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tucson_jose
housing
Is Jacksonville still affordable?
Random thought, The unemployment rate is 2.6%, which is pretty low. Thoughts? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
23 upvotes
28 Replies
Ellie Martinez
bump
40 upvotes
Grayson Reed
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
40 upvotes
Oliver S.
I work in real estate here and it was the best decision I ever made. The job market for my field is pretty good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
35 upvotes
charlottewalker2021
spot on
31 upvotes
Mia Chavez
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
If you value healthcare, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely tough and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (West) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Limited high-paying job options.
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.
26 upvotes
Kevin R.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
26 upvotes
Carter M.
seconding this
25 upvotes
George G.
thanks for sharing
24 upvotes
raised_gabriella7
We moved here with our family and I genuinely enjoy living here. Schools in Riverside area are decent. Kids love it here.
22 upvotes
serenity_rider
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Old Town. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in engineering. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Korean.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Elena R.
seconding this
21 upvotes
Oliver Phillips
Totally agree!
19 upvotes
Samuel W.
I'm a data analyst and I've found the quality of life is solid. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
18 upvotes
Angel Smith
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Springfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Springfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
15 upvotes
Frances R.
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Bennett
My experience has been mostly positive. the quality of life is solid. The only thing I'd watch out for is job market. Other than that, Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
13 upvotes
Sadie Myers
Can confirm, been here 13 years.
12 upvotes
denvermama2026
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
I've been here 9 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Old Town side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
12 upvotes
Gianna Ross
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from LA about 4 years ago. The main reasons were family and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Dating scene is rough
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is improving.
Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Joshua K.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want weather, then yeah this place is great. But if job market matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
9 upvotes
Katherine Nguyen
My experience has been mostly positive. it's improved dramatically in recent years. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Madeline Watson
Totally agree!
6 upvotes
Caleb Baker
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Good luck with whatever you decide..
5 upvotes
Jonathan Evans
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The weather scene is solid
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
5 upvotes
Santiago C.
seconding this
2 upvotes
Nathan Cruz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 12 years ago from Boston. I've lived in Pine Hills and North, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for retirees. average vibes, walkable.
- North: 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 Boston, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $90K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
2 upvotes
Axel Reyes
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 14 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 14 years. Moved from Denver for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are better than expected. 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. Rising rent and home prices. Bugs and humidity in summer. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
1 upvotes
Luke Flores
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
I've been in Uptown for 13 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
tech is strong here. legal 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:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are tough. 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. Nightlife is limited. Limited entertainment options. And traffic can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes