The Southside is suburban Jacksonville on the east side of the river. This area contains the city's largest malls, corporate office parks, tons of strip shopping centers, chain restaurants and the University of North Florida. Unfortunately, this area lacks a sense of place. A sense of place is something neighborhoods need to maintain long term viability. San Marco, Riverside/Avondale, Springfield, Old Mandarin, San Jose, Oretga, etc. all have special elements that make them unique.
On the other hand, the Southside is anyplace USA with cookie-cutter apartments/condos and cul-de-sac gated communities catering to office parks that are sure to see a lose in employment, due to the recent financial mergers. With the economy going down the tubes, many of the chain big box stores are destined to close. Higher gas prices and congestion will also have a negative effect, plus suburbs tend to struggle when the newness wears off.
