Move from NYC to Jacksonville for career change...Advice needed (Jacksonville Beach: homes, college)

[usamathman]

Hello all,

30 year old single male here. Currently contemplating move from New York City to Jacksonville. Completed computer science degree in 2003. Decided to go into teaching. Have been working as math instructor for past 7 years ($75K current salary).

Seeking career change to IT. Have a job lead in Jacksonville as software engineer ($55K starting salary). Hoping to gain 2-3 years experience and then move to larger city where I can make more money.


Do you think the move is worth it financially?



Is Jacksonville an enjoyable city for singles?


Any advice and/or input would be fantastic.

[jetsfan2012]

I have a similar situation as you do. Mid 30s single, however my job is relocating me to Jacksonville. From all accounts, cost of living is much lower than up north, and seems to have some good opps. for singles.

I will be visiting the city in 2 weeks prior to the move at the end of March, will keep the board updated.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by jetsfan2012

I have a similar situation as you do. Mid 30s single, however my job is relocating me to Jacksonville. From all accounts, cost of living is much lower than up north, and seems to have some good opps. for singles.

I will be visiting the city in 2 weeks prior to the move at the end of March, will keep the board updated.

Awesome Jetsfan. I am in the middle of negotiations. Would love to hear about your experiences visiting Jacksonville. Please keep us posted.

By the way....what industry do you work in?

[jetsfan2012]

I work in the financial services industry, and have a few college friends of mine who have made it to Jacksonville by way of military (either enlisted or spouses). From all accounts, they have enjoyed their stay, and many of them have purchased homes within the first 2 yrs down there. No one I know that has moved there has left.

[fsu813]

Jets fans are not welcome, however, as they have the stench of Tebow on them.

[GadgetRick]

I moved down with my family 2 years ago from just outside NYC. You need to think of these things regarding your questions:

-Jacksonville is NOT NYC. You're NOT going to have the variety of things to do and the nightlife you have in NYC. Just not here. However, there is a LOT to love about the area. TONS of great things to do outdoors and around/on water (whether it's fresh water or the ocean and other brackish areas). You won't run out of things to do if you like this kind of stuff.
-From what I can tell--keep in mind I'm married--there are plenty of singles around town. There are some places to go to hook up but, again, you're not going to find the kinds of places you may be used to in NYC.
-Cost of living is nothing compared to NYC. Not much else to say.
-You'll need a car to get around down here. Public transportation is a joke (at best).
Food choices are much different than NYC. You don't have the family-owned places like you have all over the NE down here. There are some, but, for the most part, it's chain restaurants. Not that they're bad but they aren't the same. Also no true diners and it's tough to find good pizza (although there are a couple of decent places).
-You won't be digging yourself out from snow.
-You won't spend a ton of money on parking.
-You'll have to get used to 6-8 months of perfect weather (70-80 degrees and sunny most days) interrupted by a few months of hot/humid weather.
-You won't have access to professional sporting events like you do up there.

I think that covers the main points.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by GadgetRick

I moved down with my family 2 years ago from just outside NYC. You need to think of these things regarding your questions:

-Jacksonville is NOT NYC. You're NOT going to have the variety of things to do and the nightlife you have in NYC. Just not here. However, there is a LOT to love about the area. TONS of great things to do outdoors and around/on water (whether it's fresh water or the ocean and other brackish areas). You won't run out of things to do if you like this kind of stuff.
-From what I can tell--keep in mind I'm married--there are plenty of singles around town. There are some places to go to hook up but, again, you're not going to find the kinds of places you may be used to in NYC.
-Cost of living is nothing compared to NYC. Not much else to say.
-You'll need a car to get around down here. Public transportation is a joke (at best).
Food choices are much different than NYC. You don't have the family-owned places like you have all over the NE down here. There are some, but, for the most part, it's chain restaurants. Not that they're bad but they aren't the same. Also no true diners and it's tough to find good pizza (although there are a couple of decent places).
-You won't be digging yourself out from snow.
-You won't spend a ton of money on parking.
-You'll have to get used to 6-8 months of perfect weather (70-80 degrees and sunny most days) interrupted by a few months of hot/humid weather.
-You won't have access to professional sporting events like you do up there.

I think that covers the main points.

Fantastic summary. I do like the fact that there is a small downtown area and a waterfront. Glad that you were upfront about the place being no NYC. Thanks again!!

[williamwebb49]

No place is NYC except for NYC. Anyone that has ever confused Jacksonville with NYC was soon thereafter committed.

[Education is #1]

My father always said, "There's no place like New York City." He is right about that, but then again NY has a lot of people, and $$$$$$$$. Florida is very low key and cheap in most places, everything in life has a trade off.

[matzoman]

Take a look at Jacksonville Beach if you go. It has a younger population and might make your stay for a couple of years a lot more fun.