What are your opinions about Orange Park? (Middleburg: movie theater, restaurants)

[mawipafl]

Nice post Heris!

An FYI about the mall ... admittedly, I've not been there a gazillions times, but when I have gone I've not experienced nor noticed any negative activity. And I just read that Hollister is moving in - "hip" clothing from the Abercrobie & Finch line.

From observation I would have to say that Orange Park can't be all that bad. The park next to the Town Hall holds different events - craft fairs, holiday activities, etc. - and when we've attended, there has been a ton of people of all ages enjoying and participating.

[Family1st]

Riveree,
Can you help me. I'm looking to move to Jax. I was thinking Orange Park but I'd consider anywhere that has good schools. I know Florida for the most part are not known for their schools but I believe Orange park is known for their good schools. Any suggestions, I would consider condo or townhouse too because 300k is too much . I'm from up north in Jersey!

[Gands35]

We have been living in OP for over 3 years now. The schools are great, the neighborhood is very quiet (we live in Lakeside estates zip 32073). It is safe, our second grader has been riding his bike to school every day. However I prefer to stay amay from Blanding because of the traffic and definitely would not go further south on Blanding because of it. Flaming Island is very nice, but houses are more expensive there and it if further away from Jax.. Also I would stay away from north side of Kingslay Ave. (anywhere between Kingslay and I-295) because of the crime.
As far as OP hospital, I had my second child there and nurses and doctores there were very friendly and attentive.
Anyway, the reason we moved to Lakeside estates (Doctors Inl. area) because it still very close to Jax., the schools are good, the area is safe and the houses are very affordable for the middle class family.

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by Gands35

We have been living in OP for over 3 years now. The schools are great, the neighborhood is very quiet (we live in Lakeside estates zip 32073). It is safe, our second grader has been riding his bike to school every day. However I prefer to stay amay from Blanding because of the traffic and definitely would not go further south on Blanding because of it. Flaming Island is very nice, but houses are more expensive there and it if further away from Jax.. Also I would stay away from north side of Kingslay Ave. (anywhere between Kingslay and I-295) because of the crime.
As far as OP hospital, I had my second child there and nurses and doctores there were very friendly and attentive.
Anyway, the reason we moved to Lakeside estates (Doctors Inl. area) because it still very close to Jax., the schools are good, the area is safe and the houses are very affordable for the middle class family.

I live in Fleming Island and the schools are very good. The shopping centers (although not high end - who needs high end, anyway), are very close and not too crowded compared to other areas in this region.

They are widening the road on 17 which is slowing down traffic. I hope they don't build more so that the 3 lanes make an impact.

I agree regarding the prices of the houses but I think that the prices are normalizing. There are a lot of houses that are just in my subdivision that haven't moved except for 2 in the past month.

Snowy, our dog, likes to pee on the for sale posts - in addition to the recycling bins, for some reason.

[JustARoze]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their posts on Orange Park. My family is looking to relocate to the Jax/OP area. My inlaws all live in Woodbine, GA but I can't afford to live there in my wildest dreams!! I've been reading posts on both places and have found a few houses! My daughter will be 11 and my son 6. We are getting ready to homeschool our daughter due to a learning disability and her falling behind in school. We live in a small town in Missouri and she's just not able to get the help she needs! My son will be going to school though. Can anyone tell me if there are any good christian schools or about how the schools are there. I imagine there is more than 1 school but please keep in mind the county we live in has a population smaller than OP! Thanks in advance for everything!!!

[hartleytrips]

We sent our kids to Pinewood Christian Academy. The school was very good, but is only K-8. The cost is reasonable - under 4k/year. The church is currently looking for a new senior pastor and the school has a new principal, so I don't know if the school is as good anymore, but you should certainly check it out.

The school is located between Orange Park and Middleburg, about 4 miles west of Fleming Island.

I live in Eagle Harbor, and there are a lot of bargains out here now. Getting a nice house for under 300k should not be a problem. The elementary school in Eagle Harbor is top notch, as well. The amenities are great - resort-like pools, parks, and water everywhere.

[spaceguy]

I see very prejudiced version here on Orange Park. I lived in Jacksonville for 3 yrs and moved to OP for a decent house which I should have paid at least 100 K more in Jacksonville. . As some one mentioned OP is not just Fleming Island are not just 17 and Blanding blvd. I am referring to the northern part of Blanding BLVD, Argyle Forest Area and Oakleaf Plantation area.

1. Traffic is not a problem here if you have to commute to down town area by taking I-295 from wilson blvd and I-10. It takes me only 30 mts to go to downtown from my home in peak hours

2.Commute to Airport is not a problem

3.A new Oakleaf town center has started in that area which is not as big as St.Johns town center but have all nice shopping centers with Home depot, target etc. and nice restaurents.

4.Oakleaf has nice upcoming schools which are almost like private schools

5.Have CDD fees but they have nice facilities like soccer courts, basket ball courts, Tennis courts ,water sporting pools.

Nice place to live in if you have kids

[tr8derchick]

I wouldn't move to Orange Park until they get a new hospital, just in case you ever have a family emergency.

[jcs2000]

Originally Posted by tr8derchick

I wouldn't move to Orange Park until they get a new hospital, just in case you ever have a family emergency.

I would also urge caution about OPMC.
It is not the universal death trap that some proclaim it to be, but consistently sketchy care is a common denominator in many cases.

[titaniummd]

I love Orange Park - especially Fleming Island.

They are building a movie theater here which will open soon. The shopping is not too crowded. Commute is not bad - and will improve with the bridge completion. A majority of stores that I need are not too far away.

I only wish there was more diversity of restaurants.