JACKSONVILLEHOMEOWNER’S GUIDE TO

PRESENTED BY: PAUL’S PEST

HOMEOWNER RESOURCES 2

MOVING TIPS AND TRICKS 4

LOCAL INFORMATION 6

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS 12

CONTENTSTABLE OF

MOVING TO JACKSONVILLE?

Here at Paul’s Pest Control, we are locals and have been in this area for years - even decades! With so much time spent in the Jacksonville area, we count ourselves lucky to know this place like the back of our hand. To welcome you to your

new home in Jacksonville, we’ve created this Homeowner’s Guide to Moving to Jacksonville, so you can hit the ground running on your very first day and know all the ins and outs of living here.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

Jacksonville is a gorgeous, vibrant, and exciting community that more than 800,000 people choose to call home. Now that you’ve decided to make a move to this wonderful and happening city, you’re likely swimming in excitement and ready to take on your new Florida adventure! But before you move, there are a

few basics that you will want to know before you make the trip.

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HOMEOWNER’S RESOURCESThere are a lot of things that go into a successful move to Jacksonville, and

having your ducks in a row on your home ownership responsibilities is a

great place to start. Check out the following homeowner resources so you

can make great decisions without the hassle of digging through options

yourself.

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REAL ESTATE AGENTSLet’s face it--buying a home is hard work, especially if you are traveling from out of the state or across the country. Enlisting the help of an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent can make or break your home buying experience, and can help you enjoy your move instead of dreading it. Here are just a few recommendations for quality real estate agents in the Jacksonville area:

Magnolia Properties

Watson Realty Corporation

Jacksonville REALTORs

UTILITY COMPANIESSo you’ve already got your real estate situation figured out, huh? Well, what happens when you move in? Here are our recommendations for the best utility companies in Jacksonville:

“The help of an experienced and knowledgeable real estate agent can make or break your home buying experience.”

Natural Gas:People’s Gas, AmeriGas,

Western Natural Gas

Electric Company:Jacksonville Electric

Authority

Cable Company:Time Warner Cable,

AT&T

Lawn and Pest:Paul’s Pest

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MOVING RESOURCESWhile making your home in Jacksonville might be the best idea you’ve ever had,

the moving process can make anyone want to cry uncle. Moving is stressful for

everyone, and nobody truly likes to go through it--but just remember that it is worth

all the trouble to live in a place as amazing and beautiful as Jacksonville. To make

your moving process just a little bit easier to manage, check out these quick tips for

an easy peasy move so you can start enjoying the spoils of Jacksonville sooner!

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MOVING TIPS AND TRICKS• Plan ahead before you start packing.

Don’t leave all your packing until the last minute--instead, think about items that you will need while you are still in your new home, and pack rooms up in stages.

• Choose your movers wisely. A few friends with trucks might cut it for a cross-town move, but if you’re moving into a new home in Jacksonville from far away, it might be advisable to hire professional movers. Although professional movers can be expensive, what you gain in peace of mind will likely make up the difference. Some great moving companies that we can recommend include:

Two Men and a Truck

First Choice Movers

Royal Movers

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• Declutter before you pack up your whole house. Go through your closets, your bathrooms, and your storage areas and only pack the items you use frequently or truly need. Then, sell the rest in a yard sale or donate items to charity that might be useful to someone else. Toss items that are damaged or that can’t be donated. At the end of the process, you’ll have sub-stantially less to pack and you will have lightened your load for your journey.

• Plan for pets and kids. Moving is stressful for even the most strong-minded adult--imagine what the process is like for your little ones and your furry friends. If possible, arrange child and pet care during the most trying parts of the move to alleviate their stress--and yours.

LOCAL INFORMATIONMoving to Jacksonville is an overwhelming process as it is, let us make it a

little bit easier once you get here. Below, we have listed some of the most

important local information that you will need to know once you get here.

It may seem like a lot to take in, but trust us, once you get here, you’ll start

feeling like a local in no time!

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LOCAL COMMUNITIESWhether you are looking to start your career, raise a family, or enjoy your hard-earned retirement, Jacksonville has a place for everyone. Check out our list of the best places to live in this area to help you find the community that is right for you!

Northside: The Northside neighborhood is the perfect community for growing families to call home. Located right on the riverfront, residents of this community enjoy close proximity to exciting attractions like the Jacksonville Zoo and the downtown area.

San Marco: For those with a more eclectic taste, San Marco is an artsy district with exciting vibes that are perfect for young professionals and families. Charming homes reflect the 1920’s style, while nearby shops offer closeby entertainment and excitement.

The Beaches: The Beaches, usually known as Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach is a pricier part of Jacksonville, but is a perfect home for those who are moving to Florida to truly experience coastal living.

Orange Park: If you are looking for a modest home on a large plot of land, Orange Park is right up your alley. Home to many growing families who need a little elbow room, folks in Orange Park can enjoy spacious accommodations with a modest commute to the downtown area.

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High Schools: Paxon School for Advanced Studies, Darnell Cookman Middle/High School

Middle Schools: Alfred I. Dupont Middle School, Arlington Middle School, Eugene Butler Middle School

Elementary School: John Stockton Elementary School, Beauclerc Elementary School, Sabal Palm Elementary School

University of North Florida

Jacksonville University

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Edward Waters College

Trinity Baptist College

Jones College

Art Institute of Jacksonville

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COLLEGESWhether you have children nearing college age, or if you just want to pursue some higher education yourself, living in the Jacksonville area affords you a choice of many different colleges and universities nearby. Check out the following list to help you choose from the best places for higher education in the Jacksonville area.

SCHOOLSIf you’re moving to the Jacksonville area with kids in tow, or if you’re planning on building a family in the near future, you might be wondering which schools are the best ones in the area. Worry no more! Read on to learn about the best school for your kids to help make your decision easier:

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CAR DEALERSHIPSSo you’ve got a new home in Jacksonville, why not spring for a new car as well? Whether you need a new car to go with your new commute, or if it’s time to trade up for a newer model, there are many car dealerships in the area that can help you find the perfect set of wheels for your needs. Here are our picks!

Arlington Toyota

Duval Honda

Duval Ford

Coggin Automotive Group

PROFESSIONAL COMPANIESOne of the hardest parts of moving is finding new professional companies to help you out once you’ve moved. Here are our suggestions to help you get started.

Accountant: Ennis, Pellum & Associates, Katherine B. Ashley, Ross Hughes and

Associates

Attorneys: Law Office of David M. Goldman, Law Office of Eric S. Block, Farah and Farah

Financial Planner: TrustWell Financial Advisors, Paragon Wealth Strategies

“You’ve got a new home in Jacksonville, why not spring for a new car as well?”

HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALSAre you having trouble trying to find the right doctors and medical services for your family? We’re here to help! Check out our list of the best medical professionals in the area to help make your search for a physician much easier.

Hospital: Memorial Hospital, Baptist Medical Center

Pediatrician: Jacksonville Pediatrics

Dentist: Riverside Dental

General Practitioner: Arthur Browning, MD, John Butcher, MD

Urgent Care: AFC Urgent Care, CareSpot

EMPLOYMENT/COST OF LIVINGJacksonville Unemployment Rate: 5.9%

Florida Unemployment Rate: 4.9%

Cost of Living: 91/100

WEATHER AND CLIMATEJacksonville Florida is a beautiful place to live, famous for warm, breezy summers and mild seasons all year long. But there are definitely a few things you will need to know about Jacksonville’s weather and climate before you make the commitment to making this amazing place your home.

It is quite warm here--very warm. In fact, the annual average temperature hovers around 70 degrees!

It rains a lot in Florida, and Jacksonville is no different. If you live here, you should be prepared for many sunny days, but also for showers and sprinkles each week.

In Florida, hurricanes are prevalent during the hurricane season which stretches from June 1 through the end of November. If you live in this area, you need to expect and be prepared for strong storms almost every year.

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GROCERY STORESGrocery stores are one of the hardest, yet little thought about moving conundrums. Most people don’t think about moving away from their favorite grocery stores, but the truth is many chains only operate regionally. If you’re moving to Jacksonville from far away, you’ll be relieved to know that we’ve created a list for you below of the best grocery stores to check out:

Rowe’s IGA Supermarket

Whole Foods Market

B.J’s Grocery Store

GOVERNMENT INFORMATIONJacksonville City Hall: http://www.coj.net/

Mayor’s Office: http://www.coj.net/mayor.aspx

City Council: http://www.coj.net/city-council.aspx

Clerk of Courts: http://www.duvalclerk.com/ccWebsite/

EMERGENCY SERVICESHere’s the numbers you need to know in an emergency in Jacksonville. We recommend that you keep this list on your refrigerator just in case, so you always have them handy!

Fire Department: (904) 247-6201

Sheriff’s Office: (904) 630-0500

Memorial Emergency Center: (904) 998-5000

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“Grocery stores are one of the hardest, yet little thought about moving conundrums.”

LOCAL ATTRACTIONSNow here’s the best part: the local attractions and activities that make

Jacksonville such an amazing place to call home. From annual family-

friendly festivals, to great scenic attractions, to romantic date excursions

and everything in between, Jacksonville truly has something for everyone to

enjoy. Let us show you around!

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ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DOCatty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary: At

this wildlife sanctuary, the whole family can get an up close and personal look at big cats and more.

Jacksonville Zoo: Are you looking for a great day trip that the whole family can enjoy? Grab the kids, pack up a picnic and head out to visit the animals and exhibits at the Jacksonville Zoo!

Atlantic Beach: One of the first things you might want to do after moving to Jacksonville is hit the beach, and Atlantic Beach is one of the most beautiful and exciting beaches in Florida! Better yet, this beach is right in your own backyard!

Riverside Arts Market: At Riverside Arts Market, folks of all art tastes can enjoy strolling through exhibitions to enjoy and purchase art of all genres and types. Riverside/Avondale Historic District: If you’re looking to fill your day with a historic adventure, take a day trip to the Riverside/Avondale Historic District!

Museum of Science and History: Looking for a great way to beat the heat? Take a gander in the indoor Museum of Science and History for an educational trip with plenty of air conditioning!

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PLACES TO VISITJacksonville is an incredible place with so many places to see and things to do. It can be difficult to choose which things to see first, but lucky for you, your friends here at Paul’s Pest Control have created the list of the top 5 places to visit to get you started!

Jacksonville Autobahn Speedway

The Florida Theatre

Kingsley Plantation

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

Big Talbot Island State Park

TOP RESTAURANTSYou can scour travel books and visitor pamphlets all you want, but if you really want to feel like a Jacksonville local, you have to eat like one. To save you some time we’ve crafted a list of our top must-try restaurants for when you arrive in Jacksonville.

Orsay Restaurant

BB’s Restaurant and Bar

The French Pantry

Maple Street Biscuit Company

Metro Diner

Millhouse Steakhouse

Seasons 52

Sweet Pete’s

Green Papaya

Black Sheep

“Jacksonville is an incredible place with so many places to see and things to do.”

TAMPACONCLUSION

So there you have it, your best kept secret for having a successful move and

first foray into life as a Jacksonville resident. We hope that you will settle

into your new home and soon come to love the Jacksonville area as your

home. Welcome to Jacksonville, we can’t wait to call you our neighbors!

To learn more about Paul’s Pest, visit www.callpauls.com.