So Cal to Florida

[RichieRich]

I have lived in Southern California my entire life (47) and it is getting to a point where I want out. I am married and have two kids, 19 and 14. I have an opportunity to relocate to Northern Florida...Jacksonville to be exact. I currently reside in Riverside, CA and I am curious if anyone has lived in Jacksonville or surrounding areas that can help guide me in the right direction of a good neighborhood to live/buy. I would be working in Jacksonville so I would like to live within an hour at most. We are not sure about this yet, but I am really leaning into it.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

 

[rivrrts429]

I can’t help with the housing question but I travel for work to Jacksonville a few times a year.

Not that you wouldn’t like it but Jacksonville is so opposite of anything culturally you’ve ever known in SoCal. It’s definitely the south.

I like it but again I’m only visiting for a few days. It’s nothing like what I think of when I think of Florida.

 

[Done-it-again]

Don't know much the Jacksonville area, just make sure you spend some time during June and July to make sure you know what it feels like. Congrats on the opportunity getting out of CA.

 

[RichieRich]

Thank you guys for that...I should have mentioned that we do travel to Southern Florida once or twice a year for Disneyworld and my buddy lives on Key Largo so we have felt the June, July and August temps there and we are ok with that. Didn't really consider the southern culture in Jacksonville but I am sure you're right...we dont really get that in Orlando

 

[traquer]

If you got some nice equity in your house here I'd say never sell it, rent it out. If you ever decide you want to come back you're gonna hate the appraised taxes you'll pay on the new house.

That being said that Southern thing is interesting for sure. If I'd go to Florida I'd ONLY go to live in a place with the stereotypical Miami boating and palm trees and bikini beach vibe!

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I believe @seanroberts is up that way.

 

[Brian]

It's redneck out there for sure.

 

[RichieRich]

If you got some nice equity in your house here I'd say never sell it, rent it out. If you ever decide you want to come back you're gonna hate the appraised taxes you'll pay on the new house.

That being said that Southern thing is interesting for sure. If I'd go to Florida I'd ONLY go to live in a place with the stereotypical Miami boating and palm trees and bikini beach vibe!

We do, but we would most likely sell the So Cal house and keep the Havasu house and go back there if we ever want to come back.
But we need to really think at all through. Huge step but California is so bad now and with no sign of getting better...we want out.

 

[C-Ya]

Your budget will reflect your quality of life.

There are too many options to list. What lifestyle do you want? Do you want beaches or boating? The two do not go hand in hand in Jacksonville.

I am actually pretty familiar with both Jacksonville and Orlando.

However, I do not have teenage children, so I’ve never looked at either place through those eyes. I know I wouldn’t want to live anywhere near the theme parks. But that’s me.

Boating in Jacksonville gives you a LOT of options. With a lot of places to go. The real bonus being able to boat the St John’s river. Also being close to ocean inlet. With the ability to run the intracoastAl, north or south. Amelia Island is a place you might like too.

What would be your ideal situation?

 

[RichieRich]

Your budget will reflect your quality of life.

There are too many options to list. What lifestyle do you want? Do you want beaches or boating? The two do not go hand in hand in Jacksonville.

I am actually pretty familiar with both Jacksonville and Orlando.

However, I do not have teenage children, so I’ve never looked at either place through those eyes. I know I wouldn’t want to live anywhere near the theme parks. But that’s me.

Boating in Jacksonville gives you a LOT of options. With a lot of places to go. The real bonus being able to boat the St John’s river. Also being close to ocean inlet. With the ability to run the intracoastAl, north or south. Amelia Island is a place you might like too.

What would be your ideal situation?

Great points...I will check out Amelia Island for sure. We would be selling our Havasu boat most likely and picking up a small CC or something. We wont give up boating. Also, my son loves dirtbikes and fishing so I am sure he will be good with anywhere near the water in FL.

 

[boatnam2]

Buddy was there last week, in the pic looked like skid row but hot lol

 

[SPYLIFE]

Look at St Augustine. Not too bad of a drive into Jacksonville.

 

[RichieRich]

thank you guys...I did a little research on TikTok and Jacksonville seems to be a shithole. I will be looking in neighboring cities for sure.

 

[samsah33]

Congrats on the move, I'm jealous. Somebody mentioned a while back that they went to a local police station and asked them for advice on neighborhoods. I've never done it and not sure to what extent the local PD will be open to talking, but it sounds like a good idea...

 

[Xtrmwakeboarder]

Keep the house in CA, and rent in Jax. I had a boss who tried to live there twice..and failed. The first time he moved back to CA for a bit, and the second time he landed and stuck in CT.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I lived in Jacksonville for 4 years before moving to ATL last year. Shoot me a PM I’lol tell you everything I know!

 

[Good Stuff]

Might be worth looking at a little border town in GA.

 

[BareFoot200]

Where will your work be located? Jax traffic can be a little spicy.

 

[stoker]

I have lived in Southern California my entire life (47) and it is getting to a point where I want out. I am married and have two kids, 19 and 14. I have an opportunity to relocate to Northern Florida...Jacksonville to be exact. I currently reside in Riverside, CA and I am curious if anyone has lived in Jacksonville or surrounding areas that can help guide me in the right direction of a good neighborhood to live/buy. I would be working in Jacksonville so I would like to live within an hour at most. We are not sure about this yet, but I am really leaning into it.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

View attachment 1283599

I just left Canyon Lake (Riverside) after living in CA for 60 years and ended up in Palm Coast, about an hour south of Jax. We looked all over Jacksonville for a waterfront house and found a few that we liked. The main reason we didn't buy is even though you might live in a nice neighborhood you still have to travel through the shitty areas to go anywhere else.

 

[seanroberts]

I’m hitting the 3 year mark from moving from Simi Valley to Jacksonville. I’ve got 3 kids, 17yr old boy, 15yr old boy, and a 10yr old girl. We love it here, I’m back in CA every 2-6 weeks for work, I’m happy to let you all I know. It’s great here but house prices have gone up like everywhere.

 

[seanroberts]

A few pics, I live on Julington Creek that’s part of the Saint John’s river.

 

[CarolynandBob]

I have spent a lot of time there. I do not like JAX. If I had to move there I would buy in Ponte Vadra Beach. My brother had a place up by the airport. New development and surrounding area was nice.

 

[Orange Juice]

When I lived there for 3 years in the early 1980s, if it wasn't for drinking, fishing, surfing, and punk rock, I would have hated it.

It's not as hot in the summer as Phoenix, but the bugs and humidity make up for it.

 

[RichieRich]

A few pics, I live on Julington Creek that’s part of the Saint John’s river.

thats what I am looking for...beautiful setup man!

 

[Redracer1090]

Might be worth looking at a little border town in GA. St.Marys GA. On The St. Marys River Short boat ride To Amilia Island!!

 

[Redracer1090]

Welcome To The East Coast I left after 47 years there also all be it 29 years ago

 

[Spudsbud]

Look at St Augustine. Not too bad of a drive into Jacksonville.

Yes. This. Go !
You wont regret it.