20 apartments for rent in Southwest Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Apartments For Rent

The city of Jacksonville rises from the flat terrain along Florida’s East Coast and stretches toward the sky. The St. John’s River twists through downtown, providing a beautiful waterfront setting for this tropical city. Palm trees and sailboats are everywhere in the city, where it is just as common to see board shorts and flip-flops as it is business suits and ties.  Jacksonville is a unique blend of bustling business people and laid-back surfers, but this is a powerhouse city – it is the largest city in Florida and the largest city by area in the contiguous US. If you are thinking about renting an apartment in Jacksonville, you’re in good company – this major US city is home to roughly 850,000 people.

Things to Do in Jacksonville:

With more than 20 miles of white sand beaches to enjoy, Jacksonville residents can be found swimming, surfing, and beachcombing. And the waves are impressive – so much so that Jacksonville has hosted the Wave Masters amateur surf competition since 1983. Jacksonville also has one of the nation’s largest urban park systems with an impressive 80,000 acres covering hardwood forests, wetlands, beaches, tidal wetlands, and salt marshes.

After renting your Jacksonville apartment, be sure to go hiking in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, a 46,000-acre preserve that includes undisturbed natural areas and historic sites. Nearby Fort George Island Cultural State Park is home to the restored Ribault Club, a former resort that is now the visitor center. Visit the park to enjoy kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and bicycling.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is a gorgeous beachfront park that offers camping, 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, and a 1.5-mile beach that is home to the Poles, Northeast Florida’s premier surfing location. Hanna Park also has picnic areas, a splash park, and a 60-acre fresh water lake ideal for fishing, pedal boats, kayaks, and canoes.

Golfing is another popular activity in Jacksonville. So much so, that many come here for “golf” vacations. Jacksonville has 70 private and public golf courses, is a stop on the PGA Tour, and is even home to the World Golf Hall of Fame. This unique museum contains artifacts, memorabilia, interactive exhibits, an IMAX theater, and an 18-hole natural grass putting course.

The NFL Jacksonville Jaguars play at EverBank Field, and Jacksonville’s arena football team, the Jacksonville Sharks, play at Sea Best Field. EverBank Field also hosts the annual Georgia vs. Florida college football game.

Jacksonville has been named one of the nation’s top beach towns, one of the “Top 25 Art Destinations,” and one of the best cities for relocating families. Jacksonville has great shops, restaurants, and a terrific boardwalk. It is home to the Museum of Science and History, the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville, and Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Downtown Jacksonville, particularly between Market and Julia Streets, features a variety of art galleries and is home to the monthly Art Walk.

Shoppers will adore the variety in Jacksonville, from the terrific farmer’s markets to funky beachside shops to major malls to upscale shops and boutiques downtown, Jacksonville is a shopping paradise. The Jacksonville Landing is a terrific riverfront shopping and entertainment area, featuring waterfront dining, fun festivals, live music, nightlife, and the nation’s largest fountain – Friendship Fountain.

Jacksonville was founded in 1791 and is home to many historic sites. Visit the Beaches Museum and History Park, Kingsley Plantation, and the Jacksonville Maritime Heritage Center, which houses a collection that includes displays starting with the arrival of the French in 1562. Another historic location, Fort Clinch State Park, will take you back in time. A sign at the entrance states, “You are stepping into the past. The year is 1864 and the Civil War is in progress.” This living history museum includes the well-preserved fort, 1,427 acres of wilderness reserve, three miles of undeveloped beaches, a fishing pier, and six miles of trails.

What to Consider When Moving to Jacksonville:

Jacksonville is a huge city that covers a major portion of northeast Florida. The city is located about 25 miles south of the Georgia border. When you start looking at Jacksonville apartments to rent, be aware that the city contains more than 500 neighborhoods. Jacksonville also has several historic neighborhoods, such as Springfield, Riverside, Avondale, and Ortega, all of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

To help you weed through the massive amount of neighborhoods, Jacksonville is divided up into five basic sections. Northside is the largest section, consisting of neighborhoods north of downtown and along some undeveloped sections of the St. Johns River. Northside isn’t well-defined, but it basically runs north of downtown and northwest of the St. Johns River. Northside contains the popular Panama Park neighborhood.

Westside is the area west of downtown, near I-95 and southwest of Northside. Westside contains some of Jacksonville’s historic districts, including Ortega, Avondale, and Riverside. It is also home to Lake Shore, New Town, and Murray Hill.

Southside is the area south of downtown to roughly just north of the Mandarin neighborhood. It is inland from the Intracoastal Waterway and contains the popular neighborhood of San Marco.

Arlington is a large section located east and south of the St. Johns River. Arlington was the site of the French Fort Caroline, established in 1564. The site of the fort, which was destroyed in 1565, is marked with a memorial. Arlington is a very popular section of Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Beaches is a collection of small beachside towns along the Atlantic Ocean. If you prefer a beach town lifestyle, look for apartments in Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Mayport, Ponte Vedra Beach, and Neptune Beach.

Why Jacksonville Apartments Are Hot:

Jacksonville has a unique blend of urban sophistication and a laid-back beach vibe. The natural beauty of the area is everywhere, from the seagulls flying overhead to the palm trees lining the streets to the dolphins frolicking just beyond the surf. The city features amazing art and cultural events, shops, restaurants, museums, theaters, and nightlife. The Southbank Riverwalk is a beautiful place to jog with Friendship Fountain, the largest fountain in the country, as a gorgeous finish line.

Jacksonville has a diverse economy and is home to the University of North Florida (UNF), two navy bases, Jacksonville International Airport, and the Port of Jacksonville — the third-largest seaport in Florida. St. Augustine, the oldest continuously-occupied settlement in the nation dating back to 1565, is considered part of the Jacksonville metro area. St. Augustine is home to Flagler College, the Castillo de San Marcos, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, and Lightner Museum.

To make Jacksonville apartments even more attractive, this area has the lowest cost of living of any major metro area in Florida.