With college graduation season upon us, the nation’s urban centers are seeing an influx of young professionals moving within the city limits to find work. New grads moving to the city of Jacksonville want to live in a neighborhood that is close to the downtown job market while still maintaining a unique character of its own.
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Fortunately for these new job seekers, there are a number of neighborhoods in the Jax that offer both easy access to downtown and a fun youthful atmosphere.
Riverside and Avondale Historic District
These two great neighborhoods located right next to each other on St John’s River are known for their bohemian vibe. The area is anchored by Five Points, the commercial district located at the intersection of Park, Lomax and Margaret Streets.
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Easily navigable by bike or on foot, this central hub has a variety of unique shops and restaurants, as well as an historic movie theater called the Sun-Ray Cinema. No more than a couple blocks away sit the Shoppes of Avondale, another great shopping area that serves residents of Riverside and Avondale. The neighborhoods also benefit from easy access to the downtown core by car.
San Marco
The San Marco neighborhood lies on the opposite side of the river from Riverside and Avondale. San Marco Square at the intersection of San Marco Boulevard and Atlantic Boulevard provides a nice pedestrian area for shopping and dining. Young professionals love San Marco because it lies just over the bridge from Jacksonville’s downtown district and yet it feels a world away.
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The neighborhood’s acre-long Riverfront Park is a great spot to watch the sun go down while the San Marco Dinner District is made up of world-class restaurants such as Taverna, Bistro AIX, Matthew’s Restaurant, The Grotto Wine and Tapas, and bb’s Restaurant and Bar.
Springfield Historic District
The Springfield Historic District is located right in the center of Jacksonville’s urban core. Despite being in the heart of the city, crime rates remain quite low compared to the downtown districts of other major metropolises. As a result of sustained community involvement in recent years, Springfield has been brought back from the brink and is now notable as a city on the rise.
Southern Living magazine even named Springfield on their list of the South’s Best Comeback Neighborhoods. Young professionals will surely be drawn to the area’s community spirit and up-and-coming feel.
