Is there anything unique about Jacksonville? (Miami, Tampa: house, condo, rent)

[vdecapio]

Perhaps the tone of my original post was misinterpreted. I guess I was looking for a list of things that make Jacksonville unique......and try to focus on those things while I am still here. I honestly wanted a list of things unique to Jacksonville. Of my interests, I really couldn't think of anything that I couldn't find elsewhere. So, I was trying to find some things that are unique to Jacksonville that I could do while I was here. I wasn't necessarily making a cynical post (as appears to have been the interpretation).

For instance, when I was in Ithaca I spent all my time near Cayuga Lake, in the gorges, and going to the Finger Lakes' wineries. I loved it and it was unique to that area. When I had family visit, I took them to those places. When I was in Jersey, I went to every ethnic neighborhood I could. Colombian, Peruvian, Portuguese, etc. I took advantage of what the area had to offer me. I also spent tons of time in NYC exploring basically anything about world cultures I wanted to. I took advantage of what the area had to offer.

So now back to Jacksonville. I go to the beach, I enjoy sunny skies most of the winter, I walk along the St. Johns....but is there something I am missing? I could get all of that in other parts of Florida right? I know a lot of you mentioned cost of living....which I like....but I can find cheaper places elsewhere (say Pittsburgh, St. Louis, etc.) and cost really is not an issue for me because I am a renter. And companies usually adjust for rental costs in the salaries. And of course as one of you mentioned family is a perfect reason to be here. I have no family within 500 miles, so that is not a good reason for me. But really, I will drive myself crazy if I don't find a good reason to live here in Jacksonville. Give me some more ideas. It would be nice to talk highly of Jacksonville when I leave just as I do now of places like Ithaca, NY and north Jersey.....but if I left today my list would be pretty short. And anything nice I would say would not be honest, but probably forced just to be nice. Give me some ideas here! What is unique about Jacksonville? I need to find something to brag about when I leave.

[eureka1]

The rivers, the Zoo and St Augustine. Just for starters.

[jbm32206]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

Perhaps the tone of my original post was misinterpreted. I guess I was looking for a list of things that make Jacksonville unique......and try to focus on those things while I am still here. I honestly wanted a list of things unique to Jacksonville. Of my interests, I really couldn't think of anything that I couldn't find elsewhere. So, I was trying to find some things that are unique to Jacksonville that I could do while I was here. I wasn't necessarily making a cynical post (as appears to have been the interpretation).

So now back to Jacksonville. I go to the beach, I enjoy sunny skies most of the winter, I walk along the St. Johns....but is there something I am missing? I could get all of that in other parts of Florida right? I know a lot of you mentioned cost of living....which I like....but I can find cheaper places elsewhere (say Pittsburgh, St. Louis, etc.) and cost really is not an issue for me because I am a renter. And companies usually adjust for rental costs in the salaries. And of course as one of you mentioned family is a perfect reason to be here. I have no family within 500 miles, so that is not a good reason for me. But really, I will drive myself crazy if I don't find a good reason to live here in Jacksonville. Give me some more ideas. It would be nice to talk highly of Jacksonville when I leave just as I do now of places like Ithaca, NY and north Jersey.....but if I left today my list would be pretty short. And anything nice I would say would not be honest, but probably forced just to be nice. Give me some ideas here! What is unique about Jacksonville? I need to find something to brag about when I leave.

Again, your post wasn't misinterpreted, it's what you're saying that is loud and clear. You're asking others to give you reason to stay here...which is something that nobody but you can do. To find what you enjoy, is strictly up to you, your likes-dislikes, hobbies, etc...nobody can fill that list for you, but you. What others find enjoyable and reason to live in a particular place would have no relative meaning to anyone else.

If you can't figure out what to do with yourself or can't find inner solace with yourself, then no lists, no insight into anyone else's inner solace will help. Someone could find pleasures in just plain being content with their surroundings, their neighborhood, their job...you name it...it's all personal things that one would have to find peace and contentment.

[mawipafl]

vdecapio - you've started the way to create the list of unique ...

Originally Posted by vdecapio

For instance, when I was in Ithaca I spent all my time near Cayuga Lake, in the gorges, and going to the Finger Lakes' wineries. I loved it and it was unique to that area. When I had family visit, I took them to those places. When I was in Jersey, I went to every ethnic neighborhood I could. Colombian, Peruvian, Portuguese, etc. I took advantage of what the area had to offer me. I also spent tons of time in NYC exploring basically anything about world cultures I wanted to. I took advantage of what the area had to offer.

So, what is everyone's "standard" itinerary when guests come to town? I think that's the way to determine what's unique here. Mine is The Landing, Fernandina Beach, the Zoo. Depending on the guest's preference we'll go to MOCA, MOSH, (I'll probably add the Cummer and Maritime Museum once I've been there myself!). A drive on A1A from Amelia Island to St Augustine is a "yes" if time allows. Dinner at a fish camp is always on the list (either Whiteys or Clarks).

My guests are usually northerners who are so wonderfully surprised at the southern hospitality and slow pace. Whether these two things are unique to Jacksonville, I can't say since this is the only southern place I've ever lived.

I consider these things, or a combination of these things, unique to Jacksonville.

[WitchDoctor]

vdecapio, I apologize for misinterpreting your post. I am trying to help, though. I think you should stay for the full year. Something might happen in the summer that makes the rest of the year worthwhile. If nothing else, it looks bad on a resume to jump around a lot. ;-)

I'll get out of the way and let the locals post their "Top ten places to take a foreign exchange student" lists.

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by mawipafl

So, what is everyone's "standard" itinerary when guests come to town? I think that's the way to determine what's unique here. Mine is The Landing, Fernandina Beach, the Zoo. Depending on the guest's preference we'll go to MOCA, MOSH, (I'll probably add the Cummer and Maritime Museum once I've been there myself!). A drive on A1A from Amelia Island to St Augustine is a "yes" if time allows. Dinner at a fish camp is always on the list (either Whiteys or Clarks).

I haven't been to Fernandina, the Zoo, MOSH, or the Cummer. So, I need to check these places out.

I would say that Clarks is a unique to Jacksonville thing. I took my dad there when he visited. We spent the rest of our time at the beach and in St. Augustine. I guess we could say St. Augustine is a unique thing to Jacksonville but that doesn't really make sense huh? The fort, the bridge of Lions, St. Georges street ....all these things make St. Augustine unique and I guess we can group it in with Jacksonville. I would brag about that fort and St. Georges street when I leave....and if I ever came back to visit I would check out St. Augustine for sure.

I would also brag about the riverwalks downtown how the north and southbanks are connected by the main street bridge. I would definitely take visitors there on those walks and I would miss having the opportunity to walk that close to the St. Johns. But, I won't miss how I only see a few people on those walks in the downtown area....even on beautiful weekend afternoons. The locals here neglect/fear downtown like nothing I have ever seen. It is a shame.

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

So now back to Jacksonville. I go to the beach, I enjoy sunny skies most of the winter, I walk along the St. Johns....but is there something I am missing? I could get all of that in other parts of Florida right? I know a lot of you mentioned cost of living....which I like....but I can find cheaper places elsewhere (say Pittsburgh, St. Louis, etc.) and cost really is not an issue for me because I am a renter. And companies usually adjust for rental costs in the salaries. And of course as one of you mentioned family is a perfect reason to be here. I have no family within 500 miles, so that is not a good reason for me. But really, I will drive myself crazy if I don't find a good reason to live here in Jacksonville. Give me some more ideas. It would be nice to talk highly of Jacksonville when I leave just as I do now of places like Ithaca, NY and north Jersey.....but if I left today my list would be pretty short. And anything nice I would say would not be honest, but probably forced just to be nice. Give me some ideas here! What is unique about Jacksonville? I need to find something to brag about when I leave.

If your family is a long distance away, it is hard to convince someone to stay.

I don't know your occupation. Are you happy with your job, the people who work with you or even your commute?

Reading this post, I cannot determine if you have a family of your own (wife and kids). So I do not know if a school system is important or family activities are important.

The fact that we have a lot of things in Jacksonville and that I am close to my parents by driving distance, relatively far away from Orlando but close enough to visit (it is too commercial for me to want to live there), and close enough to Daytona Beach is good for me. Those things are important to me.

So I will just presume you're here on a business assignment and you're single:

Outside of the beaches to enjoy, boating and watercraft activities are inexpensive compared to other parts of the country.

This area is in close proximity to several Golf Courses including World Golf Village, TPC Sawgrass, etc. AND you can golf all year round.

There are various events that take place and places to eat like the Riverwalk:
Recommended Things to do in Jacksonville, FL - Yahoo! Travel

Jacksonville Attractions, Venues, Jacksonville Museums and Things to do.

Things to Do in Jacksonville - Jacksonville Attractions - TripAdvisor

It is not one thing or a dozen things in an area that will be unique to make one person or population of people happy or satisfied with his/her/their existence.

However, it is the sum total of everything in the place that you live, your life (career, family, social life, money, spiritual life, etc), and the environmental factors that will make a person happy.

[songgirl]

When I first moved to Jax, I felt the same way. It was nice but lacked the excitement that I was looking for and that I felt other areas of Florida ,and the country for that matter, had.

But this area can grow on you I think. I like it more the longer that I am here. Granted, I live in St. Aug. now, so a lot of what I find unique is here, but I consider Jax and St. Aug. one large area and have lived and worked in both.

The beaches are really special here. Ya, the water isn't the vibrant blue of west/south FL, but they are natural and full of life instead of condos and crime. They are also clean, for the most part, without frequent red-tides, which is becoming more and more frequent in much of FL and CA. Have you driven on Vilano Beach in the evening and watched the porpoises going out with the tide? Many times I'm almost alone on the beach and watch this.

Have you been down the St. John's by boat yet? It is full of wildlife you won't see in most parts of the world. Waterskiing in Julington Creek, then parking your boat at Clark's Fish Camp for lunch never gets old for me.

Have you spent time on St. George Street listening to the live music ( there is some great local talent) and then soaking up some sun by the Fort and watching the schooners go by in Matanzes Inlet?

I'm sure you've been to the Alligator Farm. It's another place that people take for granted. It is world class and has many programs throughout the year that are well worth going back for.

How about the Jazz Festival in Jax? I have great memories of this annual event that is a big part of this community. I saw George Benson there once and he was phenomenal!

Have you been to the Florida Theatre? The St. Augustine Ampitheatre? Or to any of the free concerts in Metro Park? These are all pretty special venues worth checking out.

The best part about all of these places for me is that I can enjoy them anytime, many with little or no associated costs. I have always felt completely safe (as we all know, the crime in J'Ville is pretty centalized) and none of these places are overly commercialized or crowded, except for Clarks on a Fri. or Sat.

I'm sure other people will chime in about what makes this area stand out for them. I'd suggest you give it at least a year before thinking about moving on. Or move and then move back,like I did, so you appreciate it more

[prim2007]

vdecapio, the grass is always greener on the other side. I'm originally from JAX and most of my family is still there so I still visit quite often. I moved from there to Atlanta. I then lived in other cities like Charlotte, Dallas, and now Los Angeles. Have you been to any of the message boards for these places? I liked all these cities but I would venture to say that many of the posters sound a lot like you. Half the battle of loving the city you live in is choosing how you approach things..your own attitude, do you get out to meet people and discover the city? etc. I wish not getting my favorite olive dish was the worse thing about any of the cities I lived in. Just be glad you have Publix. It's still my favorite grocery store of all time and nothing in L.A. is any better. If you don't like living in JAX, you should consider moving. However, you need to be realistic. I guarantee there will be trade-offs in any city you relocate to whether it's cost of living, weather, lack of certain amenities like beaches or mountains, traffic/congestion, crime, schools/education, diversity, etc.

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by prim2007

vdecapio, the grass is always greener on the other side. I'm originally from JAX and most of my family is still there so I still visit quite often. I moved from there to Atlanta. I then lived in other cities like Charlotte, Dallas, and now Los Angeles. Have you been to any of the message boards for these places? I liked all these cities but I would venture to say that many of the posters sound a lot like you. Half the battle of loving the city you live in is choosing how you approach things..your own attitude, do you get out to meet people and discover the city? etc. I wish not getting my favorite olive dish was the worse thing about any of the cities I lived in. Just be glad you have Publix. It's still my favorite grocery store of all time and nothing in L.A. is any better. If you don't like living in JAX, you should consider moving. However, you need to be realistic. I guarantee there will be trade-offs in any city you relocate to whether it's cost of living, weather, lack of certain amenities like beaches or mountains, traffic/congestion, crime, schools/education, diversity, etc.

I lived in St. Louis, Albuquerque, Pittsburgh area, Ithaca, NY, NYC area, and now here in Jacksonville. I've also visited other places in Florida: Orlando, Miami, etc. And I can be quite honest with you that Jacksonville is the first place I just can't handle. You are right the grass is always greener, but Jacksonville has just plain sucked. I might just be having bad luck, but from talking with other young people that move here you gotta have something that hooks you here. They all agree that Jacksonville is like a tranquilizer for a young person. And unfortunately, I just don't even want to get hooked because there is so much about the culture here that annoys the hell out of me. The olives is the icing on the cake. Bakeries, diversity, talk-radio, big city sports, ethnic food, walkable neighborhoods, immigrants with history, parks with extensive walking trails,......all of this is nearly non-existing here. And I am a very social person who has always been optimistic and has tried to make the best of an area. But I must be having the worst luck in the world here...or Jacksonville just is not designed for me. One of the two. Or maybe both! Either way its time to start packing. The olives thing is the icing on the cake!