Mandarin Station/Losco - Jacksonville, FL

You don't have to dig down more than a few feet to find evidence of Mandarin Station's fascinating past. When European settlers arrived in the 16th century, they encountered the Timucua people, who had been living on the land for millennia. Between the 1500s and the 1800s, the Jacksonville region passed acrimoniously between Spanish, British and French settlers. Jacksonville elected its first mayor in 1832 and became a city in 1859.

To experience Jacksonville's thriving art scene, travel to the Downtown neighborhood, where you'll find many galleries. Stop into the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville's Riverside area for an eclectic art collection spanning thousands of years. You'll find some of the oldest trees in Jacksonville preserved in Cummer Museum's beautiful garden.

Annual events in Jacksonville include the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, held over Memorial Day weekend at several venues in the Downtown neighborhood.

Interesting and delectable foods abound in and around Mandarin Station. In fact, many locals regard Mandarin Station as a restaurant hub. A diverse selection of cultural cuisines make the area an intriguing place to park your palate.

Venture into Benito's Italian Cafe and Pizzeria for a wonderful gastronomic experience any day of the week. This excellent local Italian restaurant, known for its authentic Mediterranean menu and great drinks selection, sits on Philips Highway at the east of Mandarin Station. Tuck into the succulent spaghetti carbonara and make your tummy happy with an endless supply of warm bread sticks.

Peony Asian Bistro on Old Saint Augustine Road is a premier spot for Asian delicacies. This restaurant's friendly crew, lengthy menu and fresh ingredients make it a cut above the rest. Try the flavorful Mongolian beef and tantalize your taste buds with a serving of hot and sour soup. Don't leave without trying the crab rangoon, which is exquisite.

Pop into Julie's Cafe in the morning for breakfast or during the day for a lunchtime feast. This delightful diner, located on Sunbeam Road, is a local gem. Order the New Yorker for a pita pocket full of steak-centric goodness. Go for the baklava to enjoy a sweet treat and wash it all down with a mug of Julie's fabulous coffee.

Most Mandarin Station residents own a vehicle, which they use to run errands and commute to work. Nevertheless, Mandarin Station is also a walkable neighborhood. Some residents cycle around the area too. Sections of Shad Road and Old St. Augustine Road have dedicated cycle lanes, while other roads in the area tend to be safe for bicyclists.

Several larger roads lie at the outskirts of Mandarin Station. You'll find both Philips Highway and Interstate 95 just east of the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Interstate 295 lies at the south end of Mandarin Station. You can reach all of the larger roads easily by car via a number of local intersections.

You can't usually hail a cab on the street in Mandarin Station, but you can order one. Many cab firms serve the area, including the highly rated Checker Cab company. You can book a car by phone or on the company's useful website. If you prefer to ride share and want to save a little money, go with Uber. UberX, UberXL and UberBlack; all serve the greater Jacksonville area.

You can get into Jacksonville city center in about 1.5 hours by bus, depending on the timetable and the time of day. Simply board the community shuttle on St. Augustine Road and travel north to the San Jose Boulevard stop. Board a northbound route 7 bus and then change to the Jacksonville Skyway at Kings Avenue Station. The Skyway will take you right into the Downtown area.

Mandarin Station residents are lucky enough to live near one of the biggest city parks in Jacksonville. Losco Regional Park, located centrally within the community, is a huge 120-acre expanse located on Hood Road in the neighborhood's southeast quadrant. Purchased by the city of Jacksonville in 1998 and completed in 2004, this park provides patrons with a wide range of amenities, including a playground, two soccer pitches, a grill area, picnic benches and four bathrooms. You can use the multi-use field in this free park for exercise or play.

Several annual events take place at Losco Regional Park, including the Great Jacksonville Campout, which occurs each spring. Take your pre-school and school-aged children for a fun weekend, during which they — and you — can learn about conservation and the environment via hands-on activities. Other local events include the North Florida Operating and Radio Controlled Association of Shipwrights' (ORCAS) Model Boat Regatta, which happens each fall.

For a pooch-friendly park experience, head up to Dog Wood Park in the Southside area. This 42-acre spot has a 25-acre fenced-in area, so it's great for off-leash exercise. You'll also get access to a swimming hole just for pups. Pay a little over 10 dollars for a day's play or subscribe to an annual or monthly membership to save money.

Living in Mandarin Station costs about 8 percent more than the Jacksonville average, in part because of the neighborhood's proximity to the city center. You can expect to pay about $791 a month for a one-bedroom rental property. Gas costs are on par with the Jacksonville city average, which usually runs about 2 percent higher than the national average.

A beer will cost you about $4 per imported bottle or $3 per domestic draft at a local pub or restaurant. Craft beers are also widely available at varying costs, depending on the batch size and the specific brewery.

Getting into the city by bus costs $3.00 one way or $1.50 if you qualify for a reduced fare. Happily, seniors ride the Jacksonville transit system for free.

Mandarin Station lies conveniently close to a number of different shopping options. The Avenues Mall on Philips Highway incorporates a range of stores, including a large number of high-end shops, and boutiques. You'll find Sears, Dillard's, JC Penney, Men's Wearhouse, Teavana and many other retailers conveniently situated under one roof.

Many Mandarin Station residents visit the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Shops Lane just south of the neighborhood for groceries. You can find a selection of Asian staples and specialty ingredients at Jax Oriental Market on Hood Road.

Mandarin Station specialty stores include Avenues Lighting on Philips Highway, which stocks an impressive array of chandeliers, bulbs and light fixtures. Locals recommend this retailer not only because of its great inventory but also because of its knowledgeable staff.

Cinnamon' Quilt Shoppe on Hood Road is the area's premier resource for fabric and quilting supplies. Stop into the store for quilting kits, materials and valuable advice. Sign up for a quilting class to learn new techniques, and meet like-minded people in a friendly setting.

Visit the Jacksonville Farmers Market in the central Riverside area about 11 miles north of the neighborhood for an eclectic selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as locally produced items. You'll find the market on West Beaver Street opposite Eugene J. Butler Middle School.