I'm retired and Median household income is $50,469, which feels on the lower side for the area. Household incomes average around $50,469 in Jacksonville. Poverty rate is 24.7%, which is higher than I expected. Homes are going for about $120,800 on average. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods.
4 upvotes
13 Replies
Greyson Ortiz
it depends on the neighborhood
37 upvotes
Katherine Morales
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Korean places. it's been a really good experience overall.
27 upvotes
oakland_nolan
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 4 years. Moved from Houston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly 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:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are excellent. 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. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Limited high-paying job options. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
26 upvotes
sarah_rider
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem improving.
I've been here 5 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Riverside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
20 upvotes
Delilah Long
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great craft beer places. it's been a really good experience overall.
20 upvotes
Judith W.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 31, moved here 4 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in South and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Strong job market in several industries
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Winters are long and cold
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The nightlife situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for remote workers. solid vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
17 upvotes
Connor Lewis
Bought a house here in 2021 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
17 upvotes
Savannah Collins
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. finance 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:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are surprisingly good. 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. Winters are long and cold. Can feel isolated. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Kayden K.
exactly what I was thinking
12 upvotes
Silas
Came here for family and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The community vibe is honestly hit or miss and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
11 upvotes
Xavier Rogers
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 50, moved here 5 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Old Town and Meadowbrook, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Not very walkable outside downtown
3. The school system situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for young professionals. decent vibes, walkable.
- Meadowbrook: 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 Atlanta, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
7 upvotes
Arianna M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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