Fernandina Beach (Fruit Cove: renting, employment, buy)

[BobbieS]

I appreciate the responses I got on a "small beach town"..Thanks. I am wondering tho about FB and if the threads are true about the police being corrupt and the town not liking newcomers,I realize not too many love the growth. I just don't want to make the move in a couple years and be sorry big time! Are there any new FB people that can share their experiences. Or anyone else who would suggest a more friendly area. We also like Mandarin and Fruit Cove.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by BobbieS

I appreciate the responses I got on a "small beach town"..Thanks. I am wondering tho about FB and if the threads are true about the police being corrupt and the town not liking newcomers,I realize not too many love the growth. I just don't want to make the move in a couple years and be sorry big time! Are there any new FB people that can share their experiences. Or anyone else who would suggest a more friendly area. We also like Mandarin and Fruit Cove.

FB is like any other real small town, the long time residents know each other well and they can take awhile to warm up to newcomers, it's just part of the mix and like anywhere there will be jerks and there will be some great people, there are ways to acclimate yourself and after time you should be fine there.
I wouldn't let the small town pettiness stop you from moving there.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I agree with apvguy.
The small town stuff is real; we are enjoying several new friendships with very nice people, but the employment scene can be tough to break into.
It's also true that not everyone likes the growth,and I don't blame anyone who deplores *irresponsible* growth.
Take your time and look around, you don't have to rush this.

[flaguru]

Yes Blue Willow, that is the exact post I read and that is where I go the information about the whole class conflict thing. I agree with that poster but I thought the information was written in a very snobby tone. I didn't necessarily have a hard time in Fernandina Beach as you guessed but I just didn't enjoy life in Fernandina Beach. I've been all over the US and I personally thought Fernandina Beach was mediocre at best compared to the many many other places in Florida. All depends on what you like. Sounds like you had a blast downtown. I had some good times in Fernandina Beach also but in the end, I found myself surrounded by negativity on the island. I just thought the people seemed very angry and unhappy in life. And you can't deny the issues with the FBPD. They have had more serious issues within their department and officers than any other that I've heard or read about and I sure as heck didn't trust my own daughter around them. I agree with just about everything in the other posting about Fernandina Moderator cut: edit. Fernandina Beach has it's good points and can be a laid back town and I don't want to discourage someone from moving to the island but there are a heck of ALOT better places in Florida to live than Fernandina Beach!

[BlueWillowPlate]

As you say, I guess it depends on what you like.
Obviously if a person feels surrounded by negativity at a place, it is time to leave. We certainly have had our ups and downs since arriving but in terms of the place itself, we love FB, warts and all.
I wish you well wherever you are now.

[flaguru]

Yes I love the place I am now. And you mentioned that you live in Amelia Park and I thought that was nicer than most parts of the whole island. Amelia Park was a more diverse place to me than other parts of the island. People there were from other parts of the country which made it a nice place. Good location too, close to everything. I wonder how long you have lived in Fernandina Beach? How do you feel about it's growth? I know lots of the locals are angry about it but it's sort of funny because the growth is what feeds them. I never got that about their views. I understood their need to keep their hometown in tact but without places like the Ritz or restaurants that buy their "seafood" they couldn't afford to stay on the island. Have you noticed the rise in taxes on the island? I've wondered if the goal of the commissioners is to drive out the locals and make the town like Hilton Head. I've heard this too many times. I can see why the locals are upset but I didn't enjoy being in the middle of all that stuff. It got old real fast for me. I felt like the island was too divided and full of controversy. We used to laugh at the News Leader because it was so entertaining to read. Sometimes reading the Opinions section was better than renting a movie. But living in it is a different ballgame.
But I really like Amelia Park and congratulate you for moving into an area that has managed to remain diverse.