Best 8 Neighborhoods in Jacksonville, FL

If you’re looking for a sunny, laid-back place to call home, look no further than Jacksonville in northeast Florida. With miles of beaches, ample parks and good schools, Jacksonville has something to offer everyone. Plus, with its rich artistic tradition, there’s always something new to explore in this vibrant city.

Jacksonville, known as “Jax” by locals, is the largest city by geographical size in the continental US. Thanks to the St. Johns River, it boasts 22 miles of shoreline and distinct neighborhoods with natural beauty. The accessibility to Florida’s interior waterways and the Atlantic Ocean is one reason Jax is home to two vital US Navy facilities.

So, if you’re considering moving to Jacksonville, you have many options, especially for waterfront living. To help start your home search, we’ve handpicked a few of the top neighborhoods based on their popularity and amenities.

Here are just a few of Jacksonville’s best neighborhoods:

Avondale

This charming, historic neighborhood is known for its tree-lined streets and brick bungalows. With a thriving arts scene and lively nightlife, Avondale is one of Jacksonville’s most desirable places to live.

Avondale is not only a charming, thriving urban community, but it has ranked as one of the top neighborhoods in America. The arrangement of the residential neighborhood makes enjoying a work-live-play lifestyle more accessible than ever before. It’s close to cultural attractions and recreation, like the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. On Saturdays, there is a local art market where you’re bound to find hidden gems from local artisans and producers. The area offers several parks and waterfront access.

While Avondale is known for its luxurious riverfront homes, the area is also experiencing a housing redevelopment boom. The October 2022 market had 40 listings with a median price of $492,500.

Riverside

This historic neighborhood is one of the liveliest in Jacksonville. Riverside is home to a diverse mix of shops, restaurants, and businesses. The area also has several public parks, including Memorial Park, which hosts a farmers market every Saturday.

Located beside Avondale, Riverside is centrally located. The adjacent I-10/I-95 interchange on the community border makes it easy to get around Jacksonville. The St. Johns River forms the easternmost border for the neighborhood, providing residents with beautiful views and access to water activities. Three community parks are on the water, and Cummer Museum Art & Gardens has spectacular views.

Fall in love with this dreamy neighborhood, towering oak trees, midcentury bungalows, and brownstones. While it is waterfront, there are fewer waterfront residential properties because of the parks and the St. Vincent hospital. The median price for the 87 homes for sale in Riverside was $396,300 as of October 2020.

San Marco

Feel like you’re entering a new world when you enter the San Marco neighborhood. Located south of Jacksonville’s downtown, the prevalent Mediterranean-style architecture sets this community apart.

The famous San Marco Square takes a page of inspiration from Venice, Italy, with its fountains, art galleries, and bistros. People come to enjoy upscale shopping, dining, parks, and public art. Visit the Square each Saturday for its farmers market. Residents can enjoy various activities, including kayaking, fishing, and stand-up paddle boarding, launching from the waterfront parks.

San Marco is one of the most desirable places to live in Jacksonville because of its prime location, historic architecture, and amenities. The median price for the nine homes available in San Marco was $675,000 as of October 2022.

Beacon Hills and Harbour

This family-friendly neighborhood is located in the northwest part of Jacksonville. Beacon Hills curls around Mill Cove and the St. Johns River near its terminus into the Atlantic Ocean. It is known for its quiet streets and large yards.

Primarily a residential area, it is close to some shopping and dining, but you’ll need to drive to it. Recreation amenities nearby include the Jacksonville Arboretum, Austen Regional Park, and the Timucuan Preserve.

With its quiet location near the waterfront, Beacon Hills is a popular place to live in Jacksonville for those seeking a laid-back lifestyle. The median price for the 14 homes in Beacon Hills was $477,500 as of October 2025.

Jacksonville Beach

We can’t talk about living near the ocean without bringing up oceanfront living. Jacksonville Beach is the best beachfront living option in the metro if you prioritize convenience and amenities. This barrier island suburb is known for its beaches, restaurants, and shops.

Residents can enjoy sunbathing, fishing, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. Several parks in Jacksonville Beach provide sports recreation, waterfront access, and playgrounds for kids. Cradle Creek Preserve offers hiking trails overlooking the Intracoastal waterway.

Jacksonville Beach is self-sustaining, meaning everything you need is right on the island. Schools, grocery shopping, medical, and entertainment–there’s no need to drive off the island unless you want to.

The median price for the 138 homes available in Jacksonville Beach was $652,500 as of October 2022.

Atlantic Beach

Another Jacksonville beach town, Atlantic Beach is a smaller community north of Jacksonville Beach. The city has a unique history as one of Florida’s first planned communities, initially developed in the 1920s as a summer retreat for wealthy families from the Northeast.

Nowadays, Atlantic Beach is still a popular place to live for those seeking a laidback lifestyle by the ocean. The town is home to several parks, including Kathryn Abbey Hanna State Park, which offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, surfing, and more. The Atlantic Beach Country Club is a private club with golf and tennis facilities.

Atlantic Beach is more suburban and less touristy than the other beaches. You’ll always be near the water, whether you find a place oceanfront, on the Intracoastal, or somewhere in between. The median price for the 81 homes available in Atlantic Beach in October 2022 was $635,000.

Deerwood

Deerwood is on the southeast side of Jacksonville and is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city. The area is known for its luxury homes, golf courses, and country club living.

Residents have access to several resort-style complexes. Amenities include several golf courses, tennis facilities, swimming pools, and fitness centers. Deerwood has its own private schools, making it a popular place to live for families with school-age children.

Deerwood developed in the 2000s, so the homes often have a newer construction and design. The median price for the 94 homes available in Deerwood was $339,000 as of October 2022 but go up to $2.9 million.

Southside

The Southside of Jacksonville is a significant historic area encompassing many different neighborhoods. This part of town is known for its convenient location and shopping amenities.

The Southside is home to the St. Johns Town Center, a popular outdoor shopping mall with high-end stores and restaurants. The Avenue Mall provides an indoor shopping experience. Tinseltown has more options for entertainment, including a movie theater, bowling alley, and arcade.

This area of Jacksonville is close to the airport and has easy access to Interstate 95. The median price for the 42 homes available on the Southside was $279,500 as of October 2022.

Northside

Looking for a more rural Florida lifestyle? Try the Northside is a large area home to many various historic neighborhoods and swaths of protected areas. This up-and-coming part of town is known for its affordability and convenient location.

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy nature, Northside is the perfect region. With kayaking and birdwatching at Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve, as well as an undeveloped beach at Little Talbot Island State Park, there’s something for everyone. Plus, you can learn about historic slavery exhibits at 19th-century Kingsley Plantation. And don’t forget to visit the Jacksonville Zoo – home to a walking African safari and manatee rescue center!

Find several shopping centers, including The River City Marketplace and The Gateway Town Center, for your daily needs. This part of Jacksonville has access to Interstate 95 for commuting to downtown or Savannah, GA, and provides easy access to the airport.

Real estate in Northside ranges from old Florida farms to new, master-planned developments.

Best Jacksonville, FL Neighborhoods

Whether you’re looking for a bustling city life or a more laid-back suburban existence, Jacksonville has the perfect neighborhood. With its convenient location, great amenities, and affordable housing options, the city is an ideal place to live for families and individuals alike. So what are you waiting for? Come see why Jacksonville is one of the best places to live in Florida!