LIVING HERE
With a cost of living that is below the national average, Northeast Florida’s population has been growing twice as fast as the rest of the nation. That is why our region is one of the few places in the United States that is experiencing a growing population of young professionals. And trailing spouses are in luck because Forbes ranked Jacksonville in the “Top 10 Best U.S. Cities to Find a Job.”
There are a number of reasons why our region is such an attractive place to live. Not only does Northeast Florida have a spectacular climate, it is filled with high-profile sports and recreation, rich arts and entertainment, affordable housing and various retail shopping destinations.
Whether you have the desire to shop, an ear for music or an attitude for action, Jacksonville is an oasis for residents. Home to the Southeast’s largest modern and contemporary art museum, endless miles of beautiful beaches and sparkling, translucent waters, cultural pursuits from cool jazz to hot clubs and a remarkable concentration of high-end and ethnically diverse restaurants, Jacksonville offers visitors the true spirit of Northeast Florida with marvelous meals, flamboyant exhibits, peaceful landscapes and gorgeous gardens.
Northeast Florida is known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, featuring 90 miles of beaches along the Atlantic Ocean and the majestic St. Johns River for boating, fishing and kayaking. National Geographic Adventure magazine ranked Jacksonville as one of the “Top Six Beach Towns” in the United States. Jacksonville also boasts more than 131 square miles of city, state and national parks — making it the largest urban park system in the nation. In 2010, Parenting magazine ranked Jacksonville number one on the list of "Ten Best Cities for Recreation."
Sports enthusiasts can cheer for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars, the AFL Jacksonville Sharks, the Jacksonville Suns AA baseball team, and the ABA Jacksonville Giants. Whether you are cheering on a field or in an action packed arena, the atmosphere and experience cannot be beat. The area also boasts more than 80 golf courses, including the famed Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and the World Golf Hall of Fame.
AmericanStyle magazine ranked Jacksonville as one of its “Top 25 Arts Destinations.” Arts and entertainment lovers will appreciate the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and Museum of Science and History, as well as the spectacular Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. These interactive and educational sites are fun for the entire family. The area is also home to several performing arts venues and the world-renowned Jacksonville Symphony.
Jacksonville also ranked in the top 10 of Mobility magazine’s “Best Cities for Relocating Families.” The region offers some of the most affordable housing prices in Florida. There are a variety of housing options, depending on your preferred location and style of home.
Jacksonville offers shopping excursions for any taste. Those looking for the perfect bargain can look no further than one of the many outlet centers in Northeast Florida. Vintage items and antiques in the eclectic Five Points and upscale chic and trendy boutiques in San Marco and Avondale complement the latest in must-have retail at The Avenues Mall, River City Marketplace, Orange Park Mall, Regency Square Mall and the newest hotspot, the St. Johns Town Center. It is no wonder why Forbes magazine ranked Jacksonville as the ninth "Best U.S. Shopping City."
Northeast Florida is home to more than 380 public, private and parochial schools, many of them nationally ranked for their academic achievement. Each year more than 225,000 students attend award-winning schools ranging in size from the 20th largest school system in the nation with 124,000 students to small-town education systems with as few as 4,900 students.
From cancer treatment options to innovative organ transplants, Northeast Florida offers a wide range of advanced medical services. The area is home to a number of hospitals that are ranked in the nation’s top 100 and is one of only three locations in the nation for the renowned Mayo Clinic.
Our moderate year-round climate and access to the Atlantic Ocean and the St. Johns River continually afford residents the opportunity to experience the outdoors for exercise and recreation.
Since our geography places us in a protected location, the Northeast Florida region is not prone to hurricane activity. As the westernmost location on the East Coast, Jacksonville is actually the least likely place on the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts to experience a hurricane.
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