Jacksonville is Florida's "First Coast." And it only gets better as we dive into a new millennium with endless opportunities within reach of all ages. Jacksonville is rich in history, mild in climate, and bursting with entertainment to fulfill a myriad of individual tastes. Enjoy Jacksonville's relaxed southern hospitality with the strength of a brimming economy. Populated by more than one million, this culturally diverse "family friendly" First Coast city is a naturally beautiful place to live, work, and play.

Jacksonville's mild climate is ideal for an array of recreational and outdoor activities all year long. The summers are warm; winters have mild temperatures while fall and spring stay cool. The average annual temperature ranges from 67 to 76 degrees. The coolest months are December, January, and February when temperatures average in the 50's. Rain generally occurs during the summer afternoons with an annual average at about 51 inches. Humidity levels are relatively high, but natural breezes from the Atlantic provide cool relief.

The First Coast offers an abundance of leisure activities to suit every taste. From the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the city's renowned Symphony to Greyhound Racing and the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team, First Coast residents have an extensive variety of exciting activities from which to choose. The beaches of Jacksonville begin at Amelia Island near the Florida-Georgia border and stretch southward to historic St. Augustine. Miles of sun-drenched coastline offer sun lovers the opportunity to surf, swim, fish and collect shells.

Downtown, the Jacksonville Landing offers residents and visitors a marketplace of specialty shops, restaurants and cafes. Whether you're craving down home catfish and hushpuppies or gourmet cuisine, you'll find what you are looking for here. The Landing is located on the north bank of the St. Johns River beside the Main Street Bridge and is accessible by car or boat.

For the art connoisseur, museums are some of the greatest in the land. Visit the Jacksonville Art Museum and the Cummer Museum of the Art and Gardens which are home to permanent exhibits as well as traveling collections. At the Florida Theater, Times-Union Center, and Veterans Memorial Coliseum, world class Broadway productions can be seen. Community theater is also popular in Jacksonville.

Sports highlights in Jacksonville include games on both the professional and amateur levels. Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and also boasts minor league baseball and hockey teams in the Suns and Bullets, respectively.

If you like golf, you won't have to look far to find a place to tee it up. Jacksonville has more than 30 golf courses, including Sawgrass Country Club at Ponte Vedra Beach, the annual site for THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament.

If tennis is your racket, there are hundreds of tennis courts in the area. Amelia Island is home to the Bausch and Lomb Tennis Tournament. More tennis can be found in Ponte Vedra Beach at the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

Jacksonville parks number more than 200, and there are more than a dozen northeast Florida state parks. Fishing, hiking and picnicking are offered at many of these sites. A detailed brochure describing all state parks facilities is available free of charge at the Convention and Visitors Bureau in downtown Jacksonville. For more information on Jacksonville parks, call 904-630-3501.

One of the 20 largest districts in the country, Duval County's public schools serve approximately 120,000 students.

Florida state law requires that all children six years of age and older attend school until their 16th birthday. Successful completion of kindergarten is required before entering the first grade. Public school programs are provided to all children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Children must be five years of age by September 1st to register for kindergarten.

School registration is accomplished at the school the child will attend. At the time of registration, parents must provide their child's birth certificate and proof of all required immunizations, as well as a physician's statement that the child has received a physical examination within the past year. Also, a social security number and a proof of address are required.

Transportation is provided for students living more than 1.5 miles from their assigned school.

Check out the Duval County School Web site at http://www.dreamsbeginhere.org for more information.

Opportunities are seemingly endless for any aspiration of higher education in Jacksonville. Several colleges and universities are located in the Jacksonville area, including private business colleges, community colleges and upperdivision state-supported universities. Some local colleges include Jacksonville University, a four-year liberal arts college offering bachelor's degrees in over 60 programs; Edward Waters College, a private and fully accredited institution; Jones College, a nationally accredited Senior College of Business; Florida Community College at Jacksonville, a two-year, public, state-supported institution; and the University of North Florida, a four-year, public state-supported institution. The University of Florida is located 67 miles west of Jacksonville in Gainesville.

Titles and Tags—Within 10 days of establishing residency, Florida newcomers must register all owned motor vehicles and display Florida license plates. Make sure to bring all the necessary documents when you're ready to register your motor vehicles. You will need a driver's license, title or proof of out-of-state financing agreement, out-of-state vehicle registration, proof of personal injury protection insurance and property damage liability, and the vehicle itself. Motor vehicle owners with Jacksonville/ Duval County Florida addresses must pass a Vehicle Emissions Test and present proof of Florida liability and personal injury protection insurance. Florida tag rates vary according to type of vehicle and weight.