My son and his family have moved to Jacksonville,
And my wife and I are thinking of moving to be closer to them.
Any recommendations within 30 miles.
Any good ranges and or local gun stores to recommend.
I am 66 and able to retire.
Retirement community would be ok but not mandatory:
Thanks

My wife and I are doing the same, for the same reason, and also in the Jacksonville area. We haven’t found anything yet, but will be going down again in a few weeks to scout out areas and houses.

My son moved from Jacksonville just south to St. John’s County primarily for their school system. Taxes in St. John’s are considerably high than surrounding counties so beware of that, especially if your on a fixed income. Be sure to check HOA fees if you’re moving into one of the many developments.

Except for a 4 yr tour in Great Lakes I've been in Jax since 1986. I love the area and stayed here after retiring from the Navy. The Jacksonville area is covers a huge amount of area compared to most cities. I can drive almost 50 miles in one direction and still be in the city proper. Add in the surrounding counties like St Johns and you end up with a massive area to look at.

Some question;
If you are looking to be hear family where are they located at.(nearest major crossroads) if you are planning to work, knowing where you will be working at would help you narrow your searh.

What type of lifestyle do you want? The beach life? Urban, rural, suburbia, small town old Florida feel? We've got it all within a 45 - 60 minute commute.

I will throw out that the better ranges are south near St Augustine or west in Clay county. There are 2 indoor ranges near me on the east side of the city but they are just small indoor ranges you can put holes in paper.

Feel free to post up any questions or send me an email.
Let me know if you are in town and lunch is on me.

Blindref, where in SE PA are you at? I grew up in Lansdowne. Mom and Dad moved up to Bucks County the year after I joined the Navy.

I've lived here since 1986 too. It's great, there's something for everyone here in the area.

Taxes in St Johns are actually lower than Duval County, which is Jacksonville proper. As SpinZone has said, reach out with any questions. I know a very good Realtor as well.

Downtown Jax has a noticeable transient situation. City councils through the years never quite figured how to develop plans for attracting corporate investments. As previously mentioned, St.John county May yield you a better starting point from a comfort vs. Costs perspective. Check out Amelia island / Fernandinho beach area to the north of Jax in Nassau county. Good luck

Lived in Ponte Vedra Beach (St John's County) south of all the Jax beaches back in the early 80s during the time when the Tournament Players' Championship (TPC) golf course was constructed to supplant Sawgrass.

Area has grown tremendously since then but everything I hear remains generally positive.

I have only travelled through Jacksonville to get from Florida to Myrtle Beach.

But anytime I hear Jacksonville I can only think of this. Whether it is accurate or not I have no clue but it makes me laugh. (NSFW)

Have not really been to Jacksonville but i come around FL sometimes.

I never been to florida but I like orange juice. Fresh squeezed and pulpy.
Good stuff. Hope this helps.

My daughter goes to college in Jacksonville and I have friends who live there. It seems like a great place.

From Fernandina down to St. Augustine is nice. Or you could go inland too. Downtown Jax is not so nice.

JAX is a good area you can also move outside of the city into smaller towns if you prefer the country style life.

quote:

Originally posted by rsbolo:
My daughter goes to college in Jacksonville and I have friends who live there. It seems like a great place.

Doesn’t she go to JU?

Thanks for the input
Blindref my son lives off of Chaffee road South
Would like to be in that general area

quote:

Originally posted by hft119:
Thanks for the input
Blindref my son lives off of Chaffee road South
Would like to be in that general area

Lived in Jax for 3 years, if I remember correctly this is West side. If so, you'll be close to some rural areas. Callahan, Baldwin, Lawtey all small communities easily accessible to Jax proper. The cool thing about the city is that is made up from a bunch of smaller communities each retaining their distinctive personalities. Avoid downtown, and NW. Ortega, Lakeside nad Riverview are old sought after, (or were), communities North of NAS. Have fun and best of luck.