Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Rhode Island seemed so obviously the winner that I'm streetviewing around Jacksonville now to see what it might offer. It actually seems like kind of a fun city to explore. Yeah, it doesn't look like I was expecting. The architecture is surprisingly old and varied, there's a pretty large area on a grid plan (it's not all just sprawl), and the thick, overhanging tree cover and lack of hills makes it feel like you're exploring a labyrinth.
I'd probably still go with Rhode Island, but it's a lot closer than I would have thought.
Rhode Island for a visit, Jacksonville to live. RI is stagnant, and has been for years. Jacksonville is growing, and has a lot of good white collar jobs.
Jacksonville is pretty terrible. I think you might be thinking its a little like Tampa or perhaps nearby Orlando... Jacksonville is the oddball FL city. It's a weird vibe, like industrial sad meets redneck meets beach-ish kindof.
Naw actually sounds like what i imagine. IDK doesn't seem like itd be terrible. I like Florida and beach towns like that, the conservatism goes down smoother by the beach and with palm trees. Rhode Island is cool but it has plenty flaws too.
Naw actually sounds like what i imagine. IDK doesn't seem like itd be terrible. I like Florida and beach towns like that, the conservatism goes down smoother by the beach and with palm trees. Rhode Island is cool but it has plenty flaws too.
As has been mentioned, Jacksonville is severely underrated. It's Florida's original big city, and it has great urban bones. There are multiple gorgeous historic streetcar neighborhoods, and the beaches are great. I personally would live there over Providence without any hesitation. The only downside in my opinion is the lackluster Downtown, it needs some work.
As has been mentioned, Jacksonville is severely underrated. It's Florida's original big city, and it has great urban bones. There are multiple gorgeous historic streetcar neighborhoods, and the beaches are great. I personally would live there over Providence without any hesitation. The only downside in my opinion is the lackluster Downtown, it needs some work.
Newport is nice, but there aren't any jobs. Jacksonville is not terrible, and the people commenting on it are obviously not very familiar with the area. It's still possible to have a very comfortable middle class life there. It's bookended by St. Augustine and Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, places that could definitely give RI a run for historic beach areas.
Let me put it this way. Providence couldn't support Nordstrom, and they pulled out. Their Jacksonville store is thriving.
Newport is nice, but there aren't any jobs. Jacksonville is not terrible, and the people commenting on it are obviously not very familiar with the area. It's still possible to have a very comfortable middle class life there. It's bookended by St. Augustine and Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach, places that could definitely give RI a run for historic beach areas.
Let me put it this way. Providence couldn't support Nordstrom, and they pulled out. Their Jacksonville store is thriving.
Gotcha. Yea I’ve always sort of Imagine Jacksonville as a much much larger myrtle beach with some industry. Maybe a little Charleston-esquire section. Is that far off?
Gotcha. Yea I’ve always sort of Imagine Jacksonville as a much much larger myrtle beach with some industry. Maybe a little Charleston-esquire section. Is that far off?
Yes, it's nothing like Myrtle Beach and not really similar to Charleston either. The historic old money neighborhoods more resemble Brookline than Charleston. It's a port city, so there is industry there and a blue collar element. It has a very diversified economy that tilts more white collar though.
Hard for me to compare Jacksonville strictly city limits vs Rhode Island strictly state borders. It's a little opaque though I get the OP's intention. In fact, for those who are unaware, the Jax city limits would NOT include the beaches so, I mean, if the idea is that you can't cross outside the imaginary boundaries then I'm not sure how Jax can even compare to Rhode Island at all.
So instead I'm just responding to some of the thoughts mentioned so far in this thread. Jacksonville is not at all "terrible," particularly when including the metro area as a whole. The historic urban core neighborhoods are awesome and easily on par with Providence. I imagine taking the overall economy into consideration they'll be in the same tier, and the primary disadvantage for Jax is specifically downtown which is decades behind Providence.
As for people coming to Jax to "retire" or to "visit"....ummm, there are plenty. It pales in comparison to other parts of FL, but is still well above average for the nation. Jax gets $3.2B annually in tourism revenue and as jmatl said, Amelia Island and St Augustine bookend the metro and are two very popular tourist destinations.
I will mention that I do have a very favorable impression of Providence and would pick it as the better overall MSA at the moment.
Realistically you should include things that are an easy drive or very accessible form either deatination. Because that just how real life is. Jacksonville Beach should be essentially Jacksonville. It something that easily and readily accessible.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
