COMMENT BY
Pack from Jacksonville, FL
COMMENT ABOUT PLACE
Jacksonville, FL
COMMENT
Jax Okay Overall
For the moment, housing is fairly affordable when compared with other areas in the U.S. However, real estate prices are climbing and local wages do not reflect this increase; pricing locals out of the market. Many people from more affluent areas of the country are moving to northeast Florida with cash in hand; keeping prices higher for the time being.
Neighborhoods are very segregated here. Diversity-friendly is one of the last ways that I would describe Jacksonville. It took the city FOREVER to finally pass an expanded Human Rights Ordinance protecting the rights in housing and employment for our citizens who are LGBTQ. Pretty embarrassing.
Eleven years ago, consultants from the University of North Carolina's Kenan School of Business recommended that Jacksonville adopt a sustainability model: pronto. Sadly, this recommendation has been completely disregarded as the city has kow-towed to developers and big businesses. It won't be long before there is no un-built property and the roads become even more choked with traffic congestion.
That said, there are many nice neighborhoods in the city where life is quiet and neighbors are friendly. I'm happy where I live, but find that I avoid the beaches and other popular areas of town that have become crowded, noisy, and unpleasant.