1 reply to this topic

[Thomacity]

Hello all.  New to the forum.  I live in NJ, but am looking to Jville next year for work.  Looking at the Mandarin area.  Would love to hear how it is around there and also what are some of the nicer apartments in that area.  

Thank you.

[ProjectMaximus]

Thomacity, on Mar 5 2008, 08:34 AM, said:

Hello all.  New to the forum.  I live in NJ, but am looking to Jville next year for work.  Looking at the Mandarin area.  Would love to hear how it is around there and also what are some of the nicer apartments in that area.  

Thank you.

I'm surprised no one's given you any insight. Ever since I left for college 6 years ago, I've been a bit detached from the growth and development all over the city, so I'm not so sure I can accurately offer much help. But here's what I remember from my days there...

San Jose Blvd is a pretty busy thoroughfare and runs north-south from the southern most tip of the "Mandarin" area all the way up through San Marco almost approaching downtown. Presumably the Whole Foods location will be down south, somewhere in the region of I-295. Which means you really could live anywhere in the southside and have a short drive to work. The Mandarin area is pretty dense and growing...much like most of Jacksonville I'd say the strongest elements of the city rest in the suburban concept (and the lifestyle and developments that come with it). So from that aspect, Mandarin is pretty nice. But if the downtown revitalization gets untracked (aka back on track) then hopefully in 10-20 years the urban core will be the bigger draw.

As for apts, I'm sorry I can't suggest anything in particular, but I'm sure you can easily find a decent selection of prices and quality in that area. Though picturing the Mandarin neighborhood in my mind right now, it's dominated by quaint housing complexes/communities.

Good luck with your move. Hope it all pans out.