[Debbie]

Hi, we're seriously considering moving to Florida by the end of this year, and are considering both the North Port and DeBary areas. we're both in our (late) 40s, the kids are all grown and staying here in RI so at least we don't have to worry about schools. Can any of you tell me the pros and cons of these 2 areas? We have family in DeBary and good friends in North Port, so of course according to them both areas are wonderful, but I would like other opinions as well. How are the employment opportunities there? The pay rates? And the rental rates? Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[mcwho]

I cannot find north point, or rather neither mapquest, or google maps don't know where it is.

I recently bought a home in debary cause i work in Orlando and do not care for orlando, and I have a home in ST. Petersburg, which i really like.

From Debary the orlando metro area is easily accessable, and the slower pace of debary is a refreshing change. The access roads, 417 and rooute 4, help move the traffic.

debary only has 15,000 residents, but is a refreshing change to the traffic in many parts of coastal florida!

Jobs are prevelant, but without knowing inductry, who knows, there are a lot of high tech, and medical jobs in the area.

[mcwho]

it is south of tampa, in what is considered a more retirement area i believe. and it is also where many of the recent hurricaines of recent past have gone thru. Not so with debary.

North Port is sloser to the water so flooding may be a issue also.

[DDFRED]

Hi Ms Debbie,
I used to live in RI and presently live in Missouri and have a brother that lives in North Port. He's been there 15 years and loves it and wouldn't move back to RI for anything. My plans are to move to the Florida west coast in a couple of years and have investigated many of the areas. North Port is a great place, just maje sure you buy a home that is concrete block construction and not wood. I used to have 2 brothers in the area, North Port and Port Charlotte. The one in PC had a wood frame home and lost everything in the hurricane 2 Years ago. The other lost a tree and his shed. He has a concrete block home. Homes are high end and work is anywhere if you look. Good luck. Might see you down there.

[sunshine girl]

North port is just below me in sarasota. the place has mushroomed in the past three years. read that to mean overcrowded schools, not enough things/places for kids. It once was a more rural, quiet community, but not anymore. Because the housing prices WERE so low for so long, lots of folks moved there. So now there's lots of people there, and the planning folks did not think to worry about the infrastructure of the town for so much growth so fast. therefore roads w/potholes, traffic, and no industry there, so everyone commutes to other towns for work. No hospital, no mall, not close to the beach, just lots of subdivisions/houses. Water is becoming an issue there also because of the lack of planning. but, you still can buy cheaper there, just research more what your getting into there.

[Lisa_from_Debary]

I love Debary, I live in The Reserve on 1792.

We are not in a flood zone so that is good.

I grew up in a very smal town in Texas and Debary is a wonderful place, a place where you can get to know your neighbors, trust them to watch out for your pets and plants when your gone.

My community has a pool which is nice since I don't have 40 grand to drop on a pool at the moment.

We have parades for different holidays...easy access to the beaches or Orlando whichever you want to get too.