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Moving to a new city is always challenging. And a large part of that challenge is looking for a place to live, especially when you have a family. There are so many things to consider when weighing your options. House styles and sizes, neighborhood safety, quality of schools, and the convenience of location are all things to consider. It can be quite overwhelming. That’s why we’ve researched the best up and coming neighborhoods in Jacksonville for you, so you don’t have to (oh, and by way of introduction, we’re Bellhop —Jacksonville movers and movers throughout the country).
You’ve most likely seen the neighborhood section in our Jacksonville City Guide. This list is a more in-depth guide examining what it’s like living in each of these areas.
A Little About Jacksonville’s Up and Coming Neighborhoods
These are the neighborhoods that have been neglected over the years and are making a return to popularity, or newer areas that are just now being discovered. If you’re moving to Jacksonville and you’re looking for what the hot neighborhoods are right now, this guide is for you.
Springfield
This is a comeback story if there’s ever been one. When the Great Fire of 1901 destroyed most of downtown Jacksonville, the Springfield neighborhood survived the blaze. But, that doesn’t mean it was easy for this area of town to bounce back. It wasn’t, and it took years for the neighborhood to prosper again. But there’s a reason Southern Living named Springfield one of the top comeback neighborhoods in the South. Modern-day Springfield is one of the most attractive neighborhoods in Jacksonville, mainly because of its beautiful architecture. Though this community isn’t quite fully rehabilitated, it’s getting there. And it’s perfect for anyone looking to become part of an up-and-coming neighborhood.
What’s Happening in Springfield
Springfield’s neighborhood association is active, with regular meetings and events for residents to take part in, such as community dinners and beer pairings. It’s also close to a variety of restaurants, bars, attractions and shops in the downtown area.
Schools in Springfield
Kirby-Smith Middle School and Stanton College Preparatory School are nearby, though there are several other schools in the area.
Homes in Springfield
Springfield contains some of the best examples of late 19th century and early 20th-century architecture in the city. The neighborhood is known for its Queen Anne and Prairie-style homes.
Murray Hill
Minutes from downtown, a lot has been written about Murray Hill’s comeback. As young professionals and families are moving into the area, new coffee shops, restaurants, and bakeries are popping up all over the place. Murray Hill is an older neighborhood that’s getting new life, emerging as one of Jacksonville’s social hubs. It’s got a growing nightlife and emerging green spaces. Its also has one of Florida’s oldest continuously-operating neighborhood association full of residents who are proud of their community.
What’s Happening in Murray Hill
Murray Hill‘s Edgewood Avenue is the neighborhood’s social strip with new bars, boutiques and coffee shops emerging among older institutions such as the Murray Hill Theatre. The neighborhood has a community garden, and there are plenty of grocery stores and other retail shops nearby.
Schools in Murray Hill
A few schools are near the neighborhood including Fishweir Elementary, Ruth N. Upson Elementary, West Riverside Elementary, Central Riverside Elementary, and Pinedale Elementary
Homes in Murray Hill
Due to the neighborhood’s original design, many of the homes in Murray Hill are smaller in size. But they’re also affordable. The architecture varies from modern designs to older brick homes. The Murray Hill Preservation Association helps maintain the historical character of the area.
Riverside and Avondale
Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, Riverside and Avondale have a unique mix of history, culture, charm and modern design. Though it’s been a popular neighborhood in Jacksonville, it recently became less popular due to new homes being built in San Marco. But now this area is making a comeback, baby! It’s badder and bolder than ever! Sorry, we got excited. There are plenty of dining, shopping and restaurant options in this area of town. With a mix of million-dollar waterfront homes and upscale apartments, Riverside and Avondale appeal to many young professionals who are into urban living and a sense of close-knit community.
What’s Happening in Riverside and Avondale
The Riverdale and Avondale area is full of tons of dining, shopping, and bars your heart desired. From the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens to the exciting 5 Points area, with cool stops like Glass Goods, Violet, Wolfgang, and Edge City.
Schools in Riverside and Avondale
A number of schools are nearby including the private Calvary Christian Academy, Harbordale Elementary and Virginia Shuman Young Montessori.
Homes in Riverside and Avondale
Upscale apartments and million-dollar waterfront homes are the norm in this area. There’s plenty of unique architecture ranging from Tudor to Prairie style bungalows to Spanish Colonial mansions. There are even condos housed in a former high school.
Bartram Park
Bartram Park is a newer neighborhood linked to a rich history. Named after William Bartram, one of America’s most famous naturalists, Bartram Park is in the southern part of the city. Known as the Southern Gateway to Jacksonville, it spans almost 5,000 acres and has nearly 10,000 residences among a huge nature preserve. There are office parks, shops, restaurants, and attractions nearby. Bartram Park is a great place for people who like to work, live, and play within the same space.
What’s Happening in Bartram Park
The Shoppes at Bartram Park is the largest retail center in Bartram Park. The retail center debuted in 2004 and includes a Publix grocery and Kohl’s Department store. This shopping destination provides residents with many other excellent businesses including restaurants, salons, shops, and more. Bartram Village is also filled with stores, businesses, and restaurants with a convenient location for residents.
Schools in Bartram Park
Bartram Park has some of Southern Jacksonville’s top-ranked schools including Bartram Springs Elementary and Atlantic Coast High school, which opened in 2010. It’s referred to as “The School of the Future,” for its technology innovation.
Homes in Bartram Park
Bartram Park is a community of new homes in various styles such as townhouses, condos, single-family, and multi-family homes. There are 14 neighborhoods so far, with more to come.
Brooklyn
A neighborhood in the downtown area of Jacksonville, Brooklyn was originally a residential suburb that became a major commercial-use area. In the 20th century, it became Jacksonville’s central business district. Now, it’s coming back full circle as residential developments are springing up, with more than 600 new apartments scheduled to open soon. When construction is complete, Brooklyn will be a mixed-development, walkable neighborhood that residents will be proud to call home.
What’s Happening in Brooklyn
We suggest you check out Brooklyn Station, a new retail development that has a grocery store and a ton of other retail options nearby. If you like to walk just for the fun of it, there’s the Northbank Riverwalk that stretches along the river and past Corkscrew Park, which as an exercise tree (we’ve never heard of this, either) and a workout area. There’s also a new YMCA featuring state-of-the-art fitness equipment.
Schools in Brooklyn
If you’ve got kids, or plan to have a few in the future, you’ll be glad to know there are some nearby schools including Chappell Schools preschool, Riverside Presbyterian Day School, and Darnell Cookman Middle and High School, among them.
Homes in Brooklyn
The average home price in Brooklyn is $325,000 with an array of home designs like Italian Renaissance and Art-Deco-style architecture. Keep in mind there’s not much available because of the popularity of this neighborhood.
Neighborhoods are about location and lifestyle, to be sure. But they are also about the people who live in them. These neighborhoods offer a variety of lifestyles to meet most anyone’s needs. We hope this guide helps you make the right choice to fit your lifestyle.
There you have it: the best up and coming neighborhoods in Jacksonville
We hope our guide to the best up and coming neighborhoods in Jacksonville helped! If you decide to move in or to Jacksonville, don’t hesitate to reach out. Need to move quickly? We also provide last minute moving services in Jacksonville!
Good luck with your move to the Jacksonville area!
Interested in learning more about Jacksonville? Check out our other guides to Jacksonville
- Jacksonville Moving Guide
- The Best Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL
- The Best Suburbs in Jacksonville, FL
- The Best Family-friendly Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL
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