Welcome to Your New Home in Florida
If you’re ready to experience the excitement of big-city living in a laid-back coastal setting, Jacksonville, Fla., is for you. The Bold New City of the South is a destination for new movers. Here, you’ll find a thriving job market, an abundance of outdoor recreational activities and year-round sunshine, all for a surprisingly low cost of living.
Top jobs in healthcare, finance and logistics attract young professionals to the River City. Singles enjoy Jacksonville’s lively nightlife, beachfront bars and craft breweries. And with top-notch schools, spectacular beaches, safe neighborhoods and access to attractions like Adventure Landing, lots of families are moving to Jacksonville too.
We Can Help You Get Settled in Jacksonville
Moving to Jacksonville can be a daunting task, even if it’s just around the corner. We’re here to help. Penske has many convenient truck rental locations in metropolitan Jacksonville. To get you started, the Penske Metropolitan Jacksonville Team offers these simple moving and driving tips for the do-it-yourself mover:
Tips for Moving to Jacksonville
- Jacksonville can get hot in the summer, so plan your move for early morning or early evening hours when it’s cooler.
- Call your metropolitan Jacksonville Penske location to learn which routes prohibit trucks.
- Take advantage of a brief driving orientation session when you pick up your truck.
Tips for Driving in Jacksonville
- Jacksonville is situated along the St. Johns River, and the city’s many bridges can cause bottlenecks and congestion.
- Avoid rush hour (7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.) on busy roads like I-95 and I-295 when traffic is heaviest.
- Watch for low-hanging branches on tree-lined streets.
10 Things To Know When You Move to Jacksonville
- 1. Jacksonville’s Job Market Is Booming
- Jacksonville boasts the second-hottest job market in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal. The metro area features top employers such as UF Health, Baptist Health, TIAA, Fidelity National Financial, CSX and the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). Jacksonville is also home to Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Naval Station Mayport, making it popular among military families.
- 2. Your Ideal Neighborhood Awaits in Jacksonville
- When you move to the area, you’ll find a diverse range of neighborhoods in Jacksonville. Young professionals and families flock to Riverside/Avondale along the St. Johns River. Singles enjoy San Marco, known for its boutique shopping, charming architecture and trendy restaurants. Southside and Mandarin, with highly rated schools and a suburban lifestyle, are popular among families. And Jacksonville Beach offers condos and cottages with year-round access to surfing, biking and fishing.
- 3. Jacksonville Is a Budget-Friendly City
- Jacksonville offers a lower cost of living than other major hubs, including Florida destinations like Miami and Orlando. The average home price is around $300,000 and rents average between $1,300-$1,400 per month. There’s also no state income tax in Florida. Plus, as the Bold New City of the South, Jacksonville offers a friendly, welcoming Southeast culture and an outstanding quality of life.
- 4. Outdoor Living Defines the Jacksonville Experience
- Jacksonville delivers an “endless summer” experience, with 221 sunny days a year, a mild spring and fall, and hot summers that aren’t as intensely humid as other parts of Florida. New movers will have plenty of time to comb the area’s 22 miles of beaches, including Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach. Plus, Jacksonville’s location on the scenic St. Johns River offers plenty of chances for boating, fishing and paddleboarding.
- 5. Jacksonville’s Nightlife Is One-of-a-Kind
- When the sun sets, Jacksonville comes alive. You can hang out at The Elbow, a nightlife district in the heart of Downtown Jax with rooftop bars, trendy restaurants and performance venues. Jacksonville Beach offers multiple beachfront bars and clubs, while suburban neighborhoods like Riverside and Avondale offer some of the best dance clubs, discos and bars in the metro area.
- 6. Arts Are Everywhere in Jacksonville
- One of the hidden gems of Jacksonville is its thriving arts scene. You can view more than 6,000 artworks at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens or comb through local artists’ collections during the monthly First Wednesday Art Walks downtown. The Ritz Theatre and Museum is a cornerstone of African American culture. And major events like the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and Jacksonville Film Festival add to the city’s unique culture.
- 7. Jacksonville Is a Destination for Families
- Jacksonville is home to the largest park system in North America, with more than 400 public and recreational spaces, many of which are ideal for family outings. Family-themed attractions include the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Tree Hill Nature Center, and Jacksonville’s Museum of Science & History (MOSH). You’ll also find water parks and splash parks everywhere. In fact, some planned communities like Nocatee have water parks built right into the neighborhood.
- 8. Bring Your Clubs to Jacksonville
- Golfing is a major part of outdoor life in Jacksonville. You’ll find more than 70 world-class courses in the Jacksonville metro area, including picturesque oceanside and riverfront courses. Plus, nearby Ponte Vedra Beach hosts THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass, one of the premier events on the PGA TOUR.
- 9. Jacksonville Is Close to Everything
- You can move to Jacksonville and still stay close to home. Jacksonville’s Northeast Florida location is within driving distance of Atlanta, Orlando and Savannah. Day trips are big in Jacksonville too. You can visit the beaches of Amelia Island, browse the art galleries and craft stores in historic St. Augustine, or swim with the dolphins at Marineland — all of which are just an hour (or less) away.
- 10. You Might Find Yourself Chanting “DUUUVAL!” When You Move to Jacksonville
- Most of Jacksonville is in Duval County, which is why fans of the NFL’s Jaguars chant “DUUUVAL!” during home games. Prefer college football? Jacksonville hosts the annual Florida Gators vs. Georgia Bulldogs game, nicknamed the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. And minor league sports are a major deal in Jax. The city is home to Triple-A baseball’s Jumbo Shrimp and the East Coast Hockey League’s Jacksonville Icemen.
Moving to Jacksonville? We Offer Complete Service
Whether you’re moving to a historic home in Avondale, a single-family home in Nocatee, an apartment in downtown Jacksonville or a bungalow in Jacksonville Beach, the Penske Metropolitan Jacksonville Team is ready to help.
- Get everything for your move from Penske and our moving partners. See Moving Supplies & Services.
- We operate over 100,000 vehicles at more than 2,500 locations.
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For every day you rent, we're giving you a day on us. So if you reserve for two days, you will be charged for one. We know moving can be stressful. So relax and enjoy the day on us during these uncertain times. Read more
Penske’s Rent for a Day, Get a Second Day Free Special promotional discount applies only to the daily vehicle rental charges. All taxes, fees (including but not limited to vehicle use taxes), and surcharges (including but not limited to the Mileage Fee, Environmental Fee, Vehicle License Fee) are extra. Optional products such as supplemental insurance, Limited Damage Waiver (LDW), hand trucks, furniture pads, and dolly’s are extra. Fuel charges are extra. Promotional discount is valid only in the Contiguous United States. Customer must select the number of days for the rental and then the promotional discount is automatically applied at checkout. The promotional discount is available on household / personal local rentals only. The promotional discount is valid from 12:01AM ET, 10/1/2022 until 11:59PM ET, 11/11/2022; provided that the Customer must pick up the vehicle on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday during the promotional period. Limit of one use per Customer. Maximum of five (5) free day’s rental charges per Customer. This offer is subject to vehicle availability at the time of reservation. Promotional discount may be combined with other coupons, offers, or discounts. This promotional discount is not redeemable for cash or cash equivalent. The promotional discount is not transferable and Penske reserves the right to change terms at any time in our sole discretion.