Here's How Lame Jacksonville, Florida Is These Days.

Downtown Jacksonville is pretty cool!
For this edition of dashboard tours, I took 95 south towards the biggest city in Florida, Jacksonville. The goal was to record the downtown area of Jacksonville. On my way, as soon as I crossed into the state of Florida, I pulled over to look at baby gators that were in an aquarium in a convenience store.
Then off to Jacksonville proper. We were lucky - the skies were totally bright and clear, and highs were in the low 70s. It was a perfect day for filming. The day was Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at about 1 pm.
Jacksonville is not only the biggest city in terms of population in the US, but it’s also the biggest city in the country in terms of square miles. And Jacksonville is the 12th biggest city in the country and growing like gangbusters. Because all of the northerners are sick of high taxes and cold weather.
Jacksonville was originally Seminole territory. This area was once managed by both Britain and Spain, but it became an actual city in 1822, and was named after then governor Andrew Jackson who went on to become our 7th president.
Downtown Jacksonville is made up of 8 districts - the central core, the Southbank, Lavilla, Brooklyn, the Working Waterfront, the Cathedral, the Church and the Entertainment and Sports District.
Now downtown Jacksonville, as you’ll see, was really kind of empty in terms of foot traffic. While there were cars driving around, most of the people walking around were either homeless folks, panhandlers or cops. I seriously think if you counted the number of cops on bikes and on patrol that number would be around 30. Why is that? I don’t know. That’s a question only someone in downtown Jacksonville can answer.
Here’s the rest of downtown Jacksonville.
So that was downtown, but I also wanted to quickly show you what Jacksonville looks like across the bridge. They call this Southside. Many of the condos and apartments and homes look like this. There are strip malls over the place that look like this. And you can take roads that look similar to this all the way to the coast - a journey that would take approximately 15 minutes.
#florida #jacksonville
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[@NickJohnson]

Here's my entire Unboxing America Series: kzbin.info/aero/PLq-_cmf3H6yqgM1vGG305six5T7dqGURF

[@deboq63]

"Lame"? If you weren't a DICK about it in your title, I'd be inclined to check out the rest of your videos.

[@HappyHooligans]

As someone who lives near downtown Jacksonville and goes fairly frequently to concerts at the Time Union Center and Florida theater, I'm not sure why people keep mentioning crime. We park blocks away and walk downtown with zero concerns for safety. My teen children fish along the banks of the St John's downtown. They also canoe up and down the river frequently. I feel perfectly safe walking along the river walk at night with my children. It's lovely! We may see an occasional homeless person sleeping on a bench but they leave us alone. There are lots of people out on bikes and running. I think the real reason people don't go downtown is that there just aren't enough things/events bringing people downtown. I think other people just think downtown is ridden with crime when it's really not that bad.

[@cius2112]

i used to hang out at a few bars on bay street and never had any issues walking around at night.

[@JazmineL08]

Thanks for this! Planing on being stationed in Jacksonville and was worried about that but now I feel a lot better!

[@stoplookinent4791]

Im homeless in jacksonville currently how can i find the mens shelter? I came for a job and didnt get it and got stuck 🤯

[@phillipcottrell7717]

@@stoplookinent4791 there are 5 shelters in downtown Jacksonville there's sulzbacher center on Adams Street across from the jail the city rescue mission is right next door to Rosa parks transit center trinity rescue mission on the corner of Ashley and Jefferson and the Clara white mission and salvation army are overflow shelters during cold or severe weather

[@NittyGritty420]

@@JazmineL08 it’s plenty safe . if you keep to yourself and don’t start problems people will respect you. Everyone is really nice in jax and respect is a big part of the culture down here. I’ve been alot of places and Jacksonville folks are by far the nicest.

[@Barboy0]

The soundtrack is very calm and soothing. Thanks Nick for showing us around Jacksonville! Keep up all the good work you put into your content.

[@NickJohnson]

Ok! ❤️

[@UDCMComedy]

I love Jacksonville. I’ve been here 14 years. It’s too big and your video only explores part of downtown - you leave out surrounding areas like San Marco, Avondale, Brooklyn, Murray Hill and more that are within miles from where you drove. It’s a city with a lot of hidden gems. It is a commuter city that really should be split into two cities though.

[@tracyi9152]

I totally agree

[@lcinflorida8728]

TY Nick for this! I know this area vaguely; I live 4 hours away in the panhandle. You gave great information and I found it very calming after a rough day! I really do appreciate you...

[@Charlie-xp9lq]

Hey Nick , your drive around videos are good but the ones where you are narrating the whole time are Gems. They are very informative and entertaining .

[@NickJohnson]

I know Charlie ❤️

[@daveyrogers7336]

Thanks Nick. Another great tour.

[@chicosajovic7680]

looks boring. As a northerner i can say confidently say that while we may complain about state income taxes and the cold weather, no one ever moves to Florida to make money.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Most things to do in Jacksonville aren’t downtown. Jacksonville’s downtown is mostly a business district. All of the things to do are on the River or strewn out all over the place. Every area of Jacksonville brings about something different. South bank Downtown and Riverside/Avondale which is next to downtown is where the nightlife is and there’s a few things for kids there. You have to travel the city for something to do. They are not located in one area

[@david-lt9wj]

Except the ones that work for the naval hospital at 80 k a year...

[@mdutchy2582]

A lot of people do. You just arent intelligent enough to figure out how.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@mdutchy2582 oof

[@sirwadsontoast5928]

Don't let Jacksonville downtown fool you, Jacksonville is huge and wide spread and there are many areas that there's so much to do and have beautiful scenery.

[@MrKevinEaddy]

Jacksonville is weird.. Right on the Ocean, beautiful landscape, and Boring AF

[@sirwadsontoast5928]

Facts. You have to go out of town for entertainment. And the little entertainment we do have, they keep taking away (Adventure landing as of recent).

[@MrPrettyBoyChina]

True. Jacksonville is boring. So happy I’m leaving after 4 years.

[@HighkeyyMikey]

Hecksher drive is a hidden gem! I get emotional thinking about it! There’s so much beauty out there from the beaches to the Kingsley plantation, the seafood, American beach which was the first beach for African Americans, the piers, Talbot islands, all the way down to fernandina to fort clinch!! I miss Jax so bad! Lived there for 12 years!

[@mrmadwolf3694]

I love living off hecksher, quite living on the river doesn't feel like the city at all

[@ARareGEM2890]

Yes, Jacksonville I must say is a big beautiful country.

[@KINGDOMKEYS724]

Hecksher is my favorite drive when I just want a beautiful scenery and listening to my smooth jazz with the windows down.

[@LesiaMatt]

Currently resident missing Texas, feel free to come take my loft downtown lol

[@romanfrost8977]

Beautiful fishing out there

[@nathanbritt5515]

Love your channel man, I live on the outskirts of Jacksonville, I really love this city, definitely my favorite Florida city for sure!

[@NickJohnson]

Hey Nathan! Sorry I missed you!

[@nathanbritt5515]

@@NickJohnson Thanks! Lol😂! You just made what's already a really good day for me even better!

[@marissamatheny8815]

I live on the outskirts of jax too, also off i95. Love it here. I wouldnt live anywhere else in FL

[@MultiKingvegeta]

What are the outskirts of jax?

[@howardkerr8174]

@@MultiKingvegeta Jacksonville IS Duval County, if you live just of I-95 outside Jacksonville you mean Nassau or St. John's County. My guess is he meant St. John's.

[@sherrydalton6516]

I lived in Jacksonville for 15 years and I absolutely LOVED living there. I’m not sure why it gets such a bad rep. The west side and north side are crappy and I’d never want to live in Orange Park because the traffic is insane, but Mandarin, Town Center, Downtown/Riverside/San Marco, intracoastal west, Jax Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach are all nice.

[@tracyi9152]

I agree .

[@tronalddump6109]

Looks much nicer than I was expecting 👍

[@NickJohnson]

I know!

[@georgecornwell7706]

@@NickJohnson Since your story, a lot has changed. The downtown area has moved away from residential appeal to business relocation. Jacksonville has a very strong presence of major corporate headquarters, with many on the outskirts moving to downtown. And providing homes for their employees. With accorded parking in the numerous garages that are sold to the corporations. The most visitors to Jacksonville are business travelers coming to do such to the corporations. You should check out the entertainment area just east of the downtown, marked by the Old City Cemetery. Which is one of the coolest graveyards you’ll ever visit. From prime preserved Confederate graves, complete with 24 hr observation to the resting place of Alice Nunn, of the thespian Nunn family, who played Large Marge, in Pee Wee Herman’s Big Adventure.

[@Techmonies92]

What’s funny is what’s portrayed in this video is such a small fraction of Jacksonville (probably about 1/300) Jacksonville is so massive that it takes around 40 minutes to get from the beaches on the edge of town to west Jax at the city limit.

[@NickJohnson]

That's why this is only downtown

[@goldtopazasylum]

My brother used to live here, i sent him this link for old times sake, thanks Nick :)

[@highlymedicated2438]

I will never understand for the life of me why they will not Revitalize that downtown it is one of the most scenic in the country with those bridges and river. It's always a ghost town year after year that I go they're hoping for a change

[@jamesblanton3744]

For some reason they want to put everything on the southbank and not downtown they only want to draw tourists to the sports stadium area and don't care about a nice downtown for the local people

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@jamesblanton3744 the southbank is downtown as well 😐

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@jamesblanton3744 they are knocking down the Hart Bridge ramps in hopes of a Riverfront entertainment district near the stadium. The mayor talked about the plans for the lot mid last year

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

They are working on new northbank developments near the stadium. Most things to do in Jacksonville are not downtown so you get to explore the city. They are destroying obstructions right now for the new development on the northbank

[@jamesblanton3744]

I moved from Jax 11 years ago and the north side of downtown looks about the same hope that the new plans work I still love the city and visited several times a year pre covid and plans to start visiting again

[@jillmorton3096]

I lived 6 miles to the ocean when I lived in Jax, it was rather awesome I must say. I dont miss the insane traffic, but I had good memories there😊

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

Why u leave

[@NickJohnson]

Yeah Jill why u leave

[@HydraVolt12]

@@NickJohnson because Jacksonville is a cesspool that will suck the life out of you. Source: been living here 23 years today.

[@parker7785]

@@NickJohnson because the church ran out of bengals

[@ChrisCreswell]

I still love that mid-century architecture style of the old library. You can see it at 15:45 in the video on the left, but he passes it 4-5 times throughout the vid. Great building.

[@jeffsea6490]

Beautiful, Clean City ! Amazing audio and content. *Thx4 Sharing Nick* 👍🇺🇲

[@NickJohnson]

Ok Jeff!

[@whiterabbits22]

Lol this ASMR music is putting me to sleep 😂 must be the combination of motion and music.

[@wandahall4435]

Happy Sunday Nick!!!

[@gauravmittal911]

Wow man, i have been looking for a video like this to recall my old memories from year 2007 when i last visited this beautiful town for official purposes. I just so loved this city, i had always hoped of going there and living there forever but alas, couldn't fulfill my dreams, nevertheless, good to relive those days and see the city in person again...!!

[@zenstratis5030]

Just curious what do you personally find appealing of Jacksonville? I've lived here for about 7 years and is honestly my least favorite place I've lived out of the 7 other cities I've lived.

[@howardkerr8174]

Lots of " interesting " comments, so I will add mine in hopes of balancing some of the negative comments. I was stationed at N.A.S. Jacksonville in 1971 and was transferred to N.A.S. Cecil Field in 1974...and yes, I know that Cecil Field is no longer an N.A.S. In that time frame there was little in the way of development east of St. John's Bluff and west of Old Middleburg Rd. Downtown actually had several department stores and there were thriving malls on Roosevelt and Normandy Blvds. Southside was actually a nice place to live, with Southside Blvd south of Beach Blvd very sparsely developed. Phillips Highway? It was also sparsely developed south of Baymeadows. In the 70s, homes and rental property was cheap. In 1976 I was transferred, and hoped to eventually return, it took nearly 10 years. In that 10 years Jacksonville " exploded " with growth nearly everywhere but the Arlington area. It was starting to lose the attractiveness it once had as the population shifted towards the beaches on the east and St. John's County in the south. In 1988 I was transferred again, to Memphis. And it would take nearly 23 years before I moved back to Jacksonville. For everyone who thinks Jacksonville is a second rate city...go live in Memphis, it is MUCH, MUCH WORSE on nearly every measure. I lived in Jacksonville the 3rd time from 2011 to 2017. And why did I move? The over developed real estate which brought massive crowds with it. And to service those crowds, higher taxes. Yes, downtown is a bit overwhelming with so many homeless people, but my experience in Memphis was ALWAYS much worse. Homeless people there were/are angry, aggressive, and even a bit verbally abusive. Crime, particularly violent crime was not limited to 1 part of Memphis like it seems to be (?) in Jacksonville (I am referring to the Northside). I now live an hour south of Jacksonville in a still rural, small town, area...and I hope it stays that way. Would I still be living in Jacksonville? Yes, but for having made A LOT of bad financial decisions all through my life. I had a wonderful home near Edgewood and Roosevelt, an area that I fell in love with 45 years ago but has been slowly moving out of my price range. When I drive up to Jacksonville on " business " I kick myself for not visiting the many interesting areas, with their restaurants and small shops. It's not perfect there, but it isn't as bad as several people here painted it as being.

[@NickJohnson]

I hope you get that house one day ❤️

[@georgecornwell7706]

Yes, we moved into the Riverside area near Five Points in 2008. It’s as great a neighborhood as there is in America.

[@ttran163]

@@georgecornwell7706 I also lived in Five Points area (Post & Copeland) in the 80's. Jacksonville has special place in my heart.

[@user-sz6kp1tn6c]

Jacksonville is mad cool. I stopped by it in person in the Northside area of it In March in the middle of my road trip. I shopped at the riverside marketplace area to get some travel goods. Being from the northeast it was a huge shock stepping out into the city and seeing all these palm trees and warm winds. It was very pretty, peaceful and quiet. I remember having ice cream there and the locals/workers were nice. I also the stores being much bigger in size than the ones back home. I also remember being at the dollar tree and the cashier gave me my change from her personal penny jar or whatever. Overall I totally plan on going back to the city and seeing more of it in the future. I'll always have love for this city💯

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

It is truly a great city

[@SantanaSantiago-kt6yx]

thanks for sharing i enjoyed this it was nice

[@thunderpunchheman]

What camera setup are you using for this particular video? It looks really good, thanks for sharing.

[@NickJohnson]

iPhone 12

[@luvonmarti8660]

LOVE your channel. Enjoying the FL series. Glad to see Jax here. Also kinda glad my town wasn’t highlighted. However, hope you did come visit America’s oldest city. It’s beautiful and not at all like the rest of the coastal communities you highlighted in the series.

[@NickJohnson]

I've seen St.A it's wonderful

[@beautifulsoul7093]

@@NickJohnson curious why you never made a video about it

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

Man I love your channel dude. Love watching from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 what is the music that plays on the videos it’s awesome!

[@NickJohnson]

It's all listed in the descriptions or in the about section. It's all KZbin audio library free stuff

[@robertmoore2049]

@@NickJohnson I really like the music. I would like it even more if you commented on the different places you drove by while in Jacksonville. You always have something interesting to say. And You’re funny too!

[@anye76]

Nick did you go to Jenkins BBQ? It was the spot when I lived there. Kinda miss it. Lived in Riverside. Worked on Southside Blvd. Beautiful city, just not for me anymore. Good to reminisce on your tour😁

[@bobmarlowe3390]

My dad was the youngest of 12 kids and he grew up on Park St. back in the 1930s & 40s. I had cousins, uncles, and aunts all over town. One of my cousins got married in that big Catholic church downtown and my mom played their huge pipe organ. Also, I was stationed at all 3 bases during my time in the Navy from '78 to '84.

[@NickJohnson]

Cool!

[@belle16117]

My ex, a native of Jax, grew up on Park Street.

[@threeblessings575]

I live on park st!

[@robertmoore2049]

Oh, baby gators. So very cute but too bad they grow up! 🤣

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Then some of us down here train them lol. Not me

[@NickJohnson]

They taste good

[@chuckscott4661]

Wow. Your music selection for this video was great. 🍺

[@MsGail61]

The thing that makes Jacksonville “largest” is the consolidated city and county government, so that when you are in Duval County, you are in the City of Jacksonville. There are more populated urban areas that have a separation between county and city, so they can’t claim to be as large.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Sure we can after all it is JACKSONVILLE CITY LIMITS. You are in JACKSONVILLE PROPER. Nashville, Louisville, Philadelphia, Augusta GA, (Macon I believe), and many others have done the same. Because of this Jacksonville is entitled to be called the largest city in the lower 48 because that’s exactly what it is

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@ladiesgentlemenmrbuddyguy2377 why are we taking about Australia?

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@Tyler Medcalf biggest in the bottom 48 actually

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@Tyler Medcalf don’t know. She hasn’t answered me yet either

[@user-hf3eb8lj5g]

@Tyler Medcalf east coast?

[@ttran163]

I lived in Jacksonville back in the 80's. I hopped around the city quite a bit, you name it, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Arlington, Five Points, Mandarin and Orange Park.

[@gregorylenton8200]

hi enjoy all your vlogs...thanks

[@robfreedman6496]

Thanks for sharing because I am going to be in there in September for the Jags vs Cards game!

[@darrendawson4800]

Go Cardinals live here in AZ,and Suns tonight yeah!

[@jiggidyjam]

Look how clean and nice it is there. Now you know why 30 cops are patrolling.

[@Tru-Blu]

Homeless are amuck. As a resident, it is the main deterer from development imo. But there are awesome suburbs like riverside and Avondale

[@jiggidyjam]

@@Tru-Blu I don’t live there so I was only going on appearance

[@waynegove73]

That Shell station at 9:11 is 30 deep at night , crack . Catty corner is a 7-11 they play Opera on a P.A system to attempt to drive away the homeless & addicts , but that anit nothing compared to Moncrief area...

[@jiggidyjam]

@@waynegove73 damn

[@elizabethramsey1554]

Just wait till night fall, the drug addicts, homeless, and prostitutes come out at night.

[@robertmoore2049]

Welcome to my adopted hometown, Nick. I’ve been here since 1984 we moved here by the Navy from California. I hope you had a pleasant and safe stay. God bless, your friend Robert…

[@highlymedicated2438]

I love Jacksonville. But I haven't been there in 2 years. Are they ever going to revitalize downtown?

[@robertmoore2049]

@@highlymedicated2438 I don’t know if that will ever happen. It seems like to me like it’s a matter of if and not when. So many plans and dreams and hopes for revitalization for downtown Jacksonville come and go. This sadly has been going on for decades. Seems like Jacksonville is where downtown revitalization dreams come to die. There are plans to replace the Jacksonville Landing, but who knows when that will ever happen, if ever.

[@highlymedicated2438]

@@robertmoore2049 it's just bizarre to me because it has so much damn potential with that River and the beauty of those bridges I would think people would love to come down there. I live in Birmingham Alabama and we've been revitalizing for over ten years now and it's not near as pretty as Jacksonville

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@highlymedicated2438 in the process. We are demolishing areas around Lot J for the revitalization. The mayor presented the official plans mid last year

[@lilyjanet1]

@@BBQPorkSandwich3 see

[@ctoombs7825]

Lived out in Atlantic beach from 1988 until 1999. Great memories

[@NickJohnson]

Cool!

[@robertmoore2049]

I live in Atlantic Beach. It is a beautiful place with beautiful people I’ve been blessed to know. I’ve been here since 1984 and still live here. I hope wherever you are it is a good place and you are creating new memories there.

[@breakingthechainusa1007]

Jax home of Southern rock. God bless Ronnie Vanzant

[@darrendawson4800]

Absolutely also can't forget 38 Special,Molly Hatchet,and Blackfoot too! Allman Brothers Band are from Daytona,and of course Lynyrd Skynyrd West Jacksonville breaded!

[@pameladecicco6509]

Exactly.

[@jtrainjr]

@Jack Miller ewww 😂

[@robertmoore2049]

@@darrendawson4800 The Allman Brothers band started in a house somewhere in Riverside. I walked past the house where it started and there’s a historical marker in front of it.

[@darrendawson4800]

@@robertmoore2049 awesome man love southern rock sweet!

[@talldude5841]

I live in Fernandina Beach Florida in the winter and it is only 10 miles north of Jacksonville and go there often. There are some really nice places in that huge city, and some really bad places there. I always say to go there in daylight, but get the hell out of there at night. Pretty much like any big city in good ole USA.

[@camperspecial9807]

Lol I live in Jacksonville!!! Moved from Commiefornia and bought a house for cash. Love your vids.

[@xoxoxoxoxo7997]

Do u like it there

[@camperspecial9807]

@@xoxoxoxoxo7997 yup. Good fishing and Ron DeSantis.

[@NickJohnson]

It's a good time to move there!

[@NickJohnson]

And I'm glad you like them!

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@camperspecial9807 phew! Nice to have you seeking refuge in Jax. No better major city in FL in my opinion. What made you Jax? Just curious. Love it when people share how they got to this great city

[@RubyyyJane]

Most of the good parts of jax aren’t downtown. My dad lives in Murray Hill/Riverside it’s a beautiful historic district. Unfortunately most of the city looks straight out of GTA. But there’s really some hidden gems. There’s lots of cultural diversity in jax and lots of great restaurants. The beaches are beautiful as well!

[@belle16117]

Love Riverside/Avondale areas. So much amazing architecture.

[@parker7785]

@@belle16117 honestly if i/we read another comment on utube referencing any southern states being GTA? etc especially when coming from uptight canada people such as myself i may have to buy a ranch and start a militia movement to build a railway to australia

[@robertmoore2049]

@@belle16117 I love to go to Riverside/Avondale and walk around the neighborhood and see all those beautiful homes many I believe are over 100 years old. Such a beautiful place. I love the memorial park and walking by the river.

[@belle16117]

@@robertmoore2049 I loved walking through those neighborhoods. Such amazing homes!

[@robertmoore2049]

@@belle16117 in my opinion, I think that it is the nicest neighborhood in all of Jacksonville including the beaches.

[@Ted1775]

I lived in Jacksonville for 4 years when I was kid in the 80's. I miss Florida and the south.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Jacksonville! MY CITY! Thank you for visiting. Have you ever gone over the Dames Point and visited the Heckscher Dr beaches and parks?

[@Shumetra]

I heard Dames point was a scary bridge to go over

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@Shumetra what? No. The Buckman and Mathews are scary. The only people who are scared of the Dames Point are scared of heights

[@HighkeyyMikey]

Hecksher drive is a hidden gem! I get emotional thinking about it! There’s so much beauty out there from the beaches to the Kingsley plantation, the seafood, American beach which was the first beach for African Americans, the piers, Talbot islands, all the way down to fernandina to fort clinch!! I miss Jax so bad! Lived there for 12 years

[@lars1228]

@@Shumetra I've been on the Dames Point Bridge a few times before when I've been in Eastern Jacksonville and it's honestly not that bad in terms of scariness. Still a very unique bridge though compared to the others and it does make for a great view from the 200 feet or so you go in the air

[@robertmoore2049]

@@Shumetra I like scary bridges! They’re more fun and interesting!

[@anthonyportnoy1]

I moved to Jacksonville a year ago for a job. So far I’m not impressed with Jacksonville

[@elizabethramsey1554]

I absolutely hate it here. Drugs have gotten worse, downtown at night is a nightmare. I live here and I am waiting for a good opportunity to leave asap. JSO does absolutely nothing for the citizens here. This city needs a serious facelift.

[@NittyGritty420]

There’s a lot of stuff to do. What are some of your hobbies? Downtown kind of sucks but the city is big and theres some beautifully spots and cool places to kick it. Also some really cool down to earth people living here.

[@evanl8656]

Please leave then, it's overcrowded, over developed, and people like me that have lived here our whole lives can't afford a house.

[@udaypilgaonkarpresents-the3866]

i used to live in Jaxksonville in 1990 before I moved to Sarasota. Today its more or less the same. This is what America is all about. Things don't change easily. Not that change is needed but they are like McDonalds chain, same everywhere. Except states like Oregon, Montana, New England, Nevada, Arizona where a different America shows up. I love your videos and something I love to do every other day is driving America on American truck Simulator, a simulation game on Steam coz I now live in Mumbai, India

[@TheCABB383]

Duval! Jacksonville native born and raised 😁

[@lawrencearnemann3923]

I lived in atlantic beach for 10 years. When superbowl was in town, tourist would ask where the best spots near the stadium. They where surprised when i said id never been across the ditch

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Sad sad sad. Don’t know why you don’t cross the ditch. Not all of Jacksonville Is Moncrief. You can’t go north or wear without crossing the “ditch” so did you just stay there?

[@robertmoore2049]

@@BBQPorkSandwich3 I live in Atlantic Beach and I cross the ditch many times because there’s so much things to see in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. I like to visit places outside the beaches. I like to go up in Georgia in a little ways down south in Florida to see so much beautiful nature in those areas. It would be a bore for me if I never cross the ditch! There is more to life in Florida than just the beach.

[@robertmoore2049]

@@BBQPorkSandwich3 I would be bored if I never crossed the ditch. There’s so much out there in Jacksonville. So many parks and natural areas to explore and enjoy. I would have missed so much by staying at the beach. To be honest, I’m not much of a beach person, but I love the people here.

[@victorialove9104]

Next time please visit the real heart of Jacksonville, the west side. Riverside, Avondale, Murray Hill, Five Points, etc. Southside is a newcomer. The beauty and history is on the west side. Also, Jacksonville has more public parks than any other city in the US. Lovely video. Just want you to know downtown and Southside don't really give you a true feel for the city. 😀

[@MadDog6945]

Oh man Nick! You can literally see my penthouse apartment from my single days living in downtown Jacksonville in your picture for the video. I could talk for hours about the history and culture of Jacksonville. I am a fifth generation Jacksonville person, and I have a history degree dude! Why didn’t you call me before you made this video? Lame.

[@NickJohnson]

You said that the last time I aired a jville video. I was in town for a day months ago and i FORGOT. Next time.

[@marshahilton200]

John do you have a KZbin channel? Would love to pick your brain seeing I just moved here to this great place!

[@MadDog6945]

@@marshahilton200 My channel has a couple of videos of my pet squirrel, but that's it. My place is here, lurking in the comments section.

[@AJJax-kd4kr]

I consider Jacksonville the most boring city in the state of Florida.

[@seanlewis1011]

debatable

[@AiSagaman]

It is

[@Techmonies92]

They have a lot of entertainment?

[@suzetteosgood8992]

Jacksonville is the most dangerous place to live let alone drive. Saint Augustine Florida is beautiful but can't wait to move further south

[@josue6167]

It is if you stay downtown, its more spread out than it is boring. So I can see how walking around downtown and taking pictures can get boring while you miss the food truck festival at Jax Beach 30 minutes away

[@everintransit4240]

So much of what we see at present here and elsewhere will soon be gone. Any hint of a mom and pop store or an independent family business may not exist for very many more years in the future.

[@clydelaz]

I went to Jacksonville once and stayed at a hotel downtown. I went to the front desk and asked where was a drugstore. I was told there were no drugstores within walking distance. Not during the pandemic and I also encountered the same empty streets. While taking pictures, from a public sidewalk by the way, someone came out of a building and told me that people in charge of the downtown buildings don't like people taking pictures.

[@robertcowan2387]

Of course they don't.

[@marcwright4790]

Why would you stay downtown? Jacksonville’s downtown is a business district. It wasn’t designed as a tourist area or entertainment district. I wish the politicians would stop wasting our money trying to make it into things it never was. Jax is huge. Restaurants, entertainment and nightlife is spread all over the city. It was never a walkable city. It didn’t evolve from small neighborhoods like older northern cities. If you want to experience Jax bring or rent a car.

[@basedcommodore]

I lived in Jax beach in the 70s. Neptune beach has an amazing boardwalk.

[@HydraVolt12]

Maybe it had one lol, but not anymore.

[@lumieredice485]

Thanks for making this video. It keeps people away. 😅😂

[@albertowen1025]

Seminoles? I thought the Native American tribe that was primarily here was the Timacua. Was I taught wrong in my Florida History class in high school (the early '80s)? Plus its not La-Veea, it's La-Villa (like vanilla). Don't mean to be fussy, but I have lived here since 1971 except for my two marriages and divorces. Good upload, Nick! You have to tell me where you got that music from - totally relaxing! Thank you!

[@Bulluminati517]

Random question but have you done an "Unboxing Arkansas" video yet??

[@NickJohnson]

No

[@NickJohnson]

I mean yes but you haven't seen it yet

[@Bulluminati517]

Lol gotcha. Well i cant wait to see it when you do post it. Your videos are entertaining!

[@HydraVolt12]

Really wish our local government would do something to revitalize our downtown. That's pretty much how the sidewalks always look, covid or not.

[@robertwolf3969]

Yep there has never anything been going on in downtown Jax, for as long as I can remember. A forlorn ghost town. Nobody goes there, especially if from up North. It's just another southern city with no character.

[@HydraVolt12]

@robertwolf3969 it's especially sad because it was poised to be Hollywood at one point, and now it's nothing. Granted, I wouldn't want it to be Hollywood but at least things would happen here.

[@carolbaker579]

The weather in January is what I live for as a native of Jacksonville.

[@justynjonn]

How is it?!

[@carolbaker579]

@@justynjonn it's in the 70's in the day with low humidity. Cool at night. Anything that keeps the air conditioning off is great weather

[@WhattheHay]

This was like a free uber ride without paying for it, thank you. :)

[@NickJohnson]

Ok!

[@terryw.2957]

There appears to be so many police in Jacksonville because they drive their cars home each work day and can use the car off duty. They are required to respond when they see an accident or broken down car when they drive the car off duty.

[@fern8580]

amazing to see some idle people very close to the "Naval Hospital" which has hundreds of jobs at more than 80,000 dollars a year, and which is a business with enormous financial prosperity.

[@loronetrulliot2606]

Big as it is J-Ville need more skyscrapers

[@xoxxobob61]

Jax only has 2 Skyscrapers over 500+ Feet tall. Miami a city half the size has 54 Skyscrapers over that height.

[@ECUCHRIS904]

@@xoxxobob61 Now they got to tear them all down.

[@xoxxobob61]

@@ECUCHRIS904 why because of the Surfside Condo? That building had half the Rebar needed to build the columns in the garage. Crooked developers so I doubt they are going to tear down any more high rises.

[@ANTUBER]

The reason why there are lots of cops that drive here is because of our high shootings rate and the fact that we have no traffic cameras. At one point a few years ago there were 5 shootings per day in my neighborhood alone. I've seen crime go down lately luckily, but there are still lots of traffic crimes such as speeding.

[@jma6084]

Thank you for the tour and information. Lots of parking garages. Does that equal low unemployment? What drives the Jacksonville economy? My husband noticed there were not any tent cities on the side walls.

[@waynegove73]

Actually they just cleaned up a tent city , was in the news , wasn't like other cities. Maybe 40 tents . What Jax does have is Shelters , Sulzbacher , CRM/new life, Trinity , Salvation Army & Clara White , all of them are downtown, a few of those feed anyone. ( I believe if your willing to walk you can get 4 free meals a day, 6 days a week. Downtown is around 2.5sq miles ) plus there's more permanent housing options as well .. Jax is very diverse employment wise. Navy is a big player though. N.A.S & Mayport.

[@blueciffer1653]

@Yippee Skippy This is probably one of the dumbest comments I've ever read, Jacksonville is ranked one of the worst cities in this country. Unemployment is high, crime is high, there's nothing to do in Jacksonville, the downtown area is full of homeless people, the downtown area is crumbling, we have one of the highest murder rates. "Liberalism is a mental disorder" the whole South is ranked as some of the worst states in the country with poor economies and terrible education.

[@KM91]

We have about 6 different hospital systems in town that hire a bunch of people, including the Mayo Clinic. We also have a large banking presence with Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Vystar being headquartered in our 3 most recognizable buildings in our skyline.

[@KM91]

@Yippee Skippy What Skippy over here neglects to mention is that Jacksonville went for Biden in the previous election. In fact, most of the areas surrounding the downtown area are majority black neighborhoods (Newtown, OutEast, Springfield, Durkeeville). The only one that isn't majority black is Riverside /Brooklyn and it's a major LGBT hub of the city.

[@jma6084]

@@KM91 Thank you for the information.

[@C-TOS]

Anywhere I go to FL I feel like Tony Montana.

[@bastianbux5107]

Thanks next time I go to Florida I stop by in downtown

[@jashall3804]

Compare this City in the great State of Florida to the Northern blue Stats. It does not take an educated mind to see where you would like to raise your family or retire to. Just don't turn it into a hell hole like the one you left behind. FREEDOM!.

[@lb-innovations]

Yesss!!

[@blueciffer1653]

jacksonville is one of worst cities in the nation lol

[@juliehfromfl8845]

I moved to Jacksonville in 1980. It was a great place to live and could go anywhere. But these days the crime keeps people from going downtown and alot of other areas. I live south of Jacksonville and its getting so overcrowded with all the building they are doing. New business and housing developments everywhere. It may be about taxes to some but I'm ready to relocate cause it's getting so overcrowded. The roads aren't all built to handle the traffic they are gonna have with the new developments. Jacksonville does have alot to offer. Be prepared for high rent as it has been going up and getting to high for most people with a average income.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

I hope we get people in office to tackle the crime. Once we get the crime down Jacksonville would be a lot better

[@sirwadsontoast5928]

Its not the crime that's keeping people from downtown. Its the fact that downtown doesn't have much to offer, it's just mostly businesses there and that's it.

[@robertmoore2049]

@@sirwadsontoast5928 downtown Jacksonville is like a ghost town on weekends and weekday evenings after people leave their jobs to go to the suburbs or the beaches.

[@johnhigby4422]

I live in Jacksonville but have not been downtown yet. It doesn't seem to be as run down as I thought it would be.

[@robertmoore2049]

It’s not too bad. It’s just empty on weekends and on weekdays after 6 PM when everybody leaves work to go back to their homes in the suburbs and the beaches.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Oh forgot to mention: Jacksonville was actually Timucua territory not Seminole

[@pissypiancilamblamumba7573]

Facts the preserve is around ft caroline rd

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@pissypiancilamblamumba7573 There’s also one off Heckscher Dr

[@pissypiancilamblamumba7573]

@@BBQPorkSandwich3 ok I didn't know that

[@bobmarlowe3390]

@@pissypiancilamblamumba7573, I had an aunt & uncle that lived just off Ft. Caroline Rd.

[@marcwright4790]

The Timucua were mostly wiped out as a people by disease brought by the Spanish. What remained actually chose to leave with the Spanish to their island holdings when the Spanish ceded Florida to the English. So as an English colony, let alone an American state, the Seminoles were the only Indian tribe in the area. Seminoles aren’t native to Florida. They were mainly Creek Indians from Georgia who moved in to take over as the Timucua tribes faded.

[@colinmontgomery7889]

usually there is that many cops on bikes but there also is usually an extra 60,000 or so daytime office workers walking around. Since the covid hybrid work stuff started, DT has been pretty dead comparatively but I'm sure by the fall when everyone is back at the office things will be back to normal

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

Dude do you have Scottish ancestry? A Scottish surname you have 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@colinmontgomery7889]

@@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister yessir my great grandparents came over from scotland, I get the are you a famous golfer joke all the time

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

@@colinmontgomery7889 Excellent god bless America and Scotland

[@justdevine864]

Nice and clean, no homeless encampments strewn all about, a conservative run city/state. Way to go Jacksonville, I've been there 1x.

[@timfisher5417]

Wait. Here come the NY’ers….

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

There are 2 places downtown you will find homeless though: The Bus Station US 23 @ N. Hogan St and the homeless shelter and surrounding blocks on N. Jefferson St. He didn’t go down Jefferson St but no it looks almost like there are no homeless when you compare it to other US major cities downtowns

[@justdevine864]

@@BBQPorkSandwich3 they are everywhere here in L.A., even Beverly Hills.

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

@@justdevine864 Homeless people are human beings the same as you. You are no better than them. God judges on the soul.

[@justdevine864]

and that was your take away from my comment, ummm ok.

[@bornagaininchrist7775]

Where do you live Nick!?

[@NickJohnson]

Tampa

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@NickJohnson wait. Didn’t you live in Cary?

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@NickJohnson P.S. Tampa is my rival city. Trying to get my cousin to move back to Jax. Tampa hasn’t been too great for her

[@tracyi9152]

Jacskonville is severely underated its really a great place to live. Jax beaches alone are beautiful then it has an entire riverfront downtown and nice weather , the best in Florida. Daily sea breeze. I think Jax get flack just because its so close to Daytona and Disneyworld plus Orlandos attractions which tourists compare it to. .

[@NuyoricanJoseph]

Love Nick Johnson and the videos!! Not originally from Jax, but have been living here for a while now. As most people I've met would say: "it's OKAY". And I'd agree. It's not bad but it's also not the best. It may be suited for some than others and some areas of the city might be more appealing than others, I WOULD REALLY LOVE FOR NICK JOHNSON TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS! A nice detailed, adventurous, informative, narrated video like the other cities' videos would be beyond great and amazing. I feel there is too much potential here, but absolutely lacking in some areas as far as cities go. And the downtown area has some beautiful buildings, skyline, and nice historic stuff. But a lot of it is run down, falling apart/abandoned buildings, insane homeless population, and just not very lively AT ALL. Its a shame. But hey, thats Jacksonville 👍

[@alexnewberg6795]

I know plenty of people who move to Florida and then move back later. Never turns out how it’s expected. Idk what the hype is, I don’t think it’s that great and Florida has plenty of problems people don’t talk about. Sorry to everyone I’ve offended but y’all are not gonna change my opinion.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Depends on the place and person. Florida does have a lot to offer it’s just not for everyone

[@Declan_Payan]

It’s better compared to a lot of other states though, and I’ve lived in a lot of states

[@kentuckianaboy]

I agree Alex, that’s why they get nicknamed “halfbacks.” Move to FL then after a year or two return North or move half way home 🏡 to say Georgia, Tennessee or Kentucky.

[@TheShotrocker]

Well not enough people are moving back Florida is the 3rd Most populous state and it’s increasing, however I love Florida way more stuff to do then most states in the country and I’ve been everywhere. California and Florida are the best states for sure

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@TheShotrocker Commiefornia sucks! It has great natural beauty but besides that that place is a crap 💩

[@MasonColemanWright1234]

I’m going to Jacksonville on Thursday

[@mitchmiller145]

Woo! Welcome to Florida🌞, Nick! But you better not leave until you come visit us in South Florida. I'm gone.

[@NickJohnson]

I will eventually!

[@mitchmiller145]

@@NickJohnson 🙇 Thanks! We look forward to seeing you!

[@xoxxobob61]

@@NickJohnson Miami is a much more urban and interesting city.

[@TheKy47]

I'm in Savannah, when I go 2 Jville I never wanna stay more than 1/2 a day, its pretty boring, was a lot more fun in the 90s, no one is out at nite now

[@bobmarlowe3390]

It was even more fun in the early 80s.

[@seanlewis1011]

what do you mean💀 there are always people out night

[@TheKy47]

@@seanlewis1011 im not talking about in a area with bars/clubs, the neighborhoods are desolate at night, the general feel of the city is emptiness

[@ARareGEM2890]

@@TheKy47 Truth to that 👍

[@ARareGEM2890]

@@seanlewis1011 ☠️👺👹👿😈👽👍

[@bigrudd9346]

Great work. Like any major city, Jax has it's issues. Beautiful though.

[@ProjectZorgoPzUpgradedx]

Can you do a video on top 10 most dangerous murder capital cities 2021?

[@SeanShunSwayy]

Im originally from lakeland and Ive been living in Wisconsin for the past 6 years and im wanting to move to Jacksonville because its in Florida which is my home and ive never really lived in a big city.

[@dekoda2671]

As someone who has lived in Jacksonville my whole life ill tell you my experience. I finally was able to move to orlando in 2020 but for the first 19 years i lived in west Jacksonville off of Normandy and lets just say… a lot of gas stations, dollar stores, storage units, drunks, homeless people walking on the side of a MAJOR road (not really but people go almost 60 and it’s populated), and neighborhoods with the tiny looking houses that all look the same and are 2 inches apart/the basic overpriced boxy apartments. The west side is full of some weird people who you should probably stay away from but if you keep to yourself and be aware you should be fine. However, even when I was 18 my parents wouldn’t let me go anywhere at night even driving because there was just so many crashes off of Normandy due to drunk drivers or road rage. I know this is basic big city stuff but when i go to Orlando (my family visits a lot and i live here now) which is arguably a bigger city despite the land-mass due to the tourists from literally everywhere none of the crazy driving happens as often as it does on roads like A1A, 295, I-10, OR 1-95. I could go on for a looong time about how bad Jax is but ill add some of the highlights too. The beaches (the ones where rich people live; Atlantic, Neptune) are usually good. They have a lot of nice restaurants, shops, and amenities. The only issue is if you’ve been in Jacksonville long enough every thing gets boring because they aren’t adding anything..ever. In my 19 years here I think they’ve taken away the majority of my childhood places i went to for fun, added 20, tore down 15, added apartments/storage/parking lots where they were and called it a day. No, just no. 5 looks like a lot on writing but factor in the huge population of Jacksonville and you have fights waiting to happen because people crammed into a small space leads to irritation which leads to fights and arguments. I have lots more to say but I have schoolwork so ill leave it at this. If you really do want to move to Florida and can’t afford the better cities I’d recommend driving farther down to Gainesville at least, or St. Augustine, just out of the Jacksonville bubble. I hope you get to move one day! (Also warning its so over-crowded I don’t think you’d like it. Even in Orlando, It’s just all of FL with everyone moving here. The natives are crying rn I’m thinking of moving to Richmond Va) Have a good day :) EDIT: also riverside, San Marco, Murray hill, and Avondale are great places!

[@belle16117]

I lived in Jax for 22 yrs. Saw a lot of changes in that time. Not sure I’d recognize parts of it now.

[@whyjavi99]

Do they do a lot of concerts in this town

[@88detour]

Not much to look at. Jacksonville looks like downtown Phoenix thirty years ago. With all the people moving there Downtown Jacksonville could use a jolt.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

Demolitions have begun April 2020 for Downtown Revitalization. Most things to do in Jacksonville are not in downtown proper but surround downtown and are placed at every part of the city. Downtown is like a business district

[@justdrive5327]

Ngl i feel asleep during this video. The nothingness and music😪

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@justdrive5327 if you are looking for fun in Jacksonville it’s not downtown. He didn’t even go through the business district very oddly

[@TheShotrocker]

Yeah if you want to have fun in Florida ,Tampa, Orlando and Miami are the spots they have more of a real city urban environment then Jacksonville.

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@TheShotrocker Jacksonville is more of a cultural large suburb. We have plenty to do here just isn’t all of your theme parks. Hope we get something like that too. Visit Jacksonville had a good website for Jacksonville tourism

[@batedordecartas]

Hugs from Brazil 🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@NickJohnson]

Hi! 🤗

[@christinepolacek1116]

Thinking of moving to Florida .. gotta find the right spot and realistically see if I can handle the heat . Politically yes , heat humidity , snakes and alligators…. Um 😶

[@rogerghai3143]

Jacksonville also home of The Georgia/Florida Game

[@belle16117]

Biggest outdoor cocktail party

[@sdpam3463]

Nice music!

[@brendanaeria9913]

Always wanted to move from Australia to the land of dreams. Thank you for all this videos to make decisions much easier !

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

@Lone Wolf Allah knows best.

[@NikkiYYano]

I moved from Melbourne VIC to Washington DC for work, I dunno where in Oz you are but there’s no place like Melbourne!

[@brendanaeria9913]

@@NikkiYYano Perth. Now you know why. 🤣

[@samanthamccormick1505]

@@NikkiYYano LOL DC is a dump. Florida - MIami/Fort Lauderdale or the gulf coats of Florida are much better

[@Mojavekight17]

The remaster will be on 28k!

[@willowduggans8284]

I live in Jackson and I live literally right by downtown and the bus terminal I got to bc my mom drives the busses and I now the heart bridge, Matthews,and more

[@PorkStufff]

What did you eat while you were there? As much as I do not like Jax it has the most good food of maybe any city I've been too, top 10 for sure.

[@ADMIN-bz1mz]

T.h.a.n.k.s f.o.r w.a.t.c.h.i.n.g F.o.r m.o.r.e C.r.y.p.t.o g.u.i.d.a.n.c.e W•h•a•t•s•A•p•p +1.9.0.4.8.7.8.9.7.4 5

[@NickJohnson]

Burger 🍔

[@BBQPorkSandwich3]

@@NickJohnson where from? So many good burgers here

[@jasonwarman3337]

Looks a bit like Perth Australia. Nice city. Looks really chilled out

[@kentuckianaboy]

I’ve always wanted to visit Perth, WA. California climate with 1/10th of California’s population.

[@maxhicks5278]

Problem with Jacksonville's downtown lameness is a lack of market demand to live and play there. West Palm Beach downtown is smaller but a lot better than Jacksonville's downtown. Why? West Palm Beach 25 years ago set up a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) per Florida Law. CRA's is special taxing district where it redlines an area it wants to redevelop to keep the area from becoming a slum. CRA uses property taxes from the redlined area to fund infrastructure projects and seek out developers to build condos and commercial buildings. The property taxes from the built condo units and commercial properties is the CRA's revenue. Condo developers saw potential in downtown West Palm Beach and have built over 20 condominium developments since 2010 and more to come. Currently, it appears that real estate developers don't see potential in downtown Jacksonville for whatever reason. An example of this lack of market demand was the incomplete eye-sore-skeleton, now demolished Berkman II condo project.

[@rogermoore27]

YES! I got back my music! WOO HOOO!

[@SimonMartinForPrimeMinister]

Dude what is this music it’s awesome

[@Stender_]

Why did you retitle this video? The beginning of the description of this video is contrary to the title it has.

[@davidprosser7278]

It certainly looks like a nice place.

[@lars1228]

It is, though if you do move there, I'd recommend moving to the outer areas of the city (i.e. Riverside, Avondale, San Marco, etc.) as opposed to downtown

[@davidprosser7278]

@@lars1228 OK, thanks for that advice.

[@ithinkihaveebola5238]

I moved here to Jax to stand UNF and I'm enjoying it so far. I've met some really cool and nice people so far. There are many other areas in Jacksonville that u can look at as well