Jacksonville Area Guide

Jacksonville and its surrounding metro area is called Florida's "First Coast," and for good reason. The Jacksonville metro area begins about 25 miles south of the Georgia state border, and gets its incredible reputation by being North Florida's hub for great lifestyle, bustling commerce, as well as the arts, culture and entertainment. The hundreds of parks, miles of beaches, inland shorelines and natural beauty make it one of the hottest markets in the country for real estate. To the east, the Atlantic Ocean, and running right through the city, the St. Johns River. With all this water, it’s no wonder Jacksonville is a haven for boating, fishing, or just lounging at the beach. But Jacksonville is, at its core, a fabulous place for families, even though it does have that major, urban feel for those who seek out that kind of atmosphere. Another great aspect of Jacksonville – especially for families – is that it’s situated just two hours north of Orlando, which makes for a short, pleasant drive down I-95 to the major Florida attractions such as Universal Studios, Sea World, and of course, Disney World!