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title: "Moving to Jacksonville: The River City Relocation Guide"
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# Moving to Jacksonville: The River City Relocation Guide

Home Moving Blog Moving Guides Why Jacksonville Florida, Is a Great Place to Move to Why Jacksonville Florida, Is a Great Place to Move to By Joshua Green Updated: May 5, 2025 4 min read Fact-checked by Martin Panayotov Reviewer & editor Table of Contents [Open] [Close] Affordable Cost of Living Great Neighborhoods Excellent Schools and Further Education Job Opportunities and Economic Growth Outdoor Lifestyle and Coastal Access Mild Weather, Coastal Climate Cultural Scene and Community Vibe Convenient Travel and Central Location Why Jacksonville Is the Right Move Most people consider Miami’s nightlife, Orlando’s theme parks, or Tampa’s Gulf Coast when they consider moving to Florida. But more and more families, young professionals, and retirees are discovering a hidden gem on Florida’s northeast coast: Jacksonville. As Florida’s largest city by land area and population, Jacksonville offers an affordable and vibrant environment that suits almost every lifestyle. In this post, we discover why Jacksonville might be your ideal next move. You may also like to read: Moving to a New State . If you are thinking of moving to a new state, then this guide is invaluable: from average moving costs to checklists to settling into your new state. Affordable Cost of Living Regency Square Mll, Jacksonville FL One of Jacksonville’s strongest draws is its cost of living, which is significantly lower than the national average and much more affordable than other major Florida cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Tampa. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Jacksonville’s cost of living is about 8% below the national average. Median Home Price (2025): – $310,000 Average Rent (2BR Apartment): – $1,400 /month State Income Tax: $0 (Florida is one of the few states with no state income tax) This affordability makes Jacksonville especially attractive for first-time homebuyers, young families, and retirees on a fixed income. You may also like to read: 10 Benefits of Moving to a New Place . In this guide, we highlight 10 great reasons to move to a new place. Cost Estimator Enter route details for best prices Save up to 40% off moving costs. 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Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay U.S. Virgin Islands Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe My state My city Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay U.S. Virgin Islands Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe To country Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curacao Cyprus Czech Republic Democratic Republic of the Congo Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Ivory Coast Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands North Korea North Macedonia Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Republic of the Congo Reunion Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Barthelemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay U.S. Virgin Islands Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican Venezuela Vietnam Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe To state To city Get My Free Quote Save up to 40% off moving costs. How Much do Movers Cost? Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts. Call now for a cost estimate: +1 (800) 989-8833 Available 24/7 Call now for a cost estimate: +1 (800) 989-8833 Available 24/7 As Featured On: Great Neighborhoods Downtown Jacksonville FL Jacksonville is massive; it covers more than 840 square miles, so choosing the right neighborhood is key. Fortunately, the city offers a variety of living options from beach towns to urban apartments and quiet suburban communities. 1. Riverside/Avondale Best For: Young professionals, artists, and history lovers Vibe: Historic, walkable, artsy Highlights: Historic homes, riverside parks, local coffee shops, vibrant nightlife One of Jacksonville’s most charming and walkable neighborhoods, Riverside/Avondale blends 1920s architecture with modern flair. It’s also home to the Riverside Arts Market every Saturday. 2. San Marco Best For: Professionals and families Vibe: Upscale, artsy, historic Highlights: San Marco Square, top-rated dining, close to downtown San Marco is known for its Mediterranean revival architecture and its proximity to downtown, making it ideal for professionals who want city access with suburban peace. 3. Mandarin Best For: Families and retirees Vibe: Quiet, green, residential Highlights: Top schools, St. Johns River views, large family homes A heavily treed suburb with riverfront charm, Mandarin is great for those seeking a peaceful, family-oriented community. 4. Nocatee Best For: Growing families and new homeowners Vibe: Master-planned, modern, resort-like Highlights: Community pools, trails, parks, highly rated schools Just south of Jacksonville in St. Johns County, Nocatee consistently ranks among the best-selling master-planned communities in the U.S. 5. Jacksonville Beach Best For: Beach lovers and young professionals Vibe: Laid-back, coastal, active Highlights: Walkable beach town, surf spots, nightlife For those who want to live steps from the sand, Jacksonville Beach offers a classic Florida lifestyle with a small-town vibe. You may also like to read: How to Choose the Best Neighborhood to Move to . In this guide, we suggest things to take into consideration when choosing a new neighborhood in which to live. Excellent Schools and Further Education Jacksonville Landing Jacksonville is served by Duval County Public Schools, one of the largest school districts in Florida. The area offers a mix of public, charter, and private schools. Additionally, St. Johns County, just to the south, is known for having some of the highest-rated public schools in the state. Notable Public Schools: Stanton College Preparatory School – Ranked among the top high schools in the nation Paxon School for Advanced Studies – Offers rigorous academic programs, including IB Douglas Anderson School of the Arts – Renowned for visual and performing arts Charter & Private Options: River City Science Academy – STEM-focused charter school Bishop Kenny High School – Catholic high school with a strong academic reputation Bolles School – Private prep school with an international reputation Higher education is also well-represented with the University of North Florida (UNF) and Jacksonville University (JU) offering competitive programs in business, healthcare, education, and the sciences. You may also like to read: How to Choose a School in a New Place . In this guide, we offer tips for finding the best school for your kids. Job Opportunities and Economic Growth Downtown Jacksonville Jacksonville has one of the fastest-growing economies in Florida, with a diverse range of industries supporting job growth and career development. The city is very business-friendly, so it has attracted numerous Fortune 500 companies and a strong startup scene. Key Industries: Healthcare: Mayo Clinic, Baptist Health, UF Health Jacksonville Finance: Fidelity National Financial, Black Knight, Bank of America Logistics: CSX Corporation, JAXPORT, FedEx, UPS Defense: Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Northrop Grumman Tech: Emerging startups, fintech firms, and incubators Remote workers also find Jacksonville appealing for its combination of affordable housing, fast internet infrastructure, and quality of life. With more companies adopting hybrid models, Jacksonville’s proximity to both beaches and city life is very appealing. You may also like to read: Moving for Work . In this guide, we look at the pros and cons of moving for a job. Outdoor Lifestyle and Coastal Access Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens One of the biggest perks of living in Jacksonville is its natural beauty and year-round outdoor lifestyle. The city has 22 miles of beaches, multiple rivers, and over 80,000 acres of parks and green spaces. Locals enjoy activities like: Surfing at Jacksonville Beach Fishing on the St. Johns River Biking through Timucuan Ecological Preserve Kayaking in the Intracoastal Waterway Mild Weather, Coastal Climate The weather, featuring mild winters and long summers, means you can be outside almost every day of the year. With so much space and such a strong connection to nature, Jacksonville is a haven for outdoor lovers. Average High (July): 92°F Average Low (January): 46°F Snowfall: Extremely rare The city’s east coast location also brings cooling ocean breezes, and its elevation means less risk of major hurricane damage compared to other Florida cities. Cultural Scene and Community Vibe Jacksonville Art Walk Jacksonville is more than beaches and business, it has a growing cultural scene. The Riverside Arts Market, Cummer Museum of Art, and Florida Theatre are just a few examples of how art, music, and community events are thriving here. The city also hosts annual events like the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, One Spark (a startup showcase), and the Florida-Georgia college football game, drawing crowds from across the Southeast. Whether you’re into food, live music, or local crafts, there’s always something happening in Jacksonville. You may also like to read: Why Do People Move Home? In this guide, we suggest 6 great reasons why people choose to move home. Convenient Travel and Central Location OneSpark Skyway Jacksonville is strategically located in Northeast Florida, making it a great hub for regional travel. It sits at the intersection of I-10 and I-95, providing direct routes to Atlanta, Orlando, and Savannah. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is efficient and offers daily flights to most major U.S. cities. For weekend getaways, the historic town of St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and the Georgia coastline are all within an hour’s drive. Why Jacksonville Is the Right Move Friendship Fountain Jacksonville Jacksonville offers something unique: the amenities of a large city with the vibe of a coastal town. Its combination of reasonable cost of living, safe and diverse neighborhoods, job availability, top schools, and outdoor lifestyle makes it not only one of Florida’s best-kept secrets but also one of the most livable cities in the United States. Good luck with your move, and be sure to check out our home moving blog for tips and guides to make every aspect of your home move cheaper, easier, and safer. Useful links: Official Website of the City of Jacksonville Visit Jacksonville University of North Florida Jacksonville University Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Jacksonville Port Authority Maps of Jacksonville Also Read Boston Moving Guide – Info and Advice History, culture, green open spaces, and a thriving economy await you in Boston Boston is one of the most... Read More The Pros and Cons of Moving to Austin TX Austin TX is a very desirable place to live Austin, Texas, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the... Read More Moving to Las Vegas Guide Aside from the glitz and glam, Las Vegas can be a great place to live Las Vegas, Nevada, famously known as... Read More Ready to get a free quote for your move? Answer a few questions, compare quotes and receive competitive price estimates. Request a moving quote More about the author Written by Joshua Green Relocation Expert & Book Author Posted on Monday, May 5, 2025, Last updated on May 5, 2025 Joshua is a moving expert and author who dedicates his time to helping people move quickly and safely. Share your thoughts by leaving a comment Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Comment * Name * Email * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Home Moving Blog Moving Guides Why Jacksonville Florida, Is a Great Place to Move to