Living in Jacksonville, FL: A Local Mover's Guide for People Moving Here
Moving to Jacksonville? Jawad shares local guidance on neighborhoods, weather, cost of living and a first-week checklist for people moving here.
3 min read · Jacksonville, Florida
By Jawad · Published
I'm Jawad, owner of 1st Choice Moving. We move families into and around Jacksonville every week. Here's what I tell people who call from out of town and ask what living here is really like.
Jacksonville is big. Really big.
The city and Duval County consolidated in 1968, so Jacksonville covers a huge area, and the St. Johns River runs right through it. Where you live changes your commute, your HOA and your daily life more than in most cities.
The areas we move people into most
- Southside, Baymeadows and Deerwood. These are central, close to the I-95/I-295/Butler Blvd corridor, and full of apartments and newer subdivisions. See our Southside, Baymeadows and Deerwood pages.
- Mandarin. Established neighborhoods along the river, mature trees, and a quieter feel.
- Jacksonville Beach and the beaches. Beach living, with more condos and tighter parking on move day. See Jacksonville Beach.
- Nocatee. A master-planned community just over the line in St. Johns County.
- Orange Park. In Clay County, popular with NAS Jax families. See Orange Park.
All areas: service areas.
Cost of living
Florida has no state personal income tax. That's a real factor for many people moving here. On the moving side, our guide How much do movers cost in Jacksonville? breaks down what drives a moving quote.
Weather to plan around
- Summers are hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms. We start early to beat the heat and the storms.
- Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30. Book flexible dates and keep important papers with you, not on the truck.
- Winters are mild, which makes them our favorite moving season.
Is Jacksonville safe?
It depends on the street, not the city. We won't rank neighborhoods.
Your first-week checklist
- Set up electric and water.
- Get a Florida driver's license and register your car.
- Look up your trash and recycling day.
Moving to Jacksonville?
We handle local moves and full-service packing. For long-distance moves, see long-distance movers.
