Overview
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Formerly prime farming land southwest of Jacksonville proper, Argyle has become a thriving family-friendly suburb over the past 15 years, with contstant residential growth. Families moving to Argyle Forest will find new shopping options every day as strip malls are ever appearing and the new Oak Leaf Town Center continues to add shops and restaurants around its large anchor stores like Super Target, Kohl's, and The Home Depot.
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Argyle Forest is a young-family haven. If you move here, chances are you'll count several young children among your neighbors. If this sounds good to you, you should definitely keep this neighborhood on your list of places to check out when moving to Jacksonville. The houses may be practically on top of each other in many subdivisions, but you'll have plenty of shopping and recreational activities nearby. Kids will find ample ball fields, swim parks, and sidewalks to play. Mom and Dad may find the morning commute a little frustrating, however, as only one or two main roads lead out of the area into greater Jacksonville, and combined with frequent road construction, this can lead to major traffic backups.
This is a prime location for families with school-age children. Neighborhoods offer swimming pools, walking paths, and playgrounds. Because of the relative difficulty of commuting from Argyle Forest to Downtown or Southside, for example, it is probably not the first choice for single people or couples without children.
The "night scene" in Argyle Forest consists solely of chain restaurants with bars in them, like Chili's, Long Horn Steakhouse, and Ted's Montana Grill. Everything about the area screams "generic suburb," including its restaurants, which are exactly like the ones found in every other generic suburb across the country. For example, you can eat at Burger King, Applebee's or Panera Bread on your way to the local library.
Generally speaking, you get a lot of bang for your rental buck in Argyle Forest. Compared to some more conveniently located and desirable neighborhoods, homes in Argyle can be leased quite cheaply. For example, a three-year-old, 2,000-sq.-ft. house in a quiet subdivision with swimming pools is available for $1,300 per month. Home upkeep costs and utilities charges for the area are rated at below average, giving Argyle a high value rating. Apartments in the area often have manmade lakes (feeding the ducks will help pass a lazy afternoon). One-bedrooms start at $525 per month.
Argyle has a few roads connecting it with major highways, but you should probably leave extra early for appointments in other parts of the city because these few roads tend to get terribly clogged at rush hour. Brannan Field/Chafee Road connects Argyle Forest directly to I-10, which allows you to bypass Jacksonville altogether when traveling westward out of town. Argyle Forest Boulevard is the main thoroughfare that takes residents toward the Jacksonville suburb of Orange Park, where you'll find the nearest indoor shopping mall and the movie theater.
Parking should not be an issue in Argyle, with all rental properties assigning at least one space per unit.
For a great deal, look at apartments on Collins Road, at the edge of Argyle Forest. Here, a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit goes for $758/mo. and comes with community pool and jacuzzi and a fitness center.
Check with apartment complexes for pet policies. If you are lucky enough to rent a home in one of Argyle's family-friendly neighborhoods, you should have no problem taking dogs on long walks through the twisting roads. Because of the area's rapid and rampant development, there is not much tree cover, so be sure to pack water for both you and your dog. For special treat, take your dog duck chasing down by one of the manmade lakes.
Entertainment in Argyle Forest is centered around the family. Watch the kids play a Little League game before hitting the links at the OakLeaf Plantation golf course. Then take the kids for a day at a neighborhood "sprayground," a mini water park with lots of slides and falling water, which are a welcome reprieve in the HOT Florida summertimes.
To see a family-friendly movie, head over to the AMC Theatres at the Orange Park Mall.
One of the newest and most popular neighborhoods for families relocating to the area is OakLeaf Plantation. With homes so close together you can talk to your neighbor through your kitchen windows, this area is very close to two large shopping centers, an elementary school, and the Argyle Library. The kids can play soccer or swim while mom and dad play on the chamionship golf course or use the multimillion-dollar fitness centers. With plans for community centers, five new schools, and a new library, the subdivision seeks to be a self-contained "home town," according to its Web site.
For those looking for a smaller home, several apartment complexes and condominiums offer attractive alternatives. Try looking at the complexes off of Argyle Forest Boulevard.
Grocery shopping in Argyle requires a car. The choices are Super Target, Winn-Dixie, or one of two Publix Supermarkets.
Fitness buffs can work out at Anytime Fitness or Contours Express, both of which are on Argyle Forest Boulevard.
Banking in the neighborhood includes the Vystar Credit Union, First Guarantee Bank, CitiBank, and Florida Telco Credit Union. Other banks, like Bank of America have branches a short distance south on Blanding Boulevard, which is the major cross-street with Argyle Forest Boulevard.
The closest movie theater is the AMC 24 at the Orange Park Mall.
Argyle Forest is a great place for families, with its sprawling walking paths, playgrounds, and abundance of other youngsters for yours to play with. Schools in the area include:
Argyle Christian Preschool and Kindergarten (Private)
Hidalgo International School of Destiny, Inc. (Private)
S Bryan Jennings Elementary School (Public)
First Coast Christian School (Private)
W E Cherry Elementary School (Public)
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