LIVING IN JACKSONVILLE, FL -JACKONVILLE REAL ESTATE

Every Thursday night, Rachel and I dig through news stories, permits and county filings so you don't have to. This week's headline was a big one: a global research firm ranked Jacksonville No. 134 out of the 1,000 largest cities in the world. That puts us in roughly the top 13 percent.

But a ranking is just a headline. What matters to you as a buyer is what's actually getting built, what's opening and how it changes the places you might live. Here's everything we covered, fact-checked and updated with the latest details.

1. Jacksonville Ranks No. 134 Out of 1,000 Global Cities

Oxford Economics, an independent global research firm, released its 2026 Global Cities Index on Sept. 15. It scores the world's 1,000 largest cities in five categories. New York, London, Paris, Seattle and San Francisco took the top five spots worldwide.

Here's how Jacksonville scored, according to News4JAX:

• Overall: 134th

• Economics: 70th, its strongest category (GDP size and growth, job growth and economic diversity)

• Human capital: 164th (talent, skills, education and workforce strength)

• Environment: 198th

• Governance: 198th

• Quality of life: 364th, its lowest score (income, housing costs, crime, life expectancy and culture)

Oxford also named Jacksonville one of five North American "cities to watch," alongside Boise, Idaho; Durham, North Carolina; San Antonio, Texas; and Edmonton, Canada. That's a new list meant to spotlight cities expected to climb the rankings.

One quick clarification from the show: on this index, Jacksonville ranked fourth in Florida, behind Miami (52nd), Orlando (81st) and Tampa (92nd), the Jax Daily Record reported. The list where Jacksonville beat Tampa and Miami is a different study, which I cover in section 3.

2. The City's Goal: Crack the Top 50 by 2032

City leaders say they want Jacksonville in the top 50 by 2032. That goal is measured among cities with fewer than 4 million people. On that list, Jacksonville is already 97th, up from 119th last year, according to Jacksonville Today. Local leaders also made a point I really like: the goal isn't to become New York, Austin or Nashville. It's to become the best version of Jacksonville.

What's driving the momentum:

• A more diverse economy, with finance, fintech, defense, health care, logistics and manufacturing all adding jobs

• Tech growth, which Oxford says made up 26 percent of Jacksonville's GDP growth in 2025

• Population growth projected at about 1 percent per year through 2030, nearly four times the national rate

• The new UF Jacksonville campus downtown, which opened in early September and focuses on graduate programs

The report also listed weak spots: an older age profile, higher housing costs and a higher crime rate. Local unemployment also rose to about 5 percent this summer. I share this because good relocation decisions come from the full picture, not just the good news.

For entrepreneurs and business owners thinking about a move, this is still a strong signal. A growing, diversifying economy creates room for new businesses, new jobs and new neighborhoods.

3. Jacksonville Ranks No. 12 in the U.S. for Business Survival

A separate study from Squarespace, the website and business platform, ranked the 50 largest U.S. metros on how well businesses survive over time. It looked at 19 industries and 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates. Jacksonville landed at No. 12 nationally.

Four Florida metros made the top 20, WFTV reported:

• Orlando: 11th

• Jacksonville: 12th

• Tampa: 14th

• Miami: 19th

So yes, on this list, we beat Tampa and Miami. Growth brings customers, and customers help new businesses stick around. And unlike Orlando, we have the coast.

4. A Luxury Hotel and Condo Tower Moves Forward Downtown

Gateway Jax wants to build a tower at Riverfront Plaza, the former Jacksonville Landing site next to the Main Street Bridge. If you've been in Jacksonville a while, you know exactly where this is. The plan, as reported by Jacksonville Today and the Jax Daily Record, includes:

• 165 hotel rooms, with the city requiring a four- or five-star rating

• 51 condos averaging about 2,524 square feet

• About three restaurants, a spa, event space and a sky-view terrace open to the public

• A total project cost of roughly $270 million

One correction from the show: the $55 million figure we mentioned is the incentive package, not the project cost. It includes a completion grant of up to $20 million and up to about $35.4 million in property tax rebates over 20 years. The Downtown Investment Authority board endorsed the incentives on Sept. 16, but the deal still needs City Council approval. Gateway Jax must also presell more than half of the condos within 21 months.

What about price? The Florida Times-Union reported the condos would average about $3.5 million. That's below the Four Seasons, but it's still a luxury purchase.

Would I live downtown? Rachel and I agreed it's a great fit for empty nesters: no lawn, no maintenance, and a short walk to Jaguars games, the Florida Theatre, the symphony and the riverfront. Just know that buying pre-construction is its own world. Deposits, escrow rules, delays and contract terms matter a lot, so have your own representation before you sign any reservation.

Thinking about relocating, downsizing or building new? My 9/90/180-Day Buyer Plan walks you through every stage, from your first search to closing day and beyond. Call or text (904) 599-2125 to start yours.

5. SilverLeaf Keeps Adding Shops, Dining and Fun

SilverLeaf is still one of the busiest growth stories in St. Johns County. The newest project is SilverLeaf Corner Shoppes, two buildings totaling 16,100 square feet at SilverLeaf Market (1975 Silverleaf Parkway), right next to the Publix.

• Developers are targeting restaurants, retail and service businesses, with outdoor patios and a central green space

• Construction is expected to start in late 2026 and wrap up in late 2027

• It sits across from the new Baptist and Wolfson Children's medical campus, where Baptist Health is also opening an emergency department

• Beach Valley Mini Golf is planned nearby with two 18-hole courses. That's 36 holes total (we said 32 on the show)

If you're looking at Reverie or other neighborhoods near the Publix, here's a tip: much of the land on both sides of that shopping center is planned for commercial use. That's great for convenience, but always ask what's planned next to a homesite before you sign.

Next Tuesday, I'm releasing a video on why builders are betting big on SilverLeaf, including rising lot premiums and major land purchases. Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss it.

6. UF Health Durbin Park Hospital Is Now Open

We've been saying "it's coming" for a long time. It's here. UF Health held its ribbon cutting on Sept. 17, and the hospital opened to patients on Sept. 22, Jacksonville Today reported.

• 99 inpatient beds in a five-story, 220,000-square-foot building

• A 24/7 emergency department, outpatient surgery and specialty services

• Six operating rooms, plus cardiac and radiology care, according to UF Health

• A 72,000-square-foot medical office building expected to begin seeing patients soon

• A 42.5-acre campus off State Road 9B, minutes from Interstate 95

The project is expected to bring about 2,000 new jobs to the area. If you're a doctor, nurse or health care professional relocating for this hospital, I've helped many Mayo Clinic relocations over the years, and I'd love to help you find the right neighborhood too.

7. Neighborhood Upgrades: Pets, Gyms and Patios

Some of the best local news is small stuff that makes daily life better. Here's what caught our eye this week:

• A new animal hospital on Longleaf Pine Parkway. Livewell Animal Hospital received a $1.2 million build-out permit for a 4,445-square-foot space in the Shoppes of Aberdeen, just down the road from Aberdeen Park's ballfields. Livewell clinics offer primary and urgent pet care, an in-house pharmacy and surgical suites.

• A fitness center addition at Bannon Lakes. Rachel spotted a county commercial application for a roughly 1,267-square-foot fitness center addition at the amenity center. Bannon Lakes sits off International Golf Parkway near I-95 and World Golf Village, which makes it a favorite for commuters. New construction there is winding down, so this feels like the bow on top.

• A permanent outdoor pavilion at Valley Smoke. The Palm Valley barbecue spot on the Intracoastal is proposing a covered outdoor dining pavilion to replace the tent over its brick-paver patio. It still has to go through county review. We've hosted our annual customer appreciation events there, so we're rooting for this one.

8. Firehouse Subs Is Coming to Nocatee

Nocatee is getting another sub shop. Firehouse Subs plans to open in late fall 2026 at The Corner Markets at Nocatee, 1035 Crosswater Parkway, across from the Splash Waterpark.

• It will be company-owned and led by a St. Johns County resident on the Firehouse team

• The restaurant sits just down the road from an actual St. Johns County fire station, the St. Johns Citizen noted

• A custom mural will feature the Nocatee Splash slide, and local fire departments are donating memorabilia

Fun local fact: Firehouse Subs was founded right here in Jacksonville in 1994 by two brothers who were former firefighters. So this is a hometown brand coming home.

9. Agricultural Enclave Update: The Fight Continues

Quick refresher: Florida's Senate Bill 686 took effect July 1. It lets qualifying farmland that's mostly surrounded by development skip the normal, slower rezoning process. The expanded enclave rules only last a limited time, which is why so many applications landed so fast. I broke down the law in detail in my post on the 4,462-acre enclave north of Nocatee.

Here's where things stand:

• More than a dozen applications have been filed in St. Johns County, and Rachel's running tally had reached 16 by showtime

• Heritage Development East (615 acres) and West (about 551 acres), near I-95 and State Road 207, were approved Aug. 19 on 3-2 votes

• On Sept. 15, a commissioner moved to reconsider both Heritage approvals, and Heritage has filed a petition to block that

• Also on Sept. 15, the commission denied the 4,462-acre Palm Valley enclave north of Nocatee, 3-2. The PARC Group says it will appeal

County staff have admitted this is a heavy lift. Every application has to be checked against a brand-new state law, and even commissioners are learning as they go. Why should buyers care? These decisions shape future traffic, school crowding and how many new homes come to market over the next decade.

10. What the Housing Market Actually Looks Like Right Now

On the show, I called it a full buyer's market. The latest numbers point to a market moving toward balance, with buyers holding more leverage than they have in years. Here's the August snapshot from the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors, via News4JAX and the Jax Daily Record:

• Regional median single-family price: $397,420, down 1.6 percent from July

• Supply: about 3.6 months of inventory, with a median of 31 days on market

• St. Johns County: median price of $573,250, about 3.5 months of supply and 40 median days on market

For buyers, that means more choices and more time to negotiate, especially with builder incentives on new construction. For sellers, pricing and preparation matter more than they did a few years ago, and the holiday season is coming fast.

If you're thinking about upsizing or downsizing, request a true home valuation so you know what it will really take to sell in this market.

Local Spotlight: From Downtown Jacksonville to Northern St. Johns County

This week's news stretched from the St. Johns River downtown all the way south to SilverLeaf. Here are official places to keep tabs on it:

• Downtown projects: Gateway Jax development projects

• Health care: UF Health Durbin Park

• Nocatee news and openings: Nocatee News

• SilverLeaf overview: Visit St. Augustine's SilverLeaf community page

• County planning and enclave hearings: St. Johns County Growth Management

Still deciding where to land? Start with our Nocatee community guide, our St. Johns County guide and our list of the top Jacksonville suburbs locals love.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The bottom line:

Jacksonville is getting noticed on a global stage, and the growth is showing up in real hospitals, shops and neighborhoods. If you're ready to find your place in it, call or text me at (904) 599-2125 and let's build your plan.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR NEXT MOVE

Call/Text: (904) 599-2125

Email: greg@livinginjacksonvillefl.com

Website: https://www.livinginjacksonvillefl.com/

Want more real estate insight like this? Follow and Subscribe to the Living in Jacksonville FL Team on YouTube (@LIVINGINJACKSONVILLEFL) for neighborhood tours, market updates, and buyer tips you won't find anywhere else.

About Greg DeTullio, Broker/Owner, Living in Jacksonville FL Team

Greg DeTullio is a Florida-licensed Real Estate Broker and the founder of the Living in Jacksonville FL Team. With a decade of industry expertise, he has successfully managed over 200 closed transactions and earned five-star Google reviews. Greg specializes in Jacksonville relocation services and new construction within St. Johns County, proudly serving Nocatee, SilverLeaf, RiverTown, St. Johns, EverRange, Ponte Vedra Beach, and the surrounding Northeast Florida communities.

Living in Jacksonville FL Team | Phone: (904) 599-2125

Equal Housing Opportunity. Greg DeTullio, FL Real Estate Broker License #BK3332620, is a member of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR). This article is general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Confirm your specific costs, tax obligations, and transaction details with your attorney, tax advisor, lender, or closing officer.

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• St. Johns County new construction (8)
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• Northeast Florida housing market 2026 (1)
• Oxford Economics Global Cities Index (1)
• SilverLeaf Corner Shoppes (1)
• UF Health Durbin Park hospital (1)
• Jacksonville cities to watch (1)
• Firehouse Subs Nocatee (1)
• Jacksonville global ranking (1)
• Riverfront Plaza condos (1)