Best place for apartment (Jacksonville, Mayo: rent, townhouse, living)

[southinyourmouth]

Hello.

I'm a 26 year old woman moving to Jacksonville from Alabama. I work in medicine and will be working at Mayo Clinic. Where's the popping place for young professionals around here? Don't really want to commute that far (20 minutes max) and want to be close-ish to the nightlife and things to do. Rent max would be $1200 for a 1/1. Thanks in advance!

[Gromicide]

St Johns Town Center or Gate parkway area for tons of shopping/dining. Not so much "night life" but plenty of happy hour and dinner/cocktail social spots. Just a couple exits west of Mayo. There is traffic in the commute but it's a short drive.

Also Jax Beach would be nice and the same distance to work. Nothing better than having a jog or swim at the ocean after work before hitting some beaches area night life. Nice quiet winters too and doesn't get as cold due to proximity to the ocean. Also, not as hot in the summer for the same reason.

I'm not familiar enough to suggest a specific apartment or townhouse etc but those are two good areas within 20 min to Mayo. There are plenty of places even closer to Mayo but they aren't popping so to speak.

[bridges23]

Riverside/5 points is 20-30 min drive (depending on time of day) from Mayo and could be what you are looking for.

[projectmaximus]

Does close-ish mean you don't mind suburban living and driving 10-15 minutes to everything? If so then anywhere between the SJTC and the beaches would give you the short commute and access to everything. The area right next to Mayo would work but you wouldn't be able to walk to anything. As mentioned above, SJTC area and beaches do have walkable pockets and vibrancy (particularly the beaches)