all about the betterment! (apartments, good schools, college)

[neilinstx]

Good day,

I'll be visiting Jville in early summer for a teaching job fair, and need to keep cost of living on the low side. I'm coming from St Croix, USVI and can actually say it's quite affordable considering where I live. It's a friendly, funny place with personality to spare. I'll take the laid-backness I've acquired with me when I go.

A few ?'s:

1) I want to avoid apartment living and find a spot where I can turn my stereo up a little. Does anyone know of a cheap-ish place in a safe-ish area ($500-600)? Do they exist? Where might a good place to begin looking be?

2) Generally speaking - is it a welcoming place for a transplant, and do you think it'd be an easy transition coming from the Caribbean?

3) I've heard mixed reports (depends on who you ask) about the school system. Is it a good place to be a teacher?

Any and all feedback concerning your town would be great!!!!!!!

[jsimms3]

If you are a good teacher, I guess we could use all the good teachers we can get here in Duval. St. Johns and Clay counties have all the very good schools, but there are a couple nationally ranked charter schools in Duval. I do not know if these apartments are that cheap, but try Melrose apartmens. They are off Kernan near the beach, and are filled with college kids from UNF. So if you like to party and keep your music on, this place is definitely worth it!