There is a gated little community off E 1st Street that most people driving through this part of Jacksonville never even notice. No sign out front. No unit visible from the road. You would have to know it is there. If you are searching for a condo in Jacksonville close to Springfield that’s for sale, I want you to know it’s there, because unit 28 just hit the market and it’s one of the more interesting opportunities I’ve seen in this price range in a while.

Where It Sits

This condo is at Oak Park Villa, a gated community that sits one block south of the Springfield Historic District and just a few blocks north of Downtown Jacksonville and the river. That location does a lot of work. You get the energy of being close to Downtown and the riverfront, plus Springfield’s parks, restaurants, community events, and architecture close by, without paying Springfield historic-home prices. This is one of the more overlooked pockets in this part of town, tucked between two neighborhoods that get all the attention, quietly benefiting from both.

Springfield has spent the last decade getting rediscovered. Bungalows that sat quiet for years are getting restored, new restaurants keep opening on Main Street, and the historic district’s charm has become one of the bigger draws in the whole city. Downtown, just on the other side of this condo, is going through its own shift, with new development, riverfront activity, and a growing food and event scene. This unit sits right in the seam between both of those stories, close enough to benefit from each one without the price tag that usually comes with being inside either.

Having worked in this area for over 20 years, I know which pockets like this one tend to get discovered eventually. Right now, it is still flying under the radar. That will not always be the case.

What the Home Actually Is

This is a two bedroom, one and a half bath townhome-style condo, 953 square feet, built in 1985. It has new LVP flooring throughout and fresh paint, so it shows clean and move-in ready. The kitchen has a garden window over the sink, a small detail that makes the space feel a lot brighter than you would expect.

Out back there is a screened patio, which gives you private outdoor space with zero maintenance responsibility. The community itself has a small green space for dogs, and there is a car wash bay on site for convenience. The whole community is gated, so you get a layer of security you will not find on most single-family blocks nearby. For a unit under 1,000 square feet, the layout uses its space well, with the bedrooms separated from the main living area so it does not feel cramped even with two people sharing it.

This is a gated community, so showings are private and by appointment only.

Who This Home Actually Fits

I see two kinds of buyers for a home like this, and both make real sense.

If you’ve been priced out of single-family homes in this part of Jacksonville and want a real path into ownership instead of another year of renting, this is worth a look. With a reasonable down payment, your monthly cost here can land close to or below what you would pay to rent a comparable unit in this same area. You stop paying someone else’s mortgage and start paying your own, and you get equity building in a neighborhood that’s only gaining attention, not losing it.

If you’re an investor looking for good numbers, this is one worth considering too. This building has a track record of tenant demand, and units here have historically rented well given the location between Downtown and Springfield.

Why This One Stands Out

Condos in this building have moved through a wide price range over the last few years, and right now this unit is priced at $126,000, which puts it among the more affordable ways into homeownership in this stretch of Jacksonville. For anyone tired of renting, or an investor looking for a straightforward hold, that number opens a door that a lot of the surrounding market has closed. It is the kind of price point that lets you get in now, in a location that is only becoming more desirable, instead of waiting and hoping something similar comes along later.

The HOA

The HOA fees cover insurance, maintenance of the grounds and the exterior of the structure, trash, and water.

What To Do Next

If this sounds like something you want to see in person, reach out and I will get you scheduled. You can also view the full listing details here: 111 E 1st St, Unit 28.

And if you are watching this part of Jacksonville and wondering what your own home or condo might be worth right now, I am happy to run those numbers for you too. That kind of conversation costs you nothing and it usually saves people from guessing.