Is there any one else out there who truley hates the place they live?? (Jacksonville: cabinet, taxes)

[riveree]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

Still I can understand why you would sense an unrealistic amount of positive feed about Jax. It might also be the fact that this Jax forum is a fairly happy-go-lucky place compared to other forums, especially in Florida. (Between you and me, is Riveree part of this positive feed? You can say it.)

Hey, it's not me! The reason I joined this forum in the first place was because of how friendly it was, so if you're going to blame anyone, blame Karla .

[grsPAFL]

Okay riveree, even I noticed my argument was starting to sputter. I’m confused and here’s why…

A month ago I was walking my dog down the long feeder road that all the subdivisions tie into. My dog and I stepped into the woods looking for a path to follow. After a very few minutes, suddenly we’re dumped out into a large, totally clear cut, new subdivision. Only a tiny part of it has been developed. There’s sand everywhere and dust devils. It was like walking off of the tropical movie set and stumbling into the wild west set. I didn’t know this place was even here, never mind this close. I was disoriented and I tried by navigate by jet trails – which run north south – to see if I could walk around it. After a half hour, I gave up, retraced my steps and returned home.

A couple years ago you could choose which public school to send your kid to. Several families decided to car pool to the newest elementary. Some decided to home school, some went private, the rest stayed where zoned. The neighborhood was split into 4 pieces.

My child is still in elementary. So a lot of life is in the subdivision. We do get out to explore, but more outside of j-ville than in. I don’t know how I would describe Jax – my part of it has changed so much in 5 yrs.

Cricketfan,
Thank you.
I'm not looking for exciting. What I miss about Chicago are small things. Like the amazing accidental conversations you’d have with people at the grocery store. The interesting mix of people, nationalities and ages. Food, obviously... the bat house at the Brookfield Zoo.

[Ga.Peach]

I use to live in Jax .I loved it and it will always feel like home when I visit there.

I moved to Jax in the mid 70s from my home town Atlanta Ga. glad I got out of that rat race . But I will always remember how beautiful downtown Atlanta was ,not anymore .

Jax is close to lots of excitement imo . Lakes,rivers,beaches and even rodeos ,dog races .

I left Jax 15 yr.s ago but have visited a lot since .

[riveree]

I made some comments inside your post....

Originally Posted by grsPAFL

Okay riveree, even I noticed my argument was starting to sputter. I’m confused and here’s why…

A month ago I was walking my dog down the long feeder road that all the subdivisions tie into. My dog and I stepped into the woods looking for a path to follow. After a very few minutes, suddenly we’re dumped out into a large, totally clear cut, new subdivision. Only a tiny part of it has been developed. There’s sand everywhere and dust devils. It was like walking off of the tropical movie set and stumbling into the wild west set. I didn’t know this place was even here, never mind this close. I was disoriented and I tried by navigate by jet trails – which run north south – to see if I could walk around it. After a half hour, I gave up, retraced my steps and returned home.

That IS weird . I guess you live in an area that still had land left to be developed and it's bound to happen sooner or later . I thought the developers had wised up and realized their buyers want trees left in place, but I guess not .

A couple years ago you could choose which public school to send your kid to. Several families decided to car pool to the newest elementary. Some decided to home school, some went private, the rest stayed where zoned. The neighborhood was split into 4 pieces.

Well, I think that's unique. In NY Metro, there's no choice, you're zoned into your school, it's always been that way. Isn't it the same in Chicago?

My child is still in elementary. So a lot of life is in the subdivision. We do get out to explore, but more outside of j-ville than in. I don’t know how I would describe Jax – my part of it has changed so much in 5 yrs.

So do you think it's just that you don't like the area of Jax you currently live in? Could you be happy living in a different part of Jax?


Cricketfan,
Thank you.
I'm not looking for exciting. What I miss about Chicago are small things. Like the amazing accidental conversations you’d have with people at the grocery store. The interesting mix of people, nationalities and ages. Food, obviously... the bat house at the Brookfield Zoo.

I understand that, that's part of what I miss about NYC too. I know for me, density is part of it, so I'm more and more inclined to live in the denser parts of Jax. I want to get to know the local shop owners, see people I know on the street, have places to walk to and hang out. I think you can have that here.

I hope you can resolve it, grs. I know it's tough when you're married, everyone has to be in agreement (note to self: never get married again ).

[lazy_d]

Originally Posted by grsPAFL

People are looking for honest information before the sell, move and uproot kids. Realistic info to these people will get them thru it - forewarned is forearmed.

I agree!

IMHO the negative information is much more useful than the positive. It's easy to parse out the negatives that are negative for the sake of being negative.

For instance, with hotels its great to hear about what a wonderful breakfast they have, or the nice hot tub out back. But what I really need to hear before I make my reservation (read: look for a job, move my family) is how the bed sheets don't get turned and that any room on the east side is going to noisy due to the elevator bank.

[FLPL75]

Originally Posted by riveree

Hey, it's not me! The reason I joined this forum in the first place was because of how friendly it was, so if you're going to blame anyone, blame Karla .

lol I will take "full blame" because I have met some really terrific folks thanks to CD

Originally Posted by grsPAFL

Like the amazing accidental conversations you’d have with people at the grocery store.

grspafl

if you shop at the Publix @ baymeadows & 9A we have never run into each other
I love grocery store conversations


I moved here 16 years ago
Having moved 23 times I have experienced both types of cities
Lived in the big ones Phila, Denver, Chicago and when I lived in NJ I would visit NYC often

I have also experienced really small towns such as Drums Pa

Each has unique qualities and the adventure of discovering these is part of the experience.


Do I miss certain aspects of "the big city" ? sometimes but as other have said it is only a plane ride away

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by lazy_d

IMHO the negative information is much more useful than the positive. It's easy to parse out the negatives that are negative for the sake of being negative.

Good point lazy_d, and I agree completely.

But I don't know ... I come across a fair amount of negatives.

And BTW I sense that alot of the negative posts are from people who don't even live in Jacksonville.
It's the negative comments from people who live here that have much more validity.

Here are some buzzwords off the top of my head if anyone cares to do a search:

sprawl
humidity
hot weather
crime
shootings
CDDs
HOAs
boredom
bugs
unwalkability
construction
foreclosures
school ratings
confederate flag
traffic
bad drivers
non-ethnicity
strip malls
dining
high insurance

... not necessarily in that order.

Yes, we have our regulars who are usually positive about everything but we also have some prophets of doom and gloom. I'm glad we have both.

But there must be some good reasons for people to keep wanting to relocate in this part of the country. Don't ya think?

[FLPL75]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

But there must be some good reasons for people to keep wanting to relocate in this part of the country. Don't ya think?

Very well said cricketfan !!

[riveree]

^^^What she said .

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

But there must be some good reasons for people to keep wanting to relocate in this part of the country. Don't ya think?

*Cough* Weather! *Cough*