Jacksonville, FL- Areas to avoid

[Brittney Lundeen]

Hi all! I'm a newbie born and raised in Minnesota, looking to move to either Jacksonville or Tampa in the next 6 months. My plan is to purchase a house for myself, live in it for a year or so and then rent it out. Any locals out there that could tell me their opinion on which city would be better for investing, and what the crime is like? I definitely want to feel safe, but obviously can't afford houses in fancy neighborhoods. I'd like to stick around $180,000 or below.

Can anyone tell me which areas should be avoided in both cities? B class neighborhood would be nice. 

Thanks in advance!!

[Lesley Resnick]

You will love it in Jax.  The weather is amazing 9 months a year.  The other 3 can get hot.

In Jax it would be tough to spend that much and end up somewhere you did not love.  The real question is how much house do you want or need?  If you buy at the beach, my preference, you get a lot less than if you go out to clay county, where you will get a lot of house and new construcion .  Saint Johns County is a good location, great schools, but can be pricy.  

PM me if you want to chat.