Jacksonville Real Estate

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Larry Atwell
ABR, ePRO
800-726-5577
904-620-9227

Jacksonville

Since Jacksonville is so vast and it has many water features such as the St. Johns River and numerous other smaller rivers plus the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, many of the neighborhoods within Jacksonville are defined by water.

Northside:

Bounded on the north by the Nassau County line extending to the Trout River on the south, the North Jacksonville area has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade. A large part of this growth is due to opening of the Dames Point Bridge, expansion of Jacksonville International Airport, increased cargo traffic through the Jacksonville port and new business moving into the Imeson Business Park. The wave of the future residential and industrial growth will be felt and seen on the north banks for the St.Johns River and beyond. Many new housing developments and apartment complexes dot the landscape and there is great potential for continued growth, since much of the land is undeveloped. Northside has a country like look and feel , let close to all the city conveniences.

Westside:

The Westside is a large area of land bounded on the south by Clay County and the north by the area near I-10, bordered on the east by the St Johns River and by Baker County on the west. Much of the area is wooded allowing for hunting and other outdoor activities. The waterways and river allow for boating, fishing and year round enjoyment. There are three distinct communities that help define the Westside; Riverside, Avondale and Ortega. Riverside is in close proximity to downtown and was part of the original city of Jacksonville and offers a picturesque setting of stately oaks and scenic river views. Riverside has become an attractive community for young professionals who wants a short commute to downtown and might be interested in renovating an old home.

Avondale:

Southward from Riverside along the river is Avondale, part of the same National Historical District as Riverside. Avondale features many more stately mansions than its neighbor. Many of the mansions feature the Mediterranean Revival style of the 20s along with Tudor, Norman and other European styles. Avondale has a village feel about it with strong family ties bonding any to the area over the generations

Ortega:

Considered by many as home to "Old Jacksonville," Ortega is located on a peninsula between the Ortega and St. Johns Rivers, bordered on the west by Roosevelt Blvd. The area has seen a steady increase of upper to middle income professionals who are seeking a wide array of home styles and also in close proximity to boating and golf as well as close to downtown offices. Stately oaks also helps to define this area as well as some of the most unfettered views of Jacksonville's skyline.

San Jose and San Marco:

A prime residential area nestled along the eastern banks of the St. Johns river, San Jose is home to many landmarks such as Epping Forest, San Jose Country Club, Bolles School and numerous churches and synagogues. Being only minutes from downtown with its Spanish style architecture, the mainstay of the homes built in the 1920s. Most homes though was built in the 50s and 60s with a few newer developments in the area. The notable exception is Epping Forest Yacht Club. The former Alfred I. du Pont estate home and formal gardens overlooking the St. Johns River, it is a development of single-family homes and condominiums ranging in rice form $325,000 to $1.5 million. Another is the Villages of San Jose, a secured community along San Jose Boulevard featuring patio homes and condominiums.

The San Marco area, located north of San Jose, along the river and near the South Bank across from downtown, was developed at the same time as Riverside/Avondale. Centered around the San Marco shopping district, homes range from Mediterranean-style homes of the 20s to homes recently renovated or rebuilt. In addition to old fashioned street lamps and the Historic Lions fountain at the foot of Atlantic Blvd. San Marco is home to Theatre Jacksonville, Southside Baptist and several beautiful parks.

Arlington:

Surrounded by the St. Johns River on the north and west and the Intracoastal on the east, Arlington offers an abundance or waterfront. The area has evolved from the days when there was little in Arlington but fox hunting into Jacksonville's best example of the typical postwar residential area and the fastest growing area for development of new subdivisions and homes.

About every type and style of home is found in Arlington within every price range. There is also an abundance of apartments with easy access to work, school and recreation.

Southside:

Having its beginning close to downtown and extending along I-95 as its western boundary to the eastern boundary at St. Johns Bluff Road to Atlantic Blvd. and the St. Johns county line to the south, Southside is a very large area and is composed of many types of neighborhoods.

Housing range for single family to apartments and condominiums with new and old developments offering something for everyone. Residents can enjoy local golf courses, abundant restaurants and entertainment spots with easy access to all parts of town or beaches.

The Beaches:

Beginning in the north at the mouth of the St. Johns River, there sits Mayport once a bustling fishing village now home to over 14,000 military and civilian who work at the Mayport Naval Base. Mayport still has the charm of an old fishing village and features many fresh seafood restaurants. The only ferryboat in Florida makes numerous runs carrying cars and passengers across the river between Mayport and Heckscher Drive. If it's gambling you like, a cruise ship featuring dining and a number of Casino games departs from Mayport daily. Deep-sea charter boats are available for deep-sea fishing.

Atlantic Beach is home to the beautiful Selva Marina Country Club and Fleet Landing. a lakefront retirement community whose residents are primarily retired professionals from the military services and government, their spouses and widows. Where Neptune and Atlantic beaches meet is known as "The Corner" by many locals. This area is renowned for the popular restaurants, including a brewery and entertainment spots that residents love to frequent.

Neptune Beach has many similar attributes as Atlantic Beach. Many of the oceanfront homes lining the beach are rented to summer visitors, causing the normal population of about 7600 to more than double. The closer the homes are to the beach will dictate the price of the home. Much of the businesses are centered along 3rd St. three blocks from the oceans edge with homes or rentals to the east or west.

Jacksonville Beach is the oldest, and with a population of more than 20,000, it is the largest f all Jacksonville's beaches. It has the greatest mix of residential, commercial, retail and industrial areas than the other beaches areas.

Mandarin

Just north of the St. Johns County line is the beginning of Mandarin. During the past decade, Mandarin has undergone the greatest growth of any community in Jacksonville. Located at the southern end of Duval County with the St. Johns River to the west, Mandarin is the oldest area of Jacksonville, having been settled before Jacksonville was founded. The community, home to almost every kind of business and service, had been a rural community until the end of the 1960s, when developers began building homes. The area is marked by huge oaks and sizable estates. Highway 13 leads through the heart of Mandarin intersecting with I-295, making access to other parts of Jacksonville a breeze. The entire community is viewed as maintaining or increasing in value.

Northwest St. Johns County is just south of Mandarin and Julington creek which flows into the St. Johns River just to the west. Julington Creek Plantation, a multi-neighborhood planned community dominates this part of Northwest St. Johns County. It shares similar attributes with Mandarin and also enjoys lower taxes and more of a rural setting. The public schools are considered with the top ten within the state academically. Northwest St. Johns County is the fastest growing area of Northeast Florida and has seen much appreciation in home prices over the past five years with the trend to continue for the foreseeable future.

Larry Atwell, ABR, ePRO