Jacksonville - what areas are good? (Plantation, St. Augustine: apartment complexes, for rent, condos)

[Moving2FL]

I'm planning a move to Jacksonville in three weeks. I've done some research on the areas but I'm interested in hearing more. Is the southside the best area, which is what I've been reading... I'm wanting an area that is lower in crime, within 20 minutes from the beach, has plenty of shopping and restaurants, etc. I don't have kids in school (yet, they are still very young) so the schools aren't a concern. I plan to buy a home there but not necessarily in Jacksonville, we'll decide that after we get there and check out the areas. I need a family friendly area. We plan to rent an apartment for the first 6 months. Can you recommend any specific apartment complexes that are good?

Thank you for any advice!

[Ellen Shelly]

I live in Mandarin which is probably one of the safest ares but it is about 35 minutes to the beach. Neptune Beach area is very good. Southside area is so lareg so better to check it out when you get here. There is a lot of new building going on near the May Clinic. Have you thought about St. Johns County (adjacent to Mandarin). Even though your children are little if you plan to stay at one location their schools are the best. St. Johns has a mix of older and newer homes with more being built every day.

[Karla with a K]

Where will yoube working ? This may affect where on the Southside or Mandarin
Mandarin is really nice but as ellen said about 35 mins to the beach
I live on the Southside 9A/Baymeadows area. My husband can be downtown in about 25 mins and we are 15 miles fromt he beach.
There are some nice apartments on Hodges which is off JTB rt 202 Southside. Also if you think living at the beach is an option you might want to look at Ponte Vedra beach. I am not sure how many apartments haven't gone "condo"
But it might be worth a look.
if you want you can email me and I can send you specific directions and some complex names.
A early Welcome to Jax we love it here and are only moving due to a job transfer
Karla

[Moving2FL]

Thank you for the information. The Baymeadows area is one that I have been looking at. My husband will be working downtown as well. So it sounds like it might be a good fit. Can you tell me some of the nicer apartment community names right in that area?

You mentioned Ponte Vedra Beach... is it nice over there? I'm sure it is by the water, but what about the apartment communities? And how long of a commute would it be to downtown for my husband's job?

Thank you!

[Karla with a K]

moving
When we lived in Ponte Vedra Beach as long as my husband was on the road by 6:50 he could be downtowm in less than 30 mins there were a bunch of apartments off of Ponte Vedra lakes blvd. I loved living there.
on the southside there are a bunch of apts along gate parkway, one that comes to mind is Village Walk they are very very nice and also off of gate parkway near tinseltown there are a bunch of nice complexes.
There are also alot of condos that people rent.
you can do a search for "the apartment guide" on google and put in 32256 zip code
I have seen some of the condos near us that were for rent. the nice thing about where we live is we are right next door to 2 "A" schools.
I am not sure what you are looking to pay rent wise but there might be a house in our subdivision for rent in a couple months they guy who is renting now will be moving
Karla

[dizliz0925]

If your husband is working downtown, you may want to check out San Marco, which is just south of downtown. San Marco is one historic area with houses from the 30's and 40's. Another area (where we live now) is Riverside/Avondale. Houses date back to the 10's and 20's. However, Riverside/Avondale his an elclectic mix of 200-600k homes next to apartments. That's one of the reasons we are planning on moving further south from San Marco (down San Jose BLVD) to the Manadarin area. It's not too crowded, and convenient to everything:

Beach - 20-25 minutes
St. Augustine - 30 min
Downtown - 25 min
Airport - 40 min
**The airport is on Jacksonville's northside, and while houses are being built there that are less espensive than other areas, you might want to avoid it. of Jacksonville's 4 main regions ( Southside, Beaches, Westside, Northside) the northside is the last to be 'developed' - economically speaking.

If you stick to East and South of the River, you should do well.

[RedWingsFan]

Thank you for all the info, I appreciate it. I am now checking out apartments in the Mandarin area as well as some others. Is anyone familiar with the St. John's Plantation apartments? This is the address:

7595 Baymeadows Circle West
Jacksonville, FL 32256

Is it a good area?

Thanks!

[Karla with a K]

The way complexes are changing names I pulled it up on mapquest I was able to see the exact area. That area off of southside blvd has maybe 6 or 7 different complexes. Some are nice some are iffy. You need to visit in person.. I always reccomend driving through at night and on the week-end this will give you an idea if the complex fits your needs ie: quite vs a party situation.
Karla

[BlueWillowPlate]

Excuse me for sticking my nose in here, but I was wondering if anyone could offer an opinion on Amelia Island? It is close to Jacksonville, am I correct?
Much thanks in advance.

[salatheel]

Does anyone have any info on Middlebury? It looks like a good location.