SummerSun (Jacksonville, University: extended stay, crime, hotels)

[LoveWarmthj]

My son and I are planning to check out Jacksonville to live in a few weeks. He is a musician and I'm retired. Does anyone know of inexpensive hotels downtown where the action is? Is there a lot of karaoke? We're moving from NY State because we hate the cold and never want to see snow. How about hurricanes in Jacksonville? Can we be flooded?
Thanks for your help.

[mawipafl]

Inexpensive hotels downtown - no. Nearby, yes - many. Where the action is depends on your definition of action, but you will need a car to get around. Hurricanes are not something to worry about here. Yes, there's always the potential threat, but generally speaking Jacksonville is usually spared.

[riveree]

Originally Posted by LoveWarmthj

Is there a lot of karaoke?

I don't sing karaoke (well, there was this one night...), but if you don't mind the fact that it's a real locals bar (read: dive), try McB's on Saint Augustine Road just south of University Blvd (about 5 miles south of Downtown). It's a mellow bar, nice people.


Mc B's Lounge

6211 Saint Augustine Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32217-2508
(904) 731-1355

[Karla with a K]

lol riveree I think we have all had one of "there was this one night " when it comes to karaoke

LoveWarmthj
I would consider maybe staying at the beach for your visit lots of fun things to do

[LoveWarmthj]

Thanks for the info Riveree and Karla. Will try the bar. Decided to stay downtown at Extended Stay. I figured we could get everwhere from there but will definitely try the beaches. Going directly to the Chamber of Commerce, then look at the local paper and on to an evening of fun.

[fsu813]

I was going to say, there defintely is a an inexpensive hotel downtown: the Extended Stay America Riverwalk. You can get a room for around $50 bucks a night plus tax. It's not that nice, but it's ok for a place to sleep.

The best karaoke bar in the city, bar none, is Harmonious Monk's. It's not anywhere near Downtown, but worth a trip if that's your kinda thing.

Here's the location & reviews: Google Maps

"where the action Downtown" would be long Water Street, E. Bay Street, E. Forsyth, & E. Adams mainly. Here's rough map showing some the hot spots:



The full list would inlcude:

- Marks, Dive Bar, TSI, & The Ivy all on E. Bay Street.
- Twisted Martini, Mavericks, and (kinda) Chicago Pizza & Hooters inside The Jacksonville Landing complex on Water Street
- London Bridge and Poppy Loves Smoke on E. Adams
- the brand new Dos Gatos lounge on E. Forsyth. Cafe 331 is a bit out of the way, further down on E. Forsyth and isn't hugely popular.

Thats 10 (or 12) spots to check out in a very small area, very walkable.

If you want to expand your bar/club/lounge hopping by a few miles, you can add 10+ more to your list.

[LoveWarmthj]

fsu813: Thanks so much for the karaoke places. This is a big help.
When you say Extended Stay Riverwalk is not so nice I hope it's not so bad.

[yamahastar]

Its good to ask about hurricanes whenever you are considering a move to Florida, the eastern part of Atlantic coast states or Gulf coast states. ANY place in Florida can feel the effects of a hurricane, even if the hurricane actually "hits" a different part of the state because hurricanes often spawn tornadoes and have wide swaths of torrential downpours and high winds. Coast cities can experience "storm surge" from coastal waters. Evacuation in Jacksonville is a significant issue and should be considered when buying a home.
Flooding is a problem in Jacksonville in various neighborhoods in Jacksonville, even without a hurricane. Some steady rains cause real problems - people get water in their homes and the sewers back up. A realtor should disclose this to you if you are considering a home, but be sure to ask. Also ask a realtor about the crime where you are thinking of living. That's a big problem in Jacksonville. Good Luck!

[LoveWarmthj]

Yamahastar: Thanks. This is what I was dreading - floods and crime. Glad you told me. I will check out the neighborhoods and houses for flooding. Oh, dear, I guess no place is perfect.