Mandarin ... Or? (Jacksonville, Five Points: homes, neighborhoods, buy)

[Jay1981]

Long story short, we are relocating from Southern Cal (Santa Monica) to Jacksonville. My job is in an office park near the St. John’s Town Center Mall.

We are in our mid/early 30s, no kids, but will be expecting soon.

After looking at homes in San Marco, Riverside, Five Points, Avondale, PV, Beaches, Nocatee, San Jose - we really like the feel of Mandarin. There are not a lot of threads on the area, are we missing something? Lau it on me.

The only area we still need to check out is the area just south (and southeast?) of St. John’s mall. Bay meadows? How is this area and how does it compare?

Thank you very much!!

[Florida2014]

Mandarin is generally a good area with better than average Duval Co schools. It has some bad pockets, but depending on where you would buy I think Mandarin is a good choice. The only real negative is the need to constantly be traveling on San Jose Blvd, which can be a real nightmare at the busier times of day.

[EricBoyd]

If you look in zip code 32258, that will mostly keep you away from San Jose Blvd. The main thoroughfare in that zip code is Old Saint Augustine Rd. It has its busy moments between Losco Rd south to Hood Landing Rd, but that's mainly during rush hour times.

[Jax2PVB]

Your job sounds like it is near Deerwood. Commuting to Mandarin (295 to the San Jose area) can be busy during typical rush hours, but the area is nice. And honestly commute times are increasing all over Jax as the building is everywhere!

Mandarin is a nice area and there are a lot of great neighborhoods on that side of town. But since you mention your office location, I am curious if you have looked at Deerwood at all? Your commute would be shorter and it is also a great place to live with many conveniences nearby. Just not sure what your price range is. Deerwood - actually being inside Deerwood - ranges from mid 400s to about $800k so there is obviously a great range. This may be the exact "Southside/Baymeadows" area you are referring to....

If just staying around Southside you can find homes lower priced than Deerwood, but Deerwood has held its value for decades! Actually a friend of mine who I met when I first moved here grew up there and his parents are still living in the area - they say that it is so convenient, well kept and reputable that they have no reason to ever look elsewhere! That says a lot...

Of course in looking at Mandarin prices are usually under $500k and when you get into the $400s, most of them are already redone so a commute may be worth going home to put your feet up in an already "done" home. ;-)

[Jay1981]

Originally Posted by Jax2PVB

Your job sounds like it is near Deerwood. Commuting to Mandarin (295 to the San Jose area) can be busy during typical rush hours, but the area is nice. And honestly commute times are increasing all over Jax as the building is everywhere!

Mandarin is a nice area and there are a lot of great neighborhoods on that side of town. But since you mention your office location, I am curious if you have looked at Deerwood at all? Your commute would be shorter and it is also a great place to live with many conveniences nearby. Just not sure what your price range is. Deerwood - actually being inside Deerwood - ranges from mid 400s to about $800k so there is obviously a great range. This may be the exact "Southside/Baymeadows" area you are referring to....

If just staying around Southside you can find homes lower priced than Deerwood, but Deerwood has held its value for decades! Actually a friend of mine who I met when I first moved here grew up there and his parents are still living in the area - they say that it is so convenient, well kept and reputable that they have no reason to ever look elsewhere! That says a lot...

Of course in looking at Mandarin prices are usually under $500k and when you get into the $400s, most of them are already redone so a commute may be worth going home to put your feet up in an already "done" home. ;-)

All -

Thank you all very much for the insights!

To answer some of the questions -

-We're looking at properties in the 32223 zip code, off of Mandarin Road.
-We understand the commute may not be ideal, but coming from socal, we're used to longer commutes. We liked the secluded nature and mature neighborhoods in Mandarin, so OK with a bit longer commute.

- We're looking at homes in the $500k, low $600k range, however have looked at some in the $3-4's that need some internal renovations (i.e. kitchen, bathrooms).

-Office is north of 202 and just north of Gate Parkway. It is in one of the big office plazas a stone's throw from the Mall.

- We looked (online) at Deerwood, but not in depth. We do not golf so we didn't look at gold club homes, however we do like the idea of a gated community.