[Mj27]

Hi, we're relocating very soon to the Daytona area. I've noticed housing is really cheap in the Palm Coast area.

I have a teenager and a toddler. We were thinking of looking in the Palm Coast area, or Deland, Port Orange..somewhere NOT too far from Daytona.

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks.

[oceandreams94]

Hi, I am moving to Palm Coast in about 5 weeks. We have 3 children. We are just going to rent and see how we like it. We found a huge new house there for a very reasonable rent.
I have heard good things too about Port Orange, but they are more expensive.

Jen

[ssg II]

Use the "search" option at the top of the page. There are several threads about the areas you mentioned, as well as Ormond Beach. Good Luck!

[RedWingsFan]

I have to reiterate what sunshinegirl said. Do a search on this forum, there is plenty on here about Palm Coast.

Ormond Beach and Port Orange are the nicest places around. They may cost a little more but remember it's all about location, you usually get what you pay for. Port Orange and Ormond Beach both have great schools, lower crime, good demographics, nice neighborhoods, etc.

Palm Coast? Eek. I was like you - look on a computer from outside the area at the prices and thought the place looked great. I got here and checked it out. Didn't like it one bit! In my opinion (and many others I've talked to and see post on here) it's not a good place. Do the searches and you will see the many reasons why. But it's cheaper for a reason...there's nothing there. You couldn't pay me to live there.

Deland? Not much better than Palm Coast. They call it "de land of the living dead" for a reason.

Stick with Ormond Beach or Port Orange and you'll be fine. If you go with one of the others you will probably wish you had went with the first two I mentioned.

[pirate girl]

I've called Palm Coast home for almost 10 years- when you run your search you will see my opinions and if you have any questions feel free to send me a private message.

It is a great area for kids of all ages. I have a teenager who is thriving here.

[TeeJayMaJay]

Remember every town will have bad and good. I have lived in Palm Coast going on 15 years now. Palm Coast grew too fast for it's own good, IMO. Once we became a city (yr 2000) it REALLY GREW FAST and the city was not ready for that so now it is playing "catch-up". It will have growth pains and aches (crowded streets; only 1 post office which seems to always have a LONGGGGG LINE; everyone seems to be in a terrible hurry which creates some goofy drivers on the road, etc.) - but hey - this kind of sounds like all of FL -eh? GROWTH?! Everyone found out the great winter secret - we are only 6 miles from the ocean - easy access - sometimes we are the only ones on the beach......seems weird but not complaining!! Everyone is down at Daytona or up in St Aug.

Make your list of pros and cons and see what you think. We rented first, too. The Town Center is growing - a Super Target coming in March 2008, Lowes across the street from a Home Depot in OCT of this year...and so on. So you need to decide what you think.

Flagler County (Palm Coast) taxes are way less $ than Volusia (Pr Orange and Ormond) - in fact I have many adult students who tell me they moved to Plantation Bay (housing) or Sugar Mill area and made sure they were on the FLAGLER SIDE of the housing addition....but of course that all can change with the vote of new property taxes, soon....so you just need to see.

I do not think there is not much for kids, but ask PIRATE GIRL (above) for more info on that - she may know more having a teenager herself. I would say come and check it out - you make your decision. I personally enjoy Pt Orange and Ormond Beach but WOW does it ever cost more!! I used to live in Deland. It has gotten better there, too. Great little downtown, kind of like an old-fashioned town, it has STETSON UNIV (private school) - classy, IMO. Deland is where we first moved to from ILLINOIS and we enjoyed it. But wanted "more" to do. Palm Coast showed growth ... and it has.

[Diamond Dee]

Port Orange is like a little Daytona so you might like that area.My wife is from port orange and she lived their for 25 yrs.And she says its building ,growing fast and right now its about in pop. size of Daytona she lived in the rural part which she belives is the best chioce to live in.

[pirate girl]

As long as you're willing to transport your kids, there is plenty for them to do in Palm Coast. I believe there are few towns in this day and age that don't require a car ride to sports practice or club meetings......

In addition to the offering at the schools, Flagler/Palm Coast has

Police Athletic League- baseball, football, wrestling, basketball, cheerleading

There is palm coast little league and AAU for other baseball options.

There is FAST pitch softball for the girls

There is soccer, lacrosse, swim team, synchronized swimming, street hockey, surf lessons, junior lifeguard, dance lessons, karate schools, cross country track and golf.

The School Board's adult education has art, music, foreign language, cooking, sewing, etc classes for the kids.

The city runs a busy summer camp program at the community center. The school board runs one at the schools in the summer. The city also has video game tournaments, parents night out, and other activities geared to children of all ages. The city of Flagler beach has movie night in the park during the summer where kids and families can spread out on a blanket and watch movies under the stars.

There are several dozen churches here and many of them offer programs for kids- youth groups and choirs, Saturday Night Live(for teens), and other faith programs.

There is scouting, indian guides, mommy and me classes... there are several active moms groups for the pre school aged kids too.

If your kids want something constructive to do, it's here. I've found that the parents who complain that there is nothing are the ones who can't be bothered to drive them to activities.

[TeeJayMaJay]

Originally Posted by pirate girl

If your kids want something constructive to do, it's here. I've found that the parents who complain that there is nothing are the ones who can't be bothered to drive them to activities.

Great point Pirate Girl!!! Just come and check it all out!

[tothehilt]

I have lived in the Daytona area my whole life (21yrs in Port Orange). I have to say that if you are thinking of moving to this area I would have to say that Port Orange or Ormond Beach are your best bet. Daytona Beach doesn't really have much as far as Nice Homes (Mostly Low Income). Think of Daytona Beach has the city you go to for shopping and entertainment but not for living everyday life. Port Orange and Ormond Beach are more Expensive then Daytona but IT'S WELL WORTH IT. Property Taxes are out of Control!!!! My parents own a 4 bed-4 bath-3 car home in a gated golf community in port orange and there homes value has gone from $315,000 to $568,000 in just the past three years and that has made property taxes spike. Even though property values are good here, I must tell you that the job market in very Bad. In Fact Volusia County in the Lowest Paying county in the state. Almost everyone I know including my parents commute to the Lake Mary/Orlando Area for Work which is about a 45 min. drive.