Shand's Hospital/Where to Live (Jacksonville, Tampa: apartments, rental, condos)

[pugpup09]

Hello! I've been offered a job with Shand's Hospital in Jacksonville, FL. I am expected to start 03-15-2010. My wife and I have three children all elementary school age. My wife will be staying in our current town until our children finish school in early June. While I am very familiar with the Orlando and Tampa areas, I know nothing about the Jacksonville area.

Our biggest concern is where to rent an apartment so our children are in a good school district. We are completely overwhelmed with the sheer amount of elementary schools in the Jacksonville area.

Is there anyone that can give me any advice on areas that are within relative driving distance to Shand's Hospital where a decent apartment building and good schools would be?

I am very nervous, but this is a good job opportunity so I don't want to pass it up at this time. Not the highest pay, but definitely a step in the right direction to where I want to go career wise.

Thank you in advance!

[parks71]

what do you consider a decent drive and what do you consider affordable? You looking to rent or buy?

[pugpup09]

We are looking at a 3 bedroom apartment or house to rent. I do not want to buy initially so rental is the route we are going to pursue. I am fine with rental between $1000 and $1300/mth and and as far as driving distance goes, I don't even have an answer! Right now where I am living I have about a 25 minute one way commute, so I am fine with having a bit of a drive if need be. In my experience, the areas directly around hospitals never seem to be that favorable, so I am thinking if there are some specific suburbs or neighborhoods that I should be looking at, that would be best.

Thanks for the reply!

[michaeldee]

I'm thinking the Tinseltown area/Touchton Rd. (Southside) might work for you as far as housing and decent commute is concerned. Can't offer any advice on schools in the area though.

[Ryde41]

Tinseltown is good. There are also some apartments down the street from Twin Lakes Academy, an "A" rated school. It's a safe neighborhood and there's a park/ playground nearby. You can get to work in easily hopping on 95.

[fsu813]

San Marco, Riverside, & Avondale are much closer, have good schools (highschools are shakey though), and are oozing with families and activities, as are many other areas.

[pugpup09]

Thank you all for your help! This does help and I appreciate you all taking your time to reply!

[FlyiMetro]

Murray Hill is a great area to live.

[fsu813]

Murray Hill: Neighborhood Photo Tour | Metro Jacksonville



Murray Hill is a semi-historic neighborhood that lies right next to the very nice Avondale neighborhood. Unlike Avondale, few large houses will be found in Murray Hill. Instead it's desnely populated with small bungalows for the most part. This area is in transition, from lower-working class to middle & upper class. Many people that like Avondale but can't afford it, move here instead. A nicely restored/renovated bungalow will run you beteween 125k-180k, typically. It has a couple nice parks as well, but the walkability and commerical corridors are very much lacking (few sidewalks or shaded walkways, few desirable few eateries & shops with in walking distance).

Lots of starter homes here as well.

Typical house:

[Jaxkid]

Twin Lakes Academy is the real deal and there are condos close by to rent till you purchase.