Best Jacksonville Neighborhoods For Buying an Airbnb Investment Property

From outdoor adventures to world-class fishing, boating, and beaches, Jacksonville in one of the best places in the nation to enjoy the natural surroundings. With plenty of public beaches, area parks and even the St Johns River nearby, you’ll find countless opportunities for everything from kayaking and paddleboarding to even diving close to Jacksonville. 

The area is also known for its museums, its arts scene, and its charm. From some of its hip and historic neighborhoods to nearby dining and nightlife, the options are almost endless when you take your investment property search to Jacksonville. Competition is strong in the city for investment properties, and while not all potential properties in the area make good short-term rentals, these Jacksonville neighborhoods definitely give investors the best chance for success. 

Downtown Jacksonville

Investing in an Airbnb in Downton Jacksonville oftentimes means a prime location right alongside the St Johns River. Jump on the river taxi and explore some of the city’s best nightlife, museums, and some of the area’s nearby dining options.  

Some properties in the Historic Downtown area have been restored and reconfigured as rental properties. There are around a couple dozen multifamily properties in the Downtown area to look at, with thousands of residential units in this part of the city. 

Riverside

The Riverside neighborhood of Jacksonville puts you close to the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, which is now home to thousands of unique works of arts, as well as some historic gardens overlooking the nearby river. If you want your Airbnb property to be close to art galleries, antique stores, and cafes, consider searching for available options close to hip St Johns Avenue. 

While Riverside is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, Five Points, in particular, is an older part of the neighborhood that’s full of character. A property close to this part of Jacksonville means easy access to a number of interesting shops and restaurants. The Riverside Arts Market is always a big draw on the weekends, while tree-lined streets also lead to trendy boutiques and other fun options.  

Southbank

South of Downtown Jacksonville and north of San Marco, the Southbank neighborhood is home to such attractions as the Museum of Science and History. As the city’s most visited museum, it's a convenient location for vacation-goers to stay, thus making it ideal for an Airbnb investment property. The neighborhood also boasts the Friendship Fountain, and you can easily hop on the southbank portion of the riverwalk.

If you’re looking for an investment property in Jacksonville that’s close to what people want to see, do, and experience in the city, Southbank is a good choice. Properties in the Southbank range from some with less than 1,000 square feet of living space to other properties that can sometimes be substantially larger. From high-rise buildings to renovated bungalows, there are plenty of options to consider in the Southbank neighborhood. 

San Marco

The San Marco neighborhood sits near Downtown Jacksonville on the south side of the St Johns River, as well. This historic neighborhood is close enough to downtown, but it’s also full of art galleries, an impressive dining district and interesting boutiques. Many people want to be in San Marco for its great restaurants and its emerging bars and breweries. 

While mostly residential, there is a small area known as San Marco Square with a landmark lions sculpture you certainly can’t miss. San Marco makes a great spot for an investment if you want to be close to downtown, but you also want to delight in one of the most charming locations in the city.

Springfield 

If a strong connection to Jacksonville’s history is important to you, you’ll want to take another look at Springfield. Dating back to the 1800s, Springfield was the very first neighborhood in Jacksonville, and it remains the oldest today. If you’re in the market for a unique, turn-of-the-century property, the historic district in Springfield is a great place to search.

For those into history, the neighborhood also puts you close to Confederate Park. This is the city’s oldest park with an imaginative playground, some statues, and even a fenced-in dog park, which can be a great amenity for future guests to use if you're planning to have a pet-friendly short-term rental.