Fun, walkable and safe area to rent? (Jacksonville, Atlantic Beach: apartments, condo)

[pomegranate]

Hi! We're a 40's couple of almost-empty nesters, and Jacksonville is on our radar screen for our next move. Here's what we're looking for: an apartment (could be as small as a studio) in a vibrant, walkable, safe area, for around $700-1000/month, while we scope the city for a more permanent home. Does anyone have a recommendation? I looked on the web at downtown apartments, but I wonder whether it's a good area at night. What about closer to the beach?

[Magnolia Bloom]

San Marco would be nice. There is an article about it in today's Times Union.

Jacksonville.com

[riveree]

As HIF said, San Marco and some of the other older established neighborhoods along the river might work for you.

The beach is another location that could work - Atlantic Beach, for example, has some nice shops and restaurants you could walk to.

Both are highly desireable areas and the rents will reflect that, so you'd probably be looking to spend closer to your high end of your budget for a clean, decent place.

Downtown is still pretty quiet at night and I would not recommend walking around there at night to any great extent. It's coming along, but we still have a lot of revitalization to do - our downtown has been long neglected and only now has the city seen the value of revitalizing it. San Marco is very close to downtown, but currently much more livable, IMO.

By the way, will you be commuting to somewhere? This is a big spread out city, so if a commute will be in the picture, you'd want to factor that in from the start of your search.

[Jack McSwain]

There are a lot of areas that may suit you. Jacksonville stretches over a wide area and St. Johns and Clay counties are good bedroom communities that also provide great neighborhoods for convenient living and activities. Moderator cut: tos violation

[Mylu]

I agree that San Marco is a great place! I've lived and worked in different neighborhoods in Jax and LOVE San Marco. There are many "empty nesters" in my condo who are very active... walking, biking, enjoying the pool, dock, and of course the beautiful river sunsets and views. If you are looking in Jax, check out the San Marco area. There are restaraunts within strolling distance, plenty of window shopping, public library, and they are building a new Publix grocery store here. It is also close to I-95 and great doctors and hospitals. It is a very friendly, quaint, historic area.

[pomegranate]

Thanks a bunch! I'll check out the suggestions. San Marco seems to be a good place to start. My husband won't need to go to the office on a daily basis, so the commute is not a huge concern. Primarily, we want a place where we can avoid using a car for at least some of our daily activities.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by pomegranate

Thanks a bunch! I'll check out the suggestions. San Marco seems to be a good place to start. My husband won't need to go to the office on a daily basis, so the commute is not a huge concern. Primarily, we want a place where we can avoid using a car for at least some of our daily activities.

Zips 32207 & 32217 would be a good starting point for nice, walkable, vibrant areas .

[Karla with a K]

Originally Posted by pomegranate

Thanks a bunch! I'll check out the suggestions. San Marco seems to be a good place to start. My husband won't need to go to the office on a daily basis, so the commute is not a huge concern. Primarily, we want a place where we can avoid using a car for at least some of our daily activities.

pomegranate
did you see this thread

http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacks...rco-condo.html


lol the jacksonville thread bringing people together

[pomegranate]

Hadn't thought of renting a condo...I'll look into it! At any rate, we're not looking to move down until June/July...

[Mandy D]

I live in Hunters Ridge at Deerwood and I walk all the time on the trails and never have a problem, 9a and baymeadows area, also Ponte Vedra Beach is safe