The lifestyle in Jacksonville is one of the main reasons people move to the city. As is the case throughout much of Florida, the pace of life in Jacksonville is somewhat slower than elsewhere in the US. Residents tend to work to live rather than live to work.
Jacksonville has a wide range of options for making good use of leisure time. Sports fans, outdoor enthusiasts, culture vultures, and foodies alike are bound to find plenty to keep them busy in the city.
Shopping in Jacksonville
New arrivals who want to indulge in some retail therapy will find plenty of options for shopping in Jacksonville. The city has everything from luxury malls and boutiques to flea markets and antique shops. Those seeking luxury shopping experiences should head to San Marco and Avondale for the upmarket boutiques that sell chic, high-end pieces.
Newcomers who are into pre-loved clothing will love the vintage offerings at Five Points. Shoppers who are looking for the everyday essentials or the latest fashion trends can visit the St Johns Town Center or Avenues Mall. These malls are also home to some of the city’s best restaurants and an array of entertainment options, including an arcade and an amusement park. They are ideal venues for a day of family fun.
Arts and culture in Jacksonville
Newcomers who care about arts and culture in Jacksonville will not be short of options. From the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens to the annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival, a Jacksonville Symphony concert, live performances at the Florida Theatre, or a show at the historic Ritz Theatre, there’s never a dull moment in Jacksonville.
Prospective residents planning a move to Jacksonville with the kids in tow will be pleased to learn that most of the city’s attractions have a child-friendly element. Each November, Visit Jacksonville runs its long-standing Kids Free November promotion, and children get in free or at a discount at many of the city’s top attractions when they come with a paying adult.
Eating out in Jacksonville
Foodies are well served when it comes to eating out in Jacksonville. The city’s food scene is eclectic, and you will find everything from international fare to classic Southern soul food to satisfy a craving.
Newcomers should be sure to try the Jacksonville staple, Mayport shrimp. The name is a regional label for the four types of shrimp landed off the coast: white, pink, brown, and rock. Locals will tell you the name is more about marketing than a cast-iron guarantee of origin, since the crews on bigger boats often range much further out for their catch. You can find it paired with datil pepper in ceviche, served over grits, deep-fried in a po’boy, or piled into a shrimp boil.
Nightlife in Jacksonville
Night owls will not be disappointed by nightlife in Jacksonville. Head to ‘The Elbow’, a cluster of bars and clubs in downtown Jacksonville, for a fun night on the town where you can indulge in local beers and craft cocktails while enjoying live music.
Jacksonville has a long-standing tradition of trendy beach bars where you can view the ocean while sipping a tropical cocktail. At Beaches Town Center, visitors will find a range of nightlife venues, from upscale champagne bars to historic watering holes.
Sports and outdoor activities in Jacksonville
Fans of sports and outdoor activities in Jacksonville will be in their element. The city is something of a sports hub, and residents will find a local team to support no matter which sport they choose to follow. Football fans can follow the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, the only one of these teams actually based in the city. The Florida-Georgia college game is played in Jacksonville most years, which is one reason many locals also back the Florida Gators, based in Gainesville, and Florida State’s Seminoles up in Tallahassee. Baseball fans can get behind the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the Triple-A side that took its name from the region’s shrimping heritage in 2016.
For those wanting a taste of the outdoors, Jacksonville also has the largest urban park system in the USA. It is made up of more than 80,000 acres (32,000 hectares) across roughly 390 parks, and you can hike, cycle, jog, or walk the dog along miles of dedicated trails. The weather is pleasant all year round, so a day at one of Jacksonville’s many beaches is always a good bet. Whether it’s surfing, swimming, fishing, boating, or simply catching some rays on the beach, Jacksonville really does have it all.
See and do in Jacksonville
New arrivals will find plenty to see and do in Jacksonville, whatever their tastes and interests. Getting out and about like a tourist is a good way to get to know your new home.
Here is a list of just some of the noteworthy attractions and activities in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville’s beaches
Thousands of holidaymakers head to Jacksonville’s beaches each summer, and residents get to enjoy the Atlantic coast all year round. Fishing off the Jacksonville Beach Pier is a popular pastime, and Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are lovely spots for a day by the sea.
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is home to more than 2,000 animals alongside a series of botanical gardens. Families can walk the trails, meet the resident big cats, ride the train around the grounds, or cool off at the splash park in summer. Much of the site is designed with younger visitors in mind, but there is plenty to hold an adult’s interest too.
The Jax Ale Trail
Jacksonville is one of Florida’s premier beer destinations and home to a good crop of local craft breweries. Beer enthusiasts can follow the self-guided Jax Ale Trail from one taproom to the next and set their own pace.
Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens
The Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens is in the historic Arlington neighbourhood, and it is one of the city’s quieter green spaces. You can walk the trails, spot local wildlife, picnic in the shade, or sit and think beside the lily pond. The gardens are pet-friendly too, so this is a fine spot for a sunny day out with the whole family.
Meeting people and making friends in Jacksonville
Meeting people and making friends in Jacksonville can feel daunting at first, as it does in any new city. Hobby and social clubs are a good place to start, because a shared interest is the easiest way to break the ice and find like-minded people.
On local forums, the usual advice for newcomers is to join a club built around something you already enjoy, rather than rely on passive networking. Sign up for a sports social league, and you are on a team within a week. You can play anything from basketball to oddities like skeeball and cornhole. Volunteering is another easy way in, and the area’s long-running community and women’s clubs are always glad of willing hands for their fundraising drives. If you are after something more exclusive, the city also has invitation-only country clubs where members get access to golf, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and a full social calendar.