Riverside vs. San Marco (Five Points: loft, condos, crime rate)

[crslnd]

OK I don't want to hear about crime rates b/c neither area concerns me regarding crime and I have seen the crime rate debates rage on endless at times on this website...I am a 30'ish single guy considering a home/condo purchase on either side of the river. What are the pro's/con's of these neighborhoods?

Thanks for your help.

Jeremy

[poolgirl51]

Originally Posted by crslnd

OK I don't want to hear about crime rates b/c neither area concerns me regarding crime and I have seen the crime rate debates rage on endless at times on this website...I am a 30'ish single guy considering a home/condo purchase on either side of the river. What are the pro's/con's of these neighborhoods?

Thanks for your help.

Jeremy

Both neighborhoods are beautiful and historic. Where do you work?

[TREE4309]

Riverside pros: It's hip, "artsy", casual, plenty of little shops, bars and restaurants, unique housing options (bungalows, traditional condos, soft loft condos, victorian homes, etc.), generally-speaking it's less expensive than San Marco, the upcoming return of the 5-points theater is very cool, there's a Publix right in the neighborhood, lots of public parks around, less traffic than San Marco.

Riverside cons: roads are narrow and full of pot-holes, floods easily (so does San Marco), wider range of income levels in the area so you're more likely to see some of the stuff that comes along with lower-income neighborhoods milling about.

San Marco pros: it's more "upscale", San Marco square has tons of shops and restaurants, property values are generally higher than Riverside, there are fewer "seedy" areas adjacent to the neighborhood, closer to the Southside/JTB area if you work over there or to go to the malls.

San Marco cons: no grocery store in the neighborhood, lots of "yuppies" (may not be a con to everyone), less diverse selection of housing options, floods badly (particularly closer to downtown and the river), fewer public parks and recreation areas.

Personally, I have lived in San Marco and loved it...now I live on the other side of the river (not Riverside though) but I spend a lot of time in Riverside and Avondale. For my money, I'd rather live in Riverside than San Marco because I like the more casual atmosphere and I like the older houses and diverse architecture at a more affordable price. For you, it depends on a) what kind of house/condo you're looking for, b) how much you want to spend, and c) what kind of lifestyle you live to determine which neighborhood is best suited for you.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by TREE4309

San Marco cons: no grocery store in the neighborhood, lots of "yuppies" (may not be a con to everyone), less diverse selection of housing options, floods badly (particularly closer to downtown and the river), fewer public parks and recreation areas.

San Marco will eventually get a grocery store, but it's going to be a while. In the meantime, most residents just drive into neighboring Lakewood where there is a Winn Dixie (a nice one actually) and a Publix. There is a new Publix being built in Lakewood as well, they should be breaking ground soon. There's also a couple of bakeries, a seafood market, etc., so there's plenty of food shopping options in Lakewood and San Marco folks barely need to leave their zip code to do it (San Marco and Lakewood share the 32207 zip) .

There are 15 public parks in San Marco, I believe the neighborhood has more public parks than any other neighborhood. There is nothing that rivals Riverside's Memorial Park though, San Marco only has one tiny riverfront park.

I agree, housing options do differ, so one area might be better than the other depending on what you're looking for.

[crslnd]

Thanks! I think Riverside is more for me...but sometimes I 2nd guess myself. I am into laidback and as one of you pointed out San Marco sometimes has a little more upscale feeling to it...I also love the publix right in the neighborhood.

[crslnd]

Originally Posted by TREE4309

Riv
San Marco cons: no grocery store in the neighborhood, lots of "yuppies" (may not be a con to everyone), less diverse selection of housing options, floods badly (particularly closer to downtown and the river), fewer public parks and recreation areas.

Personally, I have lived in San Marco and loved it...now I live on the other side of the river (not Riverside though) but I spend a lot of time in Riverside and Avondale. For my money, I'd rather live in Riverside than San Marco because I like the more casual atmosphere and I like the older houses and diverse architecture at a more affordable price. For you, it depends on a) what kind of house/condo you're looking for, b) how much you want to spend, and c) what kind of lifestyle you live to determine which neighborhood is best suited for you.

-very helpful b/c it reiterates my thoughts...Thanks and not huge yuppie/turbo fan...

[TREE4309]

Glad to help...let me know if you need any other help finding a place!

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by crslnd

OK I don't want to hear about crime rates b/c neither area concerns me regarding crime and I have seen the crime rate debates rage on endless at times on this website...I am a 30'ish single guy considering a home/condo purchase on either side of the river. What are the pro's/con's of these neighborhoods?

Thanks for your help.

Jeremy

San Marco is closer to downtown than Riverside is. San Marco Square is more for the yuppie, Five Points is more the emo and hipsters types. Five Points has more Bars but I think San Marco Square has more places to eat. Both are urban, but just different crowds.

[fsu813]

Riverside is better in everyway. =P

[steppen]

Anyone remember the old Setzers Grocery store in San Marco that had the flashing marquee lights? And they also had an A & P grocery store. There was also a Daylight Grocery Store ( I think that was the name) right on the corner going out towards Phillips Hwy or the beaches..