[mateo384]

Boy is this place run down. Even moreso than when I left. It's really sad. I live in St. Pete now and that place is basically San Francisco compared to this place. I'm here to get a tattoo. Trying not to be negative, and trying to make the most out of it. But man...never seen so much open land on a beachside in all my life. It will be nice to visit the southern most region of Ponce and Port Orange tomorrow, as I know those places are nice. But my god, driving down A1A is like driving thru a ghost town. I was thinking of buying here in the future cuz I would get more bang for my buck, and I still think that compared to the Gulf side, but youve got to be prepared to seriously live in seclusion. Which can be attractive, but man...

[Fl1150]

It was very stagnant area until recently as the recession really hurt the local economy but that is picking up and new construction is starting to happen again.

[ebn78]

Daytona - Ghetona - Dirtona - Scumtona .... What did you expect Utopia?

[daytonadewd]

Weren't you a waiter from the Shores?

[Thanks for posting your observations.]

[02blackgt]

Daytona is stuck in the late 80s/early 90s in my opinion. The first time I drove down there from Jax Beach I was pretty disappointed. I was expecting a much more vibrant and nightlife geared town than what I found. They do have some nice beaches, but besides that I do not find the area attractive at all.

[Arcenal813]

A few years back, my wife and I weekended at a beachfront hotel on Daytona Beach Shores. On a Saturday night, we decided to venture out and explore the local bar/night scene. To our surprise, there was less nightlife there than in our 10k little town of Mount Dora.
How does a city the size of Daytona, which supposedly is a tourist hub, not even have any form of nightlife whatsoever?
We weren't looking for a giant nightclub either, but rather just a local, clean lounge to have a drink and maybe watch a band in, much like the ones we visit in St-Augustine...

[convextech]

Originally Posted by mateo384

I'm here to get a tattoo.

St. Pete doesn't have tattoo parlors?

[convextech]

Originally Posted by Arcenal352

A few years back, my wife and I weekended at a beachfront hotel on Daytona Beach Shores. On a Saturday night, we decided to venture out and explore the local bar/night scene. To our surprise, there was less nightlife there than in our 10k little town of Mount Dora.
How does a city the size of Daytona, which supposedly is a tourist hub, not even have any form of nightlife whatsoever?
We weren't looking for a giant nightclub either, but rather just a local, clean lounge to have a drink and maybe watch a band in, much like the ones we visit in St-Augustine...

I was just there for Jeep Beach 2015, and we couldn't find any bars open after 11pm all weekend. I was pretty disappointed.

[Otherside1]

Mateo, it is funny to read you post this. You and I debated back and forth over the past few years and I am glad to see that you finally see the problems in the Daytona area. It is not to say that it is without potential, it is just in need of desperate updating.

[thatguydownsouth]

I think a lot of what happened was the economy. A significant chunk of people we used to meet down there were fellow time share "owners". I have a feeling that since people are more aware of time shares issues and are bailing out of them its taking its toll on the area. In the real estate bust the timeshare payments were the last thing on peoples minds. Couple that with the City governments attempt to tame the bikers and spring breakers, and the high taxes...and you have....Ghettona.

I remember back in the 90s it was the place to be! We went every year and it was amazing as a teenager.