Feeling of Safety (Jacksonville, Ocala: for rent, high crime, home) - Florida (FL) - City-Data Forum

deeni · 11-29-2012, 06:49 AM

Hello,
My husband is on his 3rd interview with a company in the Jacksonville area so I'm trying to get some preliminary info about the area. I've read in a lot of threads that Jacksonville is a very dangerous, high crime area. I grew up in Philadelphia and live in a Philly suburb currently. I looked at the stats, and overall Philadelphia has more crime than Jax in just about every category. That said, I live in an area in which I feel completely safe. I can walk to and from my car without feeling nervous, I am not worried about break-ins, etc. I know to be cautious but overall have a sense of security. We are looking for a suburb of Jax that has the same feel. I understand that crime happens everywhere and you need to be cautious but a place that you don't feel threatened or nervous at every moment. Do you think we would find that in SJC? Would I still feel safe if my husband had to go away for work and I was left by myself? Is SJC commutable (julington creek) to the NAS Jax area and the area near St Luke's hospital?

I know the "feeling" of safety is a fairly subjective questions but I look forward to hearing your input. I lived in Ocala for 2 years and never really felt a sense of security. I could never put my finger on it but I just never felt safe when I was at home or walking my dog. I wonder if it has to do with a lack of a sense of community. I just know I do not want to move to a place where I feel like that again. Any input from people who have moved from other places would be appreciated!!
Thanks

jbillnlaura123 · 11-29-2012, 08:06 AM

I'm not sure what your price range will be, but I live in Coastal Oaks at Nocatee and feel very safe! Personally, I prefer Nocatee over Julington Creek. Good luck!

deeni · 11-29-2012, 08:14 AM

Thanks! I'll add that to our list of place to check out. Would you say the commute to st Luke's and NAS Jax would be ok from that area? I see there is a long bridge on 295. Is that a traffic nightmare? It doesn't look like there are many alternatives to that bridge.

skooba · 11-29-2012, 08:44 AM

If you're in Julington Creek or Nocatee, going across the Buckman (the bridge you're talking about on 295 that goes over the St Johns River) you'll be going against traffic. That bridge gets bad going east bound in the morning, and west bound in the evening.

If you feel unsafe in Julington Creek or Nocatee you probably need to see a shrink.

When you hear about Jacksonville being dangerous, that's more towards the Northside and some of the West side. The areas you are looking at are perfectly safe.

deeni · 11-29-2012, 09:16 AM

Thanks scooba! Good to know about the traffic flow across the bridge. And the safety of those areas!

madcapmagishion · 11-29-2012, 09:55 AM

If you want commutable to NAS Jax, think Avondale, Fairfax Manor, Ortega, Ortega Forest or Timaquana. All are very safe and all are within 15 minutes (Avondale & Fairfax Manor) 10 minutes (Ortega & Ortega Forest) and maybe 5 minutes. (Timaquana) You didn't mention a price point to stay at, but most of Avondale, Ortega & Ortega Forest is expensive, while most of Fairfax Manor and Timaquana are just somewhat expensive.

deeni · 11-29-2012, 10:40 AM

A 5-15 minute commute would be a dream! I am currently at 50-60 minutes each way and hate it! I'd love to see the water everyday on my way in as well.

I think we will be around $1400/ mo for rent. Hoping for a 2 or 3 bdrm town home or single. Not sure if that is doable?

deeni · 11-29-2012, 10:51 AM

I just realized we need to be really careful with school districts. My son is still too young but he will be in kindergarten before we know it! It looks like Nocatee falls within SJC/A rated schools. Not sure about the other areas mentioned. I think they are Duval but someone please correct me if I am wrong.

madcapmagishion · 11-29-2012, 11:18 AM

No your mostly correct! There is a small part of Nocatee that is actually in Duval county, so any kids living in that small area would have to go to Duval county public schools. Which schools I have no idea.

But I also believe the areas I mentioned above (Avondale, Fairfax Manor, Ortega, Ortega Forest or Timaquana.)all have A rated elementary schools. But I can't really give you any insight/information on the actual schools because even though I grew up in Ortega, I never went to any public school, nor have any of my 5 children. Mainly because no matter how good a public school is, it will never (IMO) compare with a good private school education. Plus I feel it's more important for parents to have input and be involved with their children's education, than it is for them to be assigned by bad luck to some lackluster teacher they may get saddled with by an uncaring educational system. Plus it seems like most of Duval Counties school Rating problems are at the secondary education level.

Sorry for ranting a bit.

ShakenStirred · 11-29-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deeni

Hello,
My husband is on his 3rd interview with a company in the Jacksonville area so I'm trying to get some preliminary info about the area. I've read in a lot of threads that Jacksonville is a very dangerous, high crime area. I grew up in Philadelphia and live in a Philly suburb currently. I looked at the stats, and overall Philadelphia has more crime than Jax in just about every category. That said, I live in an area in which I feel completely safe. I can walk to and from my car without feeling nervous, I am not worried about break-ins, etc. I know to be cautious but overall have a sense of security. We are looking for a suburb of Jax that has the same feel. I understand that crime happens everywhere and you need to be cautious but a place that you don't feel threatened or nervous at every moment. Do you think we would find that in SJC? Would I still feel safe if my husband had to go away for work and I was left by myself? Is SJC commutable (julington creek) to the NAS Jax area and the area near St Luke's hospital?

I know the "feeling" of safety is a fairly subjective questions but I look forward to hearing your input. I lived in Ocala for 2 years and never really felt a sense of security. I could never put my finger on it but I just never felt safe when I was at home or walking my dog. I wonder if it has to do with a lack of a sense of community. I just know I do not want to move to a place where I feel like that again. Any input from people who have moved from other places would be appreciated!!
Thanks

I carry a .380 and an aluminum baseball bat, so I feel safe just about anywhere in Jax.