Louis area. Overall, we love it. However, there are a few things to get used to.

Number one, it's car-centric. Without a car, nothing is close.

People aren't quite as friendly. They're polite, but the chances of having a random conversation with a stranger are a lot slimmer here than they were in STL.

It's big. While this may fall under the car thing, I put it separate because Jax is HUGE in comparison with any other metro area. I could drive from one side of STL to the other in 20 minutes tops. It takes at least twice that if not more for down here.

There are a lot of pluses to Jacksonville. You have the beaches, the tourist attractions, and quite a bit more choice as far as dining and shopping. Overall, I like it as much if not more than I liked St. Louis.

[BabyBoomers2]

We are in our early 60's and do like it here, moved here in Jan 2009. Evening dining at a nice restaurant isn't our "thing", but do enjoy Red Lobster and Longhorn restaurants. Also, a great seafood restaurant is in Mayport. One thing for sure, Jacksonville isn't great for amusement parks and entertainment (in some respects). Orlando is for that!! But, then again, about the only entertainment we moved here for was boating......plenty of water for that! Gotta love the weather, even during the winter months, and the traffic. We guess depending on the career, employment here isn't the greatest either. But, all-in-all.......it's NICE!!

[wb3690]

we've been here one year tomorrow!

we moved from Hawaii and I grew up in the Detroit Metro Area. The hubby grew up in Indiana.

I really enjoy Jacksonville. It's a large city landmass wise so it seems like it isn't as populated as places I am used to because we are all spread out. I saw the car mention above. You need a car here..otherwise you'll be stuck in specific areas.

I find people SO friendly here. I really do. HNL was great as the aloha spirit is everywhere, but there are tons of busy tourists so that got annoying. Detroit was busy, rush rush rush rush, I do not miss Detroit. I miss Ann Arbor, but not the city. I'll never move back up north, well unless a really good job offer comes in. I do not miss the snow or the blistering cold. I don't care how cold it got here last winter, we were never snowed into our homes. I love watching the weather channel and seeing the blizzards and smiling that I'll never be a part of that!

Orlando is close, the beach is right there....

We're very happy.

[fsquid]

Moved here 11 months ago and the family loves it which is the most important thing to me since I spend a bit of time traveling for work. 4 yo daughter has really loved all the different animals she's seen in the neighborhood and having a neighborhood pool. I also find people to be very friendly here compared to where I came from. Seems that southern hospitality is alive and well here and I like that.

[ugaguy]

hah my ex-girlfriend actually moved to DC from jax. we dont talk much anymore but she loves it up there.

anyways Jax can be very different depending on where you live. The beach definitely has the laid back beachy feel to it. the Southside of town(which is actually the southeast side) is like every other suburb in america. full of transplants from all over. tons of planned communities. chain restaurants and stores everywhere. the westside of town(west of the river) definitely has a good ole boy flavor to it. the northside of town is unfortunately in rough shape. depending on what type of personality you are and your situation in life(retired, new family, single, etc...), id recommend completely different areas of town.

ive lived in a ton of big cities and they all have their good and bad qualities. jax is no diffferent. however if you love outdoor activities(aside from mountain climbing), jax is the place to be. great fishing in and off shore. boating. great golf. camping areas. beach. hunting. etc...

[deeohen]

My fiancee and I have really enjoyed our time here and are in the process of buying a home!

I agree with nearly all that has been posted - outdoor activities, weather, etc. - but as for "needing a car" that's not necessarily true. If you live in areas such as Riverside, Avondale, San Marco/Southbank, Downtown, etc. you will barely use it for more than a few blocks at a time. These areas also have a higher concentration of your 20's, 30's and hip young family crowds.

(I grew up in downtown Chicago and other than New York, San Fran, Boston and possibly Philly, every city in this country lives and dies by its autos.)

Come on down... the more the merrier!

[904jax]

I am from Denver, living in Jacksonville ("Jax") for about five years. Denver is great, but I like Jax just as well.


Here is what I like about JAX:

1. The people are friendly and family oriented on all sides of town, even in the the so called high crime areas. This doesn't show up in statistics, but Jax's people are some of the nicest in the US.
2. Jax has many of the positive attributes of Florida (i.e., beaches, warm winters, water) without being a tourist trap or retirement community.
3. Jax is in the 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 sweet spot for metro areas with a metro population at approx. 1,300,000.
4. The traffic is moderate.
5. Jax is blessed with remarkable natural beauty with almost any type of body of water within its city limits.
6. Jax has a true sub-tropical climate.
7. Jax has an authentic American feel to it.

Here are the cons:

1. The people tend to be Fox News conservative. I have never understood how such nice people can embrace such mean politics contrary to their own interests. I'm not from the South, so perhaps I'll never really understand.
2. It is spread out and extremely car centric. This may be a serious issue in the future when oil prices surge above $4 per gallon again.
3. The education system is broken with exception of certain magnet schools that can't meet the demands of all parents seeking a better education for their children. People with resources, myself included, put their children in private schools. Jax has one of the highest private school enrollment rates in the Florida, which unfortunately, perpetuates economic inequality among the populace. The lack of educational resources is such a significant problem for the community, on so many levels, that a book could be written.
4. The city government is somewhat inefficient, a tad "good ole boy" and beholden to powerful unions. The unions tap the resources of the city government with socialist style retirement benefits.

[ugaguy]

To address your Con#1, why cant nice people want low taxes, want to live the way they want, and believe in personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions? Plus there is a lot military in Jax so thats another reason it may be a little more conservative. And looking at Con#4, another reason to be conservative

Con#2 is good and bad. however when it comes to spending money on gas, its frustrating. I remember a few years back easily spending 350 dollars or more each month on gas.

Con#3 is dead on. Schools are awful. if you dont want to pay, live in st johns county.