With 875 square miles to spread out, Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida, which means there’s plenty of room for everyone who wishes to call it home. If you are considering a move to Jax, you are not alone. According to census data, the city’s population growth rate is higher than Florida’s; about 500 people have moved to Jacksonville every week since 2015!
Jacksonville, situated on the Atlantic coast in northeast Florida, is a desirable and budget-friendly destination for relocators in the Sunshine State, even though it is frequently overlooked as a relocation spot. If you’re thinking about buying real estate in Jacksonville, Florida, read on to discover our top 9 reasons to relocate to Jacksonville, FL.
Jacksonville Has An Affordable Cost Of Living
If you’re planning to live on a budget, Jax is right up your alley. The cost of living in Jacksonville is 6% lower than the national average, according to Payscale. Groceries and food are the most expensive costs in the city, while transportation, utilities, and housing are less of a burden on the resident’s monthly budget.
Although the median sale price for homes for sale in Jacksonville is about $311K, that’s almost 13% lower than the national average. However, Jax is classified as a seller’s market due to the low inventory and high demand for residential property for both living and rental investment purposes.
Jacksonville Is A Stone’s Throw From Other Major Cities
Jacksonville is just a short drive away from some of the most popular destinations on the East Coast, and north and central Florida. That includes:
- St. Augustine: 42 miles
- Daytona Beach: 91 miles
- Gainesville: 71 miles
- Orlando: 142 miles
- Tallahassee: 164 miles
It is also a quick flight or train ride away from other major cities in the southeastern United States, like Savannah, Atlanta, Charleston and several locations across Alabama.
Jacksonville Has Fantastic Places To Call Home
One of the top reasons to relocate to Jacksonville is its diverse range of neighborhoods and suburbs. Whether you’re looking for an urban oasis or a quiet, beach-centered suburban retreat, Jacksonville has 176 communities for you to select from. Here is just a sampler of the best places to live in Jacksonville:
- San Marco: Located south of downtown, San Marco is one of Jacksonville’s most popular historic neighborhoods for young professionals and families. In San Marco, Jacksonville, Florida, real estate buyers can find a mix of elegant riverfront mansions, cute bungalows, and modern condos.
- Springfield: One of the oldest neighborhoods in Jacksonville, Springfield is home to some of the best schools in Jax, which makes it a top family-friendly relocation spot. It’s also rich in history and has a strong sense of community.
- Ortega: This beautiful neighborhood is located on the St. Johns River. Riverfront properties are highly sought-after here, and Ortega residents enjoy stunning views. The neighborhood also has an active community life, with plenty of opportunities for socializing and recreation.
- Riverside and Avondale: Located along the St. Johns River’s west bank, this is a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly section of Jacksonville. Riverside and Avondale offer great schools, a lively commercial district, and parks.
There Are Many Educational Options In Jacksonville
With over 200 schools under the supervision of Duval County School Board (DCSB), Jacksonville offers many high-quality K-12 schooling options. Residents can enroll their children in public elementary, middle, or high schools and charter, magnet, or private schools. If you’re planning on moving to Florida with the whole family, this reason to relocate to Jacksonville will easily make it to the top of your list.
Near some of the best suburbs of Jacksonville is the St. Johns County School District, named #1 Best School District In Florida by Niche.com. There are also several colleges and universities in Jacksonville, including the University of North Florida, Florida Coastal School of Law, The Art Institute of Jacksonville, and Jacksonville University. In addition, there are many vocational and technical schools that offer training in a variety of trades.
Jacksonville Is Home To The US’ Largest Urban Park System
Jacksonville has the United States’ largest urban park system, with more than 80,000 acres of parks and preserves. That’s the equivalent of four times the size of the island of Manhattan. With seven state parks, two national parks, a national preserve and 400 city parks and gardens, there’s plenty of opportunity to explore.
The city’s parks offer something for everyone, from hiking, birdwatching and mountain biking trails to fishing and camping sites. If having ample opportunities for outdoor recreation is a priority for you, this reason to relocate to Jacksonville will be highly persuasive.
Jacksonville Is Always Sunny
Jacksonville’s weather is mild and pleasant for much of the year. The city experiences an average of 221 sunny days per year, and the temperatures rarely dip below freezing. In Jax, the typical high temperature is 78°F, while the low temperature is 62°F.
In the summer months, Jacksonville can be quite hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching into the 90s. However, relief is usually just a short drive away, as the city is located close to several beaches. In general, Jacksonville is an excellent place to live if you enjoy mild weather and plenty of sunshine.
Jacksonville Is A Perfect Place To Relocate For Work
One of the top reasons to relocate to Jacksonville for young professionals is its thriving economy with plenty of job opportunities. The local economy relies heavily on the tech sector, mostly IT and innovation, but a large portion of Jax’s revenue comes from industries such as financial services, distribution, manufacturing, contracting of military and defense, advanced transportation and logistics, and biomedical technology.
Jacksonville has a low unemployment rate (2.5%) and a growing and well-educated labor force. The city is one of the top 10 best cities for finding employment, according to Forbes. The magazine has named Jax “Best City for Tech Jobs,” and “Best City to Start a Business” in different years. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity predicts that 91K new jobs will be available in Jacksonville by 2028.
Jacksonville Is All About The Ocean
If you love the sound of waves crashing and sand between your toes, you’ll have many good reasons to relocate to Jacksonville. Jacksonville offers 1,100 miles of coastal shores and 22 miles of white sand beaches, including Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Little Talbot Island State Park, and Fort Clinch State Park in Amelia Island.
Watersports enthusiasts are in for a treat in Jax, with opportunities for everything from windsurfing and kayaking to kite surfing and scuba. Jacksonville residents have many options for fishing as well, including rivers, bridges, fly-fishing, piers, chartering services, ponds, lakes, beaches and boats. Speaking of boating, there are 54 public boat ramps in J-ville. The city also has a total of 22 reefs and 38 offshore locations to visit.
Jacksonville Is A Proud Military City
Jacksonville is a proud military and veteran-friendly city, home to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, and The U.S. Marine Corps Blount Island Command. One in every four Jacksonville residents have some form of tie to the military. In addition, the U.S. military is the area’s largest employer, employing over 30,000 active-duty personnel and nearly 20,000 civilians.
The city has a long history of supporting our troops, dating back to World War II. Today, Jax continues to serve as an important hub for military operations, and citizens always welcome service members with open arms. There’s also a number of military-related businesses and organizations in Jax, from defense contractors to veteran-owned businesses.
Reasons To Relocate To Jacksonville, FL
If you’re still on the fence about relocating to Jacksonville, hopefully, this article has given you some good reasons to take the plunge. And if you need a little help getting started, don’t hesitate to contact a local real estate agent –they can steer you in the right direction and make your relocation as smooth as possible. Have you decided that you want to move further south? Then check out the 13 reasons to relocate to Miami!
