The Best Jacksonville Neighborhoods With Historic Homes

Most people who end up buying a historic home specifically sought out historic homes from the very beginning stages of their home search. Whether its the charming characteristics of an older house, the excitement of renovating a home and putting your own unique finishing touches on it, or simply the distinguished curb appeal that many of Jacksonville’s oldest homes undoubtedly possess, there’s truly something special and enticing about the possibility of owning your very own piece of history. 

So if you’re in the market for a new place to live and historic homes hold a special place in your heart, here’s a closer look at just some of the Jacksonville neighborhoods you’ll find a wide-range of historic homes and residences. 

Springfield Historic District 

Jacksonville’s Springfield Historic District is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, having first established all the way back in 1869. Conveniently situated just north of Downtown Jacksonville, Springfield is loaded with historic mansions, restored bungalows, and some of the coolest architecture you’ll find anywhere in town. Because of its charming ambiance, it’s also become a burgeoning location for small and locally owned businesses to open as well, helping create a rather vibrant atmosphere for just about any prospective home buyer out there looking for the right historic home. 

Along with a variety of trendy restaurants, locally-owned boutique shops, and a number of craft breweries, Springfield is also where you’ll find some of Jacksonville’s oldest parks and public green spaces. Springfield Park has sizable dog park and playground, and the pond helps provide a serene setting that we promise won’t ever get old. Across the street Springfield Park lies Henry J. Klutho Park, which also have plenty of open green space, as well as tennis courts, a baseball field, and even an 18-hole disc golf course. 

Riverside 

Full of quaint tree-lined streets, lively cultural attractions, trendy bars and restaurants, a fabulous collection of historic homes, and some of the best antique shops in Jacksonville, the Riverside neighborhood is truly one of the most sought-after neighborhoods among active home buyers. But if that’s not enticing enough, Riverside has also been named one of the country’s 10 Great Neighborhoods, solidifying its place as a true destination for those looking for a “forever home.”

With Riverside also being listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, it makes sense that it’s one of the top places for buying a historic home in Jacksonville. Stately waterfront estates headline the neighborhood’s inventory of historic homes, but you’ll also find quite a few bungalows and cottage style homes that date back to the ‘20s and ‘30s here too. But beware, even the smaller historic homes in Riverside can get quite pricey and typically start in the low to mid $300,000s at least. 

Lakeshore 

Located a bit further outside of Downtown Jacksonville and butting up against the Cedar River, Lakeshore is a neighborhood where you’ll find historic homes at rather affordable prices. The primary commercial district in Lakeshore is centered around Blanding Boulevard and San Juan Avenue, but most of the remaining parts of the neighborhood are primarily residential, making it a pretty low-key place to call home. 

Because of its affordability, interested home buyers will mostly find smaller one-story bungalow and cottage style homes. Also scattered around Lakeshore are some pretty cool and authentic Spanish style houses, which are loaded with character and can present a unique fixer-upper opportunity every now and then. =

San Jose 

Jacksonville’s San Jose neighborhood is widely considered one of the city’s nicest places to live. Originally designed to be a suburb of Jacksonville, the historic homes you’ll find in the neighborhood lie on larger lot sizes and provide ample space and privacy. Many homes and buildings throughout San Jose in Jacksonville also have a distinct Spanish influence, making it a perfect landing spot for anyone who appreciates authentic architecture in its most charming form. 

The San Jose Country Club is also located here, which is a private, member-owned club that legitimately has one of the nicest golf courses anywhere in America. Other amenities at the club include tennis courts, a bar and dining area, and a fitness and aquatics center. But like most historic homes in the San Jose neighborhood, a membership to the country club will no doubt cost a pretty penny.