Jax/Mayport Life

I tried a few searches, or maybe I'm just being lazy .

I selected HSM Jax today out of the HTs (I guess if I selected out of the VTs something would be very very strange. Just looking for some good gouge on where to live, where to drink, where to live and drink...etc. Our FRS is at NS Mayport, then my fleet squadron will be at NAS Jax. Should I live near Mayport for my 13 month FRS and then move, live in the middle?

Just an FYI, the two bases are close enough together that you can't military clause out of your apartment when you PCS.

Didn't even think about that. Thanks MB.

Distance does not matter for terminations under SCRA - only that you're getting PCS orders. Check out Section 305 - does not mention distance anywhere.

Also, who told you the FRS is 13 months? That's not even close to right.

I probably just totally made it up in my head. Soooo...how long is it really taking people?

HSL RAG (HSL-40) took me 7 months, and I went through a tad faster than normal when it was a B only RAG in 03.

7-8 months is about right. May be faster with increased aircraft availability rates for the R.

I loved JAX (went to AO “A” school there) great clubs downtown and also on Normandy Boulevard. Why when I was stationed at Cecil… (Oh… wait….)

Steve

Southside area is pretty central to both. Younger area, good bars, not too far from the beach. Plenty of apartments and cheap condos.

Let me know when you get down here; if I'm not playing in the sandbox, we'll go grab beers. There are a couple of our Hokie brethren running around down here.

I was surprised to find out that the Navy and the USMC handle PCA/PCS very differently. If I was going from Mayport to JAX, I'd get PCA orders, whereas it looks like the Navy would get PCS orders. So are you still entitled to household goods shipment, even though

I did go Mayport-JAX and got PCA orders.

I live in Mandarin (work at Jax) as do several people I know. It is close to Jax without being too far from Mayport. I have some friends who work in Mayport and still live here. I would not recommend living anywhere near Orange park, or really anything south of NAS Jax unless you enjoy losing your sanity sitting in traffic, or probably West of the Buckman (Unless you go north and consider Riverside/Avondale) but thats just me.

I bought in Oceanway because my squadron was supposed to move about halfway through my JO tour.

Up by the airport, it's about 20-25 miles to both bases. Traffic going to JAX is not that bad, Mayport is much better from the north since they opened Wonderwood.

If that's the case, we're back to your original point - the ability to break your lease... In this case, without PCS orders - you can't.

I've been in Avondale since '93. Old neighborhood developed in the 1920's. Drove to Mayport (40 mins), then stationed at Jax, back to Mayport, finally back to Jax. 12 mins to NAS Jax, no traffic. I walk 300 yards to 6 restaurant/bars. Not sure how I get back.

The Avondale area is awesome, and I think you would really like it JT. That said it would be a hell of a drive during the RAG. If you can I would try to find a place out near Mayport on a month to month, or half year lease, then move over to Avondale / Riverside.

While I agree about that with respect to Blanding Blvd, bad gouge on living down 17. Unless you just hit the lights completely wrong, it takes 15 minutes to get home to Fleming Island

Depending on what you enjoy- either riverside/Avondale or Jax beach...

For NAS Jax:
If you want an older home in an older neighborhood, then considered Ortega, Avondale, Riverside or San Marco/Miramar (other side of river from NAS Jax).

If you want "old school" Jacksonville (read: Redneck) then consider West of NAS Jax in "West Side".

If you want a newer home, then consider Orange Park (and points south) or Mandarin (and points east)

I know some folks who commuted from Ponte Vedra and that drive sucked most days. I know a couple of folks who lived down by end Doctor's Lake and it was usually not bad.
(One bit of warning about NAS Jax. Learn when the NADEP folks have shift change, you do NOT want to be trying to get onto base during the NADEP 500... Lots of folks trying to get through 2 gates at the same time)

Having made the drive from Jax to Mayport, you can plan on at least 45 minutes (usually closer to an hour) to get from one base to another during the day.
If you are going to the RAG in Mayport but doing your tour at Jax, that's a 10 month to 36 (+) month consideration.

Thanks everyone. Sounds like Hozer has it pretty money. I might rent closer to Mayport and then consider buying my first home closer to NAS Jax once I hit this mythical "fleet" thing everyone keeps talking about.

Avondale is awesome, sad to move out next week (see the Houses for Rent section if you're interested in renting my landlord's house!), especially when you have an ass crack of dawn brief/flight. When I get back from next deployment I'm probably going to get an apartment in 5 Points in Riverside and if I get shore duty here I'm definitely going to buy in Avondale.

At the end of the day though where you live in Jax really comes to personal preference. Right now I'm just speaking to NAS Jax since obviously these commute factors really don't apply to those at Mayport, etc.

Beach- Pros- you're at the beach and the bar scene there. Cons- 45 min commute to base.
Southside- Pros- lots to do, lots of single JOs live there. Cons- not really a lot of character, have to drive pretty much everywhere.
Orange Park- Pros- more family centered, suburbia, better schools in Clay County. Cons- long drive to everywhere, suburbia
Riverside/Avondale- Pros- close to work, awesome area with awesome character, decent bar scene. Cons- if you're looking to buy the homes are old and require much upkeep, rent/housing costs expensive, odds are you won't be living near a bunch of other JOs

I got a move for FITREP purposes to get off the books.

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