What is Jaxville, FLA like?

[McLovin]

FLA. Byron?

Particularly the area around the Arlington Expressway, Arlington Road, Atlantic Blvd.

It is safe? Drugs, gangs, etc.??

[GH85Carrera]

It is VERY flat.

[stomachmonkey]

Ask Byron.

He's familiar with the area.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by McLovin

FLA. Byron?

Particularly the area around the Arlington Expressway, Arlington Road, Atlantic Blvd.

It is safe? Drugs, gangs, etc.??

30 years that was a nice area, now it is all the above

Work or live??? Brumos is close, there are still some nice areas over there, but it has gone way down....

It is VERY flat.

Funny, that area is closest to hills in the city...

[McLovin]

What about owning rental property there? Is that whole area bad, and if so, what specifically is bad about it? What would be the closest "good" area?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by McLovin

What about owning rental property there? Is that whole area bad, and if so, what specifically is bad about it? What would be the closest "good" area?

Drugs, gangs, a lot of urban moved in thanks to public housing & section 8. Need to know more of what you are looking at and where. There is a reason the home prices are low over there right now...

[GH85Carrera]

I Googled Jacksonville elevations and it ranges from Sea level (duh) to a whopping 40 feet above sea level. New York goes all the way up to 410 feet.

Elevations and Distances

[AFC-911]

I say keep looking further south. Jax sucks.

[id10t]

If you are looking for property to use as a rental, pick up a house or 3 here in Gainesville. Rent only to students working on their masters or doctorates, or people who are working professionals...

[Super_Dave_D]

I wouldn't live there!! like Byron said....need more info. The south side or Orange Park is more desirable IMO.

[Joel8005]

Very Large city (biggest per Sqr mile) North Jax has Amelia Island which is a Great place. South Jax has great beaches and starts to feel more like FLA. I might ad hurricans do not like the place very much. River front and St Johns river a great place to visit or live. The rest is urban sprawl with all of the usual BS. No state income tax either!!!

PS: Avoid renting to students..... they turn over every 12 months. Smart property management looks for the tenant that will stay there for multiple years.

Best of luck!!

[djmcmath]

Just got back from two weeks on business there. It looks like the recession has taken a real toll on the place. Not that it was ever a legitimately hot spot, but it's wholly dead now. We visited the downtown area (Jax Landing) on a Wednesday night and struggled to find any signs of life. Most of the businesses had closed, and even the Hooters was deserted. We followed up with a visit to Amelia Island the next night, and the story was the same. The big bars -- Palace Saloon and Green Turtle -- were both empty, all night long. Many of the restaurants, even the good ones, had closed. The people that I talked with were mostly struggling to survive. The ones who were winning were foreclosure realtors and entrepreneurs who were only hoping to win, but hadn't yet. Most other people seemed to be in pretty dire straits.

There are some signs of life, however. Bold City Brewery is attracting real crowds and is growing. It's not great beer, but it is the best beer in Jax. St. John's Town Center, on the southside, is crowded at any time of day or night. I even saw some Porsches there.

The neighborhoods are all across the board, as far as crime goes. I lived in a pretty decent neighborhood when I was there, but there was a shooting less than a mile from my apartment. As far as I could tell, the money was migrating generally south and towards the beach, but I only had two weeks on site this visit, so it's a little tough to tell.

Good luck.

Dan

[mikester]

My Grandmother and Uncle live between Atlantic and Arlington Expressway near Southside BLVD.

It's basically a trailer park with real houses. Stay away...

My other Grandparents live in Mandarin however and that is a much nicer side of town. I have been considering buying their house...

Byron and I have never met but I am originally from there but didn't really live there until 1994 and left again in 1999. Jacksonville is a nice town but jobs have always been an issue for someone like me (Not now though since I've moved into sales).

I would avoid the area in between those two BLVDs.

[KFC911]

Based upon my experience, everyone is spot on with their assessments. I lived off Southside Blvd (Baymeadows area) when it was beginning to develop back in the late 80s. I wouldn't touch investment properties in Jax, just my .02. There are desirable areas, and if you don't know Jax "from the river", then you "don't know Jax" . but due to congestion there's no way I'd live there now. I know a few folks who've done quite well with RE investments there over the years, and they're sitting on properties and have been for some time...I wouldn't want their headaches.

[azasadny]

I would look at St Augustine, that's my favorite place and where I would live if I won the Lotto.

[nota]

it is the biggest city in southern Georgia

[944Larry]

Originally Posted by McLovin

FLA. Byron?

Particularly the area around the Arlington Expressway, Arlington Road, Atlantic Blvd.

It is safe? Drugs, gangs, etc.??

I'm here in Jax putting in a pipeline. Can't find a lot to appeal to me in this area. Seems to be a lot of crime although that's probably true in any large city. One more thing for you to consider here is that the city wants to up property taxes 9%.
Big stink going on about that now.

[ben parrish]

Jax. is not that appealing. Bigger mid sized city with the grime and crime associated. The area is beautiful if you like the water and it's associated activities. Doesn't get too cold but you do have a winter; albeit mild.
If work pulls you there, live south/north of the city. As said, St. Augistine is a great little town and only about an hour away. Ponte Vedra is nice. Small town life is available north in St. Mary's, Ga. There are a good many deals available on the water if you have the cash.

[James Brown]

Don't forget, large Navy population at Nas Jacksonville, lots of transient folks there 1-4 year types great for rentals

[Racerbvd]

As one who was born & raised here, traveled & lived in other area, I still call it home, but you have to be in the right area.. There are a lot of good things about the area, close to the beach, big river, 2 hours to Roebling Road, 2 hours to Daytona.. The crime for the most part is concentraded in the Pro obama areas and has gone up, like other areas since he was elected, same thing affects the Landing's evening activities, we work with the Landing, and that is the biggest problem with it, but there are a few old building that would be great to convert to lofts & condos near there and other bars with in walking distance that are pretty nice & attract good crowds and more opening up..

city wants to up property taxes 9%.

True, but many of us are working against that and there are some events coming up to show the support against it..

Palace Saloon and Green Turtle

Sorry, those haven't been the places to go for years, well before the recession, you should have gone down the road to The Surf, as that place always has a crowd & entertainment, 7 days a week, again, just knowing the places to go. As for Hot Spots, there are some area at the beach that are always hopping & crowded (I have a friend with a building for sale out there right now too) and San Marco & 5 Points for theartsy fartsy crowd.

Don't forget, large Navy population at Nas Jacksonville,

And Mayport, that is one reason that Jacksonville is doing better than most of FL. cities during this recession, and that is a fact..

Best 25 Cities in the USA for Jobs
#3 Jacksonville, Fla.
Rank last year: 8

•Median Household Income Rank: 40
•Unemployment Rank: 15
•Income Growth Rank: 6
•Cost Of Living Rank: 49
•Job Growth Rank: 13
Jacksonville moved up in the rankings with a fair housing market. There is a lot of defense spending in Jacksonville that contributes to job growth in the local area job market.

If you feel like making a trip down, I will go with you & show you the areas I would invest in, as a matter of fact, I already know of a few places that might work for you... As long as you are iun the right areas, it is a great place to raise a family, that is one reason many who served in the Navy choose to come back here after they retire..