Jacksonville economy (Orlando: transplants, rent, crime)

[radioclown]

Greetings all:

There is a chance that my wife's job will be sending us to Jacksonville. Obviously she will have a job, but I will have to look around for one. What is the economy like down there and what are the job prospects like?

I have a BA in Social Work and currently work in radio and am a freelance sportswriter/sportscaster.

Also, what experiences have others who have come from the Northeast US had in Jacksonville? Positive? Negative or indifferent? I know I never want to see another snowflake for as long as I live and could use a change of pace.

If this happens, hopefully I will get a chance to check things out so I know both of us would be happy there.

Thanks in advance all,

[vdecapio]

radioclown,

let me first say that Jacksonville sounds like a good match for you. I don't think you'll have any major regrets about moving here. But, I will give you a list of my pros and cons for moving here. Just to give you some context....I moved here from North Jersey about 7 months ago....26....male....single. Just to let you know what eyes I see the world through.

Pros:
1. Sunny. Almost all the time. Few cloudy days even in the winter. Jacksunville.
2. Relaxed pace. Very little hustle and bustle. Add 5 more years to your life.
3. Affordable housing. Could buy a home if I wanted to. Pay the same in rent for a 1br here as I did to share a 3br in north Jersey.
4. Beach is close. It is cool to be able to drive to the beach after work. And I am sure you and your wife would enjoy a few romantic walks on the beach.
5. Good family place. I see lots of happy families here. Kids and parents seem to smile a lot. Down to earth as well.
6. Good morals. The majority of Jacksonville seems to be trying to live a moral life.

Cons (sorry Jacksonville but I can't be biased....I'll be as nice as I can )
1. A little too southern for me.
2. Not much going on past 10 oclock for food or entertainment....I have found myself starting to go to sleep at 11 on Friday and Saturday nights....and I'm 26.
3. Not a great deal of diversity. Some, but it doesn't hit you in the face. Very black and white.
4. The media. I can't find a news-talk station I like. And the newspaper is as thin as one of the college towns I attended...of about 30,000 people.
5. Food. I haven't had many knock me over great meals like I had in Jersey. And it is so hard to find Italian food products here. No deli. And when I go to ethnic grocery stores a lot of the products are packaged and distributed in the NYC/NJ area...so really the ethnic food scene here would probably not exist if NYC/NJ didn't exist. Also, a lot of the ethnic food places here have been opened by people either from NYC/NJ or from South Florida. That said, there is a decent mix of ethnic food here to keep you happy.

So, those are the pros and cons. Honestly, it sounds like the pros will outweigh the cons in your case. If I was married, I think Jacksonville would be a great place. You're lucky you are coming with your wife! I think you'll like it.

[vdecapio]

oh and I can't say much about the social work/radio economy here. but like I said, I think the news media here could be drastically improved. For sports its mostly college football and Jaguars.

[cricketfan]

Originally Posted by vdecapio

oh and I can't say much about the social work/radio economy here. but like I said, I think the news media here could be drastically improved. For sports its mostly college football and Jaguars.

I agree with vdecapio (never thought I would say this) but it's true that the news media here is woefully lacking. I don't think there is alot of intellectual curiosity in this part of the country (not just NEFL) and the news media only reflects this. As far as radio you have a choice of music, sports, church and limbaugh. Other than that you have a choice of limbaugh, church, sports and music. We live in a bubble.

[WitchDoctor]

Here is a list or radio stations I found: Radio Stations in Jacksonville FL

[LoveBoating]

We are currently living in the Charlotte, NC area and are giving it some very, very serious thought about moving to Jacksonville later this year. From what I have read, Jacksonville's economy is better than here in the Charlotte area. Also found out, thru a website, the crime in the Jacksonville area is much less than in the Charlotte area......loved hearing that!!

[WitchDoctor]

LoveBoating, would you please post a link to the website you used to compare crime stats? Jacksonville needs as much good publicity as it can get in that area. The media is after the sensationalism and here at C-D, the crime topics are always at the top of the list on the front page, too.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by radioclown

Greetings all:

There is a chance that my wife's job will be sending us to Jacksonville. Obviously she will have a job, but I will have to look around for one. What is the economy like down there and what are the job prospects like?

I have a BA in Social Work and currently work in radio and am a freelance sportswriter/sportscaster.

Also, what experiences have others who have come from the Northeast US had in Jacksonville? Positive? Negative or indifferent? I know I never want to see another snowflake for as long as I live and could use a change of pace.

If this happens, hopefully I will get a chance to check things out so I know both of us would be happy there.

Thanks in advance all,

I think we've been hit hard here like elsewhere in the US when it comes to the economy. We've probably fared a bit better in some aspects, but we're still feeling the pinch nonetheless.

I moved here from NYC and I'd say my experience has been positive. I had the initial culture shock that many other transplants experience for the first 6 months-1 year, but once you're past that you start to experience the wonderful differences of the area . The natural beauty here is hard to match, the Southern culture is one-of-a-kind and interesting to experience, and really, once you start to settle in, you'll find you have everything that you need and if there's still things you want, well that's what the internet is for!

[LoveBoating]

The link that I found the comparison is below. Now, these "stats" are for 2006and the new "stats" for 2007 won't be out until Oct 2008. All we know is that we checked the comparison "stats" of Jacksonville to the Charlotte, NC area, the Denver, CO area (where we use to live) and the Orlando area and the JAX "stats" were better......that we could see anyway.
Moderator cut: link to a competitors site removed

Originally Posted by WitchDoctor

LoveBoating, would you please post a link to the website you used to compare crime stats? Jacksonville needs as much good publicity as it can get in that area. The media is after the sensationalism and here at C-D, the crime topics are always at the top of the list on the front page, too.

[rsgoofy1]

Vdecapio do you live in the downtown area? I am considering buying a house for investment purposes. I currently live in NY.