North Jacksonville

Between the swampy wetlands of Duval County and Nassau County is North Jacksonville, an exurban community decorated in pinewoods and oaks surrounding residential developments. In the early 1900s, the area had farmlands and undeveloped marshes. Over the last 30 years, the community sprouted homes snuggled in planned housing communities while still holding on to its roots. The area's eastern side has winding streets lined with dense underbrush of shrubs and palmettos with towering pines overhead. Here, you'll find simple ranch styles and manufactured homes. To the west are more contemporary styles inside tidy subdivisions from the late 20th to early 21st centuries.

Bonnie Siecker, a real estate broker and owner of Dames Point Realty, says that this area of the city has plenty of room for development and is currently in a period of growth. "Homebuyers can find a half acre or more of land to build on," explains Siecker. Houses in North Jacksonville range in price from $300,000 for a modest midcentury home to upwards of $750,000 for a contemporary style. Potential buyers can expect to pay between $200 to $240 per square foot for a 21st-century dwelling.

The closest commercial corridor is in the southwestern corner along Yellow Bluff Road and New Berlin Road. Here, residents can visit North Point Village Shopping Center, where they can shop for groceries at one of the newest Publix Supermarkets in the area. There is a handful of fast-food and locally-ran spots, such as Nagasaki Sushi & Grill, for Japanese-style cuisine made with fresh ingredients. The southwestern corner of the neighborhood is undergoing commercial development, and locals can expect construction to be completed soon.

Young residents may spend the school day at New Berlin Elementary, a high-ranking public school, according to Niche. Further west are more local schools, such as Louis S. Sheffield Elementary, and sixth to eighth graders can explore career pathways at Oceanway Middle School. Older students can attend First Coast High School.

Students may head to William F. Sheffield Regional Park after school. The 380-acre green space provides a range of outdoor activities. Walking through the front half of the park, you will see young residents gathering near the playscapes and a lake with a pier reaching into the water. There are sports fields and courts in the park's rear area. The hiking trail leads to the back of the park, passing through dense shrubbery around a second lake. Visitors will admire the sky's reflection mirrored through the water's rippling surface. Wilder outdoor adventures are found on the eastern side of the community among the public land preservations. This section contains Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve, one of the largest coastal pine uplands in the region. Locals can meander through 15 miles of trails while immersed in pine flatwoods and wetlands. Nonmotorized boaters can paddle a kayak through the marshes while admiring shore birds and the occasional bottlenose dolphin. Dedicated paddlers can follow the winding waterways to reach the open Atlantic Ocean.

Dr. Carletha Brinson, a Jacksonville northside native and local entrepreneur, remembers when many wouldn't venture this far north. "The area had a lot of undeveloped space and farmlands. Many didn't have a need to travel here. But today, there is more housing. You could still get the best of either worlds--country or suburban living within 30 minutes from downtown," explains Brinson. Although the western side has planned subdivisions, the community maintains a rural undertone. Among the farmlands is the little gem, Shady Rest Alpaca Farm. Here, locals can tour the grounds, learn how to care for the adorable wooly-haired creatures and meet them up close. North Jacksonville offers a secluded hideaway where locals can escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying life's simple pleasures.

Written By

Ashley Kennedy

Photography Contributed By

Gian Lorenzo Ferretti

Video By

Austin Lewis