Need info from Palm Coast residents please (Plantation, Deltona: foreclosed, landscaping)

[KeysDreamer]

Originally Posted by DB3

My family will be relocating to Palm Coast in the next few months. We've made short trips to look around but I don't think it's possible to find out all we want to know before moving there. So I'm hoping some current residents wouldn't mind giving their thoughts about the different areas and hopefully your opinions on some specific questions:

Is there a difference between living in the B, P or W section? Are any more heavily weighted towards families with kids as opposed to retirees?

Do the B, P and W sections attend Belle Terre Elementary and the middle school that's next door? If not, who goes to which school?

The E section seemed too far removed from the town and there really didn't seem to be much difference from the other lettered sections except that it's not as built up yet as the others. Is there something we missed?

Is there anywhere in Palm Coast where you're not on a lot that's roughly 80x120? We'd prefer a larger lot but still with that community feel (not acreage where you're nowhere near your neighbor). There are a few streets inside the W section around Cedar Point Drive that seem like they are larger lots (looking on MapQuest). Is there anywhere else?

What can you tell me about Grand Haven? With the communities being gated we were unable to check them out. Is it mostly retirees? Any families with children? How many children in relation to the lettered sections?

Sorry for all the questions but the more details we can get the easier it is on future trips to narrow down where to search! If there's anything else you think we would like to know, please feel free to share.

Thanks!

Hi DB3-We've lived in PC for many years and what started out as a retirment community soon became an area where all the retirees families and their kids moved to. We raised our two children here and don't regret it.

While we live in the B section I noticed you mentioned the E section seems somewhat remote. That is where the new Town Center is located with all the new stores, future movie theatre etc...is being built. Will definitely be a major shopping area for the community. The grand opening for the stores is July 28th. There are other shopping areas in different parts of PC also.

In regards to the larger lots. Yes, most are the 80x120 but you can find larger lots either on a corner freshwater canal or next to a drainage area which gives you a bit more room between neighbors. Also corner lots or sometimes 2 lots together. We're on one I mentioned and defnitely a little more private.

Areas with the schools are always more heavily weighted with school kids. OceanDreams gave you good info on all that. Taxes are definitely lower in Flagler County than the counties south and north of us. Hope I've helped and I'm sure you'll enjoy Palm Coast. Good Luck!

[The Observer]

If you move to Palm Coast you will be sorry you did. did you notice all the empty house's? just a few years ago people rushed down here and prices went up. I feel because everyones coming from the north were the pay is higher, yeah it's so affordable but once you get down here and realize the pay is a little more than the taxes you paid up north reality set's in. If you have to come down here and get a job you might be better off by jacksonville or orlando. yeah we got a new town center were getting a target & some other retail stores. You cant pay a mortgage on that salary. retail jobs are min. pay jobs. people here are losing there homes and relocating back north. for example I know of 2 couples in my area from N.Y that are leaving for fincacial reasons but there not going back to N.Y they relocated to V.A and the traffic here, forget about it. I feel like Iam back in N.Y the way people drive. They flip you off,cuss you out,cut you off just like the old days in the big city. crime is also on the rise all this and more right here in sunny Palm Coast. From home invasions, car thefts,shoot out,shot's fired,raids and drug bust's down to dui's. Not to mention on the news this morning they reported that a 16 year old girl was sexual assaulted riding her bike at lunar park yesterday. Palm Coast is on the rise & it isn't just in development. Some predict it will end up similar to Daytona Beach with all this over build. Need a bank anyone?

[rocketman10]

Originally Posted by The Observer

If you move to Palm Coast you will be sorry you did. did you notice all the empty house's? just a few years ago people rushed down here and prices went up. I feel because everyones coming from the north were the pay is higher, yeah it's so affordable but once you get down here and realize the pay is a little more than the taxes you paid up north reality set's in. If you have to come down here and get a job you might be better off by jacksonville or orlando. yeah we got a new town center were getting a target & some other retail stores. You cant pay a mortgage on that salary. retail jobs are min. pay jobs. people here are losing there homes and relocating back north. for example I know of 2 couples in my area from N.Y that are leaving for fincacial reasons but there not going back to N.Y they relocated to V.A and the traffic here, forget about it. I feel like Iam back in N.Y the way people drive. They flip you off,cuss you out,cut you off just like the old days in the big city. crime is also on the rise all this and more right here in sunny Palm Coast. From home invasions, car thefts,shoot out,shot's fired,raids and drug bust's down to dui's. Not to mention on the news this morning they reported that a 16 year old girl was sexual assaulted riding her bike at lunar park yesterday. Palm Coast is on the rise & it isn't just in development. Some predict it will end up similar to Daytona Beach with all this over build. Need a bank anyone?

You certainly are not a happy person Observer. While it's true that many people have left I would say most were in the residential construction industry. Needless to say this has definitely come to a screeching halt. This also does have a trickle down effect to other jobs.

Home prices have definitely come down so all those empty homes you mentioned will eventually be purchased by those who couldn't afford the higher prices or maybe someone looking for an investment. All those real estate agents and developers that made $$ for all those years I'm sure can afford to purchase them!

In regards to jobs, sure there are many that are in the service sector at minimum wage. There's also many others who make close to double that or more. It all depends on what your skills are just like in any town. Your comment about drivers and traffic was pretty funny. The traffic in this town while much heavier than 10 yrs ago is nothing compared to the big cities you mentioned.

This town is definitely not perfect but every town has it's problems whether they be crime or whatever. Yes, definitely not like it was 10 yrs ago but in many other ways so much better. Just depends on what you like/want.

[TeeJayMaJay]

You both (Observ. & Rocketm.) are right, I think.
Being a Palm Coaster for 18 yrs now, it DEFINITELY has changed but hopefully we will be getting the services we have been wanting for so long, to be more tolerant.

Oh man - yes, we have the traffic "rudeness", that is for sure, (so sad to see).
Yes the city/county got a little carried away spending all sorts of money for the Taj Mahal (County Bldg) and yes I know their hope is to become another West Palm, ... but hopefully the housing will pick up again, like the rest of the country is hoping for, Palm Coast is NOT the only place...and no we don't have the best pay scale, but who does it seems? Florida never really did have the best, I knew that when I lived up in ILL but the cost of living (COL) was so much better, more affordable....but now that the COL has creeped up high here & we are in a little bind.....so I guess I am saying Palm Coast DOES have aches and pains but it is still better than those old gray and long winters! With the good is the bad.
I definitely miss the way it was, that is for sure...but the secret of PC got out (darn it!) and now we have to deal with all the new families coming in....and I hope that all the new services will help us to at least "tolerate" it.
The new folks coming here, MOST FOLKS I AM SAYING, love it here - I have new students all the time who say to me, "just moved here and we LOVE IT SO!"..... they do not know HOW IT WAS....the old folks (and I don't mean old as old age, cuz I am not.....but folks who have been here before it became a city) miss the way it was. So what can ya do? At least let's get the services here if we have to have all the growth.

[granitelady]

Finally a thread with some information on this area!
The company I work for asked me to look into opening a new store in Palm Coast and I'm desperate for some information from people that actually live there!
Obviously if I move there to opend this store I want to know about housing and every day life but I also need to know from you guys what you think about how a granite and marble company would do in that area.
We work on new construction but more on remodels and I'm concerned that the market there might not be all that my boss is thinking it is...any thoughts?
thanks!

[TeeJayMaJay]

granitelady I would most definitely think twice on that one! (opening a biz here) I know of one granite/marble place already here, but that is not the important factor - the important factor is our economy, here, it is flat...flat as a pancake!

Ex: I know of newly built (NEVER LIVED IN) homes here, with many great features, gorgeous kitchens (granite/marble with hardwood cabinets), etc....still for sale and some I know of which will be 2 yrs empty come this Fall. ...WOW! Brand new homes - even with reduced rates.

Another ex: Flagler county has one of the highest foreclosure rates, so much so that mortgage companies have to require a minimum of 10% down to even consider getting a home here......we have been hit really hard.

You can find good homes, just make sure to find out what your property taxes will be and home insurance rates...they are pretty high, right now. That may be a big chunk. Our current Home Insurer (whom we have had for 12 yrs with no claims) just pulled out of Flagler County. Our new insurer nearly doubled our premium.....so you have to shop around a lot.

Remodels for your biz? - good idea but everyone seems to be holding onto their money. Many of the home improvement stores, here, have gone to part time workers, now, as majority of the work crew, meaning not as many full timers and some even laid off workers completely.

More on the economy: "Linen and Things" chain store was going to come here w.the new Super Target but they decided against it. Just pulled out a few weeks ago. "Books a million" is thinking of taking their spot, though. But still, Linen and Things would be good for housing ideas, if you know what I mean....and they are not coming ....at least not yet. Super Target was to open in March (this month) but decided to hold off until fall...... So I would MOST DEFINITELY think twice on that one.

I would recommend looking into Ormond Beach, or Orlando WAYYYYYYYYYY before Palm Coast. I fear you won't have the clientele that you desire and/or need to be profitable. I know many cities have been hit hard but as a Palm Coaster for several years, I really see it here as a big back slide.

I am sure our economy will pick up nicely but I personally don't see it happening for at least 2 yrs.

Here is a suggestion: Sarasota housing is JUST starting to pick up (have friends who are realtors over there). I would definitely think about that area......there is much more money there.

Good luck. It is hard to say where you will be successful.....perhaps come down and spend a week or so here....see what YOU think. But as a fellow business person, I would definitely think twice.

[Wyndsong]

Originally Posted by TeeJayMaJay

granitelady I would most definitely think twice on that one! (opening a biz here) I know of one granite/marble place already here, but that is not the important factor - the important factor is our economy, here, it is flat...flat as a pancake!

Ex: I know of newly built (NEVER LIVED IN) homes here, with many great features, gorgeous kitchens (granite/marble with hardwood cabinets), etc....still for sale and some I know of which will be 2 yrs empty come this Fall. ...WOW! Brand new homes - even with reduced rates.

Another ex: Flagler county has one of the highest foreclosure rates, so much so that mortgage companies have to require a minimum of 10% down to even consider getting a home here......we have been hit really hard.

You can find good homes, just make sure to find out what your property taxes will be and home insurance rates...they are pretty high, right now. That may be a big chunk. Our current Home Insurer (whom we have had for 12 yrs with no claims) just pulled out of Flagler County. Our new insurer nearly doubled our premium.....so you have to shop around a lot.

Remodels for your biz? - good idea but everyone seems to be holding onto their money. Many of the home improvement stores, here, have gone to part time workers, now, as majority of the work crew, meaning not as many full timers and some even laid off workers completely.

More on the economy: "Linen and Things" chain store was going to come here w.the new Super Target but they decided against it. Just pulled out a few weeks ago. "Books a million" is thinking of taking their spot, though. But still, Linen and Things would be good for housing ideas, if you know what I mean....and they are not coming ....at least not yet. Super Target was to open in March (this month) but decided to hold off until fall...... So I would MOST DEFINITELY think twice on that one.

I would recommend looking into Ormond Beach, or Orlando WAYYYYYYYYYY before Palm Coast. I fear you won't have the clientele that you desire and/or need to be profitable. I know many cities have been hit hard but as a Palm Coaster for several years, I really see it here as a big back slide.

I am sure our economy will pick up nicely but I personally don't see it happening for at least 2 yrs.

Here is a suggestion: Sarasota housing is JUST starting to pick up (have friends who are realtors over there). I would definitely think about that area......there is much more money there.

Good luck. It is hard to say where you will be successful.....perhaps come down and spend a week or so here....see what YOU think. But as a fellow business person, I would definitely think twice.

TeeJayMaJay - I have been looking for info on when the SuperTarget/Town Center in PC would open and have had no luck. Are you sure they are not opening until the Fall?? I have seen delivery trucks in and out stocking the store on numerous occasions. Where have you gotten this information from?

[TeeJayMaJay]

It was in our local News Journal Paper back in Jan. I believe. Maybe early FEB....but I think it was JAN. Everyone was so upset about it. Suppose to open in March but they said they wanted to hold off until all the other stores open up and economy picks up a bit more.

I will see if I can find that again.

They DO look ready and I SURE AM READY!!!

[TeeJayMaJay]

Wyndsong - I found this but does not say FALL - but I am still looking....

Town Center at Palm Coast Update

Great LATEST NEWS link: Real Estate News and Information for Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida: GoToby.com

Looks like Kohls finally won over the goofy Palm Coast permitting. Finally coming 2009 (was to have been here by now) I know of so many business owners (myself included) who did not go into Palm Coast due to this goofy-ness that Palm Coast makes one go through. That is why, my personal opinion, we have so many empty retails. Look at all of them. I am a teacher (college grad, certified by state, etc.) and what a mess I was going to have to go through to open up a school in PC - forget it - opened up south by the FPC High School in one week! (which is actually Bunnel mailing address - go figure but thank heavens!!)

[TeeJayMaJay]

PS - I found it! Not fall now, moved up to summer!!


"PALM COAST, FLORIDA May 9, 2007 /Events/-- City of Palm Coast, Flagler County Government, Palm Coast Holdings' staff and various senior management from Target Corp. conducted a press conference performing ground-breaking ceremonies in Town Center At Palm Coast celebrating commencement of Palm Coast's new Super-Target Retail Center scheduled to open in Summer 2008."



I see some places say July, some links say June and one even said MAY 2! Hmm?
Let's hope May 2!! I am ready!!!!!!!!!!!