Forbes lists Jacksonville as 4th best city For The Outdoors (Tampa: best cities, apartment)

[amy_sk]

America's Best Cities For The Outdoors
In Depth: America's Best Cities For The Outdoors - Forbes.com

[riveree]

Wow! Looking good!

#1 San Francisco
#2 San Diego
#3 San Jose
#4 Jacksonville

We're in good company!

[toops]

" San Diego, San Jose, Calif., Phoenix, Tampa, Fla., Austin, Texas, Las Vegas, and Virginia Beach, Va."


Really? I disagree with all of the above, especially Jax. I can't vouch for Virginia Beach, but I don't think I'd want to be outside in any of these places.

Give me North Carolina or Colorado. Or Oregon. Or Rhode Island. Or Maine.

[apanda]

Originally Posted by toops

" San Diego, San Jose, Calif., Phoenix, Tampa, Fla., Austin, Texas, Las Vegas, and Virginia Beach, Va."


Really? I disagree with all of the above, especially Jax. I can't vouch for Virginia Beach, but I don't think I'd want to be outside in any of these places.

Give me North Carolina or Colorado. Or Oregon. Or Rhode Island. Or Maine.

I am with you! They must mean outside in the winter, they listed all hot places where you need sunscreen!

[vdecapio]

The rankings are correct based on their computer ranking system, but that computer has never lived in Jacksonville.

As a human being who does live in Jacksonville, I will make a few comments on this. Now, the beaches and water sports here make it good to get outdoors. And you can go out almost 365 days a year without a jackset on. But, growing up in the northeast, I would go exercise outside every day too. Nothing like running in the cold on a snowcovered path through the woods. Just layer up baby.

But I over and over again here this crap....oh Jacksonville has so many parks....blah blah blah. These parks are hidden and hard to find out about. Also, you have to drive probably 4 or 5 miles to the closest one. If you live on the southside and can walk to a park from your home or apartment without crossing a 4 or 6 lane road let me know.

I think it is pretty obvious that the park system is poorly integrated into the neighborhoods and is almost an afterthought. The strip malls, gated communities, condos, and 4 lane highways were built first....and then throwing in an obscure pocket park if federal funding comes along is second priority.

I also think it is hilarious how they literally build parks here. They cut down the trees or mow the fields and then build a pond, bring in palm trees, picnic tables, speed bumps, grass, and then put up a sign. Wallah. 1 million dollars later you have yourself a park. Can't they just put walking trails through the existing woods/landscape like the rest of the country?

Also, just another note. The grass here makes it very difficult to go outside and lounge around in the grass. It is like walking on spikes. Not soft like the northeast or midwest. Also, about double the bugs.

So unless you want to spend everyday at the beach or own a boat, the outdoor life here sucks compared to the northeast or midwest. Sucks.

[Keith-n-Jax]

Of course not everyone will agree, but to wind on like some spoiled child who wants candy before dinner is really sad. If you hated so, then get to packing I'll be happy to help you. Give me Florida any day over the North or Midwest,have been to all those places and would not want to live there thats me I have nothing negative to say about the places mention above(NC Oregon,Maine),but I will say this if those places are so great why are people not flocking to them like they are Florida and other places. Florida does and Jax has natural parks if people spent the same amount time doing some research as they do complainning they would know this. Hit the road Jack and dont ya come back!

[apanda]

Originally Posted by Keith-n-Jax

Of course not everyone will agree, but to wind on like some spoiled child who wants candy before dinner is really sad. If you hated so, then get to packing I'll be happy to help you. Give me Florida any day over the North or Midwest,have been to all those places and would not want to live there thats me I have nothing negative to say about the places mention above(NC Oregon,Maine),but I will say this if those places are so great why are people not flocking to them like they are Florida and other places. Florida does and Jax has natural parks if people spent the same amount time doing some research as they do complainning they would know this. Hit the road Jack and dont ya come back!

I think that is part of the problem, you have to research to find parks. But I guess that is the down fall of such a large spread out city.

[vdecapio]

Originally Posted by Keith-n-Jax

Of course not everyone will agree, but to wind on like some spoiled child who wants candy before dinner is really sad. If you hated so, then get to packing I'll be happy to help you. Give me Florida any day over the North or Midwest,have been to all those places and would not want to live there thats me I have nothing negative to say about the places mention above(NC Oregon,Maine),but I will say this if those places are so great why are people not flocking to them like they are Florida and other places. Florida does and Jax has natural parks if people spent the same amount time doing some research as they do complainning they would know this. Hit the road Jack and dont ya come back!

I recently read that the flux in and the flux out is equal in Jacksonville. No net growth. There was some increase due to net births over deaths.....but in terms of relocation....there was no net growth for 07.

I will be leaving Keith....be patient. It will be sad though. I will miss the days of living within a 5 mile radius for basic necessities, a 20 mile radius for beyond basic necessities, and a 3 hour plane ride for city amenities. I have really fallen in love with this unnecessarily sprawled out, non progressive small town.

[cricketfan]

vdecapio, you are so predictable. In your eagerness to jump all over a report that says something favorable about Jacksonville, you are overlooking the fact that this is NOT a report just about parks.

Yeah, I agree that parks is not the first thing you think of when you say "jacksonville". But the report is based on a bunch of different criteria. Where Jacksonville lacks in terms of parkland, it makes it up in different areas. The criteria has different scores and a report will rank a city according to an aggregate score. You and I may not agree with every score or every criterion but that is the report. I'm with you on the parks.

Spending Per Resident: $64
Park Land As Percentage Of City Land: 19.2%
Forbes.com Recreation Index Rank: No. 7
Average Annual Percentage Of Sunny Days: 63%
Days With Temperature 90 Degrees Or Higher: 80
Days With Temperature 32 Degrees Or Lower: 15
Days With Measurable Precipitation (0.01 Inches Or More): 110
Days With Unhealthy Air Quality: 1.3

I'll give you credit for one thing, though. When it comes to this city you are consistent. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we all know what you are going to say before you say it.

[apvbguy]

Originally Posted by apanda

I think that is part of the problem, you have to research to find parks. But I guess that is the down fall of such a large spread out city.

d'oh, what do you mean I have to actually find places to do my recreation