What is going in Port Saint Lucie??? (Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach: real estate, foreclosures)

[kareybear]

I have been reading thread after thread about Port Saint Lucie. I am curious what is really going on here. Can you give me some better pros and cons about port saint lucie? I am well aware about job is very slim in the area and we don't have to worry about that because my husband will have to travel no matter what. House prices are great right now and at least I can afford a home now.What is the hem and ha about the school system? Is it the busing? or because your child has to go to another school than the one closer to your home? Does it really matter? Isn't all the school just the same at PSL????? People keep mentioning there is nothing to do. Doing some research you can do soccor,basketball,baseball,swimming and a swim team,play at the park,gymnastics,dance,movies,minature golfing,shopping centers and even have a ymca.What is there not to do? What is wrong with the beaches? You have to travel far? is it dirty and not pretty? crowded? parking???What????? I grew up with beaches all my life and california is way crowded,Nc has little crowd and is beautiful and I am thinking the beaches in PSL areas can't be that bad. So Please tell me the real truth about Port Saint Lucie??? Thank you for your time.

[TriMT7]

kareybear, I grew up in Port St. Lucie, and yes, went to St. Lucie County Schools (back when we REALLY had a "bussing" problem, with kids from Western PSL being bussed up to FORT PIERCE!


Port St. Lucie has changed IMMENSELY in recent years. When I go back, I sometimes hardly recognize the place, for both good and bad. It's not the most "happening" place to be, but I have friends in New York City who say after a long day at work, all they want to do is chill at home. I live in downtown West Palm Beach and I feel the same way the vast majority of nights.


As for schools, I think people are overdramatic about PSL schools. People need to understand that you can send your kid to the best school in the country, but they will always be limited by 1) their natural aptitude, and 2) YOUR EFFORT AS A PARENT.

Education starts at home. I spent a LOT of free time as a kid reading ON MY OWN. Most of what I "know," I didn't learn in school. Indeed, in places like St. Lucie COunty, where all schools receive the same funding as all other schools and arguably draw from the same teacher talent pool, the ONLY thing I can see that distinguishes why a particular school does "better" on test scores than others are because of the "education culture" the attendees of schools come from.


That being said, PSL is not for everyone. It's a working middle class to middle class town that is good for families and people who want to own a nice home in a city that is all in all very safe. It is still reeling from growing pains and abuse by housing speculators. It has problems, but they're not exactly "unique" to PSL.

If you want glitz and glamour, however, move to Palm Beach County.

[kareybear]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

kareybear, I grew up in Port St. Lucie, and yes, went to St. Lucie County Schools (back when we REALLY had a "bussing" problem, with kids from Western PSL being bussed up to FORT PIERCE!


Port St. Lucie has changed IMMENSELY in recent years. When I go back, I sometimes hardly recognize the place, for both good and bad. It's not the most "happening" place to be, but I have friends in New York City who say after a long day at work, all they want to do is chill at home. I live in downtown West Palm Beach and I feel the same way the vast majority of nights.


As for schools, I think people are overdramatic about PSL schools. People need to understand that you can send your kid to the best school in the country, but they will always be limited by 1) their natural aptitude, and 2) YOUR EFFORT AS A PARENT.

Education starts at home. I spent a LOT of free time as a kid reading ON MY OWN. Most of what I "know," I didn't learn in school. Indeed, in places like St. Lucie COunty, where all schools receive the same funding as all other schools and arguably draw from the same teacher talent pool, the ONLY thing I can see that distinguishes why a particular school does "better" on test scores than others are because of the "education culture" the attendees of schools come from.


That being said, PSL is not for everyone. It's a working middle class to middle class town that is good for families and people who want to own a nice home in a city that is all in all very safe. It is still reeling from growing pains and abuse by housing speculators. It has problems, but they're not exactly "unique" to PSL.

If you want glitz and glamour, however, move to Palm Beach County.

Thank You for your honest answer. I am not about glitz and glamour. I am trying to get a feel if I want to live in that area. I am a stay at home mom and your right education has to be at home and at school. Not just rely on the school. Not a "Happening" place??? What does that mean for the teenager or adults because I already mention stuff for the younger ones to do. Can you please explain what you mean not a happening place???? Are there still local living in this area or is it a vast majority of people all over or just from New York like you mention that is living PSL???? Correct me if I am wrong people that move to PSL from New York are looking for a slower pace lifestyle and warmer climate.

[TriMT7]

Kaley, when I say, "happening place," I typically mean there is no real "night life" scene, though from what I've been told that is changing. It's not a big city though. For all purposes, it's an exurb of West Palm Beach, with some cultural offerings in Stuart. It used to be a bedroom community alone. At its founding, it was never intended to get as big as it has, I believe, and I think that PSL will continue to add to its own entertainment choices, however. Again, there's so much more now to do than there used to be.

Don't worry about activities for the kids though, there are plenty of organizations and sports leagues, etc. I don't remember having too much time to be bored as a teenager, because I played soccer, got into drama dept in highschool, and had a job, lol.

Shopping has gotten a LOT better in Port St. Lucie than it used to be, and I believe there are plans for an outlet mall in Tradition.


I agree. PSL is to move to for a slower pace of life. Some people like it, others do not. PSL doesn't really have very many locals. It was only established in 1960-something. It is mostly populated by people from NY/NJ/PA/CT..... and increasingly, people from further South in Florida who are escaping high prices and such (many in PSL argue that this migration from the South is creating new problems for the city.)



Port St. Lucie is a HUGE, spread out city with many different neighborhoods and areas. Definitely take your time to search out good areas. There's maybe only two areas in PSL I would recommend against, and even then, as far as "bad" areas go, they aren't even CLOSE to being comparable to the "bad" areas of West Palm Beach!

[Lilybeans]

Port St. Lucie is a giant bedroom community. Unfortunately, it was one of the areas that was severely impacted by the real estate boom and bust. There are a huge number of foreclosures there and more everyday. As a result, there are whole neighborhoods full of empty homes. The city's tax revenues are falling but the budget is based on the old tax rates; as a result the city is looking at a 15%-20% shortfall. Budget cuts are going to have to come from somewhere.

There has even been talk that Port St. Lucie may have to declare bankruptcy.

Just some things to think about, that's all.

[kareybear]

TriMT 7 what are those so called bad neighborhoods? if you don't mind telling me.
Lilybeans what happens if the PSL declares bankruptcy. They can't just walk away from the community.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by kareybear

TriMT 7 what are those so called bad neighborhoods? if you don't mind telling me.
Lilybeans what happens if the PSL declares bankruptcy. They can't just walk away from the community.

Parks Edge/Windmill Point is typically the less desirable area to live in, along with a few streets over by Sportsman's park.

Again, these places aren't "bad" by most people's standards, but they tend to be high-renter areas with lower income people in them, and for some reason that tends to attract crime more than other places.

What sort of neighborhood are you looking for? Gated/Non-gated? Tradition? Golf club? Upscale?

[Lilybeans]

If a city goes bankrupt, they have to start finding a way to balance the budget and pay bills. That means tax increases and less services. It may mean special assessments. It could mean less police protection, or no new public works or any other way the city can find to cut expenses.

Even if they don't go bankrupt, these things are still in the cards. Cities have to live within their means. The only options they have are to slash budgets (services) or raise taxes.

[kareybear]

I am looking for a 3bd/2bath with inground pool in backyard. Not a gated community,no golf course and no hoa fees. We are middle class workers and don't need anything fancy. Just to be able to afford a home. We would like neighborhood that is safe to walk a dog,ride a bike and able to go to the beach once in awhile. Have excess to activity to keep kids busy.

[Lilybeans]

Remember that PSL has no beach access. You have to go north to Ft. Pierce or south to Jensen Beach. You should also consider Jensen.