Once a farming community, Forest Trails has become a haven for new homes. These developments have well-kept lawns, ponds and amenities. Locals enjoy private pools and clubhouses in their subdivisions, and HOA fees are low. Although the neighborhood stands near Jacksonville's outskirts, Interstate 295 connects it to the rest of the city.
There are older farmhouses and midcentury ranch-style houses, but most recent home sales are New Traditionals from the 2020s. "There is room to develop out there. Some developers make it a nice, contained community with amenities," says Traci Crawford, a global real estate advisor with ONE Sotheby's International Realty. Villages of Westport is a master-planned development from the early 2000s that's still growing; big-name builders such as D.R. Horton, Lennar and LGI Homes built the houses. Aspen Trail has new construction by Richmond American Homes. D.R. Horton designed single-family homes in The Arbors and the townhome subdivision, Hansen Creek.
Forest Trails is popular with first-time homeowners and people looking for affordable, new homes. Crawford says the neighborhood also attracts people relocating from out of state, especially military members. The neighborhood has a median sale price in the lower $300,000s, similar to the overall city's median. Homes from the 2020s usually sell between the mid $200,000s and the lower $400,000s. Most older houses cost between the upper 100,000s and the lower $500,000s. Homeowners association fees can run from around $100 to $675 a year. Locals might also need flood insurance if their property is near a river or creek.
Some of the newer developments provide homeowners with private amenities. Villages of Westport and Aspen Trail offer pickleball courts, a playground, pool, fitness center and a dog park. The Arbors provides a splash pad, a community clubhouse and an exercise center. But public options are close by, like the Dinsmore Boat Ramp, on the neighborhood's southern edge; here, boaters can enjoy the Trout River, and locals say the ramp is best for smaller boats during high tide. Nearby Bethesda Park offers a wooded trail as well as fishing and kayaking on a lake.
The large community includes the shopping corridors, Lem Turner Road and Dunn Avenue. Rowe's IGA grocery store sits inside the Dunn Village retail center. There's also Celestia's Coastal Cuisine, which has southern-style comfort food and Friday night karaoke. "Some people might say [the area] is not close enough to daily amenities. It takes 10 to 20 minutes to get to larger grocery stores," Crawford says. Walmart Supercenter is 10 minutes. River City Marketplace, a popular shopping hub with over 75 retailers, is about 15 minutes away.
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority's bus route 81 stops along Dunn Avenue, but most residents prefer driving. There are Interstate 295 interchanges on Dunn Avenue and Lem Turner Road. Locals typically commute to work from Forest Trails. "With the area being so close to the Interstate, you can get to either military base in Jacksonville," Crawford says. Trips around the city can take longer during rush hours. Nearby destinations include:
The community is part of multiple public elementary school zones, including the highly rated Dinsmore Elementary School. Kids may be zoned for other nearby schools with magnet programs. Highlands Middle School has a magnet program for leadership and finance. Jean Ribault High School provides a ROTC magnet program and an early college pathway. Duval County Public Schools gives families multiple options for school choice.
DANA FONTENETTE
FLORIDA HOMES REALTY & MTG LLC
(904) 490-7219
37 Total Sales
1 in Forest Trails
$288,000 Price
Marlon Richards
KW Empower
(904) 664-1453
15 Total Sales
1 in Forest Trails
$290,000 Price
HANNAH RUKAB
NETWORTH REALTY OF JACKSONVILLE, LLC
(904) 643-6107
35 Total Sales
1 in Forest Trails
$425,000 Price
JULIANA BAHRI
BETTER HOMES & GARDENS REAL ESTATE LIFESTYLES REALTY
(904) 204-8726
8 Total Sales
1 in Forest Trails
$324,990 Price
Jeff Randall
MAINHOUSE REALTY ASSOCIATES
(813) 771-8485
26 Total Sales
1 in Forest Trails
$430,000 Price
Casey Clearman
CENTURY 21 LIGHTHOUSE REALTY
(904) 664-4098
140 Total Sales
3 in Forest Trails
$290K - $325K Price Range
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Forest Trails | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 3 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 3 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 3 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
On average, homes in Forest Trails, Jacksonville sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Forest Trails, Jacksonville over the last 12 months is $330,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$1,769 - $2,324 per month
$1,798 - $2,600 per month
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A rural community that has new subdivisions with national builders
A variety of homes, food trucks and access to the Trout River
A suburban community along the Trout River that's growing in popularity
A suburban neighborhood along I-95 with diverse home options in north Jacksonville
A small, recreational waterfront community outside downtown Jacksonville
A North Jax community that includes the busy Dunn Avene and Interstate 95
