As the Darby family owned most of the land in the area, the original name of today's Macclenny, Fla. was "Darbyville." However, Carr Bowers McClenny married into the Darby family, therefore purchasing much of the land before renaming the city Macclenny. It would have become "McClenny," but the post office had a mandate against capital letters in the middle of city names.
Most do not consider Macclenny a big city; however, it is only a hop, skip and a jump away from Jacksonville, Fla
As the Darby family owned most of the land in the area, the original name of today's Macclenny, Fla. was "Darbyville." However, Carr Bowers McClenny married into the Darby family, therefore purchasing much of the land before renaming the city Macclenny. It would have become "McClenny," but the post office had a mandate against capital letters in the middle of city names.
Most do not consider Macclenny a big city; however, it is only a hop, skip and a jump away from Jacksonville, Fla., which is the largest city in the state of Florida. In fact, it is only 28 miles from the large metropolitan region. Located on the Eastern end of Baker County, Macclenny is exactly 4.7 square miles in size. With that said, it's growing, as the population has jumped from 4,459 residents to 6,374, according to census data from both 2000 and 2010. The city may be small in stature, but it does boast of a rich history. Many of its primitive residents arrived in the late 1820s and early 1830s; however, the population dramatically grew following the end of the Civil War. If you're thinking about moving to Macclenny, get ready for an interesting history lesson.
If you are considering a move to Macclenny, go to your computers, tablets or smartphones and visit the search-engine giant: Google. Type "Macclenny" in the search box, and you'll see what the small, Northern Florida city and nearby areas have to offer. Once you feel lured in by what you research, you will need a place to live. For example, if you plan to rent, you will need to peruse online real estate guides to see what apartments, townhouses or house rentals are available. Narrow your search by specifying the apartment size you need and how much is in your monthly rental budget. Additionally, if you own a little fur ball, narrow your search even more to rental properties that allow pets. Most will require a pet deposit, but you can still try to use his or her cute, little face to convince the landlord otherwise.
Location, Location, Location
Most people look for an apartment close to where they plan to work or go to school. Some prefer to be close to town, while others prefer a rural setting. Since Macclenny is a smaller city, many of the rental units are in close proximity to restaurants, stores and shops. Nevertheless, there are rental homes that have that rural feel.
Take the Tour
If you already live close to the Macclenny area, visit the apartment complex or rental home of interest to see if that atmosphere is the place you want to call home. Don't just look at the units. Visit the amenities such as the pool area, fitness center or clubhouse. Realtors always recommend taking a tour of your potential home first. What if you are moving from out of state? This may make it difficult to take a tour. Still, it's wise to plan a trip to visit the apartment community or rental home before committing. Many online real-estate guides have pictures and virtual tours you can look at, but nothing is the same as the physical visit.
Closing the Deal
Once you have found your ideal home, you will go through a process that involves more than just signing on the dotted line and taking the keys. First, you will need to fill out an application either online or in person. This is so the landlord or property manager can gather all the information they need in order to check your credit background. Don't let this alarm you, since this is standard procedure for many apartment complexes and rental units. Credit scores determine if you are eligible to rent and the amount of your security deposit. They will return your security deposit as long as the unit is still in good condition when you vacate, so if you happen to lose your temper, refrain from punching a hole in the wall. If you cannot control yourself, patch up the hole.
The landlord will also confirm that you can afford the unit by requesting a letter from your employer or some other type of proof of income. Additional documents you may need to provide include a picture I.D. and rental history if you have previously rented a property. Make sure you read the terms in the lease agreement before signing. Once you sign, you'll usually pay the first month's rent and security deposit, and then you're free to start moving in.
Macclenny may be a small town compared to other metropolitan areas in Florida, but it does have a variety of places to rent. Since each area has a distinctive personality of its own, it's important to check all of them out before you make your big decision.
Apartments For Rent
Baker Manor Apartments: This complex has 50 total units with one bedroom apartments for rent, as well as two and three bedroom apartments. They are down the road from several restaurants such as local favorite Sixth Street Steakhouse.
Northwood Apartments: This community has 52 total apartments for rent. Like Baker Manor Apartments, this complex has one, two and three bedroom units available also. This complex is near the Baker County Middle and High Schools.
Neighborhoods
Perhaps the apartment life is not for you. There is an assortment of other places to live in the Macclenny area.
Heritage Crossing: The community has several single-family dwellings for rent. Many of the houses were built after the year 2000. This neighborhood is ideal for coffee drinkers who can't go without their fix, as it is near the local Starbucks.
Copper Plantation: This neighborhood has several nice rental homes with nice-sized lots. Copper Plantation is near some local stores such as Family Dollar and The Local Needle.
Big cities are not the only places with fun things to do. Macclenny has plenty to offer its residents. For example, if you love history, the Heritage Park Village offers residents a view of the history of not only Macclenny but all of Baker County. Heritage Park Village has several events throughout the year such as the Fall Festival, which includes vintage-car displays, food and entertainment. For all of you night owls, Macclenny has several after-sundown hot spots. The County Club is one of the top cocktail bars in Northern Florida. Another great hot spot to enjoy food and drinks is Gator Patrick's Tavern. If you enjoy a nice pizza pie while watching your favorite team, then Calendar's Pizzeria and Sports Bar is your ideal hangout.
Like most cities, Macclenny has the popular fast-food chains such as McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Zaxby's, Subway and Taco Bell. However, there are some signature restaurants. If you are a fan of pig pickin,' then Woody's Bar-B-Q will not disappoint. If you enjoy meals from the deep blue sea, then you will enjoy a meal from Sam's Crystal River Seafood. Perhaps you just want to test your toughness by seeing how hot you can eat your buffalo wings; then give Hot Shot Wings a try. If you enjoy the taste from south of the border, then visit the Laredo Mexican Restaurant for complimentary chips and salsa along with a fine Mexican cuisine. When craving the big-city lights, Jacksonville is only a short drive away. The beaches on the coast of Jacksonville are also a sight to see.
