Transplant from Austin. Been here 12 months now. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from Austin.
I saw that rent in Mandarin is now /mo which is insane. A friend just bought in Mandarin for K and I'm not sure if that was smart.
The school system in Mandarin is actually underrated. The school system in Mandarin is actually underrated.
Hit me with your honest opinions.
75 upvotes
11 Replies
Carter Robinson
Food industry person here. The restaurant scene in Jacksonville is improving. Nightlife is decent if you know where to go..
49 upvotes
Ian P.
Facts.
42 upvotes
bella_mama
Honestly it depends on what you prioritize. If outdoor activities matters most, then yeah Jacksonville is great. But if you need walkability, might want to look at Murray Hill instead.
39 upvotes
Miles Edwards
Been here 9 years, can vouch for this.
33 upvotes
Vivian Wood
We pay /mo in Southside for a 3-bed and honestly it's worth it. The parks system here is underrated.
27 upvotes
Alexa
I'd highly recommend checking out Mandarin. Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. Plus the food options around there are underrated.
26 upvotes
Arianna B.
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a travel nurse in Springfield. Been here since 2021. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable..
Neighborhood-wise, Springfield has really shifted in the past few years. Southside is the up-and-coming spot right now. Atlantic Beach is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for engineering: hit or miss. For construction: established.
I've never felt unsafe walking around {hood} at night.
Happy to answer questions.
24 upvotes
Aaron Sanders
I've been in Atlantic Beach for 9 years and The food scene in {hood} is honestly incredible.. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.
20 upvotes
Riley Rodriguez
Adding this to my list.
9 upvotes
Katherine Torres
OK let me break this down from someone who's been here a while.
Murray Hill vs Mandarin: completely different vibes. Murray Hill is more great with trendy restaurants and coffee shops. Mandarin is quiet and better for remote workers.
Cost-wise, expect /mo minimum for anything decent in Murray Hill. In Mandarin you can find stuff for /mo.
The school system in {hood} is actually {adj}.. People here are friendlier than I expected coming from {other}.
6 upvotes
David G.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching Jacksonville.
Background: 30, couple in our 30s, moved from Raleigh 12 years ago for my partner's job. Currently in Springfield.
**Housing:**
The market is hit or miss right now. We went with Springfield because friends recommended it. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Nocatee - it's established and the value is better.
**Work:**
marketing jobs are strong here. I was worried coming from Raleigh but the market is solid. Salary-wise, expect it varies wildly by field.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 18 months were tough. Then I found my people through neighbors. Now I have a solid group. Jacksonville people are warm once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: manageable if you avoid rush hour
- Dining out: decent but not world-class
- Entertainment: could be better
**Would I move here again?**
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. For students, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
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