Please share "10 Things to Know About Moving to JAX!" (Jacksonville: condo, colleges)
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1. Laid back lifestyle.
2. City is spread out, all over the place (you'll drive a lot to get around)
3. Water is very easy to find. Beaches, River (plenty of fun on or near the water)
4. Jacksonville is in Florida but it's not Palm Tree south florida, it's still florida but it's not the tropics. (I don't mean this in a bad way, just matter of fact)
5. 90% of the people in Jacksonville root for College's Florida, Florida State or Georgia
6. With any warm climate you'll see more bugs but it's not a huge deal.
7. It's hot everywhere from Jersey to Florida in the summer but the humidity in Florida is notorious. The beach provides a nice breeze, usually.
8. Very casual attire, you can go almost anywhere in shorts or jeans and flip flops.
9. People are pretty nice and not quite as fast paced as they are in the Northeast.
10. Destinations are all close by: Tampa 3 & 1/2 hours, (Orlando (Disney) 2 & 1/2 hours, Daytona Beach 1 & 1/2 hours away, St. Augustine a little over an hour.
Get ready to start growing your own fruits and veggies in your own back yard,you will see more pine trees than palm trees here.
North Florida has the most beautifull oak trees you'll probably ever see.
Some of the things you described here are like a horror film for a northern transplant. You should write Stephen King style books that scare the crap out of people from the northeast and the rest of the country for that matter!
We may try that if it would work!!! LOL!!!
Moderator cut: edit
Last edited by riveree; 02-23-2008 at 08:59 PM..
Reason: off-topic; also please be careful not to call out individuals
Been here six years and will be leaving within the next year – and not because I don’t like it here – I’m being transferred. Did not choose J’ville because I liked it – got paid to relocate for a job promotion. Came for the job, dealt with the place. Feel like I am still “dealing with it.” It’s not entirely bad, but I can’t say I’ll miss it.
10 Things to know about Jacksonville before you move here:
1) It’s hot and muggy
2) You’ll especially enjoy it if your hobbies are: 1) sweating, and 2) golf
3) If you have never lived in the south before, be prepared for a LOT more yard maintenance (and the bills to go with it) than you thought you would have:
Regular irrigation, weed/pest control, periodic re-sodding on your lawn/yard. Yearly pressure washing the driveway and house due to the crappy-quality (and poor-tasting) sulfur water from said irrigation spray/runoff. Readjusting and replacing sprinkler heads, cracked pipes, replacing or repairing the pump or, worse, some people I know having to run a separate meter only to see your utility bills go up, up, up – in addition to having the central-a/c running 24/7. Buying sod plugs or outright pallets of sod. All in the wonderful 80+ degree heat. That’s right, no cool breeze for you while you do your steenkin’ yardwork. Consider a townhouse or condo, seriously. If you can envision the chain-gang scenes from “Coolhand Luke,” you’ll get the idea. Oh and – waiting for the comparison-mongers in the peanut gallery to chime in -- in NY, unless there was a MAJOR drought, I hardly ever had to water the lawn – a few times during the summer at most. I mowed my lawn once a week, weed-wacked every other, and with the exception of the occasional rogue dandelion, had few weed issues. If I had bare spots, which was rarely, I threw down a bag of $10 grass seed and watered for a couple weeks and bam, no more problems.
4) If you like chain restaurants and bar-b-que joints, this is your place
5) If you like Italian delis, importing companies and independent bakeries, good luck finding any here
6) The malls are NOTHING like the ones you have in NJ. Good luck finding a Macy’s unless you want to drive to Orlando. If you’re looking for out-of-state sports team apparel (unless it is something ungodly popular like the Dallas Cowboys or the Boston Red Sox) good luck finding it. They tend to carry only regional teams. Hope you like Bealls (and it’s not Bee Y’alls). They pronounce it “Bells,” here. St. John’s TownCenter is a nice outdoor mall though. Send me a postcard when they get a Macy’s.
7) Traffic is not bad compared with NYC/NJ metro area, but there is a lot of urban sprawl and a lot traffic that you’ll swear goes NOWHERE. A lot of the roads are over capacity especially during peak traffic times – another reason you see a lot of construction that probably could have been done ten years ago. Like road-widening and building traffic arterials. It’s a case of too little, too late. I think the city decided to do this shortly after they sponsored the Superbowl in ’05. The intersections are a major P.I.T.A. during rush-hour with the seemingly slow timers on the traffic lights. If you enjoy bedroom communities and subdivision living with box-canyon-like setups – one way in, one way out, this is the place for you. With exception of Riverside, San Marco, and maybe the beach area.
8) If you like flea markets, I think Jacksonville holds them weekly, although I have never been to one. Also, you’ll want to check out Sheps Discount on Normandy.
9) They have a fledgling NFL team here. There are a lot of teal green pickup trucks with giant paw magnets on the side here. On Sundays, they strap down the grill and pile in the cooler and go tailgating (because it’s probably blacked out). Because there are no big name (and by this, I am not implying that they are bad, but they are certainly no Rutgers, Princeton, Rider, Seton Hall, etc.) colleges around Jacksonville, locals and transplants alike - who, in most cases, have never even remotely attended the following three institutions: Gators, FSU, and Georgia Bulldogs - jump on the bandwagon and adopt a regional favorite – rabidly. Too bad there are no MLB, NBA, NHL teams here. Welcome to Bubbaville.
10) While New Orleans may be the “Big Easy,” Jacksonville is the “Big Empty.” NJ may be notorious for high property taxes, but you get what you pay for. People may bash New Jersey, but on the whole, where you are coming from has a LOT more to offer. I’ll take Cape May over Jax Beach ANYTIME.
Been here six years and will be leaving within the next year – and not because I don’t like it here – I’m being transferred. Did not choose J’ville because I liked it – got paid to relocate for a job promotion. Came for the job, dealt with the place. Feel like I am still “dealing with it.” It’s not entirely bad, but I can’t say I’ll miss it.
Here's a new Burma Shave ad for you:
If you don't like golf or Bar B Que
And you just can't take the heat
Move to NY or Jersey
Apparently they can't be beat!
... Jacksonville
Been here six years and will be leaving within the next year – and not because I don’t like it here – I’m being transferred. Did not choose J’ville because I liked it – got paid to relocate for a job promotion. Came for the job, dealt with the place. Feel like I am still “dealing with it.” It’s not entirely bad, but I can’t say I’ll miss it.
10 Things to know about Jacksonville before you move here:
1) It’s hot and muggy
2) You’ll especially enjoy it if your hobbies are: 1) sweating, and 2) golf
3) If you have never lived in the south before, be prepared for a LOT more yard maintenance (and the bills to go with it) than you thought you would have:
Regular irrigation, weed/pest control, periodic re-sodding on your lawn/yard. Yearly pressure washing the driveway and house due to the crappy-quality (and poor-tasting) sulfur water from said irrigation spray/runoff. Readjusting and replacing sprinkler heads, cracked pipes, replacing or repairing the pump or, worse, some people I know having to run a separate meter only to see your utility bills go up, up, up – in addition to having the central-a/c running 24/7. Buying sod plugs or outright pallets of sod. All in the wonderful 80+ degree heat. That’s right, no cool breeze for you while you do your steenkin’ yardwork. Consider a townhouse or condo, seriously. If you can envision the chain-gang scenes from “Coolhand Luke,” you’ll get the idea. Oh and – waiting for the comparison-mongers in the peanut gallery to chime in -- in NY, unless there was a MAJOR drought, I hardly ever had to water the lawn – a few times during the summer at most. I mowed my lawn once a week, weed-wacked every other, and with the exception of the occasional rogue dandelion, had few weed issues. If I had bare spots, which was rarely, I threw down a bag of $10 grass seed and watered for a couple weeks and bam, no more problems.
4) If you like chain restaurants and bar-b-que joints, this is your place
5) If you like Italian delis, importing companies and independent bakeries, good luck finding any here
6) The malls are NOTHING like the ones you have in NJ. Good luck finding a Macy’s unless you want to drive to Orlando. If you’re looking for out-of-state sports team apparel (unless it is something ungodly popular like the Dallas Cowboys or the Boston Red Sox) good luck finding it. They tend to carry only regional teams. Hope you like Bealls (and it’s not Bee Y’alls). They pronounce it “Bells,” here. St. John’s TownCenter is a nice outdoor mall though. Send me a postcard when they get a Macy’s.
7) Traffic is not bad compared with NYC/NJ metro area, but there is a lot of urban sprawl and a lot traffic that you’ll swear goes NOWHERE. A lot of the roads are over capacity especially during peak traffic times – another reason you see a lot of construction that probably could have been done ten years ago. Like road-widening and building traffic arterials. It’s a case of too little, too late. I think the city decided to do this shortly after they sponsored the Superbowl in ’05. The intersections are a major P.I.T.A. during rush-hour with the seemingly slow timers on the traffic lights. If you enjoy bedroom communities and subdivision living with box-canyon-like setups – one way in, one way out, this is the place for you. With exception of Riverside, San Marco, and maybe the beach area.
8) If you like flea markets, I think Jacksonville holds them weekly, although I have never been to one. Also, you’ll want to check out Sheps Discount on Normandy.
9) They have a fledgling NFL team here. There are a lot of teal green pickup trucks with giant paw magnets on the side here. On Sundays, they strap down the grill and pile in the cooler and go tailgating (because it’s probably blacked out). Because there are no big name (and by this, I am not implying that they are bad, but they are certainly no Rutgers, Princeton, Rider, Seton Hall, etc.) colleges around Jacksonville, locals and transplants alike - who, in most cases, have never even remotely attended the following three institutions: Gators, FSU, and Georgia Bulldogs - jump on the bandwagon and adopt a regional favorite – rabidly. Too bad there are no MLB, NBA, NHL teams here. Welcome to Bubbaville.
10) While New Orleans may be the “Big Easy,” Jacksonville is the “Big Empty.” NJ may be notorious for high property taxes, but you get what you pay for. People may bash New Jersey, but on the whole, where you are coming from has a LOT more to offer. I’ll take Cape May over Jax Beach ANYTIME.
I hear you on all of this stuff. So true. You are the only other person I have heard speak about the inability to find "out of the area sports apparel." I was looking for a fitted hat a while back and while I couldn't find the Mets I too had trouble finding even the Florida Marlins. But there is Florida Gators stuff all over the place.
It raises another one of my questions that goes like "how could there not be a market here for [insert here typical convenience I have had all throughout the northeast for my entire life]" So, you can insert MLB apparel this time. In the past I have inserted things like olives, imported cheese, etc into this above quote.
1. Those that complain constantly about the lack of mom and pop food, good old Italian treats and such have not been out in the community enough to discover the hidden treasures in the hood or burbs here... Example some of the best Pizza around (and I've lived in Fort Lee NJ) is found on North Main Street or in San Marco. Why? Well, it's a family thing...
2. Those that complain about the lack of shopping buy their underwear at Wal Mart with a hood over their heads so nobody will know their smart enough not to pay $30 dollars a pair for panties that say Bloomies on them. Besides this is there a Khols or Stein Mart or Beals in your hometown? Okay, maybe we could use a big box retailer like Bloomingdales or Sak's but get real, how often do you really NEED them?
3. "We don't have anywhere to play!" I wish I had a dollar for every time I've heard that one. We have more state and National parks within a 1 hour drive then ANY other major metro area and the nations largest city park system. No it's not Disney World, but you know, I've lived in Orlando too, and wouldn't give you 50 cents for the plastic and poverty that they have spewed on Central Florida. Bravo for Ft. Caroline, and Kingsley, Hanna and Talbot, and the Ortega River and the Arlington, and Riverwalk and Confederate Park and... well you get the point.
4. All the people in Jacksonville drive slow is another claim to infamy, sorry bubba but you've not checked your insurance bill? Moving up here from Orlando and Miami the last two times, and the insurance went through the floor. Yeah, maybe we do drive slow, why are YOU in such a hurry to get to the end of YOUR road? LAID BACK!
5. The no sports claims are also funny, and stacking us against Rutgers or Harvard sports, HA HA HA. I'd love to see these spoiled little ivy leaguers take on the Gators or Noles or Dogs? Talk about a roast. Let's see what could they have that you'll REALLY miss? Crew boats! That's it the rowing club... Oh my bad, JU and other area schools compete with them! Also look for World class Golf, championship NFL play, the NBA is currently 2 hours away, like you could get into Gardens or Shea much faster in a car? Or do they drive cars in NY or NJ or MA? Do they play PGA or LPGA golf in NJ? Only if the summer doesn't fall on a Sunday, so everyone can get outdoors?
6. Small town rednecks everywhere... Well call them what you want, we call them home-folk. Of course the welcome mat is always out in the Bronx or Harlem if you really want to go home. Or better yet have a flat-tire in the Hamptons and see how fast Bubba shows up to lend a hand. Ha, rot in hell before they dirty their hands with you. Not here, our beehive hair and red pick up truck set, will slam on the brakes so hard the shotgun rack rattles the back of their heads. They won't use a jack, just lift the back of your car.
7. Roads, yes we have roads. We don't pay $8 dollars to cross a damn bridge either... or is the "Narrows" $10 or 20 now?
8. Charm, oh yes, take a slow drive through San Marco, Riverside, Avondale, Ortega, or San Jose... You'll find charm by the carload. Real suburban neighborhoods with real people in them. Hot or cold, it's always a beautiful day in the neighborhood... would you be my neighbor?
9. Live downtown, well, we ain't Manhattan or South Beach...yet. But for the 9 - 5 set it's pretty nice with low crime. Guess what? It's starting to come to life at night and still has low crime. You get a great view from JTA's unfinished Monorail system by day or night. Really stunning at night, what's better, it's walkable, livable and lovable without the trash. Same for the beaches. I visited those spots while in NJ and NEVER counted so much medical waste in my life. Oh they had some nice White Castle burger joints but we have Krystals... same place different address. At Jax Beach, you won't need your hard shoes.
10. Gee, I think I'll stay here. Those that are unhappy, get on I-95 and head NORTH. When you get knocked off the sidewalk by some gruff running commuter who doesn't offer a hand or turn to look back, don't say you were not warned. I LOVE IT IN JACKSONITTAVILLE and here I am somewhere between walk and don't walk on US 1, looking for my lost shaker of salt. Pass another round of Rebel Yell... I'm out of SOCO.
Ocklawaha
Last edited by Ocklawaha; 02-24-2008 at 10:24 AM..
10. Gee, I think I'll stay here. Those that are unhappy, get on I-95 and head NORTH. When you get knocked off the sidewalk by some gruff running commuter who doesn't offer a hand or turn to look back, don't say you were not warned. I LOVE IT IN JACKSONITTAVILLE and here I am somewhere between walk and don't walk on US 1, looking for my lost shaker of salt. Pass another round of Rebel Yell... I'm out of SOCO.
Ocklawaha
bravo, we don't agree on much but you've pretty much nailed it here
THanks Abvbguy, glad we agree on somthing, I have a hunch a hell of a lot more then we let on. As a Marylander, raised from infancy in Jacksonville, the rebel blood runs deep and sarcastic. Counting among family Quantrails Raiders, Wallace and King Robert Bruce. So I'll play the devil, tonge in cheek.
Quote:
10) While New Orleans may be the “Big Easy,” Jacksonville is the “Big Empty.” NJ may be notorious for high property taxes, but you get what you pay for. People may bash New Jersey, but on the whole, where you are coming from has a LOT more to offer. I’ll take Cape May over Jax Beach ANYTIME.
Rugby Metal, you can have Cape May, been there done that. Hand frozen to the frick'in bow rail, ice on my nose and ears, wind howling... yeah read the book "To Hell In A Row Boat"... (I haven't written it yet). Y'all just remember the TRUE STORY OF JAWS didn't happen in Florida. It didn't even happen close by. It was in Mattawan, NJ in 1916. The story is also known as The New Jersey Man Eater. Go ahead look it up. Trouble is, the California crowd with the camera's couldn't believe anyone in the Northeast would be dumb enough to get in that dirty water, so they moved the set to Florida. Nice job NJ, export all your horrors to Florida, then ***** about them.
Ocklawaha
Pour another Rebel Yell!
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