West Palm Beach: year-round community? (renting, house, neighborhoods)

[wendydelyo]

Hi,
My husband and I will be moving to Florida in June, and are considering West Palm Beach. We will be empty-nesters by then (yikes!) and have an office in the WPB area. We are looking to get settled in a vibrant year-round community since we will be living there during the summers and I worry it would feel too quiet if all of our neighbors packed up and left for a few months or more. I love the El Cid neighborhood (and south of it), and am planning to head down soon to take a closer look. I would appreciate any input on whether this area near downtown is primarily snowbirds, or if there are professionals living there as well. Thank you so much for any insight!

[klaucka]

we almost bought in el cid but ended up going to delray given my husbands office was in boca at the time. we really wish we had bought in el cid, for the very reason you state as it is a lot less touristy and has much more of a "resident" feel. you wont regret el cid.

[TriMT7]

Yes, it's increasingly becoming a year-round city. I think the historic neighborhoods near downtown are mostly residents. I live in Flamingo Park and on my street I can't think of any residents who are seasonal. This may or may not apply to El Cid.

Granted, things really still do pick up during "season," but by the end of it it's nice to have the restaurants back!

[Tamika929]

Originally Posted by wendydelyo

Hi,
My husband and I will be moving to Florida in June, and are considering West Palm Beach. We will be empty-nesters by then (yikes!) and have an office in the WPB area. We are looking to get settled in a vibrant year-round community since we will be living there during the summers and I worry it would feel too quiet if all of our neighbors packed up and left for a few months or more. I love the El Cid neighborhood (and south of it), and am planning to head down soon to take a closer look. I would appreciate any input on whether this area near downtown is primarily snowbirds, or if there are professionals living there as well. Thank you so much for any insight!

Hi honey glad to hear you are interested in west palm beach. West palm beach is never ever ever quiet, neighbors always start arguments here and the people I saw seem obnoxious. I moved away to a better town now.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Tamika929

Hi honey glad to hear you are interested in west palm beach. West palm beach is never ever ever quiet, neighbors always start arguments here and the people I saw seem obnoxious. I moved away to a better town now.

Lol, I assure you. Wherever you lived in West Palm was not and is not El Cid or South of Southern, which is what the OP appears to be interested in.

Your opinion and experience is noted over and over again for anyone who appears to be moving into a less desirable part of town.

Thank you.

[wendydelyo]

Thank you, TrMT7 and klaucka! Your insight is so helpful, and what I was hoping to hear. We are heading down to look in a few weeks. My husband would love to skip renting since it's so expensive, and try to buy something in the Flamingo Park area. My dream home in Sunshine Park just went under contract but I'm hoping we might be able to find something else in that area even if it needs a little "love". Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts!

[klaucka]

Wendy, good luck in your house hunt, you will really enjoy living there. The season here in Delray has gotten so insane we head up to restaurants in WPB a few times a week. In addition to the more residential / professional feel, I think the restaurants are better up there as well.