What are the worst areas in Lake Worth? (West Palm Beach, Palm Beach: condo, crime)

[SBIMISS]

I am doing some research for a friend that lives out of state. She is looking to move to the Lake Worth area. I am a resident of Boca but never ventured to Lake Worth and know little to no info about the area. I have heard some terrible things as well as great things about this small city. I am wondering what areas and their locations (i.e.cross streets or main aves. ect.)I should avoid. I am looking for info. on crime ridden and drug neighborhoods and their locations. That way I will know to give her suggestions other than these areas. Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

[TriMT7]

I don't know much about Lake Worth, but I do recall driving through a particular area once and thinking I was in a third world country. I've heard there's also a big problem with Haitian gangs... again, however, I'm not certain of the locations of those neighbohoods.

The "Alphabet" streets apparently are turning for the worst these days, and if you look at this "homocide map" for West Palm Beach, there is a cluster of murders around Lucerne/Lake Ave:

Homicides in the Palm Beach County for 2007



I believe "College Park," in Northeastern Lake Worth is a nice, safe area, as is very Western Lake Worth.

[ikemcfadden]

In general, the areas of Lake Worth to especially avoid, unless you are highly adventurous, are those sections, West to East, lodged between I-95 and Dixie Highway. Like much of Palm Beach County, that area is saddled between two active railroad tracks, often not more than 4-5 blocks wide in places. In general, there's not a lot of nice neighborhoods situated between parallel railroad tracks...but that's equally true in West Palm Beach or Delray, etc.

Most anything between Federal Highway (US1) and the intracoastal waterway is reasonably safe (and in some areas quite quiet and expensive).

Also, there are many decent, if not fancy, neighborhoods 4-5 blocks North and South of the main downtown strip of Lake Ave and Lucernce.

Lake Worth is slowly going thru a gentrification period. It has a nice, funky downtown with surf shops, a dozen nice restaurants and bars and antique shops. Because the town has traditionally been more lower-income than some other towns like Delray, the process is spotty and incomplete at current.

But the upside is that, while there are still sketchy areas near downtown, there are likewise numerous young people, artists, and similar folks in the area. Lake Worth is far and away one of the cheapest places in Palm Beach Country where one can afford to live this close to the beach.

I live in a condo a few blocks from downtown and the intracoastal. The same location in Delray or Boca would be 200% more expensive, minimum.

Having said that, if you're not comfortable with diversity and are only used to suburbia, it's probably not for you. But if you're comfortable being around a wide range of people...then you'll be fine. It's not as dangerous as some posters make it out to be. Everything is relative.

[nibor]

Originally Posted by SBIMISS

I am doing some research for a friend that lives out of state. She is looking to move to the Lake Worth area. I am a resident of Boca but never ventured to Lake Worth and know little to no info about the area. I have heard some terrible things as well as great things about this small city. I am wondering what areas and their locations (i.e.cross streets or main aves. ect.)I should avoid. I am looking for info. on crime ridden and drug neighborhoods and their locations. That way I will know to give her suggestions other than these areas. Any info. would be greatly appreciated.

I have a friend who lives in Lake Worth off Jog Road just south of Lantana. She's been there for about 7 years and really likes her home, neighbors, and says her son's elementary school is very good. She hasn't had any crime-related problems.

[PBCboy]

MOD CUT-

Originally Posted by nibor

I have a friend who lives in Lake Worth off Jog Road just south of Lantana. She's been there for about 7 years and really likes her home, neighbors, and says her son's elementary school is very good. She hasn't had any crime-related problems.

That is West Boynton, not Lake Worth.

[Alphaman]

I think lower income sounds better then lower class, People can be Poor but still have class, sounds so degrading if you ask me.

As if money makes someone a better human being.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Alphaman

I think lower income sounds better then lower class, People can be Poor but still have class, sounds so degrading if you ask me.

As if money makes someone a better human being.

I sometimes use the term lower "class" but when I say that, I am literally talking about class in itself. I totally agree with you, I think it's degrading. There are some really low class high income people too!

[nibor]

Originally Posted by PBCboy

MOD CUT-




That is West Boynton, not Lake Worth.

No, I'm sure it's Lake Worth, that's what her address says anyway.

[Manny561]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

I don't know much about Lake Worth, but I do recall driving through a particular area once and thinking I was in a third world country. I've heard there's also a big problem with Haitian gangs... again, however, I'm not certain of the locations of those neighbohoods.

The "Alphabet" streets apparently are turning for the worst these days, and if you look at this "homocide map" for West Palm Beach, there is a cluster of murders around Lucerne/Lake Ave:

Homicides in the Palm Beach County for 2007



I believe "College Park," in Northeastern Lake Worth is a nice, safe area, as is very Western Lake Worth.

Yes college park is the only completely safe neighborhood in lake worth. anything south of lake ave is the area you really dont wanna walk around in. but if your friend is moving to lake worth then they should definately stay in college park.

[PBCboy]

Originally Posted by nibor

No, I'm sure it's Lake Worth, that's what her address says anyway.

West Boynton uses Lake Worth addresses, but it's not really in Lake Worth. It's just a mailing address.