Craven - Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville in general and the Craven area in particular have been inhabited for thousands of years. Before the modern neighborhoods were incorporated in the 20th century, Craven was part of what was known as South Jacksonville.

Nowadays, the neighborhood is very diverse and kid-friendly. In fact, roughly half of its residents have children under the age of 18. Conveniently, Beauclerc Elementary School sits in the northwest quadrant of the Craven community.

You can learn more about Jacksonville and Craven at the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society located on the St. John's River in Walter Jones Historical Park. For art and culture, visit central Jacksonville, where you'll find art galleries such as the Flux Studio on Park Street in Riverside and the R Roberts Gallery on Saint Johns Avenue. Annual events include the San Marco Art and Craft Festival, where you can find locally made arts, crafts and music shows.

Residents mention the diverse restaurant selection as one high point of living in Craven. A broad mix of cultural influences combine to create exciting cuisine zones along San Jose Boulevard on the west side of Craven and on Sunbeam Road towards the south side. Discover the tastes of Brazil, Italy, Japan, India and America all within a short distance of your home.

Sakura Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar on San Jose Boulevard sparks with a sizzling atmosphere that sets the tone. On busy evenings, you can feed the koi while you wait for your table. Attentive, friendly staff members and quick service make this place truly great. Cooks create and prepare the menu dishes right in front of you, while trained sushi chefs make rainbow rolls on the other side of the bar area. Be sure to try the flavorful fried rice, the succulent shrimp sauce or the excellent grilled scallop.

Masala Indian Cuisine, also on San Jose Boulevard, features traditional northern and southern Indian food. Add a touch of medium spice to your evening with a lamb curry, or go for something spicier with the signature Chicken 65. If you want to partake in a milder dish, opt for the chicken biryani. Even the naan bread receives rave reviews.

Rodeo Brazilian Grill, not far from Masala, represents an authentic South American dining spot staffed with a tremendous team that helps you navigate the menu if you get stuck. Try the tempting items on the buffet, including bacon-wrapped chicken, sausage and sirloin alongside salads and creamy rice. The staff weighs your plate at the end of the line, and you pay per pound of food you gather.

Residents have a choice in the evenings to either stay close to home and relax in a restaurant or head out into the surrounding area to experience the bar and club scene. Pure, along Philips Highway just north of the neighborhood, remains the closest nightclub to Craven. Known for its great sound system and delectable drinks selection, this venue showcases a favorite haunt of many locals.

If you enjoy variety, head to Latitude 360, the area's prime all-in-one entertainment spot. Find bowling alleys, movie theatres, restaurants, bars and banquet halls in this 50,000-square-foot venue off Philips Highway. See a comedy show or shake to the beat on the dance floor.

Music spots remain scarce in the immediate area, except for Harmonious Monks in Mandarin. This lively bar has a talented crew that gets up on stage in the middle of the shift to sing for customers. Order food later in the evening if you start to feel hungry.

Walking, biking and driving are all very common ways to get around in Craven. Streets tend to be safe for bikers, though specific bike lanes in the area are limited to Old Kings Road South and Baymeadows Road.

Hailing a cab on the street in Craven is nearly impossible. However, you can arrange in advance for a cab easily. Local cab company Checker Cab has a selection of different vehicles, including sedans, airport shuttles and minivans. Handily, you can book via the Checker Cab's website or by calling. Uber X, Uber XL and UberBack all operate in Jacksonville and offer a slightly cheaper ride-sharing experience.

Several bus routes pass through the neighborhood. You can get to Jaksonville's city center in about 50 minutes. Simply get on a northbound 50V bus on Old Kings Road and change to a number 7 bus at St. Augustine and Dupont Avenue. Get off at Kings Avenue Station, and take the Skyway into central Jacksonville.

Travel about half a mile north of Craven to get to Camp Tomahawk Park. This beautiful 20.5-acre expanse is stocked with mature trees and has a stream running through its central area. You can run on the unpaved trails, take the kids to the newly expanded playground or simply hang out in the communal grill area. Bike racks and restrooms make this free park a convenient and charming place to play.

Take your four-legged friend for a workout in Dog Wood Park, located about 5 miles north of Craven. This 42-acre park has a generous 25-acre, fenced-in section, so you can let your dog off the leash. A swimming area makes this place even more enticing. You can pay a small fee for a single visit or get a monthly or annual membership.

Outdoor events in the immediate area are scarce. Go into Jacksonville, however, and you find more than a few excellent fresh-air organized events. If you enjoy running, you might want to participate in the annual 15K Gate River Run, which takes place in March each year. Runners dash through the downtown area and, on their way to the finish line, cross a number of Jacksonville's most famous bridges.

Overall, the cost of living in Craven is 5.7 percent higher than the Jacksonville average cost and about 6.6 percent higher than the national average cost. The cost of gas in Craven is roughly 3.1 higher than the national average cost. Riding into the city center by bus costs $3 for a regular fare or $1.75 if you qualify for a reduced rate; seniors ride for free.

You can expect to pay about $661 for a one-bedroom residence in Craven, which is lower than the Jacksonville average rental rate for a similar domicile. Be prepared to shell out $4.50 for an imported beer or $3.50 for domestic draft ale at the local pub. Craft beer costs depend upon the individual brewery and the batch size.

You find most of the local shopping on Sunbeam Road in the south end of the neighborhood or along San Jose Boulevard, which runs through the neighborhood's west side. Car repair shops and a number of industrial-supplies shops also reside along Sunbeam Road. Most of the high-end stores are located in Jacksonville's city center. Still, you can enjoy the smattering of specialty local stores in this area as well. Head into Black Sheep Books on Old Saint Augustine Road - just south of the neighborhood in Mandarin - for a comprehensive collection of good-quality used books. This is a well-organized shop run by a friendly, helpful owner who happily aids you in your quest for even the most unusual printed material. Go just a little further down Old Saint Augustine to get to HalfPipe Smoke Shop. Pop into this store for great clothes, interesting gifts and unique smoking pipes and water pipes as well as a pleasant vibe. Choose a piece of jewelry for your next night out or peruse the available skateboard selection. This shop is a true neighborhood treat. Stop by BJ's Wholesale club on Phillips Highway for all your basic grocery needs.