The Tiny house Blog

7 Reasons to Relocate to Jacksonville + Fun Facts

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
August 11, 2024
Reasons to Relocate to Jacksonville + Fun Facts

Image Source: Canva

Are you looking for a place in Florida to call home? Unsure which one of the  267 cities, 123 towns, and 21 villages composing the State of Florida best for you? Jacksonville FL stands tall above other cities in the state like Miami and Orlando for people looking for a city offering sunshine, beaches, fun, and affordability. Take a look at this short list of reasons why Jacksonville is the top choice for thousands of newcomers relocating to Florida.  Falling in love with a city like Jacksonville is easy. Learn what so many others already know about the city in this list of top reasons why Jacksonville should be your new home city.

7 Reasons Jacksonville is The Perfect Place to Call Home

If we are being honest, Jacksvonille is an all-around great city with plenty to love. There is a fantastic cultural and arts scene, miles of sandy white beaches, great nightlife, and excellent dining options to suit every palate. Residents are friendly, housing and cost of living are more affordable, and the weather is terrific year-round. We could write a book detailing how wonderful Jacksonville is, but since space is limited, we’ve narrowed it down to a short list of reasons why we think you will love calling this city your home.

1. Beaches

Florida’s beaches attract millions of tourists every year. As a Jacksonville resident, you are treated to 1,100 miles of water- more than any other city in the state- and 22 miles of gorgeous beaches, including Jacksonville Beach, ready for your enjoyment. Along with the many beaches, you can find bodies of water like St. Johns for your pleasure. Whether you enjoy swimming, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, or other water activities, the beaches of Jacksonville ensure fun is in the bag.

2. Enjoyable Weather Year-Round

Although Jacksonville sees about 50 -55 inches of rainfall annually, it’s generally evenly distributed throughout the year. Sunshine fills the city most days of the year-270 of them. Yes, Jacksonville sees nearly 300 days of sunshine every year. Even during fall and winter, residents can always get outdoors without fear of snow, ice, and cold temperatures. If you’re a fan of sunshine, Jacksvonlle never disappoints.

3. Affordable City

Compared to other cities in Florida, Jacksonville offers a more affordable cost of living. Jacksonville is even cheaper than the national average by 7%. Buying a home in Jacksonville may cost you thousands of dollars less than in Orlando, Miami Beach, or other major cities. Housing costs are 10% lower in Jacksonville than in other Florida cities. On average, houses in Jacksonville sell for $100k less. Whether you depend on affordability to survive or enjoy living comfortably without financial hardships, Jacksonville is the perfect place to save money.

4. Endless Entertainment For All

Jacksonville offers plenty of fun activities and attractions (aside from its beaches) to entertain people of every age. Whether you’re searching for family-friendly activities or adult-only nightlife, the options never disappoint. Jacksonville is home to a great zoo, and eateries offering diverse food choices on their menus, late-night dance halls, art galleries, cultural events, and non-stop fun every day of the week, 365 days a year.

Image Source: Canva

5. Find Your New Home in Jacksonville

If living more sustainably or minimizing the chaos from your life sounds interesting, consider relocating to Jacksonville and joining the tiny home community. Flexible zoning laws and established tiny house communities in Jacksonville help you feel welcomed. You can become the proud owner of a tiny home in your choice of amazing communities for as little as a few thousand dollars. Or, rent a tiny home for an affordable rate each month.  If you aren’t ready to commit to a tiny home, Jacksonville has many affordably priced homes on the market waiting for you to call your own.

6. Great Job Market

Relocating to Jacksvonlle puts you in line for your choice of enticing professional employment opportunities. The Wall Street Journal ranked Jacksonville #2 on its list of Cities with the “Hottest Job Market” in the U.S. and ranked #10 on the list of Hottest Job Markets in Florida. No matter your sector or the field you want to pursue, expect a range of opportunities awaiting you. Some of the biggest employment sectors in Jaksvonille include healthcare, tourism, logistics, and technology. Many major companies have locations in Jacksonville, including Amazon, Baptist Health, CSX, Johnson & Johnson, and Citigroup.

7. Strong Sense of Community

When you feel as if you are part of a community, Jacksonville makes you feel welcomed, comfortable, and valued. Jacksonville residents always have their southern charm on front and display, and welcome in newcomers with open arms. The laid-back vibe of the city gives Jacksonville its unique character. No matter which neighborhood you choose, you’ll feel right at home and welcomed by those around you. Whether you’re a college student ready to venture into life, looking for a comfortable place to raise a family, ready to retire, or want a fresh start, Jacksonville will exceed your expectations.

Jacksonville Fun Facts

Before we close, check out a few fun facts about your new city.

  • Jacksonville offers more than 100 neighborhoods, each offering unique flavor and charm.
  • Just over 328 miles separate Jacksonville and Miami. Orlando is 128 miles from the city, while Tampa sits about 200 miles away.
  • Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and the United States by land size, covering 874.3 square miles.
  • Jacksonville has the largest urban park system in the country.
  • The average age of a Jacksonville resident is 36 years old.
  • Jacksonville is often called the “Gateway to Florida”
  • The Jacksonville Farmer’s Market sells delicious fruits, vegetables, and more year-round.

Final Thoughts

Consider relocating to Jacksonville if you’re looking for a great place to call home in Florida. Residents love their city, and there is little question you will find the same heartfelt appreciation with life in Jacksonville. We recommend buying a home as you venture into the city/ Nothing is more exciting than moving to a new city as a homeowner!

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