Please share "10 Things to Know About Moving to JAX!" (Jacksonville: weekend getaway, income)

[Karla with a K]

Originally Posted by midnightrose227

I can't wait to leave this all behind and cultivate coleus instead of colds!

If you like to garden you are going to love it here !!
I am getting ready to pick the lemons, oranges & grapefruit from our citrus trees.
Also many things that are annuals in NJ are perennials here.
I just mowed the lawn on Wed.

Unless you are brave enough to go into the water in Jan or Feb you will never have the "gasp factor" of the cold water.
You will never again experience "beach traffic" like you do going "down the shore"

karla
(former philly/jersey girl)

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by Kingfysh

I am not sure what an earlier poster is talking about when she says everyone drives slow. I just moved to Savannah and I promise they drive much slower here. In Jacksonville the average is 10 over the speed limit and 10-15 on the interstate......

Well next time your in Jax drive on any of the following roads for a drive that will test a person from Jersey's patience: Southside Blvd, Hart Expy, Arlington Expy. All have posted speed limits ranging from 45-50mph and believe me both lanes seem to only go 5 over, if I am lucky. Especially on southside I get stuck going around 50 usually because both lanes are full of "sunday drivers" at all times.

[/quote]Also, don't judge people by their southern accents, some of the nicest people you will meet will say ain't and yall; and it sure doesn't mean they are slow. [quote]

I wouldn't say that the people with southern accents are generally all nice....yes, polite to your face...but in general maybe not what I consider nice. A nice person goes beyond the upfront politeness and tries to get to know me and become my friend. A gregarious person is what I think of as nice. It shouldn't end with the politeness. I dont see much happening here beyond the upfront politeness. Maybe its because I have a northern accent?

I do think that there is inherent judgement on the part of the people with southern accents towards those with northern accents as well. So, it can go both ways.

I feel judgement coming from the southerners towards me as well if I don't "own a massive, American made gas-gusling truck that is jacked up 10 feet off the ground," "eat grits," "vote for the evangelical republican candidate,"or go "fishing everyweekend." So, the judgemtent goes both ways. Don't try to convince me that southerners don't judge northerners as well.

[noland123]

If you have a boat go boating or boating and fishing on the St. Johns River, there is so much peace and tranquility and the beauty of the river is priceless.The pier at Jacksonville Beach is worth checking out along with catching a beautiful sunrise over the ocean.The river and the beach are Jacksonville's two main assets as far as natural beauty.

[riveree]

1. Get ready for pick-up trucks, they are everywhere here.

2. Consider buying a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle, they come in handy when the weather is bad...the rain can get blinding.

3. Live close to where you want to be (work, entertainment, beach...) because otherwise you can be driving here a lot - it is a BIG spread out area.

4. Water, water, everywere! And that's a good thing! So many opportunities to be on or near the water.

5. There are more registered Democrats in Jacksonville than Republicans...though sometimes it doesn't feel that way.

6. If you like seafood, you're in the right place!

7. Your wardrobe will become more casual, plan to own many pairs of flip-flops in all colors.

8. If you're not a gardener, you will be, just give it a little time.

9. No income tax.....hard to imagine until you see that first check!

10. You're a world away from Jersey, so relax and take it all in - the bad AND the good!

[emajns]

You can rent at the beach for the same as anywhere else in the city.

We have amazing bridges.

You can goto a bar her in Jax Beach and the attire is sun dresses and flip flops...would never have gotten away with that in Orlando!

Husband is with the Police, he says the red light cameras are installed but they have not started ticketing yet.

Be careful not to stay at the beach during a red tide. IF you live here, stay indoors till it clears up. It kills the fish and makes you have an itchy dry cough. It is an algae bloom in the ocean and really freaky!

Check property taxes before you buy. They are higher in Jax Beach than Neptune, and Neptune is nicer! Jax is a more hipper, younger, downtown beach kind of croud!

The beach has the best bars and nightlife in Jax.

Good luck

[JB77]

Just moved from the upper mid-west, and I just want to echo some of the other items presented:
1-Jax is a BIG place, size-wise. Be prepared to drive A LOT.
2- The beaches are friendly, fun and free.
3- Sunday Funday---beaches on Sunday are the place to be!
4- St John's river downtown is great. The views, riverwalk, and the bridges
5- I thought the town was one big strip mall for a while, but I'm getting used to it.
6- The St John's Town Center...it's a mall, but outdoors
7- No sales tax
8- Southern hospitality
9- The high was in the 80's today....yep, 2/17/08 and I am calling winter over!
10-Surfing, fishing, sunny days, lazy afternoons, year-round golf and all the other outdoor activities you want and love!

Welcome to the neighborhood!

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by titaniummd

I have to add: RUNNING RED LIGHTS (just as the light turns from yellow to red) is an art form here. Timing is essential.

No red light cameras here.

Next time you are at the intersection of Baymeadows and Southside notice the 4 cameras attached on to of the 4 traffic light poles.

[Karla with a K]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

Next time you are at the intersection of Baymeadows and Southside notice the 4 cameras attached on to of the 4 traffic light poles.

But they are not working yet

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

Next time you are at the intersection of Baymeadows and Southside notice the 4 cameras attached on to of the 4 traffic light poles.

Thanks for the heads up. Now where is that photoblocker spray.....

Unfortunately, I am one of the 5 miles per hour over the speed limit kind of guy. My wife makes fun of me. I was perturbed to have someone cut me off, then subsequently cut someone else off just to get stopped at the red light - as I caught up to him or her.
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BONUS:

You need dark tinted glass so no one know it's you driving around town. I feel 'naked' without tinted glass.

[agreatlife]

Originally Posted by JB77

...
7- No sales tax

Huh???