Moving to JAX from Canada (Jacksonville, Kendall: apartments, rentals, condos)

[boz23]

Hello Everyone,

I have a job offer from Jacksonville University. I have a small family - wife and a 13 month old son. We are at present living in Canada. I am so delighted to see this forum, as I was really struggling to find reliable information on JAX.

We would be moving to JAX in December 2007. We are looking at present for an appartment to move to. I do not mind a commuting distance of a maximum of 20 kms one way from JU.

The important criteria for us in looking for a location are:

1. The neighborhood should be very nice for small families with adequate facilities for children (like daycare, parks, play schools).
2. Very low crime rate - as this has been worrying us, especially as we are moving from a small sleepy town in Canada.
3. Close distance to the beach, if possible.
4. Range for rent for a two to three bedroom apartment - US$ 900 to 1300.

We would dearly appreciate any help that you may provide. I have read many threads on this forum, and found the members extremely helpful.

Thanks for listening.

[Karla with a K]

Hi boz23
The other day I met a very lovely woman while having my nails done. She said her husband was one of the Deans at JU. If she was any indication I think you are going to meet some nice folks that work there.
She said they lived down at the World Golf Village and it was a long drive.
The nice thing is unless you live further out west the longest it would be to the beach is maybe 40 mins.
I am not sure how far 20km would be in miles, but the Julington Creek area (St Johns county) is very family friendly and the schools are great. You might also want to look on the Southside(we live there) we are 14 miles to the beach and I do know that Twin Lakes ele. and middle schools are both "grade A" schools.
You can go to google and do a search for apartments in Julington creek and the Southside (zip code 32256) also take a look at east Ponte Vedra Beach (zip 32082)
You might want to look at renting a condo many in the areas were bought for investments. again you could do a "google" search for "condo rentals" for each area.
Once you have some that you might be interested in you can ask if anyone is familiar with them.
A early welcome to a great area
feel free to PM if you have any questions I moved here 15 years ago and love it.
Karla

[kort677]

Originally Posted by boz23

Hello Everyone,

I have a job offer from Jacksonville University. I have a small family - wife and a 13 month old son. We are at present living in Canada. I am so delighted to see this forum, as I was really struggling to find reliable information on JAX.

We would be moving to JAX in December 2007. We are looking at present for an apartment to move to. I do not mind a commuting distance of a maximum of 20 kms one way from JU.

The important criteria for us in looking for a location are:

1. The neighborhood should be very nice for small families with adequate facilities for children (like daycare, parks, play schools).
2. Very low crime rate - as this has been worrying us, especially as we are moving from a small sleepy town in Canada.
3. Close distance to the beach, if possible.
4. Range for rent for a two to three bedroom apartment - US$ 900 to 1300.

We would dearly appreciate any help that you may provide. I have read many threads on this forum, and found the members extremely helpful.

Thanks for listening.

just be aware, Jax is hockey purgatory

[riveree]

I would add the zip code 32246. This is part of the Southside/Intracoastal West area and would put you less than 10 miles from JU and about 6 miles to the beach.

This is also the area where Florida Community College and University of North Florida are located so there are plenty of apartment choices.

[jsimms3]

Right in Arlington is the new (and large) development Kendall Town Center with plenty of amenities, apartments, and i think condos as well, with its own town center and shops/restaurants. JU is in Arlington, and so is this, and also in a better area of Arlington (Arlington is like its own small city with good and bad areas and commercial areas) and it is near the Regency Mall area. The beaches should be no more than 15 minutes awaywithout traffic and 25 minutes with (well maybe more). While there are many apartments near JU or on University blvd. in Arlington, do not consider. There are at least 3 projects nearby!

[Sunshine State]

I wud agree with myfask to investigate the Ponte Vedra Beach area if you can afford the amount you expressed, you can take the JTB (John Turner Butler Blvd) to JU, with an early start and make it to work ok, I use to do it when I worked in the Federal Bldg and Im in Jacksonville Beach just north of Ponte Vedra, as growth goes here tho, Id stay outta Arlington specifically, nice homes there but the actual area is too close to the downtown and high crime areas, Regency Mall included... JU is an old school been there quite a while I think, not a big campus at all... but attractive anyway...Nero's pizza is nearby JU, good spot for 2 for 1 large original pizzas on Tues/Thrs., bring the NoDoz tho, this is not a sleepy town at all compared to where you are, traffic wise that is...Good Luck

[John Breen]

Try to stay away from the arlington area where ju is located. the commute towards the beach ( ft. caroline area) or the southside (east of kernan) would be your best bet. It might be a 20-30 min drive but well worth the commute.