Why we love Jacksonville

Our favorite parts of serving in Jacksonville

Maybe it’s the beautiful beaches or the nearly 800,000 acres of parks to be explored, but we think Jacksonville is a great place to live and serve.

Every day is beach day

When you live on the Florida coast, there’s no shortage of great weather and with over 20 miles of picturesque beaches, you’ll never lack sun and sand! If you’re into surfing be sure to check out Neptune Beach, known for some of the best waves in northeastern Florida. Right next door are Atlantic and Jacksonville Beaches where you can head to a festival or great restaurant after your beach day. Looking to connect more with nature? Head to Little Talbot Island State Park, situated just northeast of Jacksonville. There you can fish, kayak, hike and even camp out for the weekend.

A hidden gem for arts and culture

When it comes to the arts and culture scene, Jacksonville is an underrated gem. There’s an abundance of hip art galleries, Broadway shows, concerts and festivals. Art lovers can enjoy the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens and Museum of Contemporary Arts while music lovers will enjoy festivals such as the Beach Summer Jazz Series and venues like Daily’s Place or the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. Film buffs with an affinity for independent film will also feel right at home with the Jacksonville Film Festival, held every May. Jacksonville is certainly the place to be for anyone who wants to be immersed in a diverse arts scene.

A foodie’s dream

From food trucks to local treasures, any foodie will feel right at home here. You definitely won’t want to miss out on The Court Urban Food Park where food trucks gather Monday through Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. – just a block from the City Year office! Check out local favorites like the Maple Street Biscuit Company for southern brunch staples or M Shack for a solid burger and shake. Are you a seafood lover? Head to the beaches or the bayous to try fish, crab and other local favorites. If you need more than just a regular cup of Joe, then Jacksonville’s coffee scene will give you plenty to explore. Hip coffee shops like Bold Bean or Southern Grounds will keep you caffeinated with their unique artisan brews and event-packed spaces.

Launchpad to nearby parks and tourist destinations

Living in Jacksonville truly allows you to explore the natural beauty of northeast Florida. Take a drive to discover Jacksonville’s unique history at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve or to visit historic Amelia Island. It takes just two and a half hours to reach the theme parks of Orlando or head north and visit Savannah, Georgia for the weekend. Just 45 minutes away from Downtown Jacksonville you can lounge on the beaches or stroll through the Old Town of St. Augustine. Relocating to Jacksonville means you are in the center of adventure and there will always be a weekend trip to take!

There’s a neighborhood for everything

Jacksonville is the largest city by area in the continental U.S., and no two neighborhoods are alike:

• Check out the historic Five Points neighborhood, for hip restaurants or to see a movie at the historic Sunray Cinema.
• For gorgeous historic houses framed by Spanish moss, decadent ice cream and family-friendly parks look no further than Avondale.
• Downtown Jacksonville is going through a renaissance – there’s a food or art festival nearly every weekend, and the city is well known for its street art and murals. Want to see dolphins and manatees? Simply take a walk across the Main Street Bridge; it is right outside the door to the City Year office!
• Jacksonville is a haven for multicultural dining and shopping – look no further than the St. John’s Town Center in South Jacksonville to find it all.

And most importantly . . .

At City Year Jacksonville, we love supporting the nearly 130,000 students served by Duval County Public Schools. We know that each and every one of those students deserves a tutor and mentor who believes in their ability to succeed.

You could be the person who makes a difference in the lives of students. Apply now to serve with the dedicated and talented team at City Year Jacksonville!

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