Why would anyone move to Jacksonville? (Orlando: crime rate, home, job market)

[parks71]

Jacksonville is one of the worst cities I've ever been too. It has a very high crime rate and a TERRIBLE school system. Yes it has a beach but is it not the worst beach on florida with the dirty St. Johns river dumping into it making the water dark and ugly?

The City is so spread out which makes you use more gas than probably any other city and the energy prices are through the roof. The once nice thing about it 5 or so years ago which was the low housing cost, has now sky rocket up to catch up with the rest of the nation.

The fishing is good, but once again, the worst of any major city other than Orlando in the state. The cost of living is well above average, infact its much higher than nice cities like Denver, SLC, Houston and just about any city not in NY or CA.


So I ask, why do people want to live here?

[wb3690]

eh we liked it when we lived there and are planning on happily moving back this summer. Sure it's military orders, but we really enjoyed it the first time we lived there.

[crash330]

I love it here! I have lived here for 6.5 years and just bought my first home last April. Housing prices are still some of the lowest compared to bigger Florida cities and I love Florida. I love how Jacksonville still has a small town feel even though it's so big. We're still in the south, people are friendly and the weather is awesome! Obviously you haven't invested time her or wanted to because I think it's awesome. I've lived in Orlando and would never go back.

[parks71]

I invested time here, too much time, thats for sure. It does have a old time city feel, i guesss your right there. The weather is good if you like high humity but if you have kids do you put them in some of the worst schools in the nation and have them live in a top crime city in the nation just to enjoy the weather?

[crash330]

Well, I have to be honest. I did buy in North St. Johns County because the schools are better. But, not all schools in Duval are bad. For the record, Florida is ranked 48th in education spending. However, we have some of the best schools in the country right here in Jacksonville: Paxon and Stanton. Even better, we have incredible magnet programs to fuel any interest. Not all things about Jacksonville are bad and I think the city gets a bad rap. We do have beautiful beaches, the St. Johns River and tons of beautiful state parks. Think what you want, but I love it here.

[KerryB]

Originally Posted by parks71

Jacksonville is one of the worst cities I've ever been too. It has a very high crime rate and a TERRIBLE school system. Yes it has a beach but is it not the worst beach on florida with the dirty St. Johns river dumping into it making the water dark and ugly?

The City is so spread out which makes you use more gas than probably any other city and the energy prices are through the roof. The once nice thing about it 5 or so years ago which was the low housing cost, has now sky rocket up to catch up with the rest of the nation.

The fishing is good, but once again, the worst of any major city other than Orlando in the state. The cost of living is well above average, infact its much higher than nice cities like Denver, SLC, Houston and just about any city not in NY or CA.


So I ask, why do people want to live here?

Originally Posted by parks71

I invested time here, too much time, thats for sure. It does have a old time city feel, i guesss your right there. The weather is good if you like high humity but if you have kids do you put them in some of the worst schools in the nation and have them live in a top crime city in the nation just to enjoy the weather?

Yes, Jax is almost as terrible as your grammar. Which is funny since you speak so negatively about Jacksonville's education system.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by parks71

Jacksonville is one of the worst cities I've ever been too. It has a very high crime rate and a TERRIBLE school system. Yes it has a beach but is it not the worst beach on florida with the dirty St. Johns river dumping into it making the water dark and ugly?

The City is so spread out which makes you use more gas than probably any other city and the energy prices are through the roof. The once nice thing about it 5 or so years ago which was the low housing cost, has now sky rocket up to catch up with the rest of the nation.

The fishing is good, but once again, the worst of any major city other than Orlando in the state. The cost of living is well above average, infact its much higher than nice cities like Denver, SLC, Houston and just about any city not in NY or CA.


So I ask, why do people want to live here?

Life is what you make it, no matter where you live. If you're bored, you're probably a boring person. If you're miserable, you're probably a miserable person.

If it is so horrible, you should be out looking for a second job so you can afford our "high" cost of living rather than wasting your time posting on an internet forum. That way you can afford to get the heck out of here quicker and we don't have to listen to you *****.

[LoveBoating]

Well, we are moving to Jax this coming weekend! We can't veryify your comments about Jax until we have lived there! There are plenty of folks who like/love Jax, if you don't, then it's time for you to "move on" somewhere else to be happy. People in the CD City Forums don't think to highly of folks who want to "trash talk" the city they live in........no matter how bad YOU think the place is.

[coolyfett]

Interesting. parks71 can you tell us more about what is wrong with Jacksonville?

I don't think Jax Beach's water color has anything to do the St. Johns. The water is that color all a long the east coast except once you get near South Florida which shares the same color as the Gulf.

I need to hear more though.

[riveree]

The color of the ocean looks normal to me, it's the Atlantic, isn't that the color it's supposed to be .

The city is definitely spread out, and that can be a pain sometimes. You can make it better or worse for yourself though. You can chose to live in a more convenient location where you have everything you need nearby, including your work location, or you can chose to drive 30-60 minutes to get to everything by choosing to live further out. So much of the "driving around" is by personal choice, IMO.

Overall, I think there are more positives than negatives about Jax and I would not want to give up some of those positives. The beautiful weather, bright sunny sky, clean air, plenty of greenspace, plenty of elbow room, somewhat affordable housing, decent job market, the ocean, the river....this city has a lot going for it .