Moving to Jax/housing recommendations/working near The Avenues area (Jacksonville: apartments, renting)

[annie1010]

My husband and I are in our late 40's and are moving to Jax. We were both raised in Jax, but we haven't lived there for 20 years. My husband will be working in The Avenues area and we need recommendations of where to live. Here's a quick profile: We are recent empty nesters, like to party like we're in our 20's, enjoy good food at non-chain restaurants, love boating, have two dogs, and have been living in Metro Atlanta Suburbia (love our Georgia home but ready for a change). We've considered living in a condo but I'm worried that may be a big pain in the butt with the two dogs. We plan on renting for two years before we buy. Any suggestions?

[fsu813]

This all depends on your budget of course.

"We are recent empty nesters, like to party like we're in our 20's, enjoy good food at non-chain restaurants, love boating, have two dogs"

- from this description your either going to want to live near the beaches (actually at the beach or near) or in one of the historic neighborhoods that surrond downtown (Riverside & Avondale, San Marco, Springfield).

- the beaches general area will spread out, with a mix of chain and local restauarnts, plenty of nightlife, near ocean boating obviously, adequately dog friendly, family friendly but not overly centered on families.

- the historic neigborhoods that surrond downtown are family-friendly but not overly family centered, have easy access to the river & tributaries, plenty of nightlife, the center of unique non-chain restaurants, very dog friendly.

Those are the details that you asked about, let me expound upon them with some other info too:

The historic neighborhoods that surrond downtown (Riverside & Avondale, Springfield, San Marco) are a concentrated area of great, local, unique, non-chain restaurants. Specifically Riverside & Avondale and San Marco. They also have a concentration of non-chain botiques and shops that fit your description as well.

All 3 areas have many great parks, very concentrated as well. You always see people walking dogs in these areas. Springfield is probably the most dog friendly fo the areas, it features the city's only free dog park, brand new and very nice, the city's largest pet/dog themed festival "Dog Days in the Park" each September http://photos.jacksonville.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=597545&CategoryID=9088, they have thier own neighborhood rescue organization "SACARC" www.sacarc.org and plenty of other parks & sidewalks for walking. However, Riverside & Avondale do have a number of animal hospitals, as well a new book called "The Dogs of Riverside & Avondale" http://thedogsofriversideandavondale.com/.

These areas have plenty of bars, clubs, & restaurants to enjoy - both upscale & casual. It will be a mix of young arsty, yuppie, and chill people with older fun, party people such as yourself. Just depends on the specific establishment.

The river & it's tributaries are great for boating. You can boat in and through Downtown with relative ease as well, often pularriving to downtown events by boat. No shortage of marinas & docks in these areas. The historic neigborhoods are either on or just a couple miles from the river.

As for the larger picture of these neighbrohoods....

These areas are about 1/2 hour front the beach, about 5-10 minutes from Downtown and are oozing with life, charm, unique architecture, unique restauarnts & shops, walkable neighborhoods, parks, festivals, community organizations, giant mature trees, style, the arts, & have a "cool" vibe to them. They are very close to one another. All these area's are relatively safe as well, none are in high-crime areas or are overly dangerous.

- Riverside / Avondale: lots of great restaurants, botiques, cafes, parks, weekly & monthly festiavls, and the river. Avondale is more expensive and slightly more stuffy. Riverside is more funky, artistic, "young", good night life, and where you could find a reasonably priced home or paratment, though prices are rising in this area. A great mix of 2 story and smaller bungalows, lots of duplexes & apartments too. The two neighborhoods are right to next to eachother so the boundaries aren't always clear, and they make up the largest historic district in the state.

Here are some great photo links:

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Neighborhoods: Riverside

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Parks: Riverside Park

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - A Walk through Park & King

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - Riverside Arts Market Opens

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Parks: Memorial Park

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - Park & King Shopping District: Photo Tour

Riverside: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Parks: Northbank Riverwalk

Riverside/Avondale's prominant community organization: www.riverside-avondale.com

- Avondale. Like I mentioned, it might be hard to find a decent size home for a reasonable price, as it's a very expensive area overall. Very walkable with lots of parks, the river, botiques, restauarnts, etc and right next to Riverside. A little more stuffy than Riverside, but not too much. Much like Riverside, a mix of 2 story homes and bungalows with lots of apartments too.

Links:

Avondale: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Neighborhoods: Avondale

Avondale: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Parks: Boone Park

Avondale: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Exploration: The Shoppes of Avondale

Avondale: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Parks: Willowbranch Park

Avondales prominant community organization is the same as Riverside (above)



- Springfield. The oldest neighborhood in the city, it used to be bad news but is in the middle of a massive renovation now. Only about 1 square mile, it's not as finished as the other areas, so you can easily find a great, totally renovated, gorgeous historic home for a good price, very nice new construction historic looking homes, or a home to renovate - take your pick. There are a tons of great community organizations to get involved in if you like (wine society, women's club, garden club, sacarc, mommies club, etc). Very walkable as well with lots of parks, a few good cafes/restuarnts/night life, and Downtown is very close. Because it's not finished you can get the most for your money by far here. Mostly 2 story houses here, with few bungalows. Good amount of duplexes, a few apartments. Lot's of empty nest, party people like yourself as well.

Good links:

Springfield: Metro Jacksonville - Springfield vs. Savannah: Can you tell the difference?

Springfield: Metro Jacksonville - A Springfield Photo Tour

Springfield: Metro Jacksonville - Springfield's Dog Days in the Park

Springfield: Metro Jacksonville - Springfield Heritage Throwback Baseball: East vs West

Springfield: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Parks: Confederate Park

Springfield: Metro Jacksonville - Jacksonville's Central Park?

Springfield: Three Layers Expands with Wine Bar and Zen Gardens | Jacksonville FL | Metro Jacksonville

Springfield's prominant community organization: www.sparcouncil.org


- San Marco. Perhaps the most expensive of the areas, it does have some areas you could get a home for a decent price. It's on the otherside of the river (southbank) across from Riverside/Avondale. Very walkable area, with a good amount of shops, restaurants, cafes, parks, etc. More expensive, generally, than the other areas. Some decent nightlife options too. Plenty of things to do. Mix of large and small homes, not as historic of an area as Riverside & Avondale and Springfield.

Some links:

San Marco: Metro Jacksonville - Walking San Marco Square: Photo Tour

San Marco: Metro Jacksonville - Urban Neighborhoods: Touring San Marco

San Marco: Metro Jacksonville - San Marco: A Walking Oasis in an Unwalkable City

San Marco's community organization: www.smpsjax.com - a note: RAP & SPAR are the 2 best community organizations in the city by far, the others pale in comparison, including this one.





the Avenues area isn't going to fit your list of criteria.