HELP... Need info on St. Johns Co., Jax and St. Aug... moving soon (rentals, crime)

[RSCMBSM]

My wife and I are planning on moving to north Florida from southwest Florida within the next few months. Crime has gotten way outta hand down here, and schools are following the same trend. I have looked into alot of areas, and St. Johns county seems to hold alot of potential. Like alot of other people, I have taken the family there on vacation, but don't really know alot about the area aside from what we saw when we were last there. I am in need of some honest opinions as to good neighborhoods / schools as well as affordable rentals / homes and employment opportunities. I have 5 kids (ages 12, 9, 7, 3 and 4 mos) and have been in law enforcement / corrections for 12 years, so any info you guys / gals can throw my way would be greatly appreciated... and please, no "donut" jokes (LOL). Thanks for your help!!!

[travelingfood]

...wow when even law enforcement wants to move out of their own down...you know the town just ain't right
Yes look into St Johns county, generally good school and for the kids.

[SlickP]

Originally Posted by RSCMBSM

I am in need of some honest opinions as to good neighborhoods / schools as well as affordable rentals / homes and employment opportunities.

What is your price range?

[apanda]

Originally Posted by travelingfood

...wow when even law enforcement wants to move out of their own down...you know the town just ain't right
Yes look into St Johns county, generally good school and for the kids.

Well, I am sure he/she wants to alive for their kids!
x2 vote for St. John's county

[cricketfan]

Can't go wrong with St. Johns County for raising a family and getting your kids into fairly decent schools in a fairly low-crime environment. But to answer your questions about neighborhoods, etc. you would have to be specific about the kind of home and what you are able or willing to spend. And even then you would need to come back and spend some time again checking it out.

[RSCMBSM]

To buy a house we would like to be below $200,000 To rent we would like $1000 or lower. Law Enforcement does not pay a great deal of money. I dont want to get dug in too deep. We do plan on driving up to check out the area, just want to get an idea of areas to check and not spend all of our time weeding out the not so good neighborhoods. Is it school choice up there or do the use school zones? Thanks for all of the replys

[apanda]

As far a schooling goes, we do go by zones. How big of a house do you need in that range? It may be hard to find a rental at or under $1000.

[RSCMBSM]

We need at least a 4 bedroom 2 bath

[agreatlife]

You can get 4/2 in the Mandarin area for under 200 now. Your schools will be Mandarin High or Wolfson, Mandarin Middle, and Crown Point or Loretto Elementary. It just depends where in Mandarin you would be living. In St. John's you should be able to find homes for under 200 as well, and be in the Nease high school district. Too many new elementary / middle schools to know which one. But others on this board are very knowledgeable about the area.

[moesobo]

I like zip code 32224 which has many A elementary schools. I have lived in Mandarin too and liked it but prefer the Intracoastal West area more. It is close to everything. You can find houses in the 200 range off of Hodges (John's Creek neighborhood etc.)

Also, there are houses in that range off of San Pablo between Beach Blvd and Altantic. The elementary schools that are good are:

Alamacani, Chet's Creek, J Allen Axson (Magnet Montessori)

I have young kids so I'm not as sure about the middle/high school for public. However, Providence schools are nearby (Private) and they are good.