Jacksonville is a sprawling metropolitan area that prides itself on being Florida's youngest, hippest part. In the First Coast region, on the Atlantic side of the state, and approximately 25 miles south of the Georgia border, Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States. This unique feature allows more than 950,000 people to call this city home and what accounts for what locals call the "enormous amount of time it takes to get anywhere."

Jacksonville sits on the St. John's River, close to where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. It enjoys a humid, subtropical climate with average summer temperatures hovering around 92 degrees (°F) and winter temperatures averaging a balmy 64 degrees (°F). This climate has long made the area attractive to residents. The beginnings of the current city began back in 1564 when the French established the Fort Caroline settlement. In 1822, shortly after the U.S. acquired the territory, the modern-day town was founded and named after Andrew Jackson, Florida's first military governor and (more famously) our seventh president.

Due to its deepwater port and geographic location, Jacksonville has grown to an impressive stature over the years. It used to be the go-to winter resort area for the rich and famous. This designation may be why Jacksonville was once known as the "Winter Film Capital of the World." More than 30 silent films were made here during the early 20th century. In addition to being the place for those with money, Jacksonville has become a major banking and insurance center in recent years. This industry, along with the military, has become the backbone of the city's economic infrastructure and makes it one of the most stable city economies in the nation.

Jacksonville, or Jax to its residents, is an odd mix of history, culture, and modern amenities. Most of its historic architecture was lost in the Great Fire of 1901, after which the city was rebuilt by Midwest architects trained in the Prairie School of building design (think Frank Lloyd Wright). This accounts for the staggering collection of such buildings the city boasts today. In addition, Jax has a significant showing of mid-century modern architecture and some
of the state's first skyscrapers.

Jax is where the traditional Florida attitude of relaxation meets adventure. Adventure comes in the form of 22 miles of beaches replete with every outdoor activity you can think of…as long as it doesn't require snow! Jacksonville hosts many annual cultural experiences, including the Jacksonville Jazz Festival (the second largest in the U.S.), Springing the Blues Festival, and World of Nations Celebration. Not to be outdone by culture, the city is home to the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and several minor league sports teams from various organizations, including the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp AA baseball team. You almost have to go to a game because of the name alone! Or if museums and the arts are more your thing, Jax can give you incredible experiences.

Honestly, though, when people consider living in Florida, they often think of hurricanes and the kind of impact they can have. A hurricane has not directly hit Jacksonville since 1871. However, it has a history of being affected by hurricanes, including Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Irma in 2017, which produced record-breaking floods. So, if you're lucky enough to spend a few years here, concentrate on all this jewel of the First Coast has to offer! Residents will tell you that everything Jacksonville offers more than makes up for a few pesky hurricanes.