Moving to Jax

[VirginiaGator]

Hello all, hope you aren't bored to death yet. I have a question for those who live or have lived in Jacksonville. My fiance and I are possibly moving to Jacksonville in November (following her career, doctorate in neuroscience) as she may have a job at the Mayo Clinic. I know nothing about the area, but we have looked at some apartments near Bay Meadows right off 95. Anyone know what this area is like? Any recommendations of where to look? We're in our 20s and no kids. Not really wanting to live downtown as we've done that in Providence, Rhode Island (hate it up here). Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[TheDouglas78]

I'm sorry.

 

[ThreatMatrix]

Hello all, hope you aren't bored to death yet. I have a question for those who live or have lived in Jacksonville. My fiance and I are possibly moving to Jacksonville in November (following her career, doctorate in neuroscience) as she may have a job at the Mayo Clinic. I know nothing about the area, but we have looked at some apartments near Bay Meadows right off 95. Anyone know what this area is like? Any recommendations of where to look? We're in our 20s and no kids. Not really wanting to live downtown as we've done that in Providence, Rhode Island (hate it up here). Any advice is greatly appreciated.

If you're living in Florida might as well live as close to the beach as possible. If she's working Mayo clinic I assume it's the one on San Pablo Rd. So you're almost there anyway. Have you looked in Ponte Vedra?
Nothing wrong with Bay Meadows but it's a bit land locked. You're young, so I'd definitely live beach side. Think about being able to take evening walks on the beach every night. Plus you're going to be at the beach every weekend anyway.

 

[VirginiaGator]

Hello all, hope you aren't bored to death yet. I have a question for those who live or have lived in Jacksonville. My fiance and I are possibly moving to Jacksonville in November (following her career, doctorate in neuroscience) as she may have a job at the Mayo Clinic. I know nothing about the area, but we have looked at some apartments near Bay Meadows right off 95. Anyone know what this area is like? Any recommendations of where to look? We're in our 20s and no kids. Not really wanting to live downtown as we've done that in Providence, Rhode Island (hate it up here). Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, its 295.

If you're living in Florida might as well live as close to the beach as possible. If she's working Mayo clinic I assume it's the one on San Pablo Rd. So you're almost there anyway. Have you looked in Ponte Vedra?
Nothing wrong with Bay Meadows but it's a bit land locked. You're young, so I'd definitely live beach side. Think about being able to take evening walks on the beach every night. Plus you're going to be at the beach every weekend anyway.

Have not looked yet, but will do now. I should say we're looking near 295 not 95. I see Pablo Creek Club is basically between where we were looking and Ponte Vedra. I will definitely take a look.

 

[BMF]

Stay away from Baymeadows. That area was really nice in the 80's and 90's...not so much anymore. If you live in Jax, you have to live at the beach - that's anywhere from Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jax Beach, or Ponte Vedra. There's some nice neighborhood's off San Pablo Rd (where Mayo Clinic is), my ex-wife and I live in Pablo Bay (she was an ER doctor). There's also a few nice neighborhoods off of Kernan - I think Tebow just moved into one of the nicer one's off Kernan, near JTB.

 

[GR8 2B]

Younger, hip areas are Avondale, Riverside, and 5 Points, which are contiguous along the bank of the Saint Johns River just off the downtown. A little further up the river is San Marco, which is absolutely worth looking into. All 4 areas are about 20 to 45 minutes from Mayo, depending on traffic. About 15 to 20 min from Mayo is St. John's Town Center (not to be confused with St. John's County immediately south). It's the premier shopping area in Jax, with plenty of condominiums and apartments. Upscale, great dining, centrally located. The you have The Beaches - from north to south: Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Ponte Vedra Beach. Palm Valley is just west of Ponte Vedra, and runs along the Intracoastal. These areas are generally 10 to 45 minutes from Mayo, depending on traffic and where you're coming from. Lots of rentals. DM me if you want more info.

 

[ThreatMatrix]

Also, its 295.

Have not looked yet, but will do now. I should say we're looking near 295 not 95. I see Pablo Creek Club is basically between where we were looking and Ponte Vedra. I will definitely take a look.

Yeah, I mean the more I think about it the more I say definitely live beach side meaning East of the Intercoastal. But ideally you want to be in walking distance of the beach, Even better if you don't have to cross A1A. I've lived in Florida all my life including growing up in Atlantic beach. The single most important thing is being on the beach otherwise you could be living in Podunk Illinois. And driving to the beach just ain't the same thing.

 

[GR8 2B]

Just saw Threat's and BMF's posts. I agree. You might also want look just south at St. Augustine, but your problem would be a longer drive to Mayo, particular during rush hour.

 

[VirginiaGator]

Thanks guys, keep them coming. We're going to try and visit May/June to do some scouting. Going to be a long ass haul come November, if this is the move. I'm really hoping its Jacksonville over Boston.

 

[BMF]

Thanks guys, keep them coming. We're going to try and visit May/June to do some scouting. Going to be a long ass haul come November, if this is the move. I'm really hoping its Jacksonville over Boston.

Where are you in Virginia? I'm in Arlington. I was a Jacksonville firefighter for 18 years (only actually worked about 11 of those 18 on the job - I was on military leave the other years). Anyhow, I know the city very well. I worked at stations in Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Jax Beach, the westside, Mandarin, and a few other spots. I can't express to you enough: LIVE AT THE BEACH! Like TM said, if you don't live at the beach you might as well move to some other city. Other than having hot weather most of the year, if you live in Florida you should be living as close to the beach as possible. It's a lifestyle for sure.

 

[MJMGator]

Look at apartments in the Town Center area. Most if them are very new and there’s about 100 restaurants in the immediate area. You’re about 15 minutes from the beach there.

 

[VirginiaGator]

Where are you in Virginia? I'm in Arlington. I was a Jacksonville firefighter for 18 years (only actually worked about 11 of those 18 on the job - I was on military leave the other years). Anyhow, I know the city very well. I worked at stations in Mayport, Atlantic Beach, Jax Beach, the westside, Mandarin, and a few other spots. I can't express to you enough: LIVE AT THE BEACH! Like TM said, if you don't live at the beach you might as well move to some other city. Other than having hot weather most of the year, if you live in Florida you should be living as close to the beach as possible. It's a lifestyle for sure.

A small town called Danville in southern VA. But I've lived in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, and Alexandria after college. Georgetown is also another possibility, but I think she's hoping for Jacksonville. It seems like the consensus is the beach. Which I wouldn't mind.

 

[Gator By Marriage]

A small town called Danville in southern VA. But I've lived in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, and Alexandria after college.

Wow, small world. I grew up in Alex, went to college in Harrisonburg and my sis lives in Roanoke County (Salem). And for good measure? My roommate my freshman year was from Danville.

 

[bradgator2]

Check out just a little further south in the Palenica, World Golf Village, Nocatee area.

 

[deuce]

Beach living is great until the Hurricane comes....

 

[crosscreekcooter]

Ponte Vedra or St Johns County-shop the Intracoastal Waterway

 

[VirginiaGator]

Wow, small world. I grew up in Alex, went to college in Harrisonburg and my sis lives in Roanoke County (Salem). And for good measure? My roommate my freshman year was from Danville.

Very small world! I would have never left if my fiance didn't get a post doc at Brown University. We'll probably move back in about 4 or 5 years and buy a house between Roanoke and Blacksburg. But I'm afraid we may never return if we move to Florida.

 

[NVGator]

How old are you? Family? St. John’s County. Look at Ponte Vedra. Nocatee as others have said. It’s the place to be.

 

[bradgator2]

Forget downtown. There is no downtown living in Jax. It’s a dump and you’ll probably never go down there unless you are going to one of the arenas.

Someone mentioned Avondale, Riverside, 5 points. Although they are hip and a ton of money has rehabed them.... one block over is pure ghetto. It’s a shame. I found those places were great to grab some lunch.

Stick to between the river and the beach. You really dont wont to add the bridges to a daily commute.

 

[TLB]

How old are you? Family? St. John’s County. Look at Ponte Vedra. Nocatee as others have said. It’s the place to be.

He put it in the OP

We're in our 20s and no kids. Not really wanting to live downtown as we've done that in Providence, Rhode Island (