Sandalwood - Jacksonville, FL

Sandalwood was established by long-time builder-developer Pearce-Uible, which also erected properties in Rolling Hills in Westside, and in Harborview in Northside. The descriptive 1960s ad slogan for Sandalwood read, "On the Southside — halfway between business and pleasure " Many residents of the modern community still agree with that mantra. Many of the original Sandalwood residents were military families who later left the area. However, some early homeowners remain in the neighborhood. No music venues, museums or theater companies currently exist within the neighborhood: However, many arts establishments reside in Jacksonville itself. Head over to the downtown area to visit the Cummer Museum of Art to view over 5,000 works produced within the last 8,000 years. The area between Julia Street and Market Street in downtown houses numerous fascinating art galleries. Seasonal events like the Jacksonville Jazz Festival make the city a dynamic place to live.

Head to Atlantic Boulevard to sample some of the best dishes Sandalwood has to offer. You'll find a diverse mix of cultural cuisine in or near Sandalwood. Asian food, South American cookery and home-style barbecue all live happily together on the north side of the neighborhood. Stop in at Chicken on Wheels for fabulous Peruvian cuisine and great service in a relaxed setting. For a sumptuous twist on supper, try the Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken. If you want something a little more oceanic, check out the seafood ceviche to experience light, tasty fish marinated in a tangy citrus blend. Choose from a range of yummy sides, including rice, beans and a delectable house salad. Finally, wash it all down with a glass of refreshing chicha morada. Mosey on down to Dick's Wings and Grill for succulent wings and a generous selection of flavors. Select plain wings for your kids and pick a spicier option for your own palette. Tempt your taste buds with the tangy redneck sauce or Cajun ranch, or add a citrus kick with the lemon pepper variety. Top off your supper with an order of crisp waffle fries with crumbled blue cheese for an extra-happy tummy. Check out Sushi N Wok for a selection of gorgeous sushi as well as fresh Chinese dishes. Clean, pleasant surroundings and quick service make this establishment a Sandalwood staple. Devour the scrumptious sushi rolls on-site or take them home for a late-night snack. Locals give the honey chicken and the moo shoo chicken with plum sauce rave reviews. Eat in, take out or order home delivery. In the evenings, most locals either enjoy dinner with a full bar in a restaurant close to home such as LongHorn Steakhouse or head into Jacksonville to experience live music, a hopping bar scene and various other entertainment options. In Downtown Jacksonville the historic Florida Theater on East Forsyth Street, which opened in 1927, showcases everything from ballet and opera to jazz and hip hop. Visit Mavericks on Independent Drive for rock 'n' roll, country music and good-old-fashioned honky tonk. You'll find reasonably priced drinks and live music in an intimate setting at Jack Rabbits nightclub on Hendricks Avenue. Audiophiles enjoy Jack Rabbits' excellent sound system.

Almost all residents in the Sandalwood neighborhood own a car due to driving being the easiest way to get from A to B in the suburbs. Thankfully, getting onto the highway proves simple. Atlantic Boulevard runs from east to west at the north end of the community; 295, also known as the Jacksonville Beltway, borders the neighborhood on its west side. Most residental locations provide off-street parking. A couple of bus routes do pass close to the area for those who prefer public transportation. Specifically, route 10 buses stop on Atlantic Boulevard at the north of the neighborhood, while route 23 buses pass down Alden Road at the south of the neighborhood. Hailing a cab on the street in Sandalwood proves difficult most of the time: However, you can order a car by phone or online with ease. Uber also services the area for those with the app. No biking lanes exist in the neighborhood, but Sandalwood streets do tend to be safe for bikers and the pedestrian-friendly neighborhood makes a suitable place for a morning run. Most of the nearest stores run along Atlantic Boulevard, however, so be prepared for a bit of a hike.

About a mile south of Sandalwood, you'll find Huffman Boulevard Park, which has a nice playground, a soccer field, restrooms and decent parking opportunities. Roughly a mile north of the neighborhood, you'll come across Lone Star Park, which has a basketball court and a playground for the kids. Neither of these parks charges a fee for use. Take your pooch for an adventure at Jacksonville's wonderful 42-acre Dog Wood Park, located about seven miles southwest of the Sandalwood neighborhood on Salisbury Road in the Southside area. You can enjoy annual festivals like Florida Country Superfest at EverBank Field. Country superstars like Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban have been among the acts featured at past festivals.

Cost of living in Sandalwood runs about 3 percent higher than Jacksonville city average, in part because of its proximity to the city center and consequently increased travel costs. You can expect to pay about $840 a month for a one-bedroom residence and roughly $4.50 for a beer in a local eatery or bar. Regular gas in Sandalwood runs about 2.3 percent higher than the national average. You can get into Jacksonville city center in less than 40 minutes if you take route 10 and travel down the Arlington Expressway. Switch buses at the Regency Square Hub and take a number 9 bus to your central destination. The regular fare costs $1.50 or 75 cents if you qualify for a reduced rate.

Many Sandalwood residents do the majority of their shopping at one of two nearby malls. The Regency Walk Shopping Center, located west of the neighborhood along Atlantic Boulevard, features a wide selection of stores, including Borderlands, Dollar General and music shop Sadeal. Head east along Atlantic Boulevard to visit Kernan Village Retail Center, home to well-known stores like Petco, GameStop, Ross Dress for Less and a Walmart Supercenter. Several compelling boutiques at Regency Walk mall make shopping in the area even more interesting. Step into Gastronome to enjoy a stellar cappuccino and a gyro at a bistro table before beginning your shopping trip. Items for sale include baklava, tiramisu, rich chocolate and a selection of Russian and European ingredients. It's a hidden gem, so watch out for the logo in the window, as no neon sign points the way. Audiophiles and vinyl lovers head to Yesterday and Today Records to build their record collections. Bring cash when you visit this old school record store, and choose from its vast collection of vintage LPs, with a few new albums thrown in. The meticulously organized collection contains something for everyone, and the knowledgeable staff can help you find a rarity or special gift. Local grocery stores include Mike-Cell Oriental Grocery on the north side, which stocks a range of Philippine, Thai and Chinese ingredients. Affordable prices make this large store a neighborhood favorite. There are also Winn-Dixie, Publix and Fresh Market locations on the edges of the neighborhood for all of your other grocery needs. You won't find any farmers markets in the immediate vicinity. However, the Jacksonville Farmer's Market on Beaver Street, just north of the Riverside and Avondale districts, is open 365 days a year. Head over to peruse a range of organic and sustainable, locally sourced vegetables and fruits.