merlin

I was thinking the same thing - either the bus or break ou the mountain bike from college and start a new exercise regimen.

Had you gone to forrest - I would have been there about the same time, maybe a couple years earlier than you.

I couldn't agree more about the FCAT's. I too agree that there are great public schools and bad private schools. I live oof of Dr's Lake Drive off of Kingsley (technically "The Town of Orange Park"), where the neighborhoods are well established and no more growth can occur. My wife and I looked hard in the school in my area and know several teaches at these schools and were very comfortable with the decision. As to the explosive growth, yes, Clay County is experiencing the same phenomena that St. John's county was with Julington Creek, now it's Fleming Island, Eagle Harbor, and Margaret's walk, all of which are well south of me. This has gotten off topic somewhat, however I think what we have been discussing is a major factor why people choose to commute. Personally for me I enjoy the disconnect. Drive home with some nice music let the happenings at the office slip away as much as possible. As long as you expect the traffic, road rage really isn't a problem (for me). I too agree that this has been fun or shall we say entertaining.

My original thread was just to make a point that people choose to live outside of downtown and duval county for a myriad of reasons, mine were cost of living, schools, and it made my wife's commute and my commute equal. I am not sure how to take your comment Jaxnative about "later you will find that Clay County Schools are better known for the Vocational & Agricultural programs rather than the Academic ones." I am reading alittle dig there but, I went to Forrest high school and they arenot known for their advance placement program either, but I graduated 9th in my class of over 600 and got into 8 of the nine colleges I applied to and was able to start 6 credits shy of a junior. So go on all day about what a school is better known for, there are exceptions to every rule. Riversidegator - Talk to me in a few years when you have a few more bills, a couple kids, and a wife/husband that has a choice in where you live too, and we'll see which decison suits you, because ultimately that what matter's. My choice to send my kid a public school and to live in clay county works for me, I am not saying everyone should do that. If I could afford it (on top of the mortgage, my and my wife's student loans, car payments, etc.) I would probably send my son to private school.

The FCAT comment I made was a somewhat a joke on Bush's speak last weak not to mention I listed other reason (more influential in my opinion) of why I chose the area I did. Public schools, depending on the school, are just as you describe a neighborhood - a great way to introduce kids to differences and tolerances that must be realized in one's life. I went to public and private schools growing up and honestly, I got into more trouble in the private school that I did in the public schools. I went to public schools the last 4 years of my schololing and I graduated at the top of my class of over 600 and was able to pass AP exams went exempted from several college courses. The reason for this my upbringing and my parents constant encouragement and support throughout high school. Agree with me or not, but my opinion is that a child is shaped and develops because of several factors, one of which is schooling. The most important, IMO are the parents. Just because a child goes to a private school does not mean he/she will be getting into the top colleges or become a productive and viable member of society. It is the parents responsibility to guide and direct their child and make sure their questions are being answered and their enthusiasm for knowledge is maintained. As far as the "obnoxious socialist, PC environment of government schools", it sounds to me that you have a stigma/issue that you need to confront. Sending your kids to private school is a decision you have to make if you can afford it. I, presently cannot afford to do that so I chose to relocate to an area that I felt comfortable sending my child to public school. To me, private schools are the "obnoxious, socisllist, PC environments". Just my thoughts

OP yeah you know me! Who's down with tha OP....

If you follow President Bush's "measurements", clay county FCATs, at least a year or two ago, measured the highest out the three counties. I grew up on the westside and went to Jeb Stuart for middle (Jr. high then) and Forrest for HS, and had I not been one of the 40 or so stdents in AP (Advanced Placement) the company and school are crap (not to mention a mimic of wolfson which is a Taylor Hardwick building... sorry for the side note). I have several friends that have lived in Clay County for years and have raised kids. The ratios of students o teacher in the classes are much lower and I have heard nothing but great things about the schoos in my area, which was a major factor for us moving here about 8 months ago. My son is two and we plan on having a second child in a year or two. If I knew they would get into those middle and high schools, I would seriously consider moving closer to downtown without a doubt. However, for he next decade or so, we will be residing in Clay County - "Town of Orange Park" to be exact.

Many people, myself for one, choose to live in other counties because of the public schools. I know myself I cannot afford to send my son to a private school or I would be living in or close to downtown.

do you have kids?

give up the car??? Are you MAD man? As someone who has lived abroad and in other major cities, this is a fundamental mentality that is going to be extremely hard to break around here. Granted it will be much easier to do this if the infrastructure was in place to move people in a timely fashion around the downtown and the city. I think turning the Osborne back into a viable station is a fantastic idea and without a doubt it could truly become an intermodal. This revitallization of the Osborne I think would help to bring even more new construction it's way and really extend the boundaries of "downtown proper".