Moving from Ohio. Area advice (Jacksonville, Hampton: real estate, HOA, house)

[Nacho1103]

Hello all. Been reading forums for awhile now and have been house hunting in Jacksonville. I wanted to know any opinions of the neighborhoods south of Baymeadows Rd, West of Phillips Highway? I’m in my early 30s and coming from Akron, Ohio, which isn’t that nice. I’d like a decent area in the $200k-$350k range. Any input is appreciated. Thank you.

[shokwaverider]

I would go further south to Pointe Vedra or even further Nocatee. traffic is too hectic in Jax.

[Florida2014]

There are literally dozens and dozens of neighborhoods to choose from in this price range that would probably satisfy you. Do you have kids? Is the school district important? If so, I'd look to St Johns County and all of the various neighborhoods there (Julington Creek, Durbin Crossing, St Johns Golf & CC, Cimarrone, South Hampton, St Johns Forest, etc. etc....the list goes on forever). If not, you could consider Mandarin or any of the Bartram neighborhoods off of Race Track Road, which are almost all in Duval County and are reasonably priced.

[Gromicide]

South of Baymeadows west of Hpilips would be Shad Rd/Hood Rd area. There are some decent neighborhoods back in this area with no HOA (if that matters). Did you choose this area due to work proximity? As others have said, the price range leaves a lot open and this is a huge area with tons of housing.

[projectmaximus]

Just looked on the MLS and there are a couple hundred properties in this general vicinity at your budget. It's Mandarin/Beauclerc/Julington Creek and basically a desirable, old suburban area with lots of cute neighborhoods and all the usual amenities (restaurants, shopping, etc)

[Nacho1103]

Thanks for the replies. I do not have kids but have 3 dogs so I’d like at least 1/2 acre. Preferably not in any developments. I’m a real estate investor that does a lot of the rehab work myself. I can live anywhere and do my work as long as the city is a decent size. My fiancé bartends part time but really doesn’t need to work as I make plenty and we both are very frugal. I’m used to living close to everything but still in decent area. I grew up in very bad parts of city so I’m very fimiliar with that. I have 2 acres where I live now but have Home Depot, 24 hour Starbucks, and chain stores and restaurants maybe a mile away. I really would like a decent area with a lower priced house that needs updating. I think my area of decent is probably not as nice as most people’s expectations just from my experiences. I thought about somewhere halfway between St. John’s and JB off Beach Blvd but wasn’t sure of the area. But they have a lot of older reasonable priced homes. (Especially fixers)