Gorgeous and Budget-Friendly Homes and Apartments for Rent Around Jacksonville, FL

No matter what brought you to Jacksonville, FL — beaches? studying at one of more than two dozen colleges and universities with campuses in Jax? your first post-college job with insurance giant Florida Blue or transportation company CSX? — you already know all that this northeastern Florida city has to offer. But, maybe you’ve gotten your fill of living in the city and are looking for something else, like saving money — compared to the monthly average of $919 for a rental apartment in the city — or living in a single-family home with a fenced yard and a garage (without the commitment of a mortgage).

We’ve put together four suggestions for your next move: two budget-friendly apartments and two single-family homes, all within a half-hour commute (give or take a few minutes) of the heart of Jacksonville. Will you find your next “home sweet home” in one of these beautiful areas around Jacksonville?

Beaches

Commute time to downtown Jacksonville: 24 minutes (15.8 mi)
Best find: Promenade at Mayport Apartments, in Atlantic Beach, from $799 for a 1-bed, 1-bath unit with 578 sq.ft. to $1,013 for a 3-bed, 2-bath unit with 1,045 sq.ft. (check availability)
Perks: short-term leases available; shopping and dining in walking distance; extra storage; washer/dryer connections in every unit; fitness center and pool

Though not a suburb in its own right, the geographic area known as “Beaches” includes the communities of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, and Jacksonville Beach. Living in this area gives you access to everything you’d expect from being on a barrier island on the Atlantic: quick access to sunbathing and surfing with the happy, touristy vibe of a beach town. But, it might surprise you to know that you can also save money on your monthly rent even while living where most people vacation. You’d be hard pressed to find a three-bedroom rental in Jax for under $1,200, but the apartments at Promenade at Mayport are a short walk from the beach and offer more than 1,000 sq.ft. of living space for just over $1,000 per month. Sand between your toes after a short 25-minute drive home from downtown? Yes, please!

Lakeside

Commute time to downtown Jacksonville: 28 minutes (19.1 mi)
Best find: Alexander Pointe Apartment Homes, from $735 for a 1-bed, 1-bath unit with 820 sq.ft. to $975 for a 3-bed, 2-bath unit with 1,182 sq.ft. (check availability)
Perks: open-concept floor plans; stackable washer/dryer in every unit; bark park; clubhouse with internet café and coffee bar; swimming pool, sun deck, and fitness center; convenient location to I-295 and access to public transportation

If you don’t necessarily want to live close to the ocean — but do want to stay within a budget and a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville, Clay County’s Lakeside has a lot to offer. This medium-sized community of just over 30,000 residents is home to the Thrasher-Horne Center for the Arts, great fishing on the river at Stockton Park, and ample nature trails throughout the area.

Fleming Island

Commute time to downtown Jacksonville: 39 minutes (28.7 mi)
Best find: 2383 Carolina Cherry Ct., at $,1625 for a 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom single-family home with 2,394 sq.ft. (check availability)
Perks: 2-car garage; hardwood flooring in several rooms; fireplace; corner lot for added privacy; community clubhouse with swimming pool, tennis-volleyball-basketball courts.

Across the river from Lakeside you’ll find Fleming Island and the first of our top choices for those looking for a single-family home to rent. Once the location of a US Navy airfield, Fleming Island is now primarily a bedroom community with many residents making the commute to Jacksonville.  Although Fleming Island ranks as one of Jacksonville’s richest zip codes, you’ll find an impressive selection of well-appointed single-family homes for rent at less than $1,700/month.

Fruit Cove

Commute time to downtown Jacksonville: 34 minutes (25.1 mi)
Best find: 1408 Candy Ct., at $2,295 for  2,180 sq.ft. executive-style single-family home with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths (check availability)
Perks: fenced-in backyard; in-ground pool; tile flooring; gourmet kitchen; community recreation area with fitness center and sport courts

South of Jacksonville, Fruit Cove is on the western side of St. Johns County and is one of several communities that make up St. Johns itself, including Julington and Switzerland. If you’re looking for an upscale community, you’ll feel right at home in Fruit Cove. Numerous golf courses and top-rated schools draw a mix of retirees, professionals, and families to the area, and most available rentals are indeed single-family homes such as the “sweet” three-bedroom home currently available at 1408 Candy Court. If your needs include a separate space for a den, home office, or guest bedroom, along with the privacy of a fenced-in yard, you’ll have a variety of options in the Fruit Cove area.

Budget-friendly? Beaches? Bedrooms, backyards, and breakfast bars? Whatever your next home or apartment for rent in the Jacksonville area has to have, RentCafe can help you find it.