Worst things about Jacksonville nobody talks about
Hey everyone, I'm a 37-year-old social worker and Median household income is $54,069, which feels on the lower side for the area. Rent is about $1,268/month for a decent place. Average temperature is around 64--F, so the weather is moderate. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The city has invested a lot in new development. Appreciate any input. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look.
6 upvotes
8 Replies
Isabelle W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Baltimore about 4 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are affordable, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I love the pace of life here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
40 upvotes
Allison M.
Public transit is decent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. the quality of life is solid.
32 upvotes
Landon Ward
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Fairview. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Bradley W.
wish I knew this sooner
25 upvotes
born_mackenzie32
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The job market is genuinely underrated and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (Uptown) is reasonable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Raleigh, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit 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.
24 upvotes
Wyatt Garcia
nah I disagree
17 upvotes
Logan D.
preach
17 upvotes
Nova Hughes
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
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