[sick of the winter]

Hi,

My wife and I (and our newborn) are seriously considering a move to Florida in a little over a year.

We're trying to get an idea of where to move. Job is not an issue (pilot for a large company). And neither are taxes. The taxes and cost of living here in Rochester, NY is terrible. I pay a higher tax rate than people in San Diego, CA). Especially for what you get.( High crime, higher gas prices, 6 months of terrible weather.) Gas prices are still in the 2.60 range while the national average is less than $2.

What are your thoughts on the Port Orange area? I know about the Daytona negatives. But I've heard that schools and family activities are pretty good in Port Orange.

My wife loves heat and the sun and the beach. So not much of a problem there. I travel around the country and am home 3-4 days at a time. I don't deal with the usual daily work commutes/traffic so thats not much of a problem either. I really love beachside bars, restaurants. And am the occasional race fan and do kinda like the idea of having the daytona activities take place every so often.

The one thing I know is my wife hates..HATES winter.. she doesn't leave the house from Dec-Feb. And being from Roch. I've had enough of it too. We're both in our early 30's.

Primarily I'm concerned with:
1) Schools for our daughter. By the time she gets to school we may be able to really consider private schools. In Rochester, unless you live in the upscale areas, schools aren't all that great either. Alot of city and suberban students together in one school.

2)Finding a descent neighborhood. (250-300K range depending on the market by next year.)

3) Enough things to do besides the beach. (one of the reasons I'm looking a this area. Close to Orlando, Cape Canaveral, easy access to I-95 etc.)

Does Port Orange have much to offer? Any negatives/ positives. How about other parts of Florida?

Thanks

ps. I am dead set against Orlando, Miami or West Palm Beach.

[ECTG]

I grew up in Port Orange, and my grandmother still lives there on a part time basis. Even though it's grown significantly, I still really love it there. If you have the cash, Spruce Creek is really nice (especially for a pilot). Like all of Volusia County, during race week, bike week, and spring break, it can be very hairy, but it is really nice the rest of the time. Also, if you can, check out Ponce Inlet and Daytona Beach Shores. They are south of Daytona Beach over on the barrier island.

[tinamarie17]

hi!
we are moving back (finally) to Port Orange after 4 years. we love it there!
we have decided to rent for a while before buying a house, see how the market goes...lots of
great homes for good prices and the school system is excellent. we are looking forward to sending our child to one of the top notch elementary schools in the country. good luck with your future endeavors and hope to see you in Port Orange someday!

[htlong]

sick of winter,
you wont go wrong in port orange, its clean,safe,and all new shopping plazas if your from rochester then you have to of had your share of "lake effect" I dont blame your wife for not leaving the house ....thats why I am here ,Im to old to shovel the "lake effect"
hurricanes come and go but snow......brrrrr....come on down!!!

[Lisa64]

Port Orange is wonderful! I moved here from NYC 6 1/2 years ago to get away from the cold and would never leave. The Spruce Creek Fly-in would be perfect for you!

[Nomadicus]

We have lived there with kids in school. I would not hesitate to go back. If you like fishing lots of it to be had in the area. Beaches are decent too.

[sick of the winter]

Probably not going to be able to afford in Spruce Creek. Although I would love to be able to.

Any recomendations for schools? Mostly Elementary and Middle schools? Our daughter still has a long way to go for high school and by then we'd definitely be able to afford private if need be.

I've heard the bad things about Fl. schools and all. But I've got a younger sister up here in NY who deals with the same stuff and honestly I can't see it being any worse than the people she hangs out with.

My wife is extremely hands on and will be even more so when it comes to our daughters education. My wife doesn't take a whole lot of crap from anyone so if a school/principal/teacher wasn't living up to their end my wife would certainly let them know it! So putting in the parental effort will not be a problem area.

Thanks..

PS We're visiting the area in March, and any reconmendations for areas/ neighborhoods to look in would be great.. Again we're in the $200-260 range, maybe more depending on the banks.

[cjbeach]

Schools are in budget crisis here so I wouldn't recommend the move now. Take a look at www.volusia.k12.fl.us and read the last superintendent's letter. My dd's school is at 172% capacity. My son is an ESE student, at his last IEP meeting we were told to move back to NJ (seriously) because the ESE services are almost non-existant for him (he has ASD). Private schools are few and far between and they don't have a great reputation either.