[gimmedamike]

My situation.

Ok, so I just got "asked" if I would like to up and move from Denver to work in Ormond Beach, Florida - which I know little-to-nothing about. I've been looking at Ormond and the surrounding areas, but without any experience its hard to make a decision.

What I'm looking for:

I am married with three young children. We enjoy the outdoors, parks, good local restaurants (yes I said good - not Olive Garden and Red Lobster), nice entertainment districts (food/shopping/etc), and family activities. We're considering Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, and Palm Coast.

Questions

My question is which one will give me most of what I'm looking for?

We'll be renting until we gain some familiarity so, if you are familiar with the area, can you recommend an apartment in a nice, accessible area of town?

Thanks!

[kyle19125]

Of your list the best option for you IMO would be Port Orange, followed by New Smyrna Beach. Port Orange has the best schools and is more the traditional "family suburb". New Smyrna Beach offers a quieter, more laidback environment which is less congested. If it were me personally, I'd focus there.

I would definitely eliminate Daytona Beach from your list. It's not a good place for families. Ormond Beach has a reputation as more of a spot for retirees/snowbirds. Palm Coast is a planned community and kind of remote, plus lacking quality shopping/restaurant accessibility.

[gimmedamike]

Thanks for your reply kyle19125. Let me ask you this...is New Smyrna Beach's "shark capital of the world" nickname accurate? If so, how far is it to a beach where it is safer to take a dip in the Atlantic?

[kyle19125]

I wouldn't call it that accurate. The entire state averages around 30 bites/attacks a year. If you divide the number of beach-goers by the miles of coast line your odds of being a victim is higher for a lightning strike.

[Sheepie2000]

Originally Posted by kyle19125

your odds of being a victim is higher for a lightning strike.

This is a little misleading. The op might not now that FL is the lightening strike capitol of the world!!

[FSUMike]

Ormond Beach. I'm biased though because it's my hometown.

Pretty much all the entertainment and shopping is in Daytona, but most of Daytona you wouldn't want to actually live in.

As far as local restaurants, I always like to plug Houligan's Sports Bar & Grill (the original location) which is on the corner of Granada Blvd (SR 40) and Clyde Morris Blvd in Ormond Beach.

A final word:
STAY AWAY FROM PALM COAST. Don't let the low prices fool you. It's a cesspool, and even the low prices are overpriced. You couldn't PAY ME to live in that dump.

[Sheepie2000]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

A final word:
STAY AWAY FROM PALM COAST. Don't let the low prices fool you. It's a cesspool, and even the low prices are overpriced. You couldn't PAY ME to live in that dump.

Oh come on! I live in Palm Coast and I LOVE it here. It most certainly is not a cesspool or a dump. It's a lovely town. I think you just like to provoke the Palm Coasters into defending it. The only reason that I didn't speak up and recommend it is because he said that he liked nice restaurants that are specifically not Olive Garden or Red Lobster. We're all pretty psyched around here about the grand opening of our new Olive Garden/Red Lobster combo restaurant next month! There are not a lot (some but not a lot) of upscale restaurants here, more the relaxing and fun variety of restaurant, so I thought he might be happier somewhere else. If Houligans and the like are good enough for him, then I think Palm Coast should be in the running. We have very good schools and parks and we're within half an hour of St Augustine and Daytona Beach. I have two children and we're always busy with family activities. Love it here in Palm Coast!!

[blueridgerider]

[quote=gimmedamike;17986178]

We enjoy the outdoors, parks, good local restaurants (yes I said good - not Olive Garden and Red Lobster), nice entertainment districts (food/shopping/etc), and family activities.
Questions We'll be renting until we gain some familiarity so, if you are familiar with the area, can you recommend an apartment in a nice, accessible area of town?

I totally agree with Sheepie about Palm Coast. IMO best restaurants are in St. Augustine. We do have some very good restaurants between here and Flagler Beach and we even have our own Houligan's. There is shopping here but no major malls. Been here 13 yrs raised 2 children in this great town and both still live here and don't want to move. Moved from So FL to get away from congestion and plenty of others have followed. Don't let people tell you it is strictly all retirees, far from it. Not only that, they're not "all" New Yorkers! We are a very diverse city with many nationalities. Good home prices and lower property taxes. Only you can decide what is best for you and your family. Do your research.

One of the best things about PC is all the parks and plenty of organized sports activities for kids and adults alike.

In regards to renting in PC and working in Ormond, I would concentrate on the central to southern end of town esp. with the price of gas right now. In regards to apts. that would be Integra Woods and in Flagler Beach it's Beach Village Apts. There are also plenty of duplex units or rental homes if you want a yard. Good Luck to you and your family wherever you may live.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Sheepie2000

This is a little misleading. The op might not now that FL is the lightening strike capitol of the world!!

True, one could just huddle inside and avoid both through unjustified paranoia.

[gimmedamike]

Thanks everyone. We chose a place in Port Orange as it seemed to be the place with the best schools and most to do with both New Smyrna and Daytona within a short drive. Can't beat being an hour outside of Orlando either - no shortage of activity there.

I won't judge palm coast too harshly - especially because I've never been there, but it seems like the only people that like it are the ones that are from there. I grew up in NE Colorado just a stone's-throw from cattle ranches and farmland, so I don't mind being out in the country, but put together a small town, transplanted New Yorkers, and a passion for Olive Garden (especially one that has to be combined with a Red Lobster to be a viable restaurant)...well, that's one place I don't want to live.