Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville, Florida and the surrounding areas are, simply, a nice place to live, raise a family, or enjoy as a retirement destination. The climate is mild, and the taxes are between non-existent and low. Florida residents pay sales tax and property taxes, and very few other state taxes. There are no state or local income taxes. State, city, and county fees are low in comparison to other states, and the cost of electricity in Jacksonville is among the lowest in Florida. Jacksonville has four seasons -- warm summer months, less warm falls -- but still great for golf and tennis, relatively mild winters, and refreshing and renewing springs which begin in early March. There is just enough change of seasons to keep track of the time of year. The corporate climate, like the rest of Florida, is healthy in Jacksonville. More than one Fortune 500 company calls Jacksonville home, and Jacksonville's abundant office parks and campuses are spread throughout the city. Jacksonville's city government understands the value of business, and encourages corporate relocations to the city. Jacksonville is a city of waterways, with the St. Johns River, Ortega River, Trout River, Arlington River, Goodby's Lake, and Julington Creek all providing year-round recreation resources and striking views. The Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean further define Jacksonville and its beaches; it's no surprise the concept "Salt Life" was born here. The city has worked diligently to preserve nature, and both large and "pocket" parks are strewn about the landscape, as well as nature preserves. Jacksonville is a green city, maintaining the natural ambiance of Florida in every possible place. Choose your form of major transportation: Jacksonville has them all. Jacksonville International Airport is served by most major carriers, and the area has three general aviation airports. Three railroads and Amtrak all serve Jacksonville, and the city's seaports handle cargo to and from around the world. Jacksonville is the eastern terminus of the continent-wide Interstate 10, and Interstate 95 slices through the middle of the city. Recently completed, Interstate 295 serves as a beltway encircling the city. Seven bridges cross the St. Johns River in Jacksonville. Social life in Jacksonville has never been better. The Jacksonville Symphony annually offers a full calendar of music, and Florida State College at Jacksonville each year co-sponsors The Artist Series of Broadway and other shows. Active theater departments of the universities in Jacksonville provide other enlightening entertainment choices. San Marco Square's The Little Theatre, on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the oldest continually producing community theaters in America. The Friday Musicale of Jacksonville, founded in 1890, still today provides a robust annual calendar of musical events. Medically, Jacksonville remains on the cutting edge. Led by the Mayo Clinic and its local hospital and research facilities, Jacksonville offers an impressive list of hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long term care facilities. Doctors from all over the world practice the art of healing in Jacksonville. The University of Florida Shands Jacksonville Medical Center is located near downtown Jacksonville. Six colleges and universities are found in Jacksonville: Jacksonville University, the University of North Florida, Florida Coastal School of Law, Edward Waters College, Jones College, and Florida State College at Jacksonville. Satellite campuses include the University of Phoenix, Nova Southeastern University, Webster University, and Everest University. Jacksonville has a healthy mix of public schools and private elementary and secondary education providers including The Bolles School, Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Country Day School, and Bishop Kenny High School.

• published: 27 Mar 2012
• views: 37169