Is downtown Jacksonville really a "downtown"? (Miami, Wright: appointed, apartment)

[jay_bones15]

I am thinking of moving from the NJ-NYC area to florida. I am looking for a city with a "downtown" shopping and nightlife district (like NYC or Sobe). I like Sobe, but its too hot, and way too expensive.

My other choices are in N.C. (raliegh, chapell hill area) just to give you an idea of the scene I am looking for. I'd rather not be that far from the beach, though.

Also..anything you might want to add about other cities along the atlantic seaboard..id love to hear.

[jay_bones15]

BUMP!

Seriously..no one has been to " downtown " jacksonville to give me a lowdown? Ive searched the forums..

[FLPL75]

hey Jay
No downtown jax is not like NY or sobe.
It is mostly businesses. We do have the Landing and the Riverwalk. There is the Times Union center where they have shows and the Symphony
I will go downtown to have lunch with my husband everyonce in awhile and we do enjoy the Symphony but other than that I rarely go down there.
I grew up in Phila and spent allot of time in NY so I can say I love Jax but if that is what you are looking for then no this isn't it.
karla

[sinjap]

yep, have to agree...if you're looking for a downtown that you can live in and walk to shops, restaurants, nightlife, etc...jax ain't it! it's getting alot better though, more condo and apartment renovations going on but still has a long way to go....but if you don't mind a little bit smaller town, annapolis, md is the best! waterfront restaurants, great bars, historic buildings...and only 30 minutes to baltimore or dc...savannah, ga is really cool too!

[ltrain919]

I live n Wilmington, NC and grew up n Raleigh, and my girlfriend lives n Jax. I can say that the Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapal Hill) is a really good place 2 live but the u would probably b disappointed with the dt there as well n Raleigh, although it is improving. Chapal Hill is smaller, liberal, College town. I plan 2 move 2 Jax n November myself 2 b close 2 gf, but I really do love it here n Wilmington. The downtown is historic and its right on the cape fear river with lots of unique shops and some really good dining, and the beach (Wrightsville Beach) is just on the other side of town about 15 min, with dock and dine rests on the ICWW. Carolina Beach is about 30 min south and u can drive on the beach with a 4x4 for $10 a day, or u can get an annual pass for $40. U can camp overnight, build fires, grill out, fish or whatever with ur ride right there. U may want 2 look n2 Wilmington if u dont mind a little bit smaller town, although it does have alot 2 offer. Just b sure 2 get a job lined up BEFORE u get here. I'm just learning more about Jax myself by visiting girlfriend, but if u have anymore questions about anywhere n NC just let me know.

[backtofla]

go with raleigh or charlotte

[MiamiRob]

Originally Posted by jay_bones15

I am thinking of moving from the NJ-NYC area to florida. I am looking for a city with a "downtown" shopping and nightlife district (like NYC or Sobe). I like Sobe, but its too hot, and way too expensive.

My other choices are in N.C. (raliegh, chapell hill area) just to give you an idea of the scene I am looking for. I'd rather not be that far from the beach, though.

Also..anything you might want to add about other cities along the atlantic seaboard..id love to hear.

have you ever been to Jacksonville? This is a city that had to bring in cruise ships to host the SuperBowl!

Nightlife must be getting drunk at Applebees.

[backtofla]

dear jacksonville, please do not turn into a miami or a new york city. thanks.

[smash731]

lol MiamiRob, I've only been here a month and I can assure all of you that there is more to Jax nightlife than getting drunk at applebees. There are some cool places...no Mansion or anything, but that's probably a good thing for my savings account.

I'm beginning to fight the urge to tell people that Jax is in fact cool so that the traffic doesn't become as bad as Miami's.

[riveree]

Having moved from NYC myself, I can say that no, Downtown Jax is not like NYC, but then very few cities are on NYC's level.

There is a physical downtown that, from an architectural standpoint, is a "real" downtown. Did you ever see that movie "The Devil's Advocate" with Keanu Reeves and Al Pacino and there's that scene towards the end where Keanu is standing on the city street and there is not one soul in the entire city? It's a very dramatic scene, it's supposed to be NYC, I believe, but it was filmed in Downtown Jacksonville .

During the daytime, downtown feels like a real downtown - there are people on the street and lots of nice places to have lunch, Hemming Plaza is a nice place to sit and take a break, etc. At night, it's different. It's getting better, there are some art events, bars/clubs.restaurants downtown, but not a whole lot yet.

The downtown scene is worth checking out on a visit to see what you think of it. There's also a nice (and bigger) scene in San Marco (just below the Southbank of downtown) and a fun beach scene too. There are other nightlife areas as well......it's a big spread out city, so the nightlife spreads out some too.

Hope that helps to paint a picture .