Single Female (older, over 45, no kids) seeking opinions/feedback about moving to JAX (Riverside or JAX Beach areas) (Jacksonville: limo, live)

[michaeldee]

I just checked out the JTA bus schedule from downtown Jax to the beaches. There are buses running from downtown, very frequently all day long, six days a week with the last bus leaving downtown about 11:15 pm. So it is possible to attend an evening cultural event and still be able to take the bus home to the beaches area. Sunday evening would be a problem.

This post has been very interesting. Newbie is daring to be happy on a budget and a simple lifestyle, and hooray for you. Why can't you, Robyn and Newbie, become friends? I think you both have a lot of life experiences to share many things with each other.

[newbie09]

Why can't you, Robyn and Newbie, become friends? I think you both have a lot of life experiences to share many things with each other.

Michaeldee, you're an instigating troublemaker!

Robyn, I'm up for the challenge, how about you?

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by projectmaximus

Im not sure why i was quoted at the start of this rant?!? but now i feel compelled to respond.

Simply in regard to your last paragraph, I have no desire for you to give up your car. While I wish it weren't an either or proposition (ie, i wish we had already implemented the starter commuter rail lines from 2008's feasibility studies as well as a decent streetcar or skyway system for the urban core), I recognize that for anyone living beyond the perimeter of downtown, you need a car to comfortably attend most cultural events.

So I personally ask that you do not give up the car and please continue to patronize downtown's arts scene.

Bad piggyback off your post. Sorry .

I'm used to having a car - even when I lived in center city Philadelphia. I've always liked a more expansive life in terms of going here and there - not a smaller one. About the best I can say for myself in terms of people who dislike cars is my husband and I recently went from 2 cars to 1 (we have lots of neighbors where the ratio is more like 4 cars for 2 adults - or 5 or 6 if if they have kids who drive). Robyn

[Robyn55]

Originally Posted by newbie09

Michaeldee, you're an instigating troublemaker!

Robyn, I'm up for the challenge, how about you?

Well - since you don't live here yet - don't play golf - and I reckon you won't be too keen to bike over here to help me with the gardening this spring/summer (it's only an acre give or take ) - I think online friends might be the best option . Robyn

[nboeck]

Newbie, I live up north in Manchester, NH and also wait for our buses in blizzards which run only once an hour per route! Compared to what I've been dealing with up here, Jacksonville's Public Transit looks super; cheaper and pretty frequent! I'm also in my mid-forties, and am on a fixed income, and want to relocate either to Neptune Beach or just west over the inter-coastal off Atlantic Blvd area...but I won't be there for a while, I have a lease to honor up here...one more freaking winter. I'm moving down alone, leaving the kids behind, etc.

[JagFan27]

Originally Posted by nboeck

Newbie, I live up north in Manchester, NH and also wait for our buses in blizzards which run only once an hour per route! Compared to what I've been dealing with up here, Jacksonville's Public Transit looks super; cheaper and pretty frequent! I'm also in my mid-forties, and am on a fixed income, and want to relocate either to Neptune Beach or just west over the inter-coastal off Atlantic Blvd area...but I won't be there for a while, I have a lease to honor up here...one more freaking winter. I'm moving down alone, leaving the kids behind, etc.

Good luck next winter.
You will enjoy our winters!

[nboeck]

Well, reading Newbie's post AFTER she came to study the area herself has been so helpful for me since we seem to share the same concerns and circumstances w/no car, no kids, moving to Jacksonville alone, and on a somewhat small fixed income. I, too, will be looking for a low-key lifestyle, keeping it simple! So thanks Newbie for all your posts, and standing up for those of us that don't drive and continue to use Public Transit, even in blizzards, LOL. And I can't wait to enjoy a winter down in Jacksonville, I just can't believe I have to put up with one more snowy winter before I can move...freaking leases!

OH, and someone just called me a "hot shot paralegal" and doesn't feel my question re: certification was appropriate for this forum. First off, I never implied I was any "hot shot", and Secondly, I thought that's what this forum is for, but naturally, I CAN exit out of this site and research the info myself online but NOW I've gotta ask something else. Where does such animosity come from? And is this person's attitude representative of how the Jax natives treat Northerners or new people in town? No need to be rude for I wasn't...

[Robyn55]

Before I forget - you may have to reconsider your decision about a car in light of your stated medical needs. It will not necessarily be easy to find the kinds of doctors you're looking for - and they will in all probability not all be close or easy to get to by public transit. Too bad you're so young. If you were in your 60's or older - I could recommend some senior facilities that provide transportation for residents. Robyn

[nboeck]

Someone said, don't use the public transit system unless you have the time. I'll certainly have all the time in the world, LOL. My only goal would be to get to the doctors, but I'm ready for the challenge. I have a year to figure this all out, and all the major hospitals at the very least are on the transit routes.

And hey, sometimes I do feel old enough although I'm just 46, LOL...I agree though with what you're saying, too bad for me for not being 60, but I still look a lot younger than my age so I'm going to enjoy it while it lasts (my good looks that is, lol). I guess sunscreen will really have to be a part of my beauty regime once I arrive in Jax, huh?

There must be taxi service...and maybe I'll eventually meet a friend or nice neighbor that would be willing to help me out. Listen, I go through way more hassles here in NH, and I manage to find a way. Our transit system here is lame, not frequent, and doesn't go outside the city limits whereas our state is tiny. Manchester is tiny, so many businesses are outside in the surrounding communities that I have no way of reaching via a bus...nor would I pay a cab either (every town line they cross is an additional $10 to the fee already being racked up, too expensive). Friends and neighbors have been my saving grace, naturally I offer gas $$.

When I googled the type of doc's I needed, it seemed as if the "southside/beach area" had plenty to choose from, but that doesn't necessarily mean much, I get that. IDK, but I'd hate to give up this goal of relocating simply to stay on meds, you know? I'd rather be in pain and be in the sun and on the beach...but thanks for your direct input and honesty regarding your impressions of my needs.

So again, is there good taxi service in that neighborhood over by the beaches, and southside?

And really, I can count out the Mayo Pain Clinic, and/or a gastro specialist there too based on my insurance? Indeed, I do have medicare and someone mentioned (maybe you?) that will hamper my options as well.

Nothing like a challenge to keep me occupied cuz it's still cold up here! It even snowed on our blooming tulips the other day! You guys down there in Jax are so lucky to be able to spend so much time outdoors.

I wonder if people in Jax are truly less depressed simply because of all the sun exposure? Us Northerns complain A LOT about "seasonal" depression, and I'm just wondering if all that sunshine indeed makes a difference? Most of us here feel trapped in the winter by the snow and cold, and in the spring everyone comes out in the neighborhood and re-establishes friendships for the summer, and then everyone goes back to hibernate during the winter again, alas. So weird, but up here, we definitely revolve around the weather due to the snow and cold. Is it like that there at any time?

For example, is summer too much to bear? And isn't Jax even extra lucky to not necessarily be on the usual "hurricane routes", is that correct? I've never noticed a hurricane bearing down in that area, but I did read someone's post about damage from two Tropical Storms so I guess nothing is "for sure"...but I love thunderstorms so I'm prepared to trade in the blizzards and enjoy those storms! (Oh, I'm not crazy though, if they say evacuate I would - no "hurricane parties" for me, lol) No offense meant to those of you who ARE risk takers. Afterall, we do live in America where, hopefully, we can choose our own destiny, regardless if it is stupid or irrational to some...

[Robyn55]

Mayo accepts Medicare patients - but not Medicare assignment. If you don't have a good Medigap policy - it could wind up costing you a lot of money. Also - it does not for the most part do primary care (it does have a "doc in a box" out at the beaches - but I'm not sure what they do there) - just secondary and tertiary care. I suggest that you contact Mayo directly and see which if any of your health care needs it might be able to fill.

There are taxis - but they are expensive because of the large distances involved getting from here to there (for example - it is 20+ miles from places like Neptune Beach to most of Southside). It is frequently less expensive to hire a car from a limo service. I think Duval County may be bigger than New Hampshire .

As for the bus system - I've never used it. But it does have a web site. And I looked up the ride from the center of Neptune Beach to St. Lukes Hospital (about 1/4 mile from Borland Groover Clinic). Would take about 30-40 minutes by car. Almost 2 hours by bus. Anyway - you can play around with the website - and see what you think. Robyn