Best Neighborhoods in Jacksonville
From a vibrant art scene to stunning beaches, Jacksonville has something for everyone. Folks come from all over the country to raise families, enjoy retirement, and explore what the Gateway to Florida is all about. Whether you’re a city dweller who feels most at home in a studio apartment or a homebody hoping for a cozy suburban community, the largest city by area in the contiguous U.S. surely has a place where you can fit best.
This guide features some of the best Jacksonville neighborhoods, each offering a unique living experience that caters to a wide range of lifestyles and preferences. When it comes to building a home, there’s nowhere better than Jax!
San Marco
Just south of Downtown Jacksonville lies this quaint, historic neighborhood gleaming with artistic charm and vibrant urban energy, all in a cozy, suburban setting. This neighborhood gives Jaxons easy access to various Jacksonville hot spots, including locally owned shops, distinguished art galleries, and some of the best restaurants in the city. You can explore Jacksonville’s storied past and present at the Museum of Science & History, grab barbecue at The Bearded Pig, and end your night sipping cocktails at Sidecar Jax.
With a range of housing options, including houses and apartments, this neighborhood is perfect for young professionals who enjoy their downtime but don’t want to be too far from the action. And with quality public schools and parks, it’s also a great place to raise a family.
Jacksonville Beach
What good is life in Florida if you can’t enjoy the beach? While living in a resort city can seem like an odd place to raise a family, Jacksonville Beach is home to a wide range of quality city parks, top-rated public schools, and exciting options for shopping and dining. Take your kids to play at Oceanfront Park, get some rounds in at Jacksonville Beach Golf Club, and enjoy a scenic sunset on the Jacksonville Beach Pier. After a day of sun, chow down on a sub sandwich at Angie’s Subs or head to Green Room Brewing for local beers on tap—and bring your dogs along!
Residents include Jacksonville Beach among the safe Jacksonville neighborhoods they recommend to newcomers, and it is renowned as one of the best communities for families in the city. Though it sits on the costlier end of the housing market in Jax, it’s well worth the price.
Arlington
As one of Jacksonville’s oldest settled areas, Arlington boasts abundant culture around every corner. This sprawling suburbia encompasses part of the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve—a national park brimming with sand dunes, wetlands, and historical sites dating back 6,000 years, and home to the French Fort Caroline in 1564, now preserved as a memorial. Aside from attractions, Arlington is a hub for fast-casual grub, so feast on a boil at The Juicy Crab or deopbap at Rice and Noodles.
The median sale price for homes in this neighborhood is well below the national average, and the community is known for being one of the most diverse in Jax in terms of occupations, ages, nationalities, and beliefs. Arlington is the spot for you if you want to raise your family somewhere where culture and experiences abound.
Orange Park
For families wanting to reside in the heart of suburbia, Orange Park is the place. Jacksonville is well known for its large military population, and Orange Park is a wonderful, comfortable community for military families just south of the Naval Air Base. Thanks to the neighborhood’s positioning right on the banks of the Saint Johns River, Orange Park Fish House & Oyster Co. has some of the best seafood in all of Jax. And for cozy diner food, Grumpy’s Restaurant is the perfect place for supper.
With superb parks, schools, and amenities everywhere you turn, Orange Park is a classic suburb with a homey feel without being too far from the action in Jacksonville.
Mandarin
Mandarin could be the riverfront paradise you’ve been dreaming of. Located in south Duval County, this neighborhood balances modern amenities, dining, and shopping with historic and natural charm. As the name suggests, Mandarin is known for its oranges, and the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society is a wonderful place to learn more about its colorful, citrus-filled past. But this tree-lined town also has its share of local hot spots, and you’ll be thrilled to dine on shrimp and grits at Julington Creek Fish Camp and artisan cuisine at Picasso’s.
An overwhelming number of Mandarin residents own their homes rather than rent, contributing to its culture of families with planted roots. And with excellent schools, convenient shopping, and gorgeous parks, it’s easy to see why.
Median Housing Price in Jacksonville Neighborhoods
If any of the above neighborhoods caught your attention, see below for the average Jacksonville housing prices in each of the communities we listed:
- San Marco median sale price. $315,000
- Jacksonville median sale price. $492,981
- Arlington median sale price. $142,180
- Orange Park median sale price. $245,100
- Mandarin median sale price. $415,805
Find the Best Places to Live in Jacksonville, FL, and Use Atlantic Self Storage For Your Move
Whether you’re a current Jaxon moving to a new home in the area or a newcomer making a cross-country move to the Gateway to Florida, having the space to move in fully is vital to feeling truly at home.
At Atlantic Self Storage, we offer a plethora of storage solutions, including options for climate-controlled storage units in Jacksonville, to help you discover the additional room you need to make Jax feel like home. We can help you find a spot for personal storage, business storage inventory and equipment, and vehicles in need of secure parking.
Contact us today to start the search for your ideal Jacksonville storage unit, and find us at a facility near you!