Condos in Baymeadows - Is it a nice area? (Jacksonville: appointed, for sale)

[Amerikrainian]

Hi everybody.

We're considering moving to Jacksonville and looking at condos (3/2) around $150k. A lot of the available options seem to come up in the Baymeadows area, right off of 295 (one is even on a Baymeadows Rd). Is this a good area in general?

Another comes up near 115 and Beach Blvd, and another near Beach Blvd and Keman Blvd (both a little north of USF).

We're just looking for a quiet place, but especially a safe place, to raise our family, that doesn't price us out. I know things can look nice online and be very different in person. So please give me your take.

Thanks in advance.

[OC2Jax]

On Baymeadows, stay EAST of Southside Blvd. The other side is crime infested.

Crime is everywhere, but some places more than others. Check out spotcrime.com
for current crime events.

[Amerikrainian]

ok, in general, is there a north south divider to be aware of too?

[Jax2PVB]

I would look at Sail Cove and Mirabella. They are off Gate Parkway, east of Southside and just north of JTB (202) and South of Touchton - this area is convenient to Southside, the Town Center and the Gate Business district, plus it is only 10-15 minutes to St. Vincents to the West and Mayo Clinic to the East. This means that not only is there a lot to do with Tinseltown movies, town center for shopping and dining and all the convenience of grocery stores, etc - but in a few years if you decide to by a single family home, these condos make great rental investments. (Long term rental only by HOA rules).

There is also Tapestry park which is townhome style - garage on the ground and two stories of living space above instead of the condos that are either 1st 2nd or 3rd floor units. Many condos also do not include a garage. The main difference in price is between Tapestry Park and the other two because for a 3bed 2 bath in Tapestry, it's closer to the low $200s. The Tapestry HOA is high at $450 a month - they are upscale but do not offer a pool and gym, so the HOA is pretty high. You can actually join the pool and fitness center at the new apartments next door (walk right across) for, I believe $600 a year or $400 every is months.

Sail cove and Mirabella are more typical condo style and more affordable at $135-160k. The amenities are nice at both and location is great. Sail Cove 3 bedroom HOA is $325 a month right now. They have a pool, fitness center, tennis, garages sometimes come up for sale, a clubhouse, lake, playground, and a few other things that residents can use. These average about $140-160k.

There is one 3 bedroom in Sail Cove right at $150k! Three beds are harder to come across, so if you find a nice one, they do sell well.....the one available now is 2nd floor and no garage, but nicely appointed with the finishes.

To see the amenities, visit Sail Cove - this would be my pick simply because of location and price - it is a great opportunity for a young family. Good luck and enjoy the great Town Center area/Southside no matter where you end up.

[projectmaximus]

You say Baymeadows right off of 295 which would be in the heart of all the new development. First construction began about 10 years ago and now really starting to pick up steam. I think it would probably be very suitable for you. Nice new parks, schools, and other amenities, and very close to everything at the Town Center.

As OC2 said, you really want to avoid being west of Southside Blvd until you pass Philips. It's a little deceiving because the whole corridor looks ok from the street, however the condos and apartments along much of this stretch are not very desirable.

Hard to make a generalization on the other two places you mentioned...will depend on exactly where it is. But I'll guess and suggest that the one by Southside and Beach is probably a bit old and not too nice, but not a bad area either. Just meh. And the one near Kernan is probably a bit newer (last 20 years) and the area generally will feel a little nicer and newer as well.

Good luck!

[projectmaximus]

Originally Posted by Hyperduel

How so?

Cheap, old, high tenant turnover, lots of complaints from noise to poor maintenance to bugs. Condo associations run a bit high on monthly fees and assessments without a ton of amenities. It's a generalization of course so you may find something suitable.

[BabyBoomers2]

We have lived in the Baymeadows area, just north of The Avenues Mall, since Jan 2009...…….so, that can make us a fairly good at knowing the area. Same apartment complex.

The area, west of Southside/Baymeadows intersection is really nice, but don't know about condo's there. Also, on the other side of the 295, going towards Nursery Drive...……..the entire area is nice. Safe? Haven't ever heard of any crime happening there.

Now, there has been crime, and a not-so-desirable living area, west of the college on Old Baymeadows Road. Some of the areas beyond, going west on Baymeadows, except north of BofA Bank, aren't so nice either and have seen crime west of the Denny's/I-95, up to Phillips Hwy. The area of Compass Bank, Red Lobster and Gators Restaurant has definitely seen it's crime/murders. Beyond Phillips Hwy., not even sure if there are any condo's there, up to San Jose Blvd.

Now, once over by Gate Parkway, things settle down quite a bit, but the area isn't the cheapest in Jacksonville by no means. There may be condo's in/around the St. John's Town Center, but not sure.

[Amerikrainian]

Thanks for the insights everybody. I only received one update about the thread and then forgot when it didn't send more.

I'll be sure to ask opinions on specific locations if/when we get that far.