Considering a move to Jacksonville (Orange Park, Golf: fit in, apartment, rentals)

[tercel95]

I currently live in Southern Maryland about 1.5 hours south of DC. I like the blend of rural and urban here but I can't justify the cost of renting out here just to be 1.5 hours away from DC. I don't even really like the city that much. My tiny 1 bedroom apartment costs $1100/month + utilities. I want to try out at least one other area to live while I am still young. I am a software developer and my Company has an office in Orange Park. Are there nice rentals in Orange Park? Another concern for me is car laws. Around where I live cops are pretty lenient on things like loud exhaust and stuff like that. How are they in Jacksonville? Could you guys help me out?

Thanks in advance

[joninclay]

The best rental in OP is probably Lighthouse at Fleming Island and Cobblestone at Eagle Harbor. There may be some rental townhomes at Enclave at Eagle Harbor.

I'm not sure what "loud exhaust" is, but I don't think cops have a problem with people obeying the law. They're funny that way.

[MAI1229]

Originally Posted by tercel95

I currently live in Southern Maryland about 1.5 hours south of DC. I like the blend of rural and urban here but I can't justify the cost of renting out here just to be 1.5 hours away from DC. I don't even really like the city that much. My tiny 1 bedroom apartment costs $1100/month + utilities. I want to try out at least one other area to live while I am still young. I am a software developer and my Company has an office in Orange Park. Are there nice rentals in Orange Park? Another concern for me is car laws. Around where I live cops are pretty lenient on things like loud exhaust and stuff like that. How are they in Jacksonville? Could you guys help me out?

Thanks in advance

Are you referencing a Flow Master or Magna Flow Systems or starting at the intake and complete aftermarket exhaust system? Any other mods? My sons' currently in an Altima with only mod being the Xenon/HIDs (which are NOT popular in his neighborhood) and $2K stereo system. Of course..he's been "begging" for an SRT4....perhaps after he graduates!

[Joe 4520832257]

Tercel95,

I would not consider OP to be one of the best areas of the region, although OP proper is nicer than the nearby Blanding Blvd area (worst traffic congestion in the metro).

However, if you drive a souped up '95 tercel with illegally loud exhaust, and you prefer suburban life (i.e. "blend of urban and rural" like you said) then you'll probably fit in OP just fine. That's kind of the vibe they have going on in Clay county anyway - although maybe leaning more towards modified pickup trucks.

[tercel95]

Unfortunately I don't have the Tercel anymore. My exhaust is legal here in MD, I don't know if it would be legal or not in Florida. Perhaps I phrased it wrong, I am not some punk kid that goes around blasting his stereo in suburban neighborhoods or flooring it going past peoples houses. I am simply a car enthusiast. In some areas (California) people who drive modified cars get profiled and pulled over all the time. I just don't want to live in an area where I get hassled all of the time. I have a completely clean driving record. Do you guys have emissions testing? I don't in the county I live in but most other counties in MD do.

For the record I am just trying to move to an area I think I would like. The thing that is most important to me is the balance of rural and urban. I like having shopping centers and other amenities in close proximity but I don't want to live in a "city". Traffic and theft are a concern to me but as I said before my company has an office in Orange Park so I am hoping to not have much of a commute. My commute right now is about 2 miles.

Thanks for the reccomendations on rentals btw I will have to check them out.

[Joe 4520832257]

No emissions testing anymore (at least I haven't had to do it in a looooong time).

Again, Clay county probably has the vibe you are looking for. Very much "rural with tons of strip malls" and I've certainly seen tons and tons of souped up pickups. It's not the prettiest side of town though.

Also, Clay has awful traffic in general and few places in Jax can truly be defined as "in the city" so you might want to expand your search too.

[mawipafl]

Although I'm sure profiling does exist, I don't see it in Clay County or at least it's not obvious. Most vehicles I see pulled over are minivans with women drivers and I presume it's because of speeding.

As for a short commute if you lived in Orange Park, it all depends where your company's office is in Orange Park. If it's near I-295 on Blanding or Wells Rd or Hwy 17, that's the most congested part of OP. If the office is not near I-295, well, then, that's a whole different scenario.

Depending on the office location, you could even live on the other side of the river - in that case your commute to OP would be the opposite of the commuter congestion and would be a breeze.

[mkgolfer]

Hi,
If you gave us your office's address, we could recommend some areas, especially if you wanted to stay within a couple of miles. Orange park is a large area. Out west, in Argyle is some great homes, condos and apts. You could easily get a 1,600 sqft home for less $1,200 mo. Condo's are even a better deal for renting. Since there are so many homes on the market to sell, many sellers are trying to rent their homes at reasonable prices. In fact, some of the best buys for homes are in the Orange park, west side, and Argyle areas. The traffic is bad for those people living in Orange Park commuting east over the Buckman bridge to get to the southside for work in the morning, but if you are working in Orange park, the other post is correct, you could easily live on the Mandarin Side, and your communte west over the buckman bridge will be against traffic in the morning.
Weather here is Perfect! 72 yesterday!!
MKGolfer

[tercel95]

1542 Kingsley Avenue, Suite 142AB
Orange Park, FL 32073

That is the address of my office in Orange Park. It is really starting to seem like this is the place for me. I just can't believe how cheap it is to live out there. A 1600 square ft house around here would be like 3000 a month and were still 1.5 hours from the city... I am so jealous of the weather. I would love to be out working on my car right now. Thanks for the info

[apanda]

You will be a in good area of O.P, you also have the option for some higher scale living not too far from where your office would be if you would not mind about 5-10 extra minutes on your commute. The area you will be in around your office is nice, working class, family oriented area.