Miami is too violent....we want to move! (Jacksonville: houses, community college)

[riveree]

Originally Posted by jendidier

Ideally, we would like to live in a family friendly community that is close to the water and cultural activities. We would like a home that has its own style and is not too cookie cutter. Can anyone offer us some good advice? Thanks in advance.
Jennifer

If I was to move back to St. John's county, my first choice would be Anastasia Island. It is a barrier island and where St. Augustine Beach is located. You'd have both the ocean and historic downtown St. Augustine at your doorstep. With real estate having dropped, $700k can get you very close to the ocean - you should have no problem finding a really nice home well inside of 5 blocks to the ocean. Anastasia has that real "beachy" feel and most of the neighborhoods have custom built homes with few "cookie cutter" developments. Look to A Street @ A1A as a central starting point for the type of location with custom homes in your budget.

[Chrome Microphone]

Yes, a lot of retirees in PV for sure, I just find that they are different and friendlier than the ones in South FL. I dont know what it is about S FL, but they seem to attract different people. Nothing against the NY'ers that live there, but they do tend to be pretty unfriendly and they will get aggressive in grocery stores and bump your cart if you get close to them, they will argue over parking spots, it just gets very annoying and downright rude in some places throughout S FL.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Chrome Microphone

Yes, a lot of retirees in PV for sure, I just find that they are different and friendlier than the ones in South FL. I dont know what it is about S FL, but they seem to attract different people. Nothing against the NY'ers that live there, but they do tend to be pretty unfriendly and they will get aggressive in grocery stores and bump your cart if you get close to them, they will argue over parking spots, it just gets very annoying and downright rude in some places throughout S FL.

Well, quite a few of the core members on this site are from NY, NJ, & PA and for years have been told how helpful they are to newcomers on the site and that's certainly not atypical behavior. People are people and some are nice and helpful and others aren't - it has little to nothing to do with where you grew up.

[Chrome Microphone]

Yes, very nice people on this forum from NY, NJ, and PA. No doubt about it.

But I think where you grew up definitely plays somewhat of a role... how else can you explain places like Boca Raton, Miami, Orlando, where people can be so rude, and compare them to places like Charlotte, Buckhead, and Raleigh NC where people are so much nicer?

I just find that the south (or places that retain a lot of the south) tend to have friendlier folks! I find the nicest people in FL are in the northern parts, and I find that the more south you go, the more rude and aggressive people get. I think it has something to do with where you are from and grew up, dont you agree?

[delg23]

There are actually a lot of eastern Europeans in St. Augustine. Also, a lot of people from Ireland. Only thing that stinks about St. Augustine is that the job market is not great. I don't know what you do, but that is something to consider. St. Augustine is really safe. Just stay away from west king st. I've heard
a few bad stories that took place there. You may want to consider Kissimmee/Orlando area. Its not near the beach, but according to my father there are a lot more cultures in that area. Personally, I don't like the traffic and strip malls though. 700k will definitely get you a way nicer house in St. Augustine than it would in Miami.

downtown-touristy, but many very cute victorian homes, spanish style architecture
Anastasia Island-very beachy feel, you'll see a lot of ppl walking down the street in bathing suits. You must go to the beachcomber.
Ponte Vedra- a little more of a yuppie feel than other parts of the area. Easy commute to jax.
Vilano Beach-a little less developed than Anastasia Island, yuppiest mcmansion area is Porpoise Point.
North of town near Grumman airport-you probably won't want to live here. Its more rednecky, and there are a lot of mobile homes
St. Augustine Shores- I don't know much about this neighborhood but I believe its cheaper than Anastasia island & downtown. very suburban
St. Augustine South-most cookie cutter mid level housing. Avg house price is probably around 200k
Cresent Beach-seems a little more of a northern transplant area, very beachy, also don't know a whole lot about this area
SR 16/207-more rustic areas, more rednecks.
West King-crack town
Lincolnville-cute, multi-cultural neighborhood. A little less safe feeling than some other parts especially on ML King st., but an up and coming area and very close to downtown
My favorite areas are the area near the bayfront, and near the fountain of youth. These are historical areas, w/ older housing in very well kept high character neighborhoods

P.S I'm a Floridian who lived in Nj/NYc for 5 years. I found ppl were about the same nicewise....I think Virginia has the friendliest ppl. just my two cents

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Chrome Microphone

But I think where you grew up definitely plays somewhat of a role... how else can you explain places like Boca Raton, Miami, Orlando, where people can be so rude, and compare them to places like Charlotte, Buckhead, and Raleigh NC where people are so much nicer?
\

People can't be rude in Buckhead after all, lol.

[Chrome Microphone]

I find folks to be very friendly in Buckhead. I've said it before, but I always find the folks in Atlanta to be pretty nice and friendly, as I do the folks in Jax.

[agreatlife]

I'm with riveree. I vote for Anastasia Island. St. Augustine is great!

[jendidier]

You all have been extremely helpful! Thank you for all the great advice, I am going to look into Anastasia st.

Jennifer

[jsimms3]

There is waterfront outside of the beach. One thing unique about Jacksonville is the St. Johns River and the neighborhoods that stretch along its banks. While smaller in size than say PV, some of these neighborhoods are every bit as upscale (no waterfront for 700K) and are a little more walkable/urban/culture/diverse. I love PV and the beaches, and PV actually reminds me a little of N. Palm Beach south of Jupiter, it is very nice with people walking, jogging, biking, etc. I just think that there are a lot of options in Jax for a 700K price and the OP should drive up here, hop on A1A starting at Marineland, follow it straight up through the beaches through Atlantic Beach, which is also great, almost on par with PV, and then drive on into San Jose, follow SR13 (San Jose) through town, cross the river into Riverside, Avondale, Ortega. Stay at a hotel downtown, check out the city, go eat out, etc.