The Pros and Cons of Living in Jacksonville, FL

At 840 square miles, Jacksonville is the largest city by landmass in the country’s 48 contiguous states, but it’s not your typical large city. Instead, it’s the sum of dozens of unique communities and neighborhoods that range from urban to rural.

Like any place to live or work, Jacksonville has pros and cons, many of which its residents may classify differently depending on their likes and dislikes. In general, though, most residents and visitors can agree on the same set of plusses and minuses when it comes to living in this large city in the South.

The expert local Jacksonville movers at Suddath offer what you need to know about the city’s ups and downs if you’re planning to relocate here or are just starting your research on topics such as Jacksonville neighborhoods or movers in Jacksonville.

Pros of Living in Jacksonville, FL

Plenty of Sunshine

If you appreciate warm weather, you’ll find it in Jacksonville. July can be the hottest month with average highs and lows of 92° / 75° with ocean breezes helping during humid days. January is the coolest with these averages: 66° / 46°. With those temps, snow is quite rare; so, if you’re moving from a place with cold winters, you won’t need to bring your snowblower. If you’re moving from a place that’s warmer than Jacksonville, you’ll appreciate the change of seasons, one that doesn’t include a rough winter.

Mild Winter Weather

Of the tens of thousands of people who move to Jacksonville each year, it’s probably safe to assume that many wanted to leave their snow shovels behind. Northeast Florida’s coastal area has plenty of sunshine in the winter, with high temperatures in the mid-60s and lows in the mid-40s. Freezes do happen, but they’re rare and usually not severe.

Jacksonville’s Miles of Beaches and Waterways

The area’s local waters are one of its main attractions and the center of its outdoor activities. Jacksonville has more than 20 miles of beaches, the state’s longest section of the St. Johns River, and a 40-mile-long Intracoastal Waterway. Add the channels and canals that are part of the waterway system, and there are more than a thousand miles of navigable water here.

Lower Cost of Living in Jacksonville, FL.

Compared to national averages, Jacksonville’s housing costs and the overall cost of living are lower than cities with comparable populations. The median rent is slightly above the national average, but most residents can buy homes.

Hot Job Market

Wall Street Journal’s 2022 job market rankings lists Jacksonville as the fifth hottest market in the United States, the top in Florida. WSJ uses five factors in its formula: job growth, labor-force growth, labor-force participation rate, unemployment rate, and wage growth. Jacksonville offers jobs with a “strong multiplier effect”: they’re reasonably high paying in themselves and tend to add to local job economies. Sectors include financial services, health care, and technology.

Plus, just like in other parts of the country, more people worked remotely during the peak of the COVID pandemic—and a 2022 survey of Florida employers suggests that this may have a lasting effect on how work gets done: 27 percent of employers have made intentional changes to help their remote employees succeed, a sign that they’re in it for the long haul.

Convenient Location

Both I-95 and I-10 run through Jacksonville, making it easier to get to nearby cities. Drive times are relatively short to Orlando and Miami and the college towns of Gainesville and Tallahassee.

Jacksonville also has an international airport with direct flights to major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and Chicago.

For day trips, Jacksonville can’t be beat. Some of the best include Amelia Island to the north, St. Augustine to the south, and state parks in every direction.

Jacksonville’s Great Neighborhoods

With its sprawling size, Jacksonville has neighborhoods of every size and style. Some of the most popular choices are the laid-back suburbs of Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach; historical areas such as San Marco and Riverside/Avondale; charming older communities such as Springfield and Murray Hill; and the Northside and Westside neighborhoods where it’s easier to find room to spread out.

All Types of Home Styles

As with its neighborhoods, you’ll find all types of housing in Jacksonville. High-rise condos downtown and on the oceanfront, established areas with a mix of old and new, and brand-new planned communities with single-family homes are just a few of your choices.

Cons of Living in Jacksonville, FL

Hot, Humid Summers

Although Jacksonville’s typical winter weather is a plus, the summers may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Summers are long here and, at their height, can be oppressive. The high temperatures, which hover around 90 degrees every day in July, feel even hotter due to the constantly high humidity levels. Unless you’re on or in the water, you may decide to spend many of your summer days indoors.

The Potential for Severe Weather

Due to its location on the Florida coast, Jacksonville is often in the National Hurricane Center’s cone of probable hurricane or tropical storm tracks. While it’s been decades since the area took a direct hit from a hurricane, Jacksonville has experienced the damaging effects of several hurricanes and tropical storms (and the flooding they can bring) in recent years. New residents need to become familiar with the steps they should take to protect their property and know their evacuation routes when severe weather threatens.

Climbing Homeowner Insurance Costs

With the above-mentioned severe weather to blame, homeowners’ insurance costs are soaring in Florida. If you’re buying a home in Jacksonville, investigate which flood zone you’re in and whether you’ll need a separate flood insurance policy. Even when it does cover wind damage from hurricanes, homeowners’ insurance doesn’t cover floods or storm surges, nor do renters insurance policies.

Jacksonville’s Lack of Public Transportation Options

Unlike cities of similar size, Jacksonville has limited choices in public transportation. It does have extensive bus service and the usual ride services such as Lyft and Uber, but there aren’t any passenger rail options that let you easily move around town. You’ll definitely need a car here, and you’ll also need to prepare for long commutes, heavy traffic, and delays due to ongoing road construction.

You should also be aware that Jacksonville ranks in the top 10 most dangerous American cities for pedestrians. There are a few attractive, walkable neighborhoods in Jacksonville, but the city’s streets give cars the lion’s share of space and access.

Lower Income Throughout Jacksonville

Jacksonville residents don’t earn as much on average as people in other large American cities. If you’re moving from your current location in search of a higher salary and want to be in Florida, your chances of finding a higher-paying job are much better in places such as Miami or West Palm Beach.

Moving With Professional Movers in Jacksonville

If you’re short on time or just don’t want the hassles that come with packing, loading, moving, and unloading your household belongings yourself, you have plenty of choices when it comes to moving companies in Jacksonville.

While price is certainly top of mind when you’re shopping around for a moving company, remember that price isn’t the whole story. There are significant differences between movers’ services and quality, especially if you’re considering everything from a two-person team with a truck to a full-service moving company with a nationwide fleet of teams and trucks.

Legitimate, professional movers may cost more, but it’s for a reason – moving companies like Suddath invest in training and background checking crews. They will do their due diligence before your move and operate honorably should anything go awry. Peace-of-mind is worth a lot during a home move. You can also be sure you won’t be charged more on the backend than you anticipated in “surprise” fees.

Here are some tips for gathering the information you need to make an informed decision about hiring a mover:

• Make sure any company you hire has proper licensing and insurance. These credentials help protect your property and your rights. Also, ask for proof of certification from the American Trucking Association.
• Take time to look into the moving companies’ reputations. See if friends, family, or colleagues have recently used a moving company and can give you a personal recommendation and read reviews online.
• Watch for red flags, such as a moving company that doesn’t have a website or physical address. Avoid companies that won’t provide a clear, written estimate or share references from prior customers.
• Professional moving companies will require a home walkthrough, either virtually or in-person. This is the only way to provide an accurate estimate. It is a red flag if a company doesn’t require one.

How to Save Money When Hiring a Mover

Using professional movers in Jacksonville doesn’t have to break the bank if you look for a company that lets you customize your move with only the services you need.

Some moving companies offer only a full-service option, which means you have to use all of their services, including packing and unpacking, loading and unloading. Others, such as Suddath, let you choose the services you want. You can do all of the packing and unpacking, for example, and have our teams take care of the loading and unloading.

Your move coordinator can discuss options with you, but timing of your move can also significantly affect the price. The moving industry works a little bit like the airline industry – meaning that moving on a weekend will cost you more than moving on a Wednesday. If you’re flexible in your timing, it can save quite a bit.

The Best Time to Schedule a Mover in Jacksonville

As discussed, timing of your move is very important when it comes to pricing, so unless it’s the only time you can move, try not to schedule your move during the busy period from late spring through September. This includes around major holidays. If you do need to move then, book your mover three or more months in advance to make sure you have a desirable place on the schedule. This is especially when having flexibility in your moving date can save you money.

For moves during the October to May timeframe, especially if you can move on a weekday instead of a weekend, you may be able to book your move just a few weeks in advance.

Ready to Go? Our Professional Movers in Jacksonville, FL, Are Ready to Help

At Suddath, we think of every detail to ensure your move is a smooth process. The pros at Suddath have you covered with a variety of services to suit any need for your Jacksonville move including full-service packing and unpacking, and storage options if you need to store your belongings safely and securely with 24/7 video monitoring security.

Our state-of the art facility has a variety of flexible options for any need, including short or long term storage in Jacksonville that will protect delicate items in climate controlled environments!

We know you have your choice of Jacksonville moving companies, so at Suddath, we go above and beyond to ensure your move is efficient and affordable. We offer complete price transparency with no hidden costs, well-trained and fully vetted moving crews, flexible scheduling, and customized moving services that meet your needs.

Request your free moving quote or book your Jacksonville move today.