Irish family thinking of moving to Jacksonville (Springfield, Trinity: city hall, neighborhoods)

[Irishman5]

Hi,

We are an Irish family and are thinking of immigrating to Jacksonville, Fl from Ireland. We all have visas so we are all legal US residents. Reason being that we have a business opportunity that we would like to explore. We have 2 boys, aged 4 and 2, and would like the very best of schools for them. My wife would also like to work after a few months of settling in. She has an MBA and has worked internationally. Question is, where should we live? where are the best elementary schools? and what are the job opportunites for my wife like? We would also like to move to a neighbourhood that is friendly and family orientated. After all, we do not know anybody there and would like to build a social life for ourselves. We are outgoing folks and like meeting new people. Also, is there an Irish community in Jacksonville? I have been looking online and only saw a few Irish pubs, but not sure if there is an Irish community there? Looking forward to the replies.

[projectmaximus]

Welcome! It would be pretty cool if you opened an Irish pub downtown. And called it London Bridge. Just sayin...

Also, my friend got her masters degree in business from Trinity College. She liked it a lot.

Anyway, I have a feeling you're gonna get recommendations for Springfield, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. The default for families and good schools tends to be the suburbs: St John's or Clay County. It just depends what kind of lifestyle you want. There are a lot of options in the vast Jacksonville metropolitan area.

[fsu813]

Question is, where should we live?

I dunno! Jax has all tuypes of housing and neighborhoods, so it depends on what you're looking for.

where are the best elementary schools?

Great elementary schools aren't hard to find. You can almost take your pick. Overall, St. Johns County (a suburb of Jacksonville, about 30-40 minutes away) has the best schools in the region, but Jacksonville has many good schools as well (rated a B overall, compared to St. Johns County's A rating). Here's a good link about schools: //www.city-data.com/forum/jacks...y-schools.html

and what are the job opportunites for my wife like?

Just depends. As in most of the country, pickings are slim (relatively). There are good jobs out there, but they are harder to find and are more competative.

We would also like to move to a neighbourhood that is friendly and family orientated.

Jacksonville is a very family orientated city, so many, many neighborhoods will be family-friendly.

After all, we do not know anybody there and would like to build a social life for ourselves. We are outgoing folks and like meeting new people.

The more active, "social" nieghborhoods where there's always something going on will be near the Beaches and near Downtown. The older, historic, unqiue neighborhoods near Downtown are my personal favorites: www.riverside-avondale.com, www.mysanmarco.com, & www.myspringfield.org .

Also, is there an Irish community in Jacksonville?

I don't think so. Since you mentioned Irish pubs, here are the most popular:

O' Brothers www.obrotherspub.com
Culhanes Culhane's Irish Pub --- Irish Sass with Five Star Class
Lynches Lynch's Irish Pub
Fionn MacCool's -: FIONN MACCOOL'S RESTAURANT:-


The most important things that you didn't mentioned are: What's your price range? Do you prefer an older, more historic, walkable neighborhood? Do you prefer a newer, master planned ,suburban neighborhood? What would you like to be close to (the beach, the arts, sports, nature trails, etc)?

Answering those will go a long way in determining what type of area you'll enjoy best.

[fsu813]

O' Brothers is THE best!!!!

[jbm32206]

maidin mhaith....I'm a second generation of Irish immigrants...although my family settled in the New Jersey/Philadelphia areas. There's a small Irish community here, but absolutely nothing like in the Philadelphia area.

As for best schools, that depends upon where your childs interests are, as there's many magnet schools that offer a wide variety of programs, aside from neighborhood schools.

Personally, for what area to live in, I prefer Springfield, which is a historic district with a fantastic sense of community. It is also a very family oriented neighborhood. I've lived in other areas, and this is it for me, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in Jacksonville.

[Robyn55]

Do you play golf? Robyn

[jsimms3]

From City of Jacksonville's Facebook page today:

City of Jacksonville, Florida Mayor Peyton and Council President Webb to sign international memorandum of agreement and officially establish an office with Atlantic Way - an Irish economic development partnership on Dec 1 at 9am at City Hall.

Just thought it might be of interest.

[fsu813]

COJ used to sponsor an Irish festival as well, but I think it got the axe with budget cuts.....

[ferret111]

Originally Posted by projectmaximus

an Irish pub downtown. And called it London Bridge.

An Irish pub called the London Bridge?

[jsimms3]

^^^^I think it was more along the lines of a British tavern, appropriately, and is now closed. It definitely was not Irish (they had a large British flag hanging in the door).