Neighborhoods: Atlantic Beach

[Metro Jacksonville]

Neighborhoods: Atlantic Beach



Metro Jacksonville takes a look at the sunny side of the ditch, in a community entrenched in history, with a recent flair for modern homes and neighborhood compactness. Join us as we stroll down this part of the beaches, known by the locals as "AB", where "everyone knows everyone" is no exaggeration.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2011-oct-neighborhoods-atlantic-beach

[billy]

There are a lot of wonderful contemporary houses in the area.
Is the house with the neon 360 street number a restored house from the 1960's?

How is William Morgan these days?

[peestandingup]

A lot of times, I feel like the beaches are more "urban" than our core. At least what I would consider more of an urban-type fabric. Connected, walkable, bikeable, etc with plenty of shopping/eating throughout & actual pedestrians outside enjoying their surroundings. Its a more pleasant experience a lot of times just roaming around there. I feel like when I ride my bike in town that I'm going to be killed at any moment & no one wants me there.

Maybe its the way the core is broken up by the river, so it all seems less accessible? But I do feel like the beaches are a more enjoyable experience for doing those types of things. Just my $0.02.

[Tacachale]

Great pictures and great article. Almost makes me want to move back out there.

[thelakelander]

Great article, Sarah!  I love the diversity of architecture.  That's something Jacksonville should encourage in the urban core.

[Tacachale]

A lot of times, I feel like the beaches are more "urban" than our core. At least what I would consider more of an urban-type fabric. Connected, walkable, bikeable, etc with plenty of shopping/eating throughout & actual pedestrians outside enjoying their surroundings. Its a more pleasant experience a lot of times just roaming around there. I feel like when I ride my bike in town that I'm going to be killed at any moment & no one wants me there.

Maybe its the way the core is broken up by the river, so it all seems less accessible? But I do feel like the beaches are a more enjoyable experience for doing those types of things. Just my $0.02.

I think of the success of the Beaches as just evidence that Jacksonville can get it right when we put our minds to it. It's impossible to tell now,  but the revitalization of the Beaches wasn't in hand until the 1990s. There is plenty that works at the Beach that we could emulate downtown and in the core.

[JeffreyS]

If the housing market ever makes it so I can sell my Oakleaf sprawler I have promised the wife we will move to Atlantic Beach.  I love it almost as much as Riverside.

[peestandingup]

A lot of times, I feel like the beaches are more "urban" than our core. At least what I would consider more of an urban-type fabric. Connected, walkable, bikeable, etc with plenty of shopping/eating throughout & actual pedestrians outside enjoying their surroundings. Its a more pleasant experience a lot of times just roaming around there. I feel like when I ride my bike in town that I'm going to be killed at any moment & no one wants me there.

Maybe its the way the core is broken up by the river, so it all seems less accessible? But I do feel like the beaches are a more enjoyable experience for doing those types of things. Just my $0.02.

I think of the success of the Beaches as just evidence that Jacksonville can get it right when we put our minds to it. It's impossible to tell now,  but the revitalization of the Beaches wasn't in hand until the 1990s. There is plenty that works at the Beach that we could emulate downtown and in the core.

True. Although they still had their fabric still in place. I feel like Jax has killed off a lot of theirs. Plus, we're so much bigger & sprawlier, whereas the beaches are compact, connected & mostly independent. Mush easier to work with & do real things that benefit all the residents.

If the housing market ever makes it so I can sell my Oakleaf sprawler I have promised the wife we will move to Atlantic Beach.  I love it almost as much as Riverside.

I wouldn't blame you. I think if I could do it all over again, I'd probably go with Atlantic Beach too. But I live in the same area as you & its paaaainful dude. I have to literally psych myself up to get in the car & make the trek to real neighborhoods (in the core, the beaches, whatever) on a daily basis so I don't go stir crazy out here. I don't know how people do it. I swear I don't.

[Tacachale]

A lot of times, I feel like the beaches are more "urban" than our core. At least what I would consider more of an urban-type fabric. Connected, walkable, bikeable, etc with plenty of shopping/eating throughout & actual pedestrians outside enjoying their surroundings. Its a more pleasant experience a lot of times just roaming around there. I feel like when I ride my bike in town that I'm going to be killed at any moment & no one wants me there.

Maybe its the way the core is broken up by the river, so it all seems less accessible? But I do feel like the beaches are a more enjoyable experience for doing those types of things. Just my $0.02.

I think of the success of the Beaches as just evidence that Jacksonville can get it right when we put our minds to it. It's impossible to tell now,  but the revitalization of the Beaches wasn't in hand until the 1990s. There is plenty that works at the Beach that we could emulate downtown and in the core.

True. Although they still had their fabric still in place. I feel like Jax has killed off a lot of theirs. Plus, we're so much bigger & sprawlier, whereas the beaches are compact, connected & mostly independent. Mush easier to work with & do real things that benefit all the residents.

I meant greater Jacksonville on the whole, of which the Beaches are part. There are other parts of town (Riverside, San Marco, and elsewhere in the metro area, like St. Augustine and Fernandina) where things are working too. At least in the commercial/entertainment areas, the Beaches didn't have any more of their building fabric preserved than Downtown or anywhere else, both "Downtown" Jacksonville Beach and the Beaches Town Center took millions of dollars and years of construction to get it to where they are now. And it has paid off remarkably. The Beaches do have things that Downtown doesn't have (eg, the beach), but there's no reason the same smart planning that turned the Beaches around wouldn't help downtown.

[grimss]

Definitely my favorite J-Ville beach, and the only other place in town I'd consider living besides good 'ole Riverside Avondale.

[simms3]

Loves Atlantic Beach.  Fond memories.

[Jack]

Does anyone know what is going on with the property where the recently closed convenience store at Atl. Blvd in NB, within Town Center, is?