QUESTION: if i moved to northern fla/st augustine area... (Jacksonville: apartments, condos)

[backtofla]

i'm thinkin northern fla is right up my alley!!! and sure, many parts of central fla have the old fla feel, but i like some of the north eastern fla attributes more, such as:

less hurricanes (not that orlando is in hurricane alley or anything)
old fla feel
breeze from the ocean (as opposed to orlando area)
cheaper housing costs
slower pace of life
more of a seasonal change (a little bit)
close to i95 access

downside: no family there, but close enough to drive in a half a day.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by LandShark99

Riveree - I just moved from the sticks near Jax as you call the west side and I hated it! You have no freaking idea what you are talking about. I am a real Floridian and we have always called North Florida "South Georgia". Most of the people that live there crossed the state line. It's Redneck City! Jacksonville proper is more like a Georgian city. Dirty, crowded and no one can drive! As you are a New Yorker you are not qualified to even know what Old Florida is.

This lady posted a heartfelt wish to return to her roots and be surrounded by her own kind. I am in that camp as well. I think everyone here is looking for a place where they can feel comfortable and be surrounded by people they relate to. It is every person's choice and right. If I were Greek I would move to Tarpon Springs. If I were Cuban I would move to Miami or Orlando because they have established communities there. You could get the Coffee Con Leche' every morning at the stand up breakfast window outside. You could dive for the cross in the Greek Easter ceremony or whatever. Get it? It's a culture thing.

BacktoFla: Ha, sign of a true Floridian (your abbreviation)! I'm on board. Looking for the same thing you are. I know many former NY'rs that I truly like and some I look down my nose at. All depends on their attitude.

Tell ya what: I am actively searching the state for my "Old Florida" and when I find it I will pm you. "Old Fla" still exists in Orlando in some of the older parts but the traffic is really terrible all the time even in those areas now. I grew up in Orlando but left when the crime and traffic started getting so bad.

Keep looking and pm me too if you find it.

I think you're missing the point of what I've said, Landshark99. Backtofla, according to her posts, wants to find "Old Florida" in Jax/St. Aug near the coast/beaches area...she wasn't looking for it out in the rural areas. The whole point of me suggesting "The Sticks" was to say that she'd have better luck finding it out there...see? And you actually proved my point by saying inland is "Redneck City"...right?

You said you just moved from "The Westside" - which could be Avondale for all I know (you didn't say where on the westside) - and you hated it...why did you hate it?

I think there was something else you missed too, Landshark99. I am not in New York, I live in Florida...I'm a Floridian now - have been for a long time. I've also been frequenting NE FL regularly since the 70's, my family has had long ties here.

As for being "qualified", well, who is qualified? Do you hold a degree in Sociology? Urban Planning?

This thread is running in circles......backtofla says there is no Old Florida in Orlando, so backtofla is looking in Jax/St. Aug......landshark99 is looking for Old Florida elsewhere in the state because it couldn't be found in Jax...where oh where has Old Florida run off to?

[backtofla]

backtofla is a man. a tall, and very sexy... MAN.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by backtofla

backtofla is a man. a tall, and very sexy... MAN.

I'm sorry backtofla! I don't know why I feminized?! My apologies!

[riveree]

Originally Posted by backtofla

i'm thinkin northern fla is right up my alley!!! and sure, many parts of central fla have the old fla feel, but i like some of the north eastern fla attributes more, such as:

less hurricanes (not that orlando is in hurricane alley or anything)
old fla feel
breeze from the ocean (as opposed to orlando area)
cheaper housing costs
slower pace of life
more of a seasonal change (a little bit)
close to i95 access

downside: no family there, but close enough to drive in a half a day.

If THAT'S now the definition of Old Florida, well, then yeah, we've the breeze, relatively cheaper housing, I95, lower chance of direct hit. Who knows, if the focus is on gaining THESE things and you let the people be whoever the people are going to end up being, you might love it here and find great peace .

[backtofla]

i have good friends up there - both of which used to live in orlando. they both really like it better up there. when i visited them a few yrs back (maybe this was a rare occurance) there were big leaves all over their backyard, it it was like 29 degrees outside. this was in the winter of course. i think it was just as cold in nc that night, or maybe even warmer. i dont really like cold weather, but on christmas, it's kind of neat. is this rare to be THAT cold in jax in decemeber?

i have also been to st aug., jax bch., ponte vedra, and along the coastline a few times. it is much different from orlando and south fla, in my opinion. i think i will enjoy it very much.

back to one of my original questions: is northern fla a lot more laid back (in general) than orlando and south fla? also, here in east orlando, my entire subdivision, or atleast half, is hispanic. everywhere i go, i hear spanish. is this is the case up there too (in general)?

thanks riveree for the responses, and anyone else who wants to chime in




the tall and very handsome man, backtofla

[backtofla]

any other thoughts???

[songgirl]

Hi Back To Florida!
I have lived in Duval/St. Johns County for many years. I moved to Connecticut, then came back 2 years ago. Things really have changed drastically in the last 10 years or so. None the less, I can't tell you how happy I am to be back!
Originally, i am from NJ, and when I first moved here, no one even understood me because of my accent I literally was the only northerner in my neighborhood and at work! It was scary to see all the Confederate flags and pickups at first. (don't mean to offend here).
Anyway, I adjusted to the culture here and this part of Florida is much more a part of me than NJ ever was!
Obviously, I am no longer the only Northerner around now. I like the fact that there is a little more diversity these days. The area is finally becoming a little more sophisticated and not so "black and white" like it used to be. This is important to me since my husband and daughter are part Korean. I don't know what the future will be like due to all the growth in this area, but I can tell you right now it is a comfortable environment for me and my family.

I live in the newer area of St. Augustine (west of town) and I find it to be a great blend of people. Yes, it by far is predominantly caucasion but there are people from all cultures and no real racial issues that I am aware of.

As far as the old Florida feel, it's still alive and well here. People still say hello when you pass on the street, I still hear Yes Ma'am and Yes Sir frequently and I never can walk all the way around my block because someone is always inviting me in "for a chat".

I think I know what you are looking for in Florida and I would definately say this area will have it. Check out Palm Valley, Switzerland, Fruit Cove, as well as St. Augustine. Good Luck!

[backtofla]

thanks so much songgirl! i liked what i heard (i mean, read)!!!

[Dutch123]

good luck!!!!!!!!!!