questions about north fl (Jacksonville: real estate, crime, houses)

[deana]

Hi all,

A few questions.....how is the traffic around St Augustine and Jacksonville? Is it crowded anywhere around there? What are some up and coming areas? Where is the best place to live? Thanks much!

[manchester]

where are you from so as to know what kind of traffic you're used to


I live in st augustine and travel to JAX quite a few times up US1

traffic is alright but getting much worse in just the previous 3 years, afraid it's too many houses being built with people moving in them.

I see a lot of dead deer, animals like armadillo's killed on the roads than I used to, much moretraffic accidents especially just up the road from me, just before 210

areas well nocatee is being built, 15,000 homes so as you can imagine the traffic will get much worse

[backtofla]

manchester, dont tell me that... 15k homes! traffic is going to be crazy!!!

[deana]

thanks manchester...i am living in south florida and i am asking cause it is overcrowded and traffic is crazy...i just do not want to move somewhere like south fl..thanks

[backtofla]

deana, you may want to continue northward. i too, am trying to escape, (orlando that is), and i too am hoping to find a good spot in n fla. i wouldnt say that they dont exist, but places like st aug and jax areas are growing, and they keep building. i wouldnt be suprised if north fla, at some point, whether it be in 10 yrs or 50, becomes a place like south fla. jax seems to be more and more popular among northeasterners, i guess now that south fla is overcowded and overpriced. also, many south floridians are heading towards the area (and i dont blame them a bit), but it will bring more traffic, crime (as does any city/area that grows), higher real estate prices most likely, etc...

i am a native floridian, and i enjoy the state, although i dont like orlando much. it disappoints me that the entire state of fla may be overcrowded, with lots of traffic/congestion, and everything that comes along with that someday. south fla became this way first, now central fla is getting this way, and places in north fla are starting to appear this way... with that being said, i am not giving up hope on moving up to northern fla in the future, but, i did come to the realization that northern fla may one day become south fla. so with this being said, i have considered other places such as greenville, sc and charlotte, nc. no beaches, but entertainment value is still comparable, shorter summers, change of seasons, nicer ppl, pay is about equal, and a lower cost of living are some of the perks to those areas.

but like i said, i would rather remain in fla.

[manchester]

back to fla

it's a shame that many houses will or planned to be built

wife works for the county and she tells me that they're htinking of stopping all construction like that , i.e. big associations etc

they are letting equestrian places though so each home would have like 5 to 10 acres thus keeping the county being built up and made of all concrete

[riveree]

Originally Posted by deana

Hi all,

A few questions.....how is the traffic around St Augustine and Jacksonville? Is it crowded anywhere around there? What are some up and coming areas? Where is the best place to live? Thanks much!

Compared to SFL, you probably won't find the traffic to be bad at all.

Same thing with the density, compared to SFL, you'll probably be happy with how it is up here.

Up and Coming areas? Well, there are no "secrets" or "hidden gems" if that's what you mean - it's all pretty visible and everyone knows what's available.

The best place to live is in a mansion on the river, and if you buy one, let me live in the guest house, okay .

Oh, were you looking for something a bit smaller ?

Well, the best place is the best place for you. Why not post a description of your "dream location" and of course, the all important budget and we can give you some tailored feedback on places that might suit you?