Need some info about moving to Jax (Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach: oceanfront, relocate)

[DPULLEY]

I lived in Jax about 7 years ago. I rented an appt. on the Southside. I was wondering if much has changed? My family and I are thinking about moving to Jax. We have 2 kids one school age, I didn't have kids then so I wasn't really looking for the kid friendly places to live and play...My husband works for a Wal-Mart distribution center and we want to relocate somewhere with a great beach and a nice place to live. We may rent at first but I would like to just buy right away. Our price range for a house is 150k to 160k. Of course we want something safe, close to the beach all the great stuff, too much to ask for that price?? Please help me with any info you have. I have seen allot of the threads and they have been somewhat helpful. Thanks

[Setsuni]

Jacksonville has changed in a sense that its developed more than it was 7 years ago. If you want to rent a place, there are these condos here off of Shetter Ave, in Jax Beach. Decent price for a 3 bedroom condo on the beaches side of the intracoastal. Schools are also great in the beaches area. San Pablo Elementary, Fletcher Middle, then Fletcher High. All in the same block radius. I'd say somewhere in Neptune Beach. It's a quiet area. You also have Jarboe Park and such for the kids to play in.

[cellson]

Where is the Wal-Mart Distribution Center? Does your husband mind a long comute to work? The beach would be a great community if the drive for him isn't too long. I thought that getting a home in your price range at the beach would be tricky, but when I went to Realtor.com and put in the zip codes for Jax, Atlantic & Neptune Beaches, I found many listings. Good luck!

[DPULLEY]

Thanks for the info. Setsuni, do you know the name of the condos? Cellson, what are the zip codes for the beaches? Thanks again for your fast replies.

[Setsuni]

The condos are called Jardin De Mer. Its a quiet place with the police station a block down the road, so no trouble.

The zips for the beaches are 32233 (Atlantic Beach), 32266 (Neptune Beach) and 32250 (Jacksonville Beach). Good luck on your move!

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by DPULLEY

I lived in Jax about 7 years ago. I rented an appt. on the Southside. I was wondering if much has changed? My family and I are thinking about moving to Jax. We have 2 kids one school age, I didn't have kids then so I wasn't really looking for the kid friendly places to live and play...My husband works for a Wal-Mart distribution center and we want to relocate somewhere with a great beach and a nice place to live. We may rent at first but I would like to just buy right away. Our price range for a house is 150k to 160k. Of course we want something safe, close to the beach all the great stuff, too much to ask for that price?? Please help me with any info you have. I have seen allot of the threads and they have been somewhat helpful. Thanks

Nope. Nothing has changed in 7 years, it should look exactly the same. You should be able to get an oceanfront home in a crime free area for $150k.

We still race our cars on Saturday night up and down Hodges, and the quarter and half mile is still marked off on the road. Oh wait, that was 20 years ago, ok....the only thing that has changed is you can't race up and down Hodges anymore, and that's it.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by DPULLEY

I lived in Jax about 7 years ago. I rented an appt. on the Southside. I was wondering if much has changed?...We may rent at first but I would like to just buy right away. Our price range for a house is 150k to 160k. Of course we want something safe, close to the beach all the great stuff, too much to ask for that price?? Please help me with any info you have. I have seen allot of the threads and they have been somewhat helpful. Thanks

You can find homes for $150-$160k, but they are modest. If you don't mind a fixer-upper or a very small house you can buy something in a safe area. "Close to the beach" might be 20-30 minutes away.

Have you started searching online to see what $150-$160k buys? That might help you to get an idea of where prices are now, 7 years later.