Alright, The unemployment rate is 3.7%, which is pretty low. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Is this normal for Jacksonville? The suburbs are where most families end up. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
7 upvotes
10 Replies
Judith H.
I work in healthcare here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is excellent. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Alexander Taylor
+1
33 upvotes
Madelyn Long
Bought a house here in 2022 and the quality of life is solid. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
29 upvotes
Elena Ross
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Old Town area are pretty good. Kids love it here.
27 upvotes
Daniel Clark
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 10 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Meadowbrook and South, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good healthcare facilities
2. Affordable housing options
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- South: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
27 upvotes
Aiden Scott
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in Meadowbrook area are tough. Kids love it here.
26 upvotes
Santiago Turner
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. When I first moved here from LA, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good internet infrastructure
- The healthcare scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for remote workers. Happy to answer more specific questions..
7 upvotes
Daniel Wood
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want public transit, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
6 upvotes
Autumn Martin
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 14 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into skiing, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
All Countries
