$4.00 DISCOVER JACKSONVILLE A complete guide to life and leisure on the First Coast in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties 2016 Published by The Florida Times-Union Visit us at DiscoverJacksonville.com MATJACKSONVILLE_1021173-MH_Relocation Guide - All Sites Due: 07/10/2015 File Name: MATJACK-1021173-MH_Relocation_All-Sites Publication: Relo Guide Trim: 8.625”w x 11.125”h Safety/V.O.: 0.25” DPI: 300 Bleed: 0.125” Colours: CMYK Built: 02/12/2015 - RKL ALL OVER JACKSONVILLE, MATTAMY IS BUILDING A REPUTATION FOR THOUGHTFUL DESIGN bartram park RESERVE PRESERVE ST. JOHNS POINTE VEDRA SOUTH JACKSONVILLE ST. JOHNS PONTE VEDRA From The $270s From The $250s From The $180s Townhomes From The $170s From The $290s 2,197 - 3,700 Sq.Ft. 1,888 - 3,315 Sq.Ft. 1,266 - 3,687 Sq.Ft. 1,419 - 3,651 Sq.Ft. 1,963 - 2,908 Sq.Ft. SALES CENTER SALES CENTER SALES CENTER SALES CENTER SALES CENTER 313 Brambly Vine Dr 57 Cypress Knoll Crt 7043 Bartram Preserve Prkwy 87 Richmond Dr 26 Frontierland Trl 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 SEGOVIA Holly Parke OAKLEAF PLANTATION ORANGE PARK ST. AUGUSTINE ST. JOHNS - NOW SELLING PONTE VEDRA Townhomes From The $150s Townhomes From The $230s From The $320s From The $120s 1,246 - 2,100 Sq.Ft. From The $150s 1,767 - 2,908 Sq.Ft. 2,163 - 3,257 Sq.Ft. 1,507 - 1,667 Sq.Ft. SALES CENTER SALES CENTER SALES CENTER SALES CENTER SALES CENTER 3747 Aubrey Ln 3082 Holly Grove Ln 24 Adelanto Ave 140 Landing Blvd 257 Palm Breeze Dr 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 904-853-1677 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR COMMUNITIES REGISTER AT MATTAMYHOMES.COM FOLLOW US: SALES CENTER HOURS: Monday to Thursday and Saturday 10 am – 6 pm; Friday and Sunday 12 pm – 6 pm All illustrations are artist’s concept. All dimensions are approximate. Prices, specifi cations, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. E.&O.E. Builder #CRC1330987 MATJACK-1021173-MH_Relocation_All-Sites.indd 1 2015-12-07 4:14 PM GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW HOMETOWN WITH ONE OF THE LONG-TIME RESIDENTS. Northeast Florida is a great place to live. We should know—we opened our very first branch in Jacksonville in 1952. There’s a lot to like about living here; world-class neighborhoods, award-winning schools, and convenient shopping. Oh, and VyStar, one of the nation’s largest credit unions with more than 500,000 members. We offer lower cost loans with local loan decision making and servicing, nearly 200 ATMs, 37 full-service branches, mobile check deposit, and an exceptional no closing costs mortgage* program. As you explore all that the area has to offer, we hope you’ll also take a look at VyStar to handle your financial needs. JACKSONVILLE & SURROUNDING COUNTIES 904-777-6000 OUTSIDE OF JACKSONVILLE 1-800-445-6289 OPEN YOUR ACCOUNT TODAY. vystarcu.org *All new accounts and loans are subject to approval. Certain restrictions and limitations apply. No Closing Costs offer available only when obtaining a VyStar Credit Union First Mortgage Loan and is not available on VA, FHA & Reverse Mortgages. Available for purchase or refinance. VyStar will pay borrower closing costs up to a maximum amount of $5,000 excluding origination fee, discount points, private mortgage insurance, prepaid interest or funds to establish the member’s escrow account. If the borrower pays off the mortgage within the first 36 months, they will be required to reimburse VyStar for a portion of the closing costs paid by VyStar. Offer available for a limited time. Programs, services, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. ©2015 VyStar Credit Union VYS 1675 Discover Jax Relo Ad 2015.v2.MECH.indd 1 12/3/15 1:18 PM Building on Over 55 YEARS of Family Tradition Guided by Principles of Honesty,Customer Integrity Satisfaction & Your home is one of the largest investments you will ever make. Choose a home builder with passion for the work they do and a history of trust on which their foundation is built. 9301 Old Kings Road South Jacksonville, FL 32257 Follow us! 904.739.9121 CBC 1258744 www.dostiehomes.com 2016 Discover Jacksonville Contents WELCOME BUSINESS Letter from the Times-Union Media President .......................................................................4 A place for business .................................................................................................................94 Letter from the Jacksonville Mayor ..........................................................................................5 An industry on the rise .............................................................................................................97 How we rank ................................................................................................................................6 First Coast: Where we are ..........................................................................................................8 Who we are ...................................................................................................................................9 MILITARY Living the good life ....................................................................................................................10 U.S. Navy makes a big impact .................................................................................................98 Region rich in history ..............................................................................................................12 Discover the flow of the First Coast ......................................................................................14 Seven links to the city ..............................................................................................................16 TRANSPORTATION Your pets as citizens.................................................................................................................18 You can go anywhere ...............................................................................................................100 First things first: Getting started ............................................................................................20 RECREATION HOUSING A golfer’s paradise.....................................................................................................................104 For sale: New, historic and affordable homes ......................................................................24 Plenty of golf courses just a chip shot away .......................................................................105 First Coast housing by county ................................................................................................25 Fun starts at parks ....................................................................................................................106 Floridian lifestyle? Just add water ........................................................................................26 Marinas: Giving berth ...............................................................................................................108 Homeowners associations .......................................................................................................28 Ramps: Float your boat .............................................................................................................109 Property tax calculator.............................................................................................................29 SHOPPING COMMUNITIES There’s plenty in store for shoppers ......................................................................................110 A place to call home ..................................................................................................................30 ENTERTAINMENT EDUCATION Attractions A to Z ......................................................................................................................112 ABCs of learning ........................................................................................................................64 Museums, art, music and more! .............................................................................................114 Public schools ... ........................................................................................................................66 Bright futures .............................................................................................................................69 DINING Not by chance, but by CHOICE .................................................................................................70 First Coast fine dining ..............................................................................................................116 Florida residents can lock in cost of college tuition ...........................................................76 Private schools ..........................................................................................................................78 Easy access to college education ...........................................................................................82 SPORTS ‘Start here. Go anywhere.’ ........................................................................................................84 Let the games begin ..................................................................................................................118 MEDICAL PROGRESS A hub for health .........................................................................................................................86