Short answer: San Marco is one of Jacksonville's most walkable neighborhoods, built around a historic square of shops and restaurants just south of downtown, with brick streets, old trees and the St. Johns River a few blocks away.
The feel. San Marco was laid out in the 1920s and it shows, in the good way. The square is the center of gravity: people walk to dinner, walk to the theatre, and run into neighbors doing it. It is one of the few parts of Jacksonville where a car is optional for an evening out.
Who it suits. People who want charm and walkability more than square footage. Housing runs from grand riverfront homes to bungalows and apartments, and the closer to the square, the more you pay for the location.
Day to day. Groceries, gyms, coffee and /directory/?cat=Food+%26+Drink options sit in or near the square, and downtown is minutes away over the Main Street bridge. Check the /directory with the San Marco zone selected to see what is around before you commit.
Worth knowing. Parts of the neighborhood are in older flood zones, so ask about elevation and insurance when you look at homes. It is the standard San Marco question and nobody local is surprised by it.
Next step. Compare it against the rest of the city in our /neighborhoods guide, and if you are still choosing where to land, our /moving-to-jacksonville guide walks the whole decision.