World Golf Village vs. Fruit Cove (Julington Creek) (Jacksonville, Tampa: HOA fees, houses)

[ReniHope]

O.K just got back from FLA...awesome weather!!! I was impressed with how nice and friendly people were around Jacksonville area...Need your help...

I saw Ponte Verda-beautiful but I had a sense of keeping up with the Jones there, still people great...Beach access wonderful (we love the beach)

I saw World Golf Village briefly-nice house for the money but seemed very cut off and rural and not much in the way of amenities. Not sure about schools. Horses and cows everywhere.

I saw Julington Creek Area and Fruit Cove-loved the country feel yet access to amenities and close to river. Houses seemed priced right. Heard Bartram Trail HS good (hoped I spelled it right!).

Here's Us: In our 40's, I have husband who telecommutes, two kids and a horse I need to board and a place to ride...I do not like boonies but hate over development and area with no trees and only house after house..husband loves fly fishing and boating....Would like to be close enough to airport and city (no more then 45 minutes). Kids big into soccer, tennis, swimming and horseback riding. Need a house in the 300K range and place for kids to find friends.

Given this info what do you think about above areas for relocation? I welcome your input. Again loved the area and people. Thanks!

[Dappleganger]

We live off of Roberts Rd. in Ivy Lakes, just south of Julington Creek. We have two kids at Bartram Trail (sophomore and junior), one at Switzerland Pt. Middle school and another child in Cunningham Creek Elementary.

Julington is a very large planned community, each neighborhood has a different flavor. There are extensive walking and bike trails, wonderful parks for sports, convenient grocery shopping and some decent places to eat. Aside from shopping for clothes or running to the doctor, there really isn't much else you need that isn't within a 5 minute drive. There are some doctors locally, just not many.

We've lived here for 8 years and have watched the area change quite a bit, as well as know friends who live in WGV. IMO WGV is more for older/retired people except for Heritage Landing. Julington Creek (aka Fruit Cove) is much more convenient for shopping, schools are often within walking/bike riding distance, etc. Fruit Cove is just more family oriented if your kids are school-aged.

Bartram Trail High School is an A-rated school, but it is not perfect. We feel that now the population has decreased due to the opening of the new Creekside high school in JCP, the quality of classes has become better.

Pretty much any school in Fruit Cove is A-rated or pretty close, so it doesn't matter where you go. Some people may be turned off by Julington Creek Elementary because the building is older, but the teachers and administration there is just as good (and many teachers/admins from the other schools began at Julington).

This area tends to be very sports-oriented so the county leagues are always FULL. There are a number of churches locally although we tend to be extremely casual around here.

You will have no problem finding a home in this area for $300K and under because the prices have dropped so much. Your challenge will be to find something with a low HOA fee as JCP and some other areas on 210 can have higher fees than the older neighborhoods. The HOA fees on Roberts Rd. are extremely reasonable (we pay only $250/yr. but we have no clubhouse/pool).

Let me know if you have any other questions. We love it here but unfortunately are going to have to move soon due to a job relocation.

[Golfergal22]

Hi I am new to this forum but am very curious about WGV. My husband and I currently live in Tampa Florida in a planned development based around a golf course. We both love to golf. In fact he probably golfs 3 times a week. He works from home and my job is flexible. I am in my mid 20's and he is in his mid 30's and although we are young we are both going on 60. For us going out is getting dinner somewhere or going shopping. We also own a golf website so it is very important to us to be in a golf community. Would WGV be a place for us? We have no children just a very cute little 25lb dog that is our baby. Thanks for any input you all might have!!