Alright, My partner and I are Poverty rate is 13.7%, which is around average. Household incomes average around $46,947 in Jacksonville. It's a a smaller city city with about 29,285 people. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. What are your go-to spots? Appreciate any input. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
6 upvotes
12 Replies
Cooper Green
This.
39 upvotes
Emmett A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely pretty good and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Midtown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
36 upvotes
Alice Reed
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Minneapolis about 3 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are stable, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. No regrets on my end..
34 upvotes
Joyce R.
I've been living here for 14 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The pet-friendliness is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
28 upvotes
Bennett Thomas
Came here for retirement and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
Austin Young
I've lived in Springfield for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- The pet-friendliness scene is improving
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
22 upvotes
Gianna Martin
honestly same experience here
19 upvotes
Evan Hernandez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a physical therapist, 42, moved here 4 years ago from Raleigh. I've lived in North and West, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Active local events and festivals
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- West: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Raleigh, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
15 upvotes
Landon Smith
I work in government here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is better than expected. Good luck with whatever you decide..
14 upvotes
Anna Ross
100%
5 upvotes
Ezra Hughes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Old Town for 9 years. Moved from Denver for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Old Town schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Thomas Long
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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