Advice on moving to Jacksonville (Tampa, Springfield: 2011, apartments, for rent)

[funkyv]

I have some friends that is moving to Jacksonville for their jobs. They have a little boy that's 5 years old and are curious as to what the good areas are to live in and what the good schools are. I lived in Tampa for 6 years so I know nothing about Jacksonville so I figured I would ask on here for them. Any input would be great! Thanks

[fsu813]

There are many, many good areas.

What is their price range, how big of a house do they want?

[Ryde41]

Where are their jobs?

[jvargo]

We are not looking to buy just to rent for now. We are in the 70k + salary range. What would be the best area with our jobs in Arlington (area) of Jacksonville. We would consider private if we can afford it. Thoughts?

[fsu813]

i'm partial to the Historic neighbohoods that surrond downtown (Riverside, Avondale, San Marco, Springfield, Murray Hill) for various reasons. It's a great lifestyle, most things are near, very walkable, lots of parks, real neighborhoods, etc. Lots for rent too.

However, if you are looking for more of a suburb type of feel then you could certainly find many places for rent on the southside or in arlington itself. i would steer clear of most of arlington though, as it's not so nice (some parts are).

Housing in parts of Southside Blvd, Kernan Blvd, Hodges Blvd, Atlantic Bvd, St. John's Bluff Rd, etc would be not too far driving (15-20 minutes maybe), and their is lots of it (townhouses, apartments, condos, gated communities, etc).

[jvargo]

How are the schools in Southside? We have found a few apartments in that area. What are some options for after school care and summer care? You see, we now live in podunk arkansas, and there are not a lot of options here. :-)

[Ryde41]

The elementary school is rated an A school and a-soon-to-be-built high school is opening up in 2011. I think they are getting ready to build it or started already. They have a daycare that sends a bus to the school and children are picked up and taken to the daycare(years ago they did, hopefully they still have that service). Mandarin has good elementary schools, some fairly new, the high school is fine. Mandarin has a more country feel to it. Southside has a bit more yuppy feel, depending on what you like. Southside has private school for elementary age and Mandarin has a private Christian school.

[Ryde41]

I just reread your post. Mandarin would be too far if you work in Arlington.

[jvargo]

Well, Southside and Mandiran both look good. We are used to being over 20 miles out of town already. So comuting my not be that bad. How long would it take to go 20 miles on Jacksonvilles interstates? Also, would I need a pike pass to get around efficently?

[Ryde41]

We don't have tolls (for now) so we don't have "pike passes". The interstate moves pretty well. The 9 miles to downtown usually takes about 15-20 minutes in good traffic.