Seven Reasons Why Remote Workers Are Moving to JAX
The rising popularity of remote work gives people options – when you can work remotely, you can work from anywhere. With that freedom, people across the country are relocating to the Jacksonville, FL, region for its endless outdoor recreation, diverse communities, affordable average home costs and rental rates and 220 days of sunshine per year. Considering a new home base to work remotely? Here are seven reasons you should choose JAX:
1. You’re in Good Company
The Jacksonville metro area was recently ranked No. 1 for digital nomads, according to Zillow and Yelp. Remote workers can’t get JAX off their minds – Zillow’s page views for Jacksonville rentals increased 120% from 2019 to 2020, driven by interest in low housing costs: the average rental home in JAX costs only $960-per-month.
2. Your Money Goes Farther in JAX
Housing isn’t all that’s more affordable in JAX. Check out our Cost of Living Calculator to find out just how much you would save if you moved to the Jacksonville, FL region. For example, living in Jacksonville costs 49% less than living in Brooklyn, NY, meaning it costs $80,000 in Brooklyn for what would only cost $40,736 in JAX. What will you do with the extra $40,000 once you move to JAX?
3. Shared Workspaces Are Everywhere
Lower rents mean small businesses can thrive, providing more options for remote working spaces including unique co-working spaces and independent coffee shops. Jacksonville’s coffee shops are full of remote workers according to social media influencer Natalie Barbu, who spent a week working remotely from Jacksonville Beach.
4. JAX Has Jobs
For the future remote workers of JAX whose spouses or partners don’t have the same flexibility, they may be attracted to the 28,000+ jobs available right now in the region. JAX serves as the headquarters location for Fortune 500 companies CSX, Fidelity National Financial and Fidelity National Information Services (FIS). Thousands of other businesses in industries including technology, financial services, advanced manufacturing, logistics, biotech and health care also call the Jacksonville area home.
5. Outdoor Recreation Options Can’t Be Beat
JAX boasts 87 miles of Atlantic coastline, with thousands of miles of Intracoastal, lake and river shoreline, and is home to some of Florida’s most-loved beach destinations, like Amelia Island and St. Augustine. Jacksonville also has the largest urban park system in the country, ranking No. 1 for park-land-per-resident, with over 400 national, state, and city parks in the area. Runners, walkers and cyclists can enjoy the Riverwalk along the St. Johns River, which extends from downtown Jacksonville to Riverside or the Bayfront along the Matanzas River in downtown St. Augustine.
6. Dining and Drinking
JAX’s dining scene is thriving and only getting better. Local favorites include River and Post, Joe’s Second Street Bistro, Orsay and Preserved Restaurant. The region offers a great craft brewery scene – one standout establishment is Alewife, a craft beer bottle shop and tasting room with exposed-brick walls and wooden rafters, founded by a couple who moved from Washington, DC, to fulfill their dream of opening a tasting room.
7. Arts and Culture
Whether you are an artist or a consumer of art, JAX’s culture and arts scene is lively and welcoming. There are more than 20 annual music festivals including the Amelia Island Jazz Festival and Jacksonville Porch Fest; performances; museums ranging from historical to the fine arts, including the legendary Cummer Museum; public art pieces; and art walks from North Beaches Art Walk to St. Augustine’s First Fridays. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art or attend an annual dance festival – there’s a palate for everyone in the Greater Jacksonville area.
Convinced? Check out an overview of the neighborhoods in JAX to find the best place for you to #FindYourJAX.