JAX or Orlando? Possible relo

JAX coast-Atlantic/Neptune/Jax Beach/Ponte Vedra, St Augustine for sure. might consider Ormond Beach or New Smyrna as well.

maybe Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach too, but might be too far north.

will you be working? need to travel via air often? those would be the benefits of Orlando.

 

I'm not a boater so I'm not the guy to ask, but Jax does have access to the Intracoastal and the St Johns river.

 

Jacksonville is one of the largest cities in the area's you mentioned so henceforth it will have the greatest amount of cultural attractions such as concerts, museums and events. Also due to its size and ethnic diversity it will also have a better selection of international cuisines. Boating is quite nice as Jacksonville is on the St Johns river all the way to the Atlantic Ocean with Amelia Island and Fernandina to the north and Ponte Vedra and St Augustine to the south to visit. Offshore fishing is quite good also.
However, keep in mind this is NORTH Florida where it can be quite cool some winter mornings where as the farther south you go the more tropical the weather becomes.
Cocoa Beach and Merritt Island both offer plenty of good boating and slightly warmer winter weather but due to their smaller size will be less like a city and more like winter snowbird communities.
Orlando also is a city of substantial size offering many cultural and dining options but I hesitate to recommend it since I have always felt that if one is to live in Florida one needs to be near a coast. Plus boating in Orlando is well, nearly non-existent.
Both Jacksonville and Orlando will offer plenty of entertainment and dating options for a single guy such as yourself.
I would suggest a visit to both areas to see which 'feels' best for you.

 

agree 100% on that...I'm an hour from a beach. I don't feel like I live in Florida.

 

I've lived in coastal central Florida for more than 24 years and I prefer the coast from New Smyrna Beach to St. Augustine. I have been in the same town all those years (in between NSB and St. A). If I could pick a town other than where I live (Ormond Beach) it would be St. Augustine. It has a nice feeling about it. We go there a lot just stroll the streets (historic area), catch a snack or go out to dinner.

Having said that, these areas have limited cultural events. Other than my Fcar, I'm kinda boring...don't do clubs, bars etc. and only occasionally go to cultural events. But I'd rather live in a smaller more peaceful coastal location and travel a bit to either Orlando or Jax, neither of which are very far. Sometimes we take the Ferrari to Lake Mary just to get Jeremiah's Italian Ice.

As far as motorcycle riding, you really have to go to central Florida north of Orlando to have any "curvy" roads.

I think boating would be about equal in the areas mentioned as I believe they all have intra coastal access and are not very far from St. Johns river.

Also being close to the race track (DIS) makes it easier to attend car events there.

Good luck and keep us posted as we would like to have some more cars for C&C and some drives.
James

 

For all the things you have mentioned you like, JAX area will be better for you. Check out JAX Beach, Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine.

We have an office up there (I am in S. Florida) and I go up there a few times a year. If I had to relocate within Florida, JAX is one of the places I would want to be.

 

I agree, JAX is a very underrated city.

 

then there's this: No Disney Fun for Orlando Workers as Poverty Nears 20% - Bloomberg

 

Will the boat be trailered or stored? Do you fish as well, or just cruise? If you cruise and dive, the east coast is going to be your best bet. Especially if you don't trailer it. Outside of Orlando is a crap shoot. There are some great areas, and some crappy ones. The airport is close and easy to get to, plenty of night life. Roads north west of Otown are fun to drive if the bicyclists aren't out. Lots of lakes that can handle your boat as well.
North towards Jax has a lot to offer as well. You can still find some fairly quiet areas that are close to the towns. The intercostal is pretty awesome, and deep water is close by. West coast the depth drops about a foot per mile out, unless you're around Tampa. Just something to think about.
From the sounds of things, I'd look around New Smyrna to St Augustine. Close t major towns but not in the middle of the suburbs.

 

As someone who's lived in Florida for well over 50 years I would definitely suggest coastal areas over inland, especially Orlando, which for me is the least attractive urban area in the state. Jax is a very under-rated city. Plus, adjacent coastal areas are attractive, you don't have to be in Jacksonville proper. Jax has a very good airport, Daytona and Amelia are short drives. North Florida coast is pretty immune to hurricanes, as the Gulfstream tends to keep most of them offshore the farther up the coast you go. In fact, many inland areas get more destructive storms than the north Florida coast. All in all, it would be an easy choice for me: Jacksonville.

 

I've lived in Jacksonville for about 11 years and love it. It's big city and small town all at the same time, in my opinion. Meaning it has a huge range of things to offer (like big cities do), but doesn't make you feel like you're lost the city bustle.

There are plenty of boating opportunities. Some examples of boating which I've experienced are: day trips up the intracoastal to Ft. George, day trips down the intracoastal to St. Augustine, overnights docked in St Aug, all sorts of water sports along the intracoastal, boating to local dinner places along the water, and plenty of fishing in the intracoastal/river/and Atlantic.

As far as motorcycles go, I'm sure there is a big community. My church has a group, I've seen groups on the road, and I know the family who owns the local Harley dealers and they seem to stay busy.

Your 360 spider will fit right in, Jacksonville is a Ferrari town more than it is any other exotic maker. If you do end up in the area, I'd be happy to get you in contact with some Ferrari guys who like to attend shows/meets.

I can confidently say that you'd enjoy Jacksonville (or the coastal areas just south). If it helps, my favorite areas in Jax are Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedre, San Marco, and the gated neighborhoods off of Hodges blvd (where I live).

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Jax is perfect for you. Beautiful beaches along with very little traffic and close to historic St Augustine and Amelia Island. Lastly real estate here is still very reasonable for FL.

 

Speaking from someone having lived in Orlando for decades.

 

I recommend Windermere, FL. Just west of Orlando and a nice quiet town (lots of golfers/pro athletes live there). It has a nice chain of lakes to go boating on. Unlike Winter Park, you're not that close to downtown so not as much traffic in the area. It has a relatively short drive to a lot of newer shopping areas. I think ammoman recently relocated to Windermere so you can ask him how it was for him adjusting to the place.

If you're into salt water boating/cruising, Jax for sure. Not worth the 1hr+ ride just to get to the nearest beach/intracoastal around Cape Canaveral/Cocoa if you're in Otown. A couple of my friends live in Jacksonville (work at UF Jax and Mayo Clinic) and love the area.

 

I've lived in both and currently live in Orlando. For work. Because I have to. If I didn't, I would be living in my old neighborhood, San Marco, in Jacksonville. In my opinion, if you're into boating and want to be near a big city, get a house in San Marco/Epping Forest Yacht Club area. Heck, join Epping Forest. I used to have a good time there. Not much a single scene (I'm married anyway) but I liked it. Plus you get rights at their other clubs out at the beach. As a bonus, Jacksonville has the best tacos in the country (TacoLu).

St. Augustine is amazing and I second anyone's recommendation of that area. Beautiful, historic, great weather, and close to Amelia Island. Still affordable, too.

Ponte Vedra is nice, though spoiled for me in that half the obnoxious frat/bro "don't you know who my dad is?!" types from law school grew up in Ponte Vedra. And told you so. Constantly.

Orlando has a lot going for it culturally and economically, but if you can live anywhere in North/Central Florida, I agree with everyone else here, live in coastal Florida.

Good luck with the move, welcome to Florida, and if you have any questions at all I am happy to help however I can.