Why is Jacksonville growing? (Greenville: rentals, insurance, houses)

[RobinsonCrusoe]

Sorry if I'm a bit out of the loop. Just curious why Jacksonville's population has been growing so fast, particularly among millennials (wouldn't have guessed they'd be gunning for Jacksonville). Are there lots of jobs there all of a sudden? Big companies moving in? What gives?

[logybogy]

Diverse job market (not tourist or retiree driven) and low cost of living.

[Scottamemnon]

I am a late Gen X'er, but I am sure a lot of the same applies. When we decided to move south from New England, we looked at a lot of places down in NC, SC, and FL. Eventually FL won out for tax reasons(wife owns her own business). In Florida we picked Jax because there was a lot of new development, great public schools for Florida, and prices are not insane for rentals or houses. There are a lot of nice spots with the ocean nearby, St Johns Town Center for shopping, cool spots like San Marco and Riverside Avondale. Then there is St Augustine nearby for history. Finally there are fewer retirees than most of Florida.

[Florida2014]

1. Low COL
2. Good schools in many areas (esp south)
3. Easy ocean access
4. Growing job market

[RobinsonCrusoe]

Originally Posted by Scottamemnon

I am a late Gen X'er, but I am sure a lot of the same applies. When we decided to move south from New England, we looked at a lot of places down in NC, SC, and FL. Eventually FL won out for tax reasons(wife owns her own business). In Florida we picked Jax because there was a lot of new development, great public schools for Florida, and prices are not insane for rentals or houses. There are a lot of nice spots with the ocean nearby, St Johns Town Center for shopping, cool spots like San Marco and Riverside Avondale. Then there is St Augustine nearby for history. Finally there are fewer retirees than most of Florida.

Nice, thanks for the response.

You mentioned NC and SC. Just curious, which other cities had you also been considering?

[Scottamemnon]

Originally Posted by RobinsonCrusoe

Nice, thanks for the response.

You mentioned NC and SC. Just curious, which other cities had you also been considering?

Charlotte, Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. I wanted to love the SC cities, but we really felt you could feel the lack of infrastructure investment in that state a lot. It was easier to find affordable, quality housing near excellent schools in Jax than any of those also.

The only real contender was Houston, TX(not on the list), because we had lived in The Woodlands in the past and loved it. However we wanted to be in a state that family from up north would actually like to visit us. My job made the decision when it allowed remote work from Florida though.

[RobinsonCrusoe]

Originally Posted by Scottamemnon

Charlotte, Greenville, Columbia, and Charleston. I wanted to love the SC cities, but we really felt you could feel the lack of infrastructure investment in that state a lot. It was easier to find affordable, quality housing near excellent schools in Jax than any of those also.

The only real contender was Houston, TX(not on the list), because we had lived in The Woodlands in the past and loved it. However we wanted to be in a state that family from up north would actually like to visit us. My job made the decision when it allowed remote work from Florida though.

Ah rats that's such a shame, I was actually looking into those exact cities to set up shop in (Charleston in particular). As a 30s Millennial from NYC, I've been living overseas in Asia in order to save money, but I'd like to move back to be closer to family and NYC is just not affordable.

I wonder if there was a city you visited that you would recommend to people like me?

[Scottamemnon]

Originally Posted by RobinsonCrusoe

Ah rats that's such a shame, I was actually looking into those exact cities to set up shop in (Charleston in particular). As a 30s Millennial from NYC, I've been living overseas in Asia in order to save money, but I'd like to move back to be closer to family and NYC is just not affordable.

I wonder if there was a city you visited that you would recommend to people like me?

I was not horribly fond of Charleston, but a lot of people love it. The lack of tall buildings made it feel too small. The best school districts were crazy expensive. In the event of an economic downturn, I am a bit terrified in my industry(insurance) there. Very large divide between have and have nots. Compared to a big city like NYC or one of the modern Asian cities, I fear it would feel very small for you.

Without knowing what you look for in a city, it would be hard to give suggestions and it is probably best left to the city vs city or general US forums.

[UrbanGenious25]

People are really moving to Jacksonville? Yuck lol

[SkyNSea55]

Originally Posted by RobinsonCrusoe

Ah rats that's such a shame, I was actually looking into those exact cities to set up shop in (Charleston in particular). As a 30s Millennial from NYC, I've been living overseas in Asia in order to save money, but I'd like to move back to be closer to family and NYC is just not affordable.

I wonder if there was a city you visited that you would recommend to people like me?

Charleston isn’t cheap, but still more affordable than NYC. Our 33 year old son owns his home here and loves it. Wouldn’t live anywhere else. Of course, he was a history major and isn’t looking for tall buildings ( as someone mentioned) or a big city. It’s all about what you are looking for. He grew up in NJ but would never go back. Good luck with your search!