Anyone commute to downtown Jax from outer counties? How bad is it? (Jacksonville: apartment)

[nep321]

Currently I live on Hodges near JTB and I work downtown in the Southbank area. I am renting an apartment but my lease ends in November. I will be 35 years old soon, am single, gay with no kids and want to return to country living. I grew up in the country (in Connecticut) and miss it. I don't like urban living at all. I like quiet, lots of nature and a relaxed atmosphere. So I'm wondering if it's a good idea to buy a house in a small town or somewhere out in Baker or Clay counties, which are affordable for me on my single income. St. Johns and Nassau counties are too expensive. I don't care for the beach, as I never ever go. I spent most of my free time hiking in the woods for outdoor activities. Jacksonville is way too urban and congested for my tastes.

But does anyone do this type of commute into downtown Jax or similar? Is it worth it? Is it something I can get used to? I'm not talking about extreme commuting, but say, no more than 45-60 minutes (inclusive of traffic). I know some of these rural places would be a culture shock but I'm willing to adapt. I just can't stand city living and don't care about any of the urban amenities Jax has to offer. I'm an introverted homebody.

I may be able to work from home 1-2 days a week, too.

[Florida2014]

What about Yulee? I've only been through there a handful of times but there are areas that are still pretty, ahem, back country. Not too far from downtown and still relatively affordable. Note I haven't been to Yulee in at least a few years so there very well could be more development now.

[Scottamemnon]

It seems like the popular spot to go to to get away from it all is Middleburg and Green Cove Springs right now. Personally I would lean towards Middleburg of those two, as its still close to the stores and amenities in Orange Park and Fleming Island. You can find some land out that way for not too much. Even the builders seem to build on larger lots there (60-70ft wide vs the 45-50ft which is common in St Johns of late).

I would also second Nassau as an option. Yulee is building out fast though, so I am not sure how long it will stay rural. Also Callahan and Hilliard would give you rural options.

My biggest concern with rural is the fact that you are gay and going to more conservative, religious spots. I honestly do not know the impact for you this would be, but I could see it being a potential issue. Some of the very conservative churches in the south are not very welcoming of the LGBTQ lifestyle. Someone with more experience in those rural areas would know better. This is one place that I think the Yulee option would work. There seems to be a decent amount of gay couples in Fernandina Beach nearby whenever I am in their downtown.

Fernandina Beach reminds me a lot of the coastal towns in New England if you are looking for that style of small town. Green Cove Springs feels like a more typical, New England, mid sized, blue collar worker town also.

Which town in Connecticut are you from? I am from Western Mass and worked most of my life in CT. Unless you were REALLY rural in CT, these spots in Florida will not be the same.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by Scottamemnon

It seems like the popular spot to go to to get away from it all is Middleburg and Green Cove Springs right now. Personally I would lean towards Middleburg of those two, as its still close to the stores and amenities in Orange Park and Fleming Island. You can find some land out that way for not too much. Even the builders seem to build on larger lots there (60-70ft wide vs the 45-50ft which is common in St Johns of late).

I would also second Nassau as an option. Yulee is building out fast though, so I am not sure how long it will stay rural. Also Callahan and Hilliard would give you rural options.

My biggest concern with rural is the fact that you are gay and going to more conservative, religious spots. I honestly do not know the impact for you this would be, but I could see it being a potential issue. Some of the very conservative churches in the south are not very welcoming of the LGBTQ lifestyle. Someone with more experience in those rural areas would know better. This is one place that I think the Yulee option would work. There seems to be a decent amount of gay couples in Fernandina Beach nearby whenever I am in their downtown.

Fernandina Beach reminds me a lot of the coastal towns in New England if you are looking for that style of small town. Green Cove Springs feels like a more typical, New England, mid sized, blue collar worker town also.

Which town in Connecticut are you from? I am from Western Mass and worked most of my life in CT. Unless you were REALLY rural in CT, these spots in Florida will not be the same.

I'm originally from Granby, CT.

That would be an absolute shame to have limited living options based on my sexual orientation. It's 2019 for crying out loud.

A lot of those places you mentioned as hotspots sound discouraging. If everyone else is going for Yulee, Green Cove Springs, Middleburg and Fleming Island, I can only imagine how developed they are rapidly becoming. That's a turn off.

I was thinking more along the lines of Macclenny, Callahan and maybe even Baldwin.

[logybogy]

I don't think you'll have a problem being gay in a rural area as long as you don't make a big deal about. If you a proud and outspoken type don't be surprised if you get a negative reaction. Pete Buttigieg would be fine. RuPaul in drag maybe not.

[nep321]

Originally Posted by logybogy

I don't think you'll have a problem being gay in a rural area as long as you don't make a big deal about. If you a proud and outspoken type don't be surprised if you get a negative reaction. Pete Buttigieg would be fine. RuPaul in drag maybe not.

I'm not a flamboyant/obvious type. But I have no problem being open about myself if necessary or asked. I'm not really worried about it anyway.