High Plains and Rocky MTNs guy wants to relocate to Atlantic Seaboard. Help with choices, please. (Jacksonville: houses, quality of life)

[krab]

Just a very brief background, I am single, in my 40s, and drive a truck locally in Denver. I want bodies of water, ships, boats, and ferries. I am looking at three places: The Virginia Beach area, Tampa, FL, and Jacksonville, FL.Mainly I am looking at Virginia Beach and Jacksonville since they are on the eastern seaboard.Are there any immediate differences between Jack and V.B. that you can tell me about? Is one city (the virginia beach area is actually a collage of 6 or 7 cities) more maritime than the other, meaning boats and ships and lighthouses, etc? Is Jacksonville more desirable in your opinion than VB?My only interests are (possibly) sea kayaking, bike riding, and walking alongthe water front? Are these typical Jacksonville activities? In short, I amopen to any comparisons you can give me. I plan to move in September.Thank much. ps.. I am also open to other cities that might fit the bill... namely, a maritime environment, outdoor recreation, and truck driving jobs.

[cellson]

I'm not at all familiar with VA Beach...but I do know that there will be many more trucking jobs opening up in Jacksonville with our port expansion.

You can certainly sea kayak here, sail, bike on the Baldwin Trail and various state parks, walking on the beach and along the Riverwalk is a favorite pass time of Northeast Floridians.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by krab

Just a very brief background, I am single, in my 40s, and drive a truck locally in Denver. I want bodies of water, ships, boats, and ferries. I am looking at three places: The Virginia Beach area, Tampa, FL, and Jacksonville, FL.Mainly I am looking at Virginia Beach and Jacksonville since they are on the eastern seaboard.Are there any immediate differences between Jack and V.B. that you can tell me about? Is one city (the virginia beach area is actually a collage of 6 or 7 cities) more maritime than the other, meaning boats and ships and lighthouses, etc? Is Jacksonville more desirable in your opinion than VB?My only interests are (possibly) sea kayaking, bike riding, and walking alongthe water front? Are these typical Jacksonville activities? In short, I amopen to any comparisons you can give me. I plan to move in September.Thank much. ps.. I am also open to other cities that might fit the bill... namely, a maritime environment, outdoor recreation, and truck driving jobs.

We have all those things you desire, and more. We have lower taxes, a lower cost of living, shorter, warmer winters and no state tax. I guess if you like snow a whole lot and paying a lot more of your hard earned money to the State, then V.B. should be your choice!

[krab]

Thanks! (Cellson and Shaken) I think you've answer my question!

[riveree]

There are a lot of boats in Jax and St. Augustine, so you'd see plenty of that here.

I don't think our ferry is doing too great, but we have a small shrimping industry in Mayport, lots of container business in our port (BIG ships! ), marinas, boat-building companies and so forth.

The river runs right through the center of downtown Jacksonville and there are always some boats on the river. The Intracoastal Waterway is in Jacksonville, St. Augustine and beyond.

There's a great lighthouse in St. Augustine:

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum: Working Historic Lighthouse and Maritime History Museum

Kayaking and other water sports are big here and there is no lack of kayaking locations. Here's just one:

Main Page - Big Talbot Island State Park » Florida State Parks

People love VB too, so I can't help you much there, I think you need to look at them both.

[krab]

thanks riveree, this sounds like what I am interested in. I have to do more research on Jack before making the plunge. I have to make sure this is thebest place for me. I am also looking at Tampa.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by krab

thanks riveree, this sounds like what I am interested in. I have to do more research on Jack before making the plunge. I have to make sure this is thebest place for me. I am also looking at Tampa.

Jax from what I have seen on this forum has the least amount of complainers of the Florida major cities. Not sure why maybe there is less of a transient population there or maybe the quality of life is better/pay?

[krab]

thanks for that perspective, Alphaman. Jack is described as the biggest city in Florida, but according to Cities Rated Alamnac, Tampa has a significantly larger metro population. Does Jack feel smaller than Tampa?

[apanda]

Originally Posted by krab

thanks for that perspective, Alphaman. Jack is described as the biggest city in Florida, but according to Cities Rated Alamnac, Tampa has a significantly larger metro population. Does Jack feel smaller than Tampa?

Land mass wise, we are. There are parts that make the city feel very small and others that have the "big city" feel. There is something for everyone.

[Alphaman]

Originally Posted by krab

thanks for that perspective, Alphaman. Jack is described as the biggest city in Florida, but according to Cities Rated Alamnac, Tampa has a significantly larger metro population. Does Jack feel smaller than Tampa?

I would say yes Tampa feels bigger some of that has to do with near by ST Pete Both cities have nice older areas, I like the more historical parts of a city rather then the new stuff.

Both cities have a kind of industrial feel to them also.

A good way to look around cities while sitting at home is use that google street view I find it very helpful.


The reason Jacksonville is the biggest city is because the city limits encompass almost all of duval county were as the other Florida cities only encompass very small parts of the county's.