North or South JAX area? (Jacksonville, Orange Park: rental, houses, neighborhoods)

[GoGoPowerRanger]

We are relocating to the area with the main worksite in Orange Park.

How is the commute from the San Mateo area (or surrounding) to OP? The houses up there are cheaper and seem to have decent-ish schools. I read somewhere that Clay county residents can take their children to whatever school in Clay they want, is that the same for Duval? We are also looking at potentially renting the house when we leave or just resell and it appears that OP is fairing better in that regard. We are just not feeling the CDD's.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

[mawipafl]

It sounds like you already know you won't be here long-term? Military? That would add another layer to your upcoming relocation - yes, perhaps buying cheap now would make sense, but you'd have to think about resale value and/or rental potential when it's time to move on so that you wouldn't be saddled with the property. (i.e. are the properties you've seen more inexpensive because they are hard to sell?)

As for the commute, I wouldn't mind the trip from San Mateo to OP (NAS by chance?), but many would. It would mean 95 to 10 to 17 (with 17 the whole way as a not-great alternate or 295 all the way around as a longer alternate). I think most who work in OP would rather live closer and more conveniently located than San Mateo.

I'm not well-versed in school choice, so I can't comment about that ... hopefully some other members can.

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by mawipafl

...I think most who work in OP would rather live closer and more conveniently located than San Mateo...

Agree. BTW - I had never heard of San Mateo before - had to look it up. Seems to be up near the airport. Robyn

[JacksonvilleNative]

I have many friends who live in San Mateo. It is an older neighborhood with a lot of long time owners, second generation owners, and some rental property. It is close to shopping (River City Market Place) restaurants and theater.

The commute is doable, varying degree of congestion depending on the time you will be traveling. The earlier or later you leave during normal rush hours the better.

[Made it]

How's the commute up to Brunswick, GA?

[JacksonvilleNative]

From San Mateo? it is on the northside of Jacksonville and a about an hour drive straight up I95. During rush hour, most of the traffic will be going south so you shouldn't have a problem going north. Can't speak to when you get to Brunswick.

[ARodinJax]

San Mateo (the neighborhood I grew up in) to OP isn't a commute you could pay me to make. All Clay County neighborhoods don't have CDD fees. In fact, those fees are relatively new in Northeast Florida and you aren't likely to find them in neighborhoods that are older than 12 years or so.