Ortega

"Having lived in Jacksonville for 22 years, I have lived in Ortega or Ortega Forest the entire time and wouldn't consider living elsewhere. This area is tucked away in the midst of a large city, and within 5 minutes you can be at the grocery store, drug store, any one of a number of churches, schools or restaurants. It's a very walkable neighborhood, with walkers and joggers on the streets all throughout the day. Many of the homes were built in the 20s, 30s and 40s, although many newer homes exist as well. It is a riverfront community, so there are many waterfront mansions as well as off-the-river bungalows - home prices range from $200,000 to $2,000,000 and up. There are both private schools and excellent public schools in the area. There are also professional offices, including doctors, attorneys, realtors, banks and financial advisors nearby, and downtown Jacksonville is about a 10-15 minute drive north. Major transportation corridors are close by: US17 (Roosevelt Boulevard) bisects the neighborhoods of Ortega and Ortega Forest, and from there it's 5 minutes to I-10/I-95, or 8 minutes to I-295 in Orange Park. You can be at the beach in 30 minutes, or at the airport in 20-25 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Jacksonville is a large city made up of neighborhoods with a small-town feel, and Ortega is one of the best, if not THE best neighborhood in the city!"