Relocating to Jacksonville

[dolphin3]

What about 32277? People walk thier dogs past my house all the time! In 14 years I've never had any real problems here and it's just 10 min. down to regency or downtown. I don't know about the schools though. Whats the deal with Terry Parker High? I figure it's up to the parents to bring up thier kids right anyway. Be nice-Get nice!

[riveree]

Originally Posted by HIF

Riveree-

I apologize. I wrote that to be entirely tongue-in-cheek. I guess all that I accomplished was foot-in-mouth. I'm sorry.

Sometimes the intent isn't clear using only the written word, but it's okay, we're all good .

Originally Posted by HIF

You know I love ya, Rivere"E"....... and you love Picasso's, so I don't know why you dis 32223~

32223 Shopping- Steinmart, TJ Max, Marshall's, World Market, Fresh Market, Native Sun, two Publix, Winn Dixie, Three Sisters Chocolate, boutiques....

....and I do love Picasso's, but they're in 32257, not 32223 !

Most of the other places you list are in the more northern end of Mandarin as well - the 32257 part......see, now it might be getting clearer why I listed 32257 as a zip to check out....the OP would be closer to "lots of shopping", as per the request:

Originally Posted by riveree

San Jose/Mandarin: Plenty of shopping here too, some independently owned, but mostly chains and mostly configured in a strip mall setting. These are nice, established areas though. Check zips 32217 & 32257.

[agreatlife]

Well, I think we've beat 32223 probably to death. But that's my zip, and I don't have to go to the Avenues or SJTC malls to find anything I need. I also have 1 traffic light to cross to get to anything I want. There are lots of back roads that are not only pretty, but they help avoid SJ Blvd, and also includes a lot of 32257.

It is a personal thing, Riveree, we do tend to love the areas we live in (that's why we live there). For me, living in the Intracoastal West area is too congested and stripmallish. But see, I don't live over there, so it's unfamiliar to me. You seem to feel the same way about Mandarin. I think a lot of it is what we are familiar with. So here's to all of us and our zips.

Anyway, I think it proves Jax has multiple areas that are just great for living. So here's a zip code Burma Shave ad for Jax:

If you want fun city living
check out 32217
or 32246, even 32257
For a little piece of heaven.
... Jacksonville

[riveree]

Originally Posted by agreatlife

It is a personal thing, Riveree, we do tend to love the areas we live in (that's why we live there). For me, living in the Intracoastal West area is too congested and stripmallish. But see, I don't live over there, so it's unfamiliar to me. You seem to feel the same way about Mandarin. I think a lot of it is what we are familiar with.

I've lived just north of Mandarin, and my husband has lived in Mandarin (there are few places in this tri-county area where he hasn't lived ), so I'm very familiar with it.

Yup, there is some similarity strip-mall-wise between Mandarin and Intracoastal West, but I think the areas kind of part ways after that, they're just different.

I think I speak quite highly of Mandarin on this forum. Whenever it comes up I describe it as being "nice, safe, family-friendly, good schools, and with all the shopping you'd need right there" - check my posts, that's what I say about Mandarin in general.

Mandarin is a big area though, apparently with 2 zip codes (are there more? ). The northern end (Beauclerc, Scott Mill Road...) is the section I like and recommend often, 32257. The southern end is the Duval county line, just before it turns into St. John's county, so realistically, it is going to be physically located further away from what most people ask about (major work locations, shopping destinations, etc.). As HIF pointed out above, she heads north to go to the stores listed (Native Sun, Fresh Market...).

I don't know how else to explain it, but I'm going to recommend locations that are what I view to be convenient. I'm a city girl, I'm used to things being "right there", so that's my perspective and my recommendations are often going to reflect that. I can't, in good conscience, recommend an area just because someone "wants me to" or because someone feels I'm not "being fair" to their location....if we can't be honest on this anonymous forum, where can we be honest?

[agreatlife]

Riveree - of all the folks on this forum, your advice has been succinct, detailed, honest and helpful. I have great respect for your knowledge. I just happen to believe that 32223 is an excellent zip code, and excellent place for all types of people, as well as convenient. I'm not asking you to recommend it, I can certianly do that. myself. And yes, there are areas of 23 and even 57 that I don't think are as great as other areas. Anyway, it's all good. This forum gives everyone an opportunity to chime in, I wouldn't have it any other way.

[Karla with a K]

Originally Posted by agreatlife

So here's a zip code Burma Shave ad for Jax:

If you want fun city living
check out 32217
or 32246, even 32257
For a little piece of heaven.
... Jacksonville

If you want fun city living
check out 32217
or 32246, even 32257
For a little piece of heaven.
... Jacksonville
and before you get into a fix
don't forget Karla's 32256



lol sorry but I couldn't resist

[agreatlife]

I have to spread the love before I can give you rep points! Good one.

[reelfish823]

Thanks Riveree, and everybody for your help I really appericate (not sure if I spelt that right) it. We are currently looking in the southside area. Everything looks so nice it is going to be a big change for us specially from denver (I hate snow). And I am sorry about your husband and I am glad he is healing.

Its funny when we walk our dogs which is a 4 month old black lab who is 35 pounds (hes gonna be a big boy) and our 9 year old siberian huskey, I think some people are a little nervous but my boys are so gentle and they are both wimps, I think people get nervous. We have been having a little problem finding places who will except siberian huskeys (I guess the are considered an aggressive breed) not mine he is super sweet. But we will find something. Just gotta keep looking.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by reelfish823

We have been having a little problem finding places who will except siberian huskeys (I guess the are considered an aggressive breed) not mine he is super sweet. But we will find something. Just gotta keep looking.

You're welcome .

It's really a tragedy how so many places will not accept certain breeds of dogs right now . I'm so happy to hear you say that you'll just keep looking because so many people just get rid of the dog instead. It's becoming an epidemic across the country right now with all the foreclosures....people are just dumping their dogs .

If you're looking at apartments, some of the bigger apartment complexes advertise that they accept all breeds of dogs. I wish I knew some of the names, but I don't...maybe someone else will know of one?

If you're looking at homes, check out the older homes. Some of those landlords may have older insurance policies that may not ban breeds. If I had to rent right now - and I have 1 pit bull and 2 pit bull mixes - I would be looking to rent an older home in hopes that I'd luck out that way.

Rep points to you for going the extra mile and working a little harder to find a place that will accept all the members of your family !

[j244744]

The Whitehouse area is awesome....