Desperately Seeking (Jacksonville, St. Augustine: home, rent, schools)

[HParr]

I'm wondering if you are familiar with I-95 and International Golf Pkwy. (I think that's what it is called), or 210, or Old St. Augustine Road, or Racetrac Road? Also if you have ever heard of St. Johns Golf and Country Club, or Aberdeen, or South Hampton, or Julington Creek Plantation? Also if you have heard of Bartram Trail High School, Creekside High School (I think that is what the new high school is called), and Julington Creek Elementary, or Durbin Creek Elementary? Those are some of the things that I've been trying to look into and I've got to choose the perfect place for all of us over the summer, I've seen some of those places that I mentioned above, but it is so hard to just look at them and try to get that good gut feeling about whether or not it can be made as good as it is here at home. Any advice? You all are beginning to help me more than you know. I'm so glad that I have someone to talk to that might understand what I am going through and maybe how to help me.

[littlefamily]

We moved down here about one year ago and we love it here now. It is a lot to take in - deciding where to live, meeting new people and getting the kids adjusted. But in the end, it all works out. Kids are flexible and they will meet new friends in no time. All of our neighbors have been very welcoming and wonderful to get to know.

We looked at most of the areas you mentioned. We ended up in St John's Golf & Country Club. If you want more information, please feel free to send me a PM.

It is a lot to take in, but just take it one step at a time!

Laura

[Sunnydee]

HParr, slow down and breathe. Everything will be okay. Kids are very resilient.
You and your husband have provided them with a solid foundation and they will be fine wherever you go as long as you are fine. If you calm down and look at this as a positive move and an adventure, they will follow your lead. If you freak, they will freak. You're not the only person in America that had to move because a spouse lost a job, people do it everyday and quite successfully. You can do this and it will turn out great if you give it a chance.

[LeftyChick27]

Originally Posted by HParr

I'm wondering if you are familiar with I-95 and International Golf Pkwy. (I think that's what it is called), or 210, or Old St. Augustine Road, or Racetrac Road? Also if you have ever heard of St. Johns Golf and Country Club, or Aberdeen, or South Hampton, or Julington Creek Plantation? Also if you have heard of Bartram Trail High School, Creekside High School (I think that is what the new high school is called), and Julington Creek Elementary, or Durbin Creek Elementary? Those are some of the things that I've been trying to look into and I've got to choose the perfect place for all of us over the summer, I've seen some of those places that I mentioned above, but it is so hard to just look at them and try to get that good gut feeling about whether or not it can be made as good as it is here at home. Any advice? You all are beginning to help me more than you know. I'm so glad that I have someone to talk to that might understand what I am going through and maybe how to help me.

Sunnydee has the right idea! The most important thing is that your family is together. Not too long ago, we decided to accept a job offer and move to jacksonville. This was the first time I was going to live more than 20 minutes away from my mom, etc. Major shock!!! I wondered how the kids (we have 3) would cope and if they would resent us for moving them away from everything they had ever known, etc. My husband came up a couple of months before we did and we would come drive around every weekend to 'get a feel' for all the different neighborhoods. It was wonderful when we were finally all together again.

We chose to make Julington Creek Plantation our home. Quality of schools was my biggest priority. I know all the schools that you mentioned above. I have a child at Fruit Cove Middle and I have friends that have children in Durbin Creek & Julington Creek elem. schools. I hear nothing but postive feedback from both. Durbin is the newer school, however, they are doing a major expansion to Julington and I believe that it will be ready for the next school year. I don't know too much about the high schools. Creekside is brand new (and HUGE) and will be open for the 08-09 school year. I haven't heard any complaints about Bartram either. Our babysitter attends Bartram and loves it. I know that there are some specialized academies that a student can apply for - these are held at various area high schools. May want to check the school district website, St. Johns County School District - Home, for more info on that. Have you checked out greatschools.net??

I like this St Johns County location for several reasons. The schools are terrific, the people are really nice and you aren't too far away from anything (shopping, beaches, st. augustine, downtown activities). There is a nice community feel here and there's a lot to choose from in terms of housing!

My husband's commute is not bad at all, but that is something you may want to consider. I know that traffic in some areas can stink during rush hour.

Best of luck to you and your family! You really will be okay.

[Katie1]

What is the driving distance between where you live in GA to where your hubby going to work in FL...is commuting do able for him??

[riveree]

I think the older you get, the harder it is to pack everything up and move...at least for a lot of people it is, so it's completely understandable why you're nervous, HParr .

I don't think you're doing anything harmful to your kids. You're going to find the neighborhood that's a perfect fit for your family and you'll all have a good time exploring your new surrounds....it will all work out fine .

Since you're happy in your current neighborhood, what is it that you really like about it? Can you describe what you love about where you live now? Maybe that would help us to direct you to something comparable here?

As for the places you mentioned, they are all nice family neighborhoods for the most part. Really, even before I read that post of yours, I already had Julington Creek Plantation in mind for you. A neighborhood with some built-in social structure might help you acclimate to Florida and Julington Creek Plantation is one of the more established communities of its' type (the huge planned development type).

International Golf Parkway/World Golf Village might be a bit too isolating, IMO. It's an area that is slowly developing, but it's happening very slowly and there's still not a whole lot out that way.

[TiggnTaz]

I can offer some advice but can not tell you what to do.

My family and I moved to St. Augustine less then a month ago from New Jeresy.

Total new climate, way of life everything is differant down here in Florida. The kids are ajusting well their school is great. The families on our street have all welcomed us in with open arms and the fact that after school my wife takes the boys to the beach is a big plus in eveyone's book!!

We moved into the 210 area just south of Jax and are very happy with the area and people.

[HParr]

We attend a United Methodist Church here in our town in Georgia, it is an average size, not too big and not too little. Both of my children love to go there on Sundays and Wednesdays for Youth night (1 elementary age and 1 high school age). My high school aged child volunteers in our community through our church during the summer to help those who are less fortunate through a program called "Hands of Hope", our church website is Welcome to Hope Church you can also listen to sermons from this website, if you listen to one be sure to choose one that Pastor Frank did. I have met lifetime girlfriends there that are like sisters to me, we would all do anything for any of each others families. The style at our church is close, caring, non judgemental, contemporary, modern, with a casual dress code. The band and singers are very, very moving. Do any of you know a church that might be like our church down there in St. Johns County? This is so important to me, it's a must. I've tried to look on the internet, but I can't find anything that looks similar. Do you know any websites that I could go to that might help me? I can't wait for your responses!

Oh and if I haven't said this already, words cannot express the appreciation that I feel for all of your words of wisdom. My sense of panic has lessoned dramatically, it's amazing that such a simple thing as talking to you all has been able to pull me out of the panic mode that I was in. This mode seems to keep popping it's head up though. I sure do pray that I can turn to you all again over the next few months if it does. You have helped me so much. I will be forever indebted. Thank you.

[HParr]

Originally Posted by Sunnydee

HParr, slow down and breathe. Everything will be okay. Kids are very resilient.
You and your husband have provided them with a solid foundation and they will be fine wherever you go as long as you are fine. If you calm down and look at this as a positive move and an adventure, they will follow your lead. If you freak, they will freak. You're not the only person in America that had to move because a spouse lost a job, people do it everyday and quite successfully. You can do this and it will turn out great if you give it a chance.

Thank you Sunnydee, I keep reading over your reply along with all of the other replies and it too encourages me. Wow, it's like God is answering my prayers and sending all of you to rescue me from cracking up. My eyes just fill with water thinking about how amazing God is and how blessed I am to have found you all.

[HIF]

I'm sure you will get some good recommendations on churches in St. Johns County, but, depending where you live, don't rule out Duval.

I sent you info on my church via rep comment. It is traditional, but has just started a more informal service and they already have a good number of folks attending. The youth group is outstanding. I have been involved with MYF groups throughout the years in other areas and have never known one to be a good as ours. And we had lots and lots of kids of all ages- I have a 10YO and 14YO.

We have several choruses- for adults and youth, a youth band that is excellent- when they stop playing, you feel like opening your cell phone and waving it in the air to get them to play some more! Very active, very non-judgemental and welcoming congregation. It has become our family here. I have not mentioned our two great ministers- that was the first thing we looked for, so I guess it goes without saying that both are exceptional We have several families who come from west St. Johns County and one that I know comes from St. Augustine.

Another church you should check out is Crossroads- CrossRoad Church UMC :: Inspiring People to Become Followers of Jesus Christ :: Jacksonville, Florida it is a UM church, but is more along the lines of the mega churches- heavy on video recording & tech., big non-traditional sanctuary- real "get down" music- a bit of hand-waving in the pews. The minister is very good. Although it is a large church, we found it friendly. It is near St. Johns Town Center, which is in Duval County, but folks come from St. Johns County to attend.

You'll find a church that becomes home to you and your family, as well. You know that the only thing that Methodists have in common is that we are so different from one another- and our churches reflect that fact. LOL!