Best places for Beaches (and surfing), Nightlife, Affordability-Tampa or Jacksonville? (Miami: spring break, apartments)

[Rachel127]

Hello all!

I young prof considering moving to Florida when I graduate. My job requires that I travel so I need to live no more than 20-30 min from the airport. However I also love the beach (hence why I want to move to Florida), but I was wondering, can you surf at any of the beaches in the Jacksonville area? I know the Miami area probaly has the best surfing, but my rent range, (no more than $700-750 a month) puts most of Miami out of the question. Roomates are not an option either. That said, I am looking for an area that is close to an airport, hopefully no more than 15-20 min from the beach, and that has plenty of nightlife(clubs, restaurants, bars, shops). I am considering the tampa bay area as well, so my question is , Which area do you think would better fit my needs? they area again,
1. No more than 20-30 min from an airport
2. Has nightlife, shopping, restaurants, clubs ect.
3. Is 20-min or less from the beach (that you can surf at)
4. Has decent rents for $750. a month or less

Thanks for any advice!

[agreatlife]

I think we already discussed this with you on another thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacksonville/285654-phoenix-jacksonville-need-advice.html

That doesn't seem to come up. See if this does: http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacksonville/285654-phoenix-jacksonville-need-advice.html
None of these seem to work. Search the Jax forum for Phoenix-Jacksonville

[vdecapio]

1. Tampa's airport is more centrally located to the young professional area that is in Tampa (Hyde Park/Soho). 1 point for Tampa.
2. I think Tampa has more. 2 points for Tampa.
3 Jacksonville is closer to its beaches than Tampa is to its beaches. Also, I don't think you can surf the gulf side can you? Lake-sized small waves right? 1 point for Jacksonville.
4. I would think you could do that in both areas, but I am not sure about Tampa rents. I know you can find good apts here in Jax for about 700-950. Without any info on Tampa rents I will award no points for this question.

Result
Tampa 2
Jax 1
1 Point Uncertain

[riveree]

Originally Posted by agreatlife

I think we already discussed this with you on another thread:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacksonville/285654-phoenix-jacksonville-need-advice.html

That doesn't seem to come up. See if this does: http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacksonville/285654-phoenix-jacksonville-need-advice.html
None of these seem to work. Search the Jax forum for Phoenix-Jacksonville

This might have been the one you were linking to?:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/jacks...ed-advice.html

[mawipafl]

vdecapio - I can't rep you (need to spread some points elsewhere first), but I like your point system.

[jimbo13]

move to lauderdale, problem solved on all fronts. jax and trampa both stink.

[Sparco]

Originally Posted by jimbo13

move to lauderdale, problem solved on all fronts. jax and trampa both stink.

this is a cute post, I got a chuckle out of it. Have to agree to a great extent, but I cant speak for Tampa, only Jax Beach area, see....to me, and Im 52 years old, the beach scene here at night is rather rank in my opinion, if you see it, youll be able to understand...its more somewhere between high school and jr college is the way Id describe, BUT....Ive never gone out there and taken it all in, by that I mean, I havent indulged in the strip by the beach, which is where most of the beach nightlife goes...but I think the Freebird Cafe would be nicer if the Skynyrd Family would have been able to eliminate some of the transients that board against it night/day... not that their hurting anyone, but ....its kind of an eyesore to young "professional" types...

I live at Jax Beach and think its real nice out here tho, but I dont think youll find a whole lot for that price, but good luck, Im sure its here if you decide you want it... I really like Tampa, always have...but our airport is very far from the beach, but we do have the great 9A now that could get you there much quicker....."Ft. Lauderdale"....reminds me of the movie "Where The Boys Are".... but its the supreme getaway for spring break, should be nice choice as well....

p.s. yes, most definitely you can surf at Jax Beaches, all of them....check with the AquaEast surf shop too, they have contests I think for young surferbees

here ya go, heres Aqua East's link, real nice people in there too:
Aqua East

[Rachel127]

Thank you all who have posted, its been helpful! I currently live in Phoenix, AZ so pretty much anyplace in florida is closer to a beach than I currently am. Right now, the nearest beach is 6.5 hrs away in Cali! I have been to Jacksonville before, it seems nice, definatly more affordable than like Miami or LA and like I said its still near the beach. For me, its actually more important that I be close to an Airport, I just like the idea of living at the beach. I did look briefly on apartments.com and craigslist for the Jacksonville area and it seems like there is a decent choice of apts in my price range. Can anyone advise me what are some decent areas, near the airport, but still within maybe 20-30min of the beach that would have decent nightlife(clubs, bars, restaurants, shops) for under $750. What is the Mandarin area like? it seems like there are quite a few options there. Lastly, I am 22, is Jacksonville a fairly "young, progressive" area, I currently live in an area that is full of retirees and there is very little for a person my age to do. What do most people in there 20's and 30's do for fun in Jacksonville?

Thanks again for all your help!

[Rachel127]

Another question, What can anyone tell me about the Daytona Beach area? A friend of mine said that it might fit my criteria more. I guess what I am looking for is an area somewhat similar to Venice Beach California, (if such a place exists). I love Venice and the laid back, slightly offbeat atmosphere. What is Daytona Beach area like in terms of nightlife, rentals and proximatity to the airport?

[jimbo13]

daytona is a ****-hole and way dirtier than venice. i wouldn't really say that jax is exactly young OR progressive for a 22yr old chick. but, you are close to the beach and there are a few bars out there to go to. you need to visit for as long as you can afford to before committing, rachel.