The neighborhood
Greater Arlington, and where Grand Oaks sits in it
Arlington is the part of Jacksonville that sits east of the St. Johns River, straight across the Mathews Bridge from downtown. Grand Oaks is on the Arlington Expressway service road, with the on-ramps at the door in both directions.
What Arlington is
Greater Arlington is a district of Jacksonville on the east bank of the St. Johns River, between the river and the Intracoastal Waterway. It is part of the consolidated city: Jacksonville and most of Duval County merged their governments in 1968, so Arlington is Jacksonville, not a separate town. The city had 949,611 residents at the 2020 census.
The Mathews Bridge, open since 1953, is the link most people picture. It carries the Arlington Expressway, State Road 115, over the river between downtown and Arlington, which is why a neighborhood this close to the center of a big city still feels like its own place.
Where Grand Oaks sits
On the service road beside the Arlington Expressway, with the on-ramps in both directions at the door. Downtown Jacksonville is 5.0 miles west over the Mathews Bridge, Jacksonville University is 3.4 miles up University Boulevard North, and EverBank Stadium is 4.3 miles. The neighborhood guide has the full table in miles.
The enclosed Regency Square Mall, once the area's shopping center, closed in 2025 and is being demolished and redeveloped, so the everyday shopping has shifted to the grocery anchors nearby and to St. Johns Town Center on the Southside. Where to buy groceries is on the groceries page.
Living here
Arlington trades the walk-to-everything of a downtown block for space, parking and a shorter commute. Grand Oaks has renovated one, two and three bedroom apartments on the Arlington Expressway, each with wood-plank flooring, an updated kitchen and an open living area. Live pricing for every open home is on the availability page.
Questions people ask
Is Arlington part of Jacksonville?
Yes. Arlington is a district of Jacksonville on the east side of the St. Johns River. Jacksonville and most of Duval County consolidated their governments in 1968, so Arlington is inside the city.
How far is Grand Oaks from downtown Jacksonville?
5.0 miles by road, west over the Mathews Bridge on the Arlington Expressway. That is road distance; how long it takes depends on the hour you cross the bridge.
What is the Mathews Bridge?
The cantilever bridge, open since 1953, that carries the Arlington Expressway (State Road 115) over the St. Johns River between downtown Jacksonville and Arlington.
Is Regency Square Mall still open?
No. The enclosed Regency Square Mall closed in 2025 and the site is being demolished and redeveloped. The grocery stores nearby and St. Johns Town Center on the Southside are where the shopping is now.
Distances measured by road from our address using OpenStreetMap, October 2026. Drive times depend on the hour, so we publish the distance instead. City population from the 2020 U.S. Census; Mathews Bridge and consolidation facts from the City of Jacksonville and public record. Regency Square redevelopment reported by Jacksonville Today, September 2026.
More about living here
- Commuting from Grand Oaks
- Groceries and everyday errands near Grand Oaks
- Parks and trails near Grand Oaks
- Things to do near Grand Oaks
- Eating and drinking near Grand Oaks
- Schools near Grand Oaks
- Renovated apartments, done before you get the keys
- The pickleball court at Grand Oaks
- The floor plans at Grand Oaks, explained
- How to apply at Grand Oaks
- Working from home at Grand Oaks
- What residents say about Grand Oaks
- The neighborhood guide
- All questions