Help finding a community in Jax (Middleburg: travel, work, house)

[mpr19]

Hi, I've been a frequent viewer of this forum and would like to get people's feedback on our situation. Wife and I with our 2 year old will move to Jax soon. I will be working in the Normandy/Murray Hill area and would like to buy a house in a safe community with good schools.

We are considering the area of Argyle/Eagle Harbour/Eagle Landing, but are scared that the commute to work might be a nightmare. I have read the comments about the traffic on 17 and on Blanding. We do like the amenities that communities in this area have to offer and the fact that there are newer homes.

Please advise. Thanks!!!

[mawipafl]

We live in Eagle Harbor. Traffic on Rt 17 can be thick, but it's truly a personal opinion/preference about what kind of traffic makes you want to pull out your hair. At the worst, it can take me 20 minutes to travel the 8 miles from home up Rt 17 to I-295. Normal traveling time is between 10 and 15 minutes depending on whether I have luck to hit all green lights or no luck and catch every red light.

For us, Rt 17 is no big deal at all. However, the first mile of Blanding south of I-295 is beyond our patience as is the Buckman Bridge (heading north) during the afternoon commute (from about 4:30/5 to 6 pm).

[joninclay]

I would look at Middleburg, Oakleaf, or Eagle Harbor/Fleming Island. The latter would require that you get used to the traffic on Hwy 17, but north on I-295 in the morning (and south in the afternoon) isn't nearly as bad as south on 295 in the morning (and north in the afternoon).

With Middleburg and Oakleaf, you can go straight up Branan Field Rd. to Normandy, then hang a right. The bulk of the traffic you'd see in the first scenario can be avoided. I live in the Ravines in Middleburg, and I work at Cecil Field...it's a straight shot up Branan Field to 103rd, and compared to the rest of the metro area, the traffic isn't bad at all.

[apanda]

Originally Posted by joninclay

I would look at Middleburg, Oakleaf, or Eagle Harbor/Fleming Island. The latter would require that you get used to the traffic on Hwy 17, but north on I-295 in the morning (and south in the afternoon) isn't nearly as bad as south on 295 in the morning (and north in the afternoon).

With Middleburg and Oakleaf, you can go straight up Branan Field Rd. to Normandy, then hang a right. The bulk of the traffic you'd see in the first scenario can be avoided. I live in the Ravines in Middleburg, and I work at Cecil Field...it's a straight shot up Branan Field to 103rd, and compared to the rest of the metro area, the traffic isn't bad at all.

That would put his commute from one end or Normandy to the other. I not entirely sure about how long that would take, but that sure would eat up gas.

mpr19, what kind of a commute are you looking for.

[mpr19]

Originally Posted by apanda

That would put his commute from one end or Normandy to the other. I not entirely sure about how long that would take, but that sure would eat up gas.

mpr19, what kind of a commute are you looking for.

Hoping for a 30-35 minute max. Thanks

[riveree]

Originally Posted by mpr19

. We do like the amenities that communities in this area have to offer and the fact that there are newer homes.

If you're looking for a new/newer home and a neighborhood with amenities, you're not going to find that in Murray Hill. You'll only find that further out, so you'll be looking at a good sized commute if that's the type of neighborhood you're after, there's no real getting around it based on your needs/wants.

[travelingfood]

Please note that if you choose to live south of 17 past 295 freeway, there's always huge traffic when everyone get off work. It's where you exit NAS and head South, all the lights are short and the very heavy traffic flow doesn't help anything. Going North and West bound isn't so bad.