Good Jacksonville Apartments?

[helolumpy]

Hello fellow warriors,
I just completed Primary and selected P-3s. I'm set to leave for Jacksonville in a few weeks, but I haven't found any gouge on the best places to stay. The optimum place would be somewhere close to the base, decent rental rates, and generally a nice place to stay. I visited yesterday on house hunting leave and visited a few. I looked towards the south side near Orange Park, upper northwest, and briefly checked out the east side across the bridge. So far, I'm leaning towards two apartments: Oaks at Normandy and Holly Cove.

Oaks at Normandy is very nice and includes some utilities and washer/dryer. The only downside is the drive. It's in the upper northwest in the suburbs about 15 miles away from the front gate, but I've heard traffic is Hell in the mornings.
Holly Cove is located in Orange Park about 5 miles away. It's in a great location with a mall, restaurants, and movie theater within walking distance. The only downside is the apartment itself. It's definitely not a 5 star complex, but you can't beat the location.

Has anyone stayed at either of these apartments? Please feel free to recommend some additional places. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!

Since you'll probably be flying from Cecil Field for pretty much all of FY 2014 (assuming Congress doesn't melt down) I'd look to live on the west side of the river if there is a chance you won't be staying in Jax following your RAG time.

If you stay at Jax, staying north of the base will result in less stuck in traffic time than if you live south of the base.

I live on the other side of the river from Jax and it's quicker to go through downtown and from the north even though it's about 2 miles farther. Route 17 south of NAS Jax is pretty much a parking lot, where as Rt 17 north of the base is moving pretty freely.

 

[scoolbubba]

Also, trying to move east or west off of 17 is a crapshoot on any of the roads at any of the times you'd be traveling. I love my house in the Flem, but every day I drive on 17, I wish I had a bulldozer to push everyone out of my way.