Possible move to Jacksonville (Tampa, Sarasota: for sale, real estate, rentals)

[katfzl]

May be moving to Jacksonville. Work would be near Riverside/Main off the Acosta Expressway. Have 3 kids, kinder to Junior High age. We've lived many places, but are originally from the Northwest. Want to rent as we still own a house in N Carolina that we can't sell (lol) and are renting out. Don't want to pay anymore than $1500 a month rent. Spouse is getting teacher certification (middle and high school English-Masters, and license in spec ed). Two daughters are dyslexic. Any ideas on where to live? Looking forward to the beach, and would enjoy living near it if possible.

[riveree]

Living in Riverside would keep you within about 40 minutes of the beach, not too bad.

$1500 can rent you something very nice just about anywhere in Jacksonville, so you can take your pick (and you can definitely rent a nice single family home for $1500 or less).

If you want to live closer to the beach, that's definitely an option and you can commute into Riverside for work. The most dense region of the city is to the South and East of the river so you'll find tons of residential options as well as employment, shopping and entertainment there. There are so many nice zips, I can't list them all here, but I'll list a few of my faves:

For near the beach and new/newer homes:

32246
32224
32225

For older established neighborhoods near the river and a great commute to work:

32207
32217
32257

Here's Riverside and Avondale:

32204
32205

[Northside904]

$1500 a month for rent....dang. I bet the poster is hella rich.

[katfzl]

Originally Posted by riveree

Living in Riverside would keep you within about 40 minutes of the beach, not too bad.

$1500 can rent you something very nice just about anywhere in Jacksonville, so you can take your pick (and you can definitely rent a nice single family home for $1500 or less).

If you want to live closer to the beach, that's definitely an option and you can commute into Riverside for work. The most dense region of the city is to the South and East of the river so you'll find tons of residential options as well as employment, shopping and entertainment there. There are so many nice zips, I can't list them all here, but I'll list a few of my faves:

For near the beach and new/newer homes:

32246
32224
32225

For older established neighborhoods near the river and a great commute to work:

32207
32217
32257

Here's Riverside and Avondale:

32204
32205

Thanks, this helps. Any particular property management companies better than others/good websites for Jacksonville home rentals?

[katfzl]

Jobe would be on the South side near Riverdale Main St., recommended neighborhoods of Riverside and Avondale are across the bridge. Is bridge traffic bad? Am thinking would be better off to stay on Southside, I think that's where San Marco is and Mandarin? How about the beach, are there many rentals around the beach area large enough for a family of five that aren't more than $1500 a month? (Trying to stay closer to 1000-1300 for rent, but the beach would be nice and need at least 1900 sq ft).

[runswithscissors]

I don't think you want to commute from the Beach to San Marco. And you aren't going to find 1900 sq feet for 1000-1300 at the beach imo.

Go check Realtor dot com you can put in each zip code and even for example, 1800 sq ft in your search in each area, Atlantic Beach as a random example comes up with 4 properties and they are all 1900 and more. 32207 San Marco has a couple in your range. This house looks beautiful for 1500...oh wait I just read the listing....it only rents to a home manager so they can show it for sale. I wondered why it was so cheap....

Jacksonville, FL, 32207 - MLS ID#476215 - Rentals real estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Jacksonville_FL_32207_1107661771?source=web - broken link)

[runswithscissors]

Here's a nice huge house, randomly checking in Avondale only 1000 :

Jacksonville, FL, 32205 - MLS ID#479284 - Rentals real estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Jacksonville_FL_32205_1108255685?source=web - broken link)

I might go see this one myself LOL ! the enclosed porch is rare in these listings and the yard is excellent! I wonder if this is another "home management" scam. I say scam because it's only a situation for the rare person.

Avondale 1800 sq feet 895.00

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3623-Valencia_Jacksonville_FL_32205_1108378479?source=w eb (broken link)

[runswithscissors]

BTW if you download Google earth you can see the entire house and neighborhood you're considering.

[psouth]

I moved to Jacksonville for work and would never do it again. If you lose your job you will be in trouble. besides crime, lots of low-end jobs and low-end shopping. Just not a progressive city. There are much better places to live in Florida like Sarasota, Tampa, and South Florida. They offer greater safety and more activity and much better water sports, etc. for the entire family. I would definitely check these places and others out.

[katfzl]

Originally Posted by runswithscissors

Here's a nice huge house, randomly checking in Avondale only 1000 :

Jacksonville, FL, 32205 - MLS ID#479284 - Rentals real estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Jacksonville_FL_32205_1108255685?source=web - broken link)

I might go see this one myself LOL ! the enclosed porch is rare in these listings and the yard is excellent! I wonder if this is another "home management" scam. I say scam because it's only a situation for the rare person.

Avondale 1800 sq feet 895.00

3623 Valencia, Jacksonville, FL, 32205 - MLS ID#479873 - Rentals real estate - REALTOR.com® (http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3623-Valencia_Jacksonville_FL_32205_1108378479?source=w eb - broken link)

It's a showhome place (home management). Is the bridge from Avondale/Riverside to San Marco area have heavy traffic?