So, I'm originally from Houston and Median household income is $54,069, which feels on the lower side for the area. Poverty rate is 10.0%, which is pretty low. With a population of 73,507, Jacksonville is a smaller city. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The food scene here is surprisingly good. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
30 upvotes
10 Replies
Addison Edwards
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely solid and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Uptown) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Chicago, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Can feel isolated.
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.
40 upvotes
Luke Richardson
not my experience at all
38 upvotes
Aubrey
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I genuinely enjoy living here. Internet is challenging in most areas.
34 upvotes
Alice Price
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
34 upvotes
Caleb Taylor
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The cost of living is genuinely average and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (Eastside) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Austin, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Homeless population growing downtown.
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.
19 upvotes
Sophie Stewart
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem underrated.
I've been here 6 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is weather. It's stable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Hope this helps!.
17 upvotes
Cooper Scott
big facts right here
15 upvotes
Elena Parker
yeah no that's not right
12 upvotes
Leah
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is solid in most areas.
All Countries
