Jacksonville or Atlanta! Which One? (Orlando, Naples: how much, pros and cons, income)
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Yup, Jax (and FL in general) should be the definition of urban sprawl. It's too bad, it gets so old looking at sprawl mile after mile. I like it being more "choppy" with nothing in between towns and seeing nature. FL used to be this way. Plus, in N GA you have hills whereas FL is flat and kinda boring.
Having been born and raised in Jacksonville but having lived in Atlanta for a year, I can give you some prospective.
Atlanta is cooler in the summer, has better schools, tons of stuff to do (if you can afford it), a pretty good job market, much cheaper gas than Jacksonville, and less expensive rent. However, it is much colder in the winter, still has a high crime rate, the traffic is AWFUL!, and the people are typically much less friendly (we referred to it as little NYC). Its really a matter of what you are looking for.
I think, in general, Atlanta is a really fun place when you have a good job and can afford to enjoy all it has to offer. There are some great scenic places within a short distance (Helen, GA and chattanooga, TN). Jacksonville has less entertainment to offer, if you aren't into football or beaches. The schools in J-ville are seriously lacking, even in the better neighborhoods. The school system in FL, in general, is not great. Atlanta has more character in terms of its neighborhoods and activities.
HOWEVER, even with all of its faults, I love J-ville and I came back here because its home! I love the beaches and I think it is a pretty city. It really just depends on what you value and what you really want in a city.
has better schools, much cheaper gas than Jacksonville, and the people are typically much less friendly (we referred to it as little NYC).
I agree with the majority of what you say, but having been here 3 years now, and in the city, not the burbs (I live in midtown), I have a couple of different perspectives. The schools in georgia and atlanta specifically are not much of an improvement over Jacksonville. Schools in the south are typically lacking. That is not to say Atlanta does not have any good public schools (Northside on Northside) and certainly has a plethora of good private schools even more expensive than Bolles and Episcopal. Gas: wow, that is odd that you made the comment about gas being cheaper here in Atlanta. That has never been my experience. I paid $4.99/gallon when we had that shortage, but it is not like it was that much more than we were paying in midtown anyway. All gas within the perimeter is certainly leapyears more expensive than even the gas at the beaches in Jax, and this has been the case for the past 3 years.
And keep in mind while gas is more expensive in Atlanta, Atlanta is equally spread out as Jax (just more dense) and there is so much traffic that the cost of driving in Atlanta is way more than Jax.
And finally it has been my experience, that except on the roads (and there are many exceptions to this btw), the people in Atlanta seem friendlier than Jax. Obviously this is just my opinion, and it is not a southern hospitality thing because so many in Atl are not even from the south, but rather a city-courteous thing that I have really only noticed in Atlanta and a couple other big cities. In fact, I know there have been rude instances in my life here in Atlanta, but they are so few and far between that I cannot even remember the last time I thought to myself that a certain person was a jerk.
All in all, as Jenndb said, it comes down to what you are looking for. Atlanta and jacksonville have a venn diagram of vibes/attributes to them, with some overlapping and some completely different and unshared.
You really cant compare the two, ATL is much more of a real city than Jax. Even though Jax has some things a larger city has ie NFL. Jax is more of a big little town. ATL is a real major city,,they also have marta which is good,because the traffic there is a living nightmare!! I lived in ATL for 8yrs and I am from Jax and I am back in Jax now. I have a better job here and keep more money in my pay check,,no state tax. I can always go visit ATL for free(friends). Jax has better weather, water is everywhere, beaches. Good location Orlando/Tampa 2 to 3 hrs away,,Miami about the same distance as ATL so plently of places to visit and not have to deal with traffic and cities over run by tourist.
I have heard this too, although I havent spent enough time in either to really decide. But I thought it could swing towards a little friendlier in Atlanta. Although ppl in Jax areas seem friendly too.
Having been born and raised in Jacksonville but having lived in Atlanta for a year, I can give you some prospective.
Atlanta is cooler in the summer, has better schools, tons of stuff to do (if you can afford it), a pretty good job market, much cheaper gas than Jacksonville, and less expensive rent. However, it is much colder in the winter, still has a high crime rate, the traffic is AWFUL!, and the people are typically much less friendly (we referred to it as little NYC). Its really a matter of what you are looking for.
I think, in general, Atlanta is a really fun place when you have a good job and can afford to enjoy all it has to offer. There are some great scenic places within a short distance (Helen, GA and chattanooga, TN). Jacksonville has less entertainment to offer, if you aren't into football or beaches. The schools in J-ville are seriously lacking, even in the better neighborhoods. The school system in FL, in general, is not great. Atlanta has more character in terms of its neighborhoods and activities.
HOWEVER, even with all of its faults, I love J-ville and I came back here because its home! I love the beaches and I think it is a pretty city. It really just depends on what you value and what you really want in a city.
I'm not sure about Jacksonville, but Atlanta's job market is in horrible shape right now.
I have heard this too, although I havent spent enough time in either to really decide. But I thought it could swing towards a little friendlier in Atlanta. Although ppl in Jax areas seem friendly too.
The people (women) are a lot friendlier in ATL then they are in JAX. Its a noticeable difference to me. Dudes speak to you in ATL, in JAX they just look. A smile in ATL does a lot. A smile in JAX may do a lil.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith-n-Jax
You really cant compare the two, ATL is much more of a real city than Jax. Even though Jax has some things a larger city has ie NFL. Jax is more of a big little town. ATL is a real major city,,
Keith I hear ya, I think they are comparable... I just realized your on the MJ.com site as well, thats cool man. I dig those guys over there. anywho I see a lot of similarities. the 295 285 is one of the biggest ones. JAX could be better, too many old folks in control. Old people don't know how to use computers, Ipods, flash drives, blackberries & etc. Old people think just like old people. And Peyton is a young mayor, but sometimes I think his father is the real mayor of Jacksonville.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jsimms3
All gas within the perimeter is certainly leapyears more expensive than even the gas at the beaches in Jax, and this has been the case for the past 3 years.
And keep in mind while gas is more expensive in Atlanta, Atlanta is equally spread out as Jax (just more dense) and there is so much traffic that the cost of driving in Atlanta is way more than Jax.
Um.....No man the gas prices in Jacksonville are higher than the gas prices in Atlanta. I just texted a few buds these are the reply prices. 2.14, 2.10 & 2.11. Gas in Atlanta is 1.84 - 1.90......What makes you think Atl gas is higher? That is not true.
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