Arriving in Jacksonville in 1990 from the vast prairies of North Dakota, I saw only opportunity. Relocating after my final assignment in the Air Force. I had no job, no money but high expectations. As a native New Englander, I was drawn to the historic districts of Jacksonville.
There was one neighborhood specifically that drew me in then and has held my attention for the last 24 years. That neighborhood is Riverside. Originally established by a couple of my Yankee brethren from Boston, it has a very small town New England charm. There are beautiful parks that remind me of the village green, a wonderful mix of architectural design that stimulates the senses and tree lined streets all tucked in along the beautiful St. Johns River. The diversity in homes design includes Colonial Revival, Georgian, Tudor, Bungalow, Prairie Style and Old Victorian. There is a home here for nearly every budget. From the $100,000 fixer upper to the multi million dollar properties along the river.
Over the past ten years, Riverside has seen a significant resurgence to it's former grandeur. A tremendous amount of investment has poured into Riverside. Local coffee shops, restaurants, pubs, breweries, festivals and markets have sprung up. With this renaissance, Riverside has become one of Jacksonville's most walkable neighborhoods. From Five Points to the King Street District, there are a plethora of good eateries and nightspots from which to choose. Many within walking distance no matter where you live in the neighborhood. It's a great place to get around without getting in your car. Additionally, there is the Riverside Trolley that can ferry you to other parts of Jacksonville in style.
Riverside has an abundance of parks. Memorial Park sits on Riverside Avenue at the edge of the Five Points area. On any given Saturday or Sunday, you will this to be a hub of activity. Typical sights you may see on a Saturday afternoon are families playing frisbee, fisherman casting their line, medieval jousters practicing for their next match, tight rope walkers strutting mid air between two trees, bikers, joggers, and all sorts of other great people watching events. This is a wonderful social place to just relax and soak it all in. Within a few paces of the park is a Starbucks and Frozen Yogurt shoppe for an afternoon treat.
There is something for just about everyone in Riverside. It is definitely the neighborhood with the highest cool factor in town. Riverside is the neighborhood most people dream about finding. Move here and your dream will become reality.
