Cost of living in PBC, is this possible? (Orlando, Wellington: apartment complexes, rentals)

[AGM-246]

Ok it's been 14 yrs since we lived in W.PalmBch. We are planning to leave the Orlando area and move back to WPB area in May/June so I need to know what its like now a days.

I KNOW the cost of living is more down there compared to O-town so I want to present our circumstances and would love to here thoughts from those who currently live in PBC.

Hubby is transferring to a new office in Riviera Beach. We do not need to live in Riviera Beach, which is fine.....cause we rather not.
*The most he can commute is 15-20 minutes from the office (he works on the road, in and out of the office.)
we have 2 kids, a dog! We plan to purchase a home but we want to rent for a year first before making that decision.

*We have to live below are means for a year so we are looking around $1200-$1300 for a rental.
Is this possible? Is that price range going to put us in the dumps?
We are looking for family friendly neighborhoods. We are going to be homeschooling so schools are not really the focus, but a good school district would be nice. And would like to be close to everything.

I know the rental market is scarce, so can anyone also recommend any property management companies that is professional and trustworthy?

Sorry for all the questions. We do plan to make a few trips first. TIA

[THX 1138]

It's doable, probably an apartment complex, you will probably find out that most apartment complexes have mixed reviews and it typically calls for some investigation and time on your part, visiting the complex and asking some residents how it is. Biggest complaint I hear is noise, late night parties, door slamming, lack of parking spots and dogs barking all hours of the night.

[AGM-246]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

It's doable, probably an apartment complex, you will probably find out that most apartment complexes have mixed reviews and it typically calls for some investigation and time on your part, visiting the complex and asking some residents how it is. Biggest complaint I hear is noise, late night parties, door slamming, lack of parking spots and dogs barking all hours of the night.

So $1200-$1300 will only get us an apartment anywhere in Palm Beach County?

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by AGM-246

So $1200-$1300 will only get us an apartment anywhere in Palm Beach County?

On average yes...maybe a townhome if you can find one. Demand is insane....be sure to have enough funds if you go private...first...last...security is a lot of money up front.

[AGM-246]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

It's doable, probably an apartment complex, you will probably find out that most apartment complexes have mixed reviews and it typically calls for some investigation and time on your part, visiting the complex and asking some residents how it is. Biggest complaint I hear is noise, late night parties, door slamming, lack of parking spots and dogs barking all hours of the night.

Thanks for the info. I hate apartments!! I'll have to except the fact that a townhouse will have to do. I can handle a th.

I'm looking at Wellington, or Palm Bach Gardens area. Not sure where in W. Palm to look. Villages of Palm Bch? Not sure how it is now a days

[071402]

Today I was in Mira Flores apartments , palm beach gardens. They're nice! and what a great location. Not sure about much else, maybe they're well priced? anyone know or live near there.

You can walk or bike to whole foods, the mall, all these cool restaurants. Plus, again, I think it's probably 2 miles or so to the beach. HEAVEN!

[AGM-246]

Originally Posted by 071402

Today I was in Mira Flores apartments , palm beach gardens. They're nice! and what a great location. Not sure about much else, maybe they're well priced? anyone know or live near there.

You can walk or bike to whole foods, the mall, all these cool restaurants. Plus, again, I think it's probably 2 miles or so to the beach. HEAVEN!

I'm from Broward County and use to live by the beach.. but I've been living in Orlando the past 9 years....2 miles to the beach would be Heaven for us as well, I miss it so much.
I know of a lot of apartments down there are nice,. Unfortunately apartments are out of the question for us. 2 kids an a dog!!! I rather pay a lot more $$for a townhouse than an apartment. At least with a townhouse we only have to worry about neighbors on our sides, not above or/and below. know what I mean?

[SXN]

I lived a mira flores a year or two ago. They kept cycling through property management people, so hopefully now is better. Location is awesome, apartments are decent. When I was there, they were renovating apartments. The new ones looked nice, but not sure if they are in the OP's price range anymore.

Mix of different people living there, no safety issues, but I didn't like it. Lots of people employed at Downtown at the Gardens and nearby restaurants live there. So you'd always have people coming off their shift at odd hours making noise. Nothing like getting woken up at 1 AM on a weekday by people coming home from a shift and deciding to drink and mess around in the parking lot.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by AGM-246

Thanks for the info. I hate apartments!! I'll have to except the fact that a townhouse will have to do. I can handle a th.

I'm looking at Wellington, or Palm Bach Gardens area. Not sure where in W. Palm to look. Villages of Palm Bch? Not sure how it is now a days

It's slim pickens, a lot of townhomes are probably in your price range but having a pet will make it more difficult. A lot of landlords won't accept pets, most if not all of the apartment complexes do.

Wellington is expensive as is PBG, the places you see in either location that are sub $1300/month are not that great. There were some rentals in PBG that were nice, older Divosta build single level quads off, but they go fast and many private owners don't accept pets.

I have seen some rentals in Sun Terrace at the Oaks in PBG, but they tend to go fast.

[Galan]

I see tons of rentals on the market. As a matter of fact, there are multiple rental units in my neighborhood right now that have sat vacant for more than a month. I don't agree at all that you'll get something for $1200 per month. $1600-$1800 is what I see - and that's for a 1800sf townhouse. Then again, maybe that's why the rentals in my neighborhood (all of which are houses) are still vacant. For $1200 per month you're looking at a condo that's 1100sf or so. That's pretty small.