we dont really have regional forums other than this so i was wondering if you all had any opinions on life in jacksonville... i just got an offer for a job there and the area seems decent. anyone have any personal experience?

crime? weather? economy and such?

thanks in advance

 

i just moved to jax from houston, and i like it crime isn't back like in texas except in some areas, weather it isnt as hot at houston, economy a house cost double what hey do in texas so that sux and everything is more expensive, but it is nicer .

 

you know thats odd because the calculators for cost of living show real estate as cheaper and everything else slightly lower than texas... i think im flying out in the next few weeks to check out the company. hows the beach? worth a move heh?

 

Depends on your lifestyle... I'm originally from Houston. I grew up in Jacksonville from 6 to 18 years old then left for 9 years, but now I'm back. I left Houston because the traffic was ridiculous and there was no escaping it at any decent hour. ONly serious traffic jams here are accidents and bottle necks, but doesn't compare to H-town.
Houses can be very expensive compared to Houston.... really depends on the area and how close it is to water. Good luck with your decision.

 

They are right it is expensive! But as far as crime, it is bad on the Westside, and the northside. Other than that the beaches are nice. We are not that far from Orlando either. So there are ups, and downs about moving here.

 

jacksonville is a nice city not a nice as austin but nice place to live

 

One of the things that is keeping me from being 100% is that i dont think it gets much better than Austin for raising kids. I've got a little girl and although she's not ready for school yet I think its hard to compare to Austin for a kids quality of life.

I hate Houston traffic, its just stupid. I am in Austin so life here is much more laid back... the IT industry is also pretty big here. There are alot of jobs in that field which is kinda reassuring. do any of you all work in IT? I hear its a big financial area so it might lend itself to heavy IT spending... who knows.

Hey thanks alot for all the feedback guys, i really do appreciate it!

 

I think you will like Jax. As for your child ..... just be picky about schools is all I can say. You can go 10 miles down Atlantic Blvd. and have an ENTIRELY different experience for your child. Hint: Jacksonville beaches schools are the best. =p the closer you get to the city, the more ghetto/trashy it gets lol no offense.

PM me when you get here and settle in and shlt, you can come out one weekend and experience a real import scene

 

my neighborhood- Westside = Crime and a lot of stupid ***** shooting at cops lately...

 

so what sides of town am i supposed to stay out of? heh... i have a video conference interview thing tomorrow so if i get it i have to know this type of stuff heh.

 

Austin>Jacksonville

I'd only move if I were single, had no kids, and this was a chance to improve/increase career possiblities. I moved here from up north and my first impression was that people here were rude. I thought the school's education system was was shi. I "believe" Florida is ranked rather low, if not the lowest as far as education goes. I'm a dumb guy and for me to come in and begin getting "A" grades has to say something.

I'd question my main reasons for leaving Austin, then question the things you have in Austin that Jacksonville will have to have.

 

i got done with my meeting and i think i got it but you threw me with that school system sucking thing :-/

edit: update, so i got an offer... i have to decide if i want to move or not :-/ arghh


Modified by 93preludes at 3:37 PM 2/22/2007

 

Just research the schools, you have many options!

 

if your worried about schools move just south of jax, into stjohns county and there are some of the best schools in the nation. all of them being brand new. St johns qaulity of life>>> Jax qaulity of life

 

i looked into the schools and the areas surrounding jacksonville and some places like st. augustine look really nice... i went ahead and took the job. i'll be there mid march. i'm going to be there for a while before i move my family over to make sure everythings cool.

thanks to everyone for the help!

 

congrats and have a safe trip in March.....right around spring break isn't it?

 

ya i work at those schools, and they got alot more new ones coming

 

Jacksonville Beaches man. I lived there for 15 years, a couple times in that time I didn't shut my front door when going to school "when I was younger" and the wind blew it open, with my front door open all day no one ever touched anything. We could leave our front doors and car doors open all day anyday and things would always be fine, never had ONE issue. The schools at jax beaches are the best in jacksonvile also.

Only prob with st. aug is its like a desert out there. lol

 

well heres an early welcome to Jax! join Racejax.com for the jax local scene

 

thanks for the support guys, i'll sign up at racejax.com also...

i'll be there right around spring break so it should be interesting...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hellraver &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Jacksonville Beaches man. I lived there for 15 years, a couple times in that time I didn't shut my front door when going to school "when I was younger" and the wind blew it open, with my front door open all day no one ever touched anything. We could leave our front doors and car doors open all day anyday and things would always be fine, never had ONE issue. The schools at jax beaches are the best in jacksonvile also.

Only prob with st. aug is its like a desert out there. lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yet shop owners out here have alarms and lock up every night. Lets not lose touch with reality while on the internet because biased opinions are only statements, not facts.

I hope everything pans out for you '93.

 

i made it out here ok, i'm checking the area out. i'm staying somewhat south off 95. it looks ok but i havent had time to go look around. i get to go apartment shopping this week which should be interesting... thanks to everyone for their help.