Jax Or Tampa???? (Jacksonville, Boca Raton: appointed, real estate market, high crime)

[KEMOZ]

We were recently going to move to Tampa, and at the last minute changed our minds, due to decline of Real Estate, (less home for our money), and big decline in job pay (no job offers after 3 months). Does Jacksonville pay more? Our research has led us to Jacksonville, due to affordable home prices and great churches...We like newer home communities with great schools and aesthetics (palm trees, nearby beaches, etc.)

PS. My husband is a barber but will work part time until clientele increases. I'm currently in the banking business, but have experience in clerical, customer service, and real estate. By the way...the bank I'm with in Michigan doesn't have a branch in Jax or Tampa....(only Boca Raton..which is way too expensive for a family of 6)!!!!!!!

Any suggestions in the comparison of the two?


Thank you in advance.

[riveree]

I would say no, I don't imagine Jax pays any better than Tampa in general terms. Housing is more affordable in Jax though, so that's an advantage.

We have more churches than Walmarts or Starbucks together, so you're all set there !

Newer home communities, yes, we have those. Aesthetics, yes, it's a pretty good-looking city in relative Florida terms.

Great schools? Well, you'll probably be a bit disappointed there. No one moves to Florida for the great school systems - Florida schools have always been at the bottom when compared nationwide and that has yet to change. So, you have to do your homework and investigate the schools before deciding on a neighborhood. The good news is that most of the newer communities have newer schools and newer schools tend to be better, at least initially (better equipment, new teachers.....who knows why?). If your children are elementary school age, you should have no problem finding a good elementary school in Jacksonville, our Middle schools are okay, our high schools are not so hot with a few exceptions (and we will have a brand new one soon and that one should fare well, I hope).

Hope that helps shed some light .

[Zinnyhost]

Jax and Tampa are like twin cities. High crime! And we can all look at the city stats, you dont need me for that. As far as the real estate market that is now a world wide problem, you cant run from that moving anywhere for the most part. If you are moving to Jax to be self employed ABsolutely forget it, as this is not a service oriented place. However if you work in the stable base of the city (example: off Butler Blvd) in a job you may find Jax a good place to live. Jax is military run, and the rest is a job base on the Southern Central East side of the river. Other than that forget it unless you are in law enforcement, you'll keep busy in that field.

Originally Posted by KEMOZ

We were recently going to move to Tampa, and at the last minute changed our minds, due to decline of Real Estate, (less home for our money), and big decline in job pay (no job offers after 3 months). Does Jacksonville pay more? Our research has led us to Jacksonville, due to affordable home prices and great churches...We like newer home communities with great schools and aesthetics (palm trees, nearby beaches, etc.)

PS. My husband is a barber but will work part time until clientele increases. I'm currently in the banking business, but have experience in clerical, customer service, and real estate. By the way...the bank I'm with in Michigan doesn't have a branch in Jax or Tampa....(only Boca Raton..which is way too expensive for a family of 6)!!!!!!!

Any suggestions in the comparison of the two?


Thank you in advance.