Relocating to Jacksonville from NYC (Orlando: custom home, elementary schools, gated community)

[jjparkny]

I've been asked to relocate Jacksonville for 2 years with the option to stay longer. I am 42 married with 2nd and 3rd graders. Orlando is the only place we've visited in Florida. If you were me, where would you live and send your kids to school if money was no object?

Thanks in advance for you help and suggestions.

[apanda]

Our Elementary schools are pretty good, obviously check the rating on the one that would be in your district. IMO our J.R High and Senior High Schools are lacking, so you may want to limit your searches if you are staying long term or look into private schooling.

[jjparkny]

apanda - thanks for your reply, but if you were in my situation, what would you do?

[apanda]

Honestly, if money is no object, you get what you pay for! Private schooling. Florida is by no means known for it's education and Duval county can't tell from it's head from it's a** when it comes to money, resources and staffing

[travelingfood]

Moderator cut: edit
Live in selections of gated community in PVB or Southside (Deer Wood, Deer Creek, Queens Harbor, etc). Educate the kids at The Bolles private school. Shop at the finest stores in St. John's Town Center Phase 3. Then indulge in various fine dining throughout Jacksonville. Informations can be found in the Fine Shop and Restaurant thread that was posted few weeks ago.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by jjparkny

I've been asked to relocate Jacksonville for 2 years with the option to stay longer. I am 42 married with 2nd and 3rd graders. Orlando is the only place we've visited in Florida. If you were me, where would you live and send your kids to school if money was no object?

Thanks in advance for you help and suggestions.

it depends on where you'll be working because JAX is very sprawled out but for my money the best place to live is Ponte Vedra Beach and send the kids to Bolles which is a private school, they have their lower school here in PVB

[jjparkny]

apanda, travelingfood and apvbguy
Thank you.

[agreatlife]

Wow, so many newbies, so few Burma Shave ads:

When money is no object
Jacksonville's really fun
Live in a gated community
Buy a yacht and play in the sun
... Jacksonville

Really. Folks above gave you good advice. In Queen's Harbor you can also keep your boat.

[Ryde41]

Yes, you belong at Bolles. The school will take care of you and your children will, almost magically, become honor students and athletically gifted. They do miracles there.

[riveree]

Forget the gated communities, that's where the poor folk live .

If money truly is NO object, I would find one of the last remaining riverfront teardowns in 32207 (preferably in Granada) and build a one-of-a-kind custom home. Please build it green .

As for the kiddos, I guess they are too young for boarding school, so they're stuck here in Jacksonville with you. Since Bolles is just down the road from your riverfront estate, that would be the natural choice.

Seriously, that's where I'd live if money was no object.

I tend to think there are limits to everything though and everyone has a budget. If that's the case, you might not get to be riverfront, but there are some great homes in that area just in from the river.

Here's one I've been admiring and the price has dropped a bit, it is not riverfront, but you can probably catch a glimpse of the river from upstairs:

Single Family Home - 710 Alhambra DR South, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 32207 - Realtor.com