Poinciana questions? (Miami, Oviedo, Lake Mary: real estate, foreclosures, crime)

[doom1001]

Can someone tell me what they think about Poinciana,positives and negatives about the area.I visited the area and saw some areas that looked better than others,but I just want an overall impression of what people think.

[Sam.Morgan]

The area used to be nice, but is fast becoming a "ghetto". If it continues it's negative trend, the paranthesis from "ghetto" will come off.
There is gang activity which had eventually been minor, but it seems that popularity of that is making it more pronounced. If you have kids, you really don't want them to be around the type of people there.

[miamiboy54]

Originally Posted by Sam.Morgan

The area used to be nice, but is fast becoming a "ghetto". If it continues it's negative trend, the paranthesis from "ghetto" will come off.
There is gang activity which had eventually been minor, but it seems that popularity of that is making it more pronounced. If you have kids, you really don't want them to be around the type of people there.

I have lived in Poinciana since 2004, have never been a victim of a crime, don't know anyone in a gang and live in a quiet ,safe neighborhood.
So...What section of Poinciana did you say you live in???????

[Sam.Morgan]

By Marygold, near the "new" walgreens, but have moved out since the area started to deteriorate. Miamiboy, if you took those shades off, it may help you see your environment a little better ;-))).

A friend bought his house for $230k in 2006 and he has tried to short sell @ $120 and no one is looking @ it. However, a house in the same subdivision sold 2 weeks back for $98k. That was a nice subdivision and it's such a shame to see it go down hill.

It's the people that make up the area. Have you been to Oviedo or Lake Mary; it's another world. I think you would like it there. Swing by sometime. Btw, no offence, but I am just stating the facts about Poinciana.

[Pumpkin Eater]

It's too far from everything to really enjoy living there. There is no good way in or out, traffic is horrendous during rush hour.

[taurel]

I have been living in Tamarind Parke Lane in the Cypress Woods Subdivision since 2002 and I must emphasis that this community is just what I needed as an ex-New Yorker.
The cleanliness, peacefulness, quietness, the civil and friendly neighbours are all qualities that we
all want.
All the business about gangs, ghetto and crime are foreign to me.
I am a retiree. So, I am at home all the time. Therefore, I am qualified to give my two cents about
Tamarind Parke.

[cmj_fla]

I think crime in Poinciana is extremely exaggerated. I am there a few times a week and the only thing that makes me recommend against it is the roads. Like others have said it can get very congested and commutes can be extremely long.

[Broker Bryant]

Omteresting to read the diversified opinions. I think it really depends on our perspectives. I have been a Real Estate broker selling in Poinciana for 15 years. It's gone form a population of 7,000 to 75,000 during this time. It has changed.

It went from a quiet retirement community to a booming very diverisfied community.

There is crime but I'm not sure it's higher than other areas of similar size and demographics.

If I were looking to purchase here I would check with the police department and get the facts about crime.

[Guntersville Boomer]

The crime in that area is "growing" at a faster rate than any other area in Osceola County. Just a few days ago, a teenager was gun down outside a home there where folks were celebrating a family event. From what I understand, the teen was not a gang member and just happened to be the target of a shooter who was a gang member.

[annerk]

Regardless of any "statistics" the area doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy. Too many foreclosures and empty neighborhoods because 80% of the homes are owned as vacation villas make the area an easy target for burglaries.

There is definitely a rising problem with gang related crime.

With only one road in and out to serve the 75K population, traffic is horrendous.

From the majority of commuities in Poinciana, even running out for a gallon of milk can become a 30 minute adventure. There are few stores and restaurants within what I consider a reasonable drive.

I personally feel that the majority of the communities aren't well lit at night, which again leads to a feeling of vulnerability to crime.

There is a very, very high foreclosure rate in the area, which is leading to a lot of properties not being cared for and many HOA's are becoming dangerously underfunded due to the high rates of default on dues.

I'm sure there are a few nicer neighbrhoods in the Poinciana area, but the traffic problems alone would be enough to make me look elsewhere.