Saint Cloud vs Davenport. Which is better?

[Declared Ungovernable]

Property values dropping rapidly in both Poinc and Davprt all of Polk county for that matter, rent is definatly the way to go in both mkts untill this market stabilizes. Don't buy a home anywhere near Poinc or Davenport. Values seem more stable the closer you get to the core of town.

[AONE]

My vote would go to Davenport as well. There are lots of fairly cheap rentals there. the homes generally are much lower priced. The Brits seem to like it when they are here buying. It is close to Disney. Overall it is a winner, just a little quiet :-)

[StrangeAttractor]

I live in Davenport (technically unincorporated Polk County) about three miles south of Interstate 4, and this area is a renter's haven. Many homes in the newer developments in Davenport are owned by Britons who rent their homes for several months of the year to seasonal residents and tourists. In fact, the area attracts a large number of British tourists year round. The drawback? The constant flux of people in and out of town sometimes gives the area sort of a "transiet" feeling. Saint Cloud is a more established city where one is more likely to find families that have lived there for two or three generations.

Don't get me wrong, though. I like Davenport, and I tend to patronize local restaurants and businesses. Seeing familiar faces on a regular basis gives the community a more "family friendly" feeling. The growth here is phenominal, and the amount of development that has taken place during the sixteen months I have called Davenport home is remarkable. Traffic can be heavy, especially along the US 27 corridor from I-4 southbound through Haines City, Lake Hamilton, Dundee, and Lake Wales. I am not too familiar with the public and charter schools in Polk County as I don't have any children in them, but I do teach in Poinciana in neighboring Osceola County (in which Kissimmee and Saint Cloud are located), and the schools there are hit or miss. All in all, I would tend toward the Davenport area over the Kissimmee area to call home... I did when faced with the same decision, and I don't regret it one bit.

[wildwoodcrest1957]

Originally Posted by tmh

My husband's job is relocating him to the Disney area. We are looking to rent a house. At first I thought we would rent in kissimmee, Poinciana area but after reading these threads about gangs and crime I decided to look elsewhere. What are your thoughts on St. Cloud and Davenport? Are they safe? Are they family oriented areas? I was looking into elementary schools, it seemed St. Cloud had better rated schools than Davenport. But Davenport had several charter schools that rated fairly well, are those hard to get into? Thanks.

Then it happened.................... Politics & Greed! I have lived in Saint Cloud 15 Years, and can't stand the Traffic & noise anymore. Our Water Tower states: St. Cloud.... Celebrating small town Life.... HUH! They need to change that soon. I remember when Saint Cloud was a Beautiful Small Town. as they say......... it's the Times.... there a chagin'