Eagle Landing/Oakleaf Plantation versus Eagle Harbor

[CajunGurl]

I think the Oakleaf School has a higher percentage of children receiving reduced lunches (compared to Fleming Island) because Oakleaf seems to have a larger population of military families. Many of these families (the ones I know) have several kids, the wife is a stay at home mom and so they often qualify for reduced lunch at school.

[enjoy]

SlickP, We are trying to find a nice and safe area and are trying to find reasons to like Eagle Landing. What are your reasons that you prefer Eagle Harbor and Fleming Island over EL? Thanks!

[enjoy]

After researching Eagle Landing and Eagle Harbor, in September EH will no longer be run by East-West, it will be run by another company. If anyone out there lives in EH, does this bother you? Do you think the quality will go down? I guess they are completely built out there so when this happens, East West bows out.

[SlickP]

Originally Posted by enjoy

SlickP, We are trying to find a nice and safe area and are trying to find reasons to like Eagle Landing. What are your reasons that you prefer Eagle Harbor and Fleming Island over EL? Thanks!

Like I said, I don't live on that side of town and have only lived in Jax 3 yrs but here are my observations:

* Traffic - Yes traffic on US17 is bad but Blanding Blvd is the worst road in the Jax area. Edge - EH/FI

* Schools - The schools (especially High School) are better in EH/FI. When you drive into Fleming Island all the schools and a YMCA are right there in the neighborhood. That is very convienent. Edge - EH/FI

* Neighborhoods - EH/FI are more established and almost built out which is a little more desirable in this market. EL has a long way to go. It also seems they are building more multifamily housing in the Oakleaf area than in EH/FI. Heading from the new shopping area towards Eagle Landing, take a left at the roundabout where the new school is being built. It looks like there are brand new abandoned apts that were haulted midway through Construction. Edge - EH/FI

* Shopping - There is a brand new retail area in Oakleaf plus all the shopping on Blanding. Edge - EL

* Area - I think overall the EH/FI area of town is more desirable than the Oakleaf/Argyle Forest area. I would also always be concerned they will reopen Cecil Field. They still train out of there from time to time and you can hear the jets. Edge - EH/FI

* Amenity Centers - Haven't been to any of them but EL sure does look nice plus the golf course is the best of the three. The gym and fitness center is great. Edge - EL

If I was retired and played golf 5 times a week and had to choose between the two I might go with EL. If I had school aged kids and/or might need to move within the next 3-5 yrs I would go with FI/EH. Good Luck!

[mawipafl]

Originally Posted by enjoy

After researching Eagle Landing and Eagle Harbor, in September EH will no longer be run by East-West, it will be run by another company. If anyone out there lives in EH, does this bother you? Do you think the quality will go down? I guess they are completely built out there so when this happens, East West bows out.

I can't say I'm "bothered" by the transition, but I am interested enough to stay on top of the change as it happens. When the request for bids was put out, there were stringent requirements that the new company must, at the minimum, maintain the standards that currently exist.

I've done some research on the forerunner, who will probably win the bid, and they've been managing (as well as creating) exceptional golf communities for more than 20 years. I'm attending a presentation next Tuesday, so I'll have a more reasonable opinion beyond what I can scope out from the 'net.

[jrmutley]

My responses to some of the comparisons below have nothing to do with whether or not Eagle Harbor or Oakleaf is more desirable. It is just to clear up what I believe to be a few misconceptions about the Oakleaf area.

* Traffic - Yes traffic on US17 is bad but Blanding Blvd is the worst road in the Jax area. Edge - EH/FI

I hear this one a lot and really don't quite get it. 95% of my travel on Blanding is just the short distance from Argyle Forest (or Youngerman Cir) to I295. I do that every AM & PM rush. For that short of a distance, it really ain't that big a deal.

* Schools - The schools (especially High School) are better in EH/FI. When you drive into Fleming Island all the schools and a YMCA are right there in the neighborhood. That is very convienent. Edge - EH/FI

Pretty much all of the new Clay County schools that will be opening in the next few years are within Oakleaf. And that includes a new High School. Next year, my 2nd and 4th graders will be walking to their new school. Also, the YMCA administers/runs all of the Oakleaf pools and children's sports programs.

* Neighborhoods - EH/FI are more established and almost built out which is a little more desirable in this market. EL has a long way to go. It also seems they are building more multifamily housing in the Oakleaf area than in EH/FI. Heading from the new shopping area towards Eagle Landing, take a left at the roundabout where the new school is being built. It looks like there are brand new abandoned apts that were haulted midway through Construction. Edge - EH/FI

I'll give you this one. There are too many townhomes and condos out here.

* Shopping - There is a brand new retail area in Oakleaf plus all the shopping on Blanding. Edge - EL

Can't wait for more of the restaurants to be built. I also saw recently that we are getting the second HH Gregg (applaince / electronis retailer) in the area.

* Area - I think overall the EH/FI area of town is more desirable than the Oakleaf/Argyle Forest area. I would also always be concerned they will reopen Cecil Field. They still train out of there from time to time and you can hear the jets. Edge - EH/FI

Cecil Field is not going to repoen in that manner...especially considering how that last vote went. I could be wrong. But, I just don't see it. Truthfully, most of the airplane noise is from the larger planes out at NAS Jax...not the occasional fighter jet. I would guess that EH gets some of the same NAS Jax traffic. Am I right on that?

* Amenity Centers - Haven't been to any of them but EL sure does look nice plus the golf course is the best of the three. The gym and fitness center is great. Edge - EL

I'm just a lowly "regular" Oakleaf resident. So, I haven't been in Eagle Landing's facilities. I have driven through and it is quite beautiful. For that matter, even our "regular" facilities are pretty darn nice too!