Moving to Jacksonville- Pros & Cons- Please share with me (Orlando: apartment, mortgage broker)

[psouth]

First off nor have I apologized for anything nor do I need to. That apology quote wasn't mine. They must have miscopied and pasted.

My other posts have nothing to do with this forum. If you have read some of my other posts you will see that I also say I have many Hispanic friends. How do you know I'm not Hispanic? Many Hispanics do not like other Hispanics by the way especially the ones who have been here for 20 years plus. They (or we) do not agree with the illegal situation here either. So don't assume.

I am not with any chamber of commerce like some others on here. I have lived in many places and I am just trying to keep it real. Things are always different when you are on vacation or when you live somewhere. I would be doing a grave injustice by not keeping it real.

The OP is young and in the banking and mortgage and pharmaceutical industries. Florida in general is really not the place unless you have a good job lined up already. I am just pointing out that Jacksonville is no place for any of these occupations. The banking and mortgage industry is kaput and pharmaceutical is laying off like other industries. It was never big in Jacksonville to begin with. You would be better suited in a much bigger vibrant city such as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, etc. You would end up being a phone basher in a call center in Jacksonville which is its biggest industry. Jacksonville is also on the bottom of every list for young people. At least in these other big cities if you lose your job it would be much easier to find another one or get into another industry in the city. It would also be much easier to meet affluent young people since these other cities have cultural centers and vibrant downtowns with lots of activities for families and young people. The shopping is also first rate compared to third rate. All the ladies would appreciate this. Macy's and Bloomindales and Nordstrom have very nice shoes. Even Gainesville and Ocala have better shopping to come to think of it. Jeez.

If you are stuck in Jacksonville it's one thing. But I don't think it qualifies as a final destination in any respect. There are just too many better places to go in every way.

I don't think I'm being unreasonable here. Not that I care what some people think. I am giving my insight and opinion on a forum and that's what this is all about. I am not attacking anyone.

[fsu813]

and 75% of what he says is skewed or just mistaken. oh well.

[LoveBoating]

Well, even though we (wife/I) don't totally agree with what psouth is saying about Jax, we will say this......
If we were in our 20's, 30's or even early 40's and SINGLE, Jax would NOT a place that we would choose to move to.......period! Neither would be Charlotte, NC or even Denver, CO (lived in both of those cities). There are just certain cities in the U.S. that simply aren't made for the young generation! Now there are people from that generation that think Jax is full of things to do, but IMO there are OTHER cities in the U.S. that have much, much, much more to do than here (for that age bracket)!! But, for us (in our early 60's and with a boat) there is plenty to do!

[psouth]

Originally Posted by fsu813

and 75% of what he says is skewed or just mistaken. oh well.

If that were true then the place would be hip and booming and we would not be having this discussion.

Let's face it. Jacksonville is what it is. Nothing more and nothing less. It is a town that prides itself on being just a town and not trying to compete with big cities. You can't make it more than it is.

[NorthsideJacksonville]

Every city has a Macy's, big whoop. Jacksonville isn't trying to compete with Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston or any other place. We are what we are, period. Yes, there are things we can improve on but overall, our future is bright. Jacksonville has scenery, which is more than I can say for the aforementioned cities, other than Miami.

[basilwalter]

Originally Posted by psouth

If that were true then the place would be hip and booming and we would not be having this discussion.

So where do YOU live in Fl that is so hip and booming?

[Karla with a K]

"If you have never been exposed to major shopping, entertainment, culture, and a progressive city such as Atlanta or Dallas then you just might like Jacksonville."

I guess NYC & Phila aren't considered progressive cities because they"failed" to make the list

Living in the NE for many years I spent lots of time in both Cities and guess what I also like Jacksonville.

Lets face it no one city is going to be perfect for everyone.

If someone is unhappy with where they live and can't or won't leave, you can talk till your blue in the face and they are not going to change their opinion.

[KerryB]

Karla is right. No city is perfect for everyone. Jax fits some just right & others not so much. I think Jax kinda fools many of the latter sorts because of its massive size, so they think its gonna be more than what it actually is. So it def has that "smallest big city" feel.

This is the honest truth. I think if you're more family oriented that likes to live the slower life, yet have some of the bigger city amenities like shopping/restaurants (but mostly chains) & prefer warm weather with beaches around, Jacksonville is hard to beat.

But if you want more of an urban or progressive city thats on the ball with more of a diverse culture or are single in any age bracket, Jax is probably not gonna be your bag. Anyone that tells you any different is trying to play up Jax for more than what it is.

Again, these arent good or bad things. Its just the way it is. Some will dig it, some wont.

[CONTACTROXY]

Thanks everyone for all your comments, I will be moving from the cold tundra MN and I am from the Caribbean, so the heat doesnt bother me at all, as long as I am close to the ocean and able to bea outside year around Iam in heaven. I got my bachelor in the Mid west and established here and now Iam ready..so ready to move on and start a family in a warmer place where I can enjoy the sun year around, the way I like. I am a traveler and the shopping availability is not a big concern for me because I will buy few things when I travel and can live with it. My sister live in NY city and thats the Best place to shop and find good deals in my opinion. I dont mind driving few miles to get to the malls .

I will certainly make sure either my fiance or myself have a job before we move to Fl. The job market is not good anywhere and with the unemployment rising and foreclosures everything gets hard for everyone.

Thanks so much for ALL your FEEDBACK NI appreciate all your advice and comments

[cricketfan]

Funny how some people in parts of Fl will take potshots at Jacksonville but they will never tell you where they live in Fl because they don't want you to shoot back.

The job market is horrible here but it is even worse in other parts of Fl and in fact some states. Truth is some of the criticism of Jacksonville is entirely justified like lack of mass transit, and lack of government foresight etc. but most of it is exaggeration or downright lies.

So why is it that these outsiders love to hate Jacksonville? It may be that compared to other forums, e.g. Miami and Orlando, there is less misery in the Jax forum and people seem generally happier and more positive.

In any case the OP was able to see through alot of the negativism and hate (like the posts from psouth). And immature nonsense, like who cares if we don't have a macys, lol. So when some people only want to comment on the ugly sides of Jacksonville and hardly ever on the good sides you can always tell that they are unhappy with their own circumstances and with where they live.

Karla is right. No city is perfect for everyone. Jax fits some just right & others not so much. I think Jax kinda fools many of the latter sorts because of its massive size, so they think its gonna be more than what it actually is. So it def has that "smallest big city" feel.

This is the honest truth. I think if you're more family oriented that likes to live the slower life, yet have some of the bigger city amenities like shopping/restaurants (but mostly chains) & prefer warm weather with beaches around, Jacksonville is hard to beat.

But if you want more of an urban or progressive city thats on the ball with more of a diverse culture or are single in any age bracket, Jax is probably not gonna be your bag. Anyone that tells you any different is trying to play up Jax for more than what it is.

Again, these arent good or bad things. Its just the way it is. Some will dig it, some wont.

People are more likely to believe KerryB because his post is balanced.