Cobblestone - Jacksonville, FL

Part of the larger Arlington section of Duval County, Cobblestone was originally a settlement, separate from the city of Jacksonville. However, as urban sprawl threatened the financial infrastructure of Jacksonville, Cobblestone, along with the rest of Duval County, officially became part of the city of Jacksonville.

The Jacksonville Hands on Children Museum delivers fun and entertainment for children. This museum lets your kids discover different aspects of daily life by letting them play and pretend. Exhibits include Kids Post Office, Emergency Rescue Station, Train Depot, Kids Bank, Space Station and many others.

If you want a taste of the art scene, try Alhambra Theatre and Dining. Enjoy an appetizing meal and drink as you watch live performances. The After Dark show features impersonators of famous musicians, such as Elvis and Dolly Parton.

The majority of restaurants in Cobblestone lie to the west of the neighborhood along Monument Road. When you walk into Sashimi Fusion, you may think you’ve entered a club thanks to all the vibrant lighting and decor. However, instead of music and dancing, you find tasty and artfully decorated sushi dishes. Try the King Crab Roll or the Sunshine Roll. This restaurant also serves other Japanese dishes, such as chicken teriyaki and chicken katsu.

When you want a more hearty meal, visit Matt’s Italian Cuisine. The owner, Matt, visits local farmers markets every week to obtain fresh ingredients for every dish. Made from scratch, every meal comes with fantastic quality and taste. Try the baked ziti or chicken parmigiana. Just make sure to pair it with a glass of wine.

Looking for dishes a little closer to home? Look no further than The Hotdog Spot. At the Hotdog Spot, you find simple American cuisine with big taste. Try a grilled foot long hot dog or a sirloin burger with lettuce, tomato and mayo.

If you want some fun after the sun goes down, head over to The Tent Hookah Lounge. Get your friends together for a good time as you sip some drinks or enjoy some flavorful hookah. Get onto the floor and dance to hip hop music on DJ Night, or watch the talented belly dancers on Friday and Saturdays.

The neighborhood of Cobblestone features many sparse areas, and most businesses sit along the edge of the neighborhood. Therefore, walking and biking make poor options for traveling the neighborhood. Plus, few bike lanes reside in the area, making it somewhat dangerous for bikers.

No public transportation services the area. Therefore, most residents get around the neighborhood and to other parts of the city via their own vehicles. Since most local businesses supply their own free parking to customers and because there is less traffic than in downtown, getting around via personal vehicle also proves convenient. However, residents may find it somewhat difficult to access highways and expressways, as McCormick Road represents the only major road near the neighborhood.

You do have the option to take a cab to other parts of the city or neighborhood, but you must schedule it in advance instead of hailing it from the street. For an alternative to using a cab, consider trying Uber.

Although no annual events occur in the neighborhood, residents find outdoor fun at the nearby Ed Austin Regional Park, which once served as the Dunes Golf course, giving residents a free place to have fun and get some exercise with their family. Walk the paved trail with your faithful dog, or get in some exercise with a game of basketball or golf. The park spans 144 acres. Other amenities include 18-hole golf, nine-hole golf, a baseball diamond, playground equipment, picnic tables, a multi-use field, concession stands and skateboard area. Residents love the variety this park possesses.

The cost of living in Cobblestone averages about 11.5 percent higher than the rest of Jacksonville and about 12.4 percent higher than the national mean. The cost of housing, in particular, averages high. A typical one-bedroom residence costs about $703 a month.

In regards to other amenities, they average about the same as the rest of Jacksonville. Travel to a local bar, and you pay about $3.50 for a pint. Gas rests at about 9 percent less than the national median.

Few shops reside within the neighborhood, so you need to travel a little outside the neighborhood to find any high-end or high-value shops or boutiques. Fifi’s Fine Resale Apparel purchases gently used, name brand clothing from people who no longer want it. The store then sells that clothing or accessories for significantly less than the retail price. Brands include DKNY, Chanel, Gucci and many others. An incredible place to find great clothing and accessories for low prices, Folio Magazine even voted it the Best Consignment Shop in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

A little outside Cobblestone, you discover Jaffi’s. This fashion store hand selects some of the hottest collections the season has to offer to sell in the shop. Shop brands such as LA Made, Joie and JBrand with the help of a great customer service staff to find a new wardrobe or just a few statement pieces.

For groceries, check out the neighborhood’s Publix store. The combination of a wide selection, great products and marvelous customer service work to make Publix a unique shopping experience. Get everything you need, including baked goods, meat, seafood, produce, beer, frozen food, dairy, pet goods and baby needs. This store also sells health and nutrition items and has a housewares department.

If you want some fresh local produce, stop by the Atlantic Boulevard Produce Market just outside Cobblestone. Although small, this store sells great produce from local farmers. The prices are similar to those found at the grocery store, but the products come right from the local farm.