Lakeshore and fishweir creek section in westside (Orange Park: for sale, house)

[MikeB4681]

I am looking to buy a house under 175k (the less expensive the better if its decent), and seeing what people thought of lakeshore (between Blanding and 17 and south of san juan) and fishweir (east of 17 and north of san juan) areas in the westside. They do not seem to be too far west, and near Ortega and avondale (fishwier may be considered avondale). Would this be a good/safe area for a young single person that works in Orange Park? I live at the beach now, and its a bit of a drive.

[MikeB4681]

Should I be looking into Orange Park as well? Any Good spots in 32244 I should look into. I work on Wells road in OP.

Thanks,
Mike

[riveree]

Fishweir is Fishweir and not in Avondale, but it's very close to Avondale.

Fishweir is nice and has some great little homes, I think it's definitely worth a look for you. Of the three areas you mentioned - Lakeshore, OP and Fishweir - Fishweir would be my first choice if it was me.

Lakeshore is a bit more rough around the edges (slightly above average crime) and Orange Park is less interesting, IMO. Fishweir keeps you close to Avondale, Riverside, Ortega, Downtown...the architecture, shops, restaurants are all going to be more interesting.

$175k buys A LOT right now in Jax, so I'd keep my options open. If you need to be on the west side of the river, don't rule out Avondale itself, you might find a little bungalow you like for $175k. The same goes for the east side of the river. You can find homes in the San Marco area for $175k or less right now and that was not so easy to do a year or so ago.

Happy house hunting!

[MikeB4681]

Thank you so much riveree! The prices seemed to be so much less (low 100k's) in lakeshore, and some places even seem to be close to the ortega river but I do not want to worry about crime. Is the rule of thumb on the west side "South of college, east of Roosevelt and east of the ortega river after the bridge"? The prices seem to indicate this.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by MikeB4681

Thank you so much riveree! The prices seemed to be so much less (low 100k's) in lakeshore, and some places even seem to be close to the ortega river but I do not want to worry about crime. Is the rule of thumb on the west side "South of college, east of Roosevelt and east of the ortega river after the bridge"? The prices seem to indicate this.

I don't know that rule of thumb . Maybe someone who lives over that way can confirm or deny that rule of thumb for you?

[MikeB4681]

Thanks again Riveree. I did a search realtor.com and exitrealestategallery.com useing a map which showed all the single family homes for sale in the area. As I clicked on the homes, the prices seemed to be much higher east of roosevelt, up till ortega. I guess people want to live near the river, but that may not mean that places west of 17 are not safe even though they are much less money.

The realtor that I have been working with is a beach guy, so I think I am going to start asking around about the westside. I do like that bungalow in Avondale idea.

[Joe 4520832257]

^ I think the rule of thumb is that "old money" lives in Ortega and Riverside/Avondale intermixed with young people who love the vibe of the beautiful and walkable historic neighborhoods. Meanwhile people tend to avoid the rest of the westside for its "redneck" image, and live on the Southside if they can afford it.

I hope no one thinks I'm bashing; I'm not. But in my experience, those are the attitudes I constantly hear about anything on the westside outside of the afformentioned historic districts. So take that for what you will.

Personally, if fishweir is where I think it is, I would look into it. Avondale is a great neighborhood, and it might be worth it to be "Avondale-near." However, I also agree with Riveree. For $175k you might actually be able to find something neat within Riverside/Avondale itself!! It might take a lot of searching, but the reverse commute down to OP is not bad at all (until you get to OP of course!)