Southside

While shopping is a prominent feature of Jacksonville's Southside, many also choose to call this vibrant district home. Resident and local entrepreneur of Pamela Loves Pets LLC says that "Brackridge is full of oak trees and older homes. It's a quiet neighborhood, but the St. Johns Town Center, Tinseltown and Avenues are right around the corner." The area is a large mixed-use community with diverse housing suitable to a wide range of lifestyles. Many locals live in planned developments, from subdivisions featuring manufactured homes to state-of-the-art neighborhoods.

The established Deercreek Country Club Community boasts homes with three to five bedrooms and stunning views of a wetland preserve. You can also find E-Town, a newer development merging convenience, technology, and sustainability into everyday life. Ranches are also very common in this region. Bungalows and split levels with bold brick exteriors add visual richness to Southside. And newer homes showcase modern farmhouse features with exterior board and batten. Due to the vastness of Southside, potential homebuyers can anticipate homes to have median prices ranging from $250,000 to $500,000; however, newer constructions can enter the market for more.

Young residents may spend the day at Windy Hill or Hogan Spring-Glen elementary schools when the morning bell rings. The nearby River City Science Academy Elementary is a charter school that earned a B+ on Niche. Sixth to eighth graders can participate in Southside Middle's magnet IB studies program. Atlantic Coast High School promises enrolled teens in academic and industry-focused engineering, computer technology and digital video courses. At Crossroads School, parents can choose a private and faith-based education for all grade levels.

If "shop til you drop" is a personal mantra, you're in luck. Near the indoor Avenues shopping mall are big box stores and local boutique shops. The Southside area encompasses the Tinseltown district, popular for its movie theaters and relaxed evening hangout spots. Seven Bridges has an in-house brewery and beer garden. The open-air shopping mecca, St. Johns Town Center, has over 150 retailers and dining locations. Upscale shopping brands can be found here, attracting locals across the region to its shining storefronts. For spectacular views of the shopping center at sunset, visit RH Rooftop Restaurant. For a more laid-back experience, head to Johnny Angel's Diner. The eatery is decked out in 1950s American theme décor with kitschy furnishings such as black and white photos covering the wall, pastel-colored tabletops, and a vintage jukebox.

But Southside isn't only about shopping and good eats. You'll also find a number of public green spaces throughout the community to enjoy the Florida sunshine. Palmetto Leaves Regional Park is an expansive 400-acre green space with hiking trails to admire the towering pines. Young ones can have fun on the playground equipment that includes a small zipline. You can even play a friendly baseball game or launch your kayak onto the Big Davis Creek. Forestry Tower Park is a simple community gathering spot that contains a decommissioned fire tower overlooking cedar, pines, and oak trees. BMX riders can head to the biking trails at the back of Beach and Peach Park. And following Peach Drive to Beach Boulevard will lead to the local senior center, which promises weekly activities for residents. Sporty locals may enjoy Fort Family Park, offering well-rounded athletic amenities, including fields for football and soccer, as well as tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.

In Southside, you're within reach of some of the city's best retail and dining experiences. And with the accessible park system, it is easy to enjoy a comfortable North Florida lifestyle in Southside.

Written By

Jordan Hamner

Photography Contributed By

Gian Lorenzo Ferretti

Video By

Sara Warthen