Safe areas in Palm Beach County? Should I just stay in NYC?

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by bocamom

.....The beach is great, but most people move here and don't even go to the beach or understand how to enjoy the beach....

Is that true of all of south Florida? If so, what a shame. I come from the mid atlantic where, when summer finally hits, people treat the beach like a necessity! Every weekend, kids and adults loaded up with beach chairs, body boards, and coolers, ready for a great day in the fun & sun. An amazing way of life shared by most of the people here.... almost indescribable.

Was thinking of relocating to keep the same lifestyle but more year round. Seems like I'd be one of the few enjoying it if thats true.

[gregm]

Originally Posted by kevmacdylan

I am moving from New York with my wife and 6 month old son. We are looking to rent for a year, then buy. Safety is our main concern as is education. Recommendations?

Everything I've read refers to PBC as a cesspool of crime. I may just stay in NY if it's gotten that bad.

Like NY isn't. lol

Crime reports are like back operations. You never hear about the successful ones, only the one that had problems. Last time I looked "good news" didn't sell on tv, just the bad, and there is a share of that to go around.

Palm Beach County is the size of the state of CT. There are close to a million people living here. There is bound to be crime with that size and numbers. Yes there are areas that the rate is higher as it is in all areas of the country. But to just label PBC a crime capitol that effects everyday people is just silly. I have lived in the same area for 18 years and we have had only one B&E in all that time. And that was a local kid who would have done it anywhere he lived.

So don't freak out with the doomers here on CDF. Most of them have never spent time in the better areas for whatever reason.

[DaniellaG]

What is new for me coming from out of state is how a city can have patches of good and patches of bad. Where I am from in MI it is a suburb and basically a whole city is either good,fair,or bad. There is no west side of the city is good and the east side is bad with ok on X street. It is so confusing to me. I am not that familiar with NY but I thought they have their share of crime.
Did the poster move yet as this was started awhile ago?

[parle75]

Originally Posted by ZeroOne

Is that true of all of south Florida? If so, what a shame. I come from the mid atlantic where, when summer finally hits, people treat the beach like a necessity! Every weekend, kids and adults loaded up with beach chairs, body boards, and coolers, ready for a great day in the fun & sun. An amazing way of life shared by most of the people here.... almost indescribable.

Was thinking of relocating to keep the same lifestyle but more year round. Seems like I'd be one of the few enjoying it if thats true.

Key words: "When summer finally hits ..."

Unlike the Mid-Atlantic, we generally have two seasons in South Florida: rain or shine. For those of us who live here, "summer" is here mostly all of the time. The beach is there all of the time; it isn't going anywhere.

I don't know anyone who goes to the beach every weekend or every other weekend or even once a month and I am a South Florida native who has lived in West Palm Beach 10 years. That's not to say that no one who lives here goes to the beach regularly. I'm sure many do.

But when you can go to the beach any day you want, there's no rush. It's also very hot, humid and "stormy" down here in the summer and the sun is no joke, so IF I go to the beach, I go in what the rest of the country knows as the "winter" or "fall" months.

Getting to the beach takes some effort, too. It's not very far, but it is a trip, depending on where you live and what kind of mood you're in. It can take me anywhere from 30 minutes or more to get to the beach from where I live.

You can relocate here and keep the same lifestyle year-round. You won't be one of the few to enjoy the beach because many people do, esp. during the long holiday weekends.

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by parle75

Key words: "When summer finally hits ..."

Unlike the Mid-Atlantic, we generally have two seasons in South Florida: rain or shine. For those of us who live here, "summer" is here mostly all of the time. The beach is there all of the time; it isn't going anywhere.

I don't know anyone who goes to the beach every weekend or every other weekend or even once a month and I am a South Florida native who has lived in West Palm Beach 10 years. That's not to say that no one who lives here goes to the beach regularly. I'm sure many do.

But when you can go to the beach any day you want, there's no rush. It's also very hot, humid and "stormy" down here in the summer and the sun is no joke, so IF I go to the beach, I go in what the rest of the country knows as the "winter" or "fall" months.

Getting to the beach takes some effort, too. It's not very far, but it is a trip, depending on where you live and what kind of mood you're in. It can take me anywhere from 30 minutes or more to get to the beach from where I live.

You can relocate here and keep the same lifestyle year-round. You won't be one of the few to enjoy the beach because many people do, esp. during the long holiday weekends.

Thank you for that info. Nice to hear what someone actually living there has to say. You're right... hadn't thought of the fact that we're all in a rush for beach time in the mid-atlantic and north. We're all crazy about it because it is taken away for half of the year. This year we were robbed of June, and an early fall in September. Only 2 months of the beautiful upper 80s and humidity.

I hear you on the communte though. I'm assuming it depends on traffic? There are times here where the tourists have the roads so clogged that it takes (literally) one hour to go about 3 miles (Saturday mornings). The beaches fill up, and the parking is gone, unless you know the secret spots. In the winter, that drive takes around 5 minutes.

[parle75]

Originally Posted by ZeroOne

Thank you for that info. Nice to hear what someone actually living there has to say. You're right... hadn't thought of the fact that we're all in a rush for beach time in the mid-atlantic and north. We're all crazy about it because it is taken away for half of the year. This year we were robbed of June, and an early fall in September. Only 2 months of the beautiful upper 80s and humidity.

I hear you on the communte though. I'm assuming it depends on traffic? There are times here where the tourists have the roads so clogged that it takes (literally) one hour to go about 3 miles (Saturday mornings). The beaches fill up, and the parking is gone, unless you know the secret spots. In the winter, that drive takes around 5 minutes.

You're so welcome! I hear you about the humidity. I hate humidity!!! It's HORRIBLE here in the summer. I decided this year that summer is my least favorite season here. Ugh!

The beach trip definitely depends on traffic, but it also depends on which beach you want to go to, too. There are so many! I have my favs, which are all at least 30-45 mins away each way, depending on the day and time of day I go. West Palm Beach doesn't even have a beach so you have to go to Palm Beach's beach. It's across the bridge, but it's worth the trip. It's pretty nice.

My fav beaches are mostly in the northern part of the county and those tend to be less crowded, which I like. Those are the ones in Juno, Jupiter Beach and Tequesta. I also like Delray's beach, but that one can get crowded. It's one of the nicer ones here though. Parking is a bit trickier for Delray's beach, too, so it takes a while to find a parking space. I have no probs in north county.

Perhaps, I should visit the beach more often than I do. I think like anywhere else though I get so caught up in trying to live and get through day-to-day stuff that I just kind of forget about it. :-/

[ZeroOne]

Originally Posted by parle75

You're so welcome! I hear you about the humidity. I hate humidity!!! It's HORRIBLE here in the summer. I decided this year that summer is my least favorite season here. Ugh!

The beach trip definitely depends on traffic, but it also depends on which beach you want to go to, too. There are so many! I have my favs, which are all at least 30-45 mins away each way, depending on the day and time of day I go. West Palm Beach doesn't even have a beach so you have to go to Palm Beach's beach. It's across the bridge, but it's worth the trip. It's pretty nice.

My fav beaches are mostly in the northern part of the county and those tend to be less crowded, which I like. Those are the ones in Juno, Jupiter Beach and Tequesta. I also like Delray's beach, but that one can get crowded. It's one of the nicer ones here though. Parking is a bit trickier for Delray's beach, too, so it takes a while to find a parking space. I have no probs in north county.

Perhaps, I should visit the beach more often than I do. I think like anywhere else though I get so caught up in trying to live and get through day-to-day stuff that I just kind of forget about it. :-/

As you mentioned before, with the year 'round nature of the beach, it's not hard to get focused on a routine. I do that here sometimes... but the reality checks start to come in August when the night time lows dip, signaling the impending fall.

One thing though... I wasn't being sarcastic about the humidity! Love it! (Strange, I know.) Feels like you have to wait all year here for July-August weather! Fun to escape into the ocean on a kayak for relief and to catch a few waves!

Not even there yet, and we already like the same beaches! Juno and Jupiter look very nice (from what you can see on the internet anyway). There is one thing that is hard to determine about that area though (been researching this to death), so maybe you wouldn't mind sharing your opinion?

In many coastal communities around the country, year 'round and seasonal, (Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Huntington Beach, CA, Duval in Key West, as well as certain streets in Boston, the beaches of DE, MD, and NJ) there is always a "center of town" where eveyone seems to go, to get out and do things. Each have a different feel... some like a popular main street, others like a carnival or boardwalk, but always that big attraction that is very "family", active, and walkable. Something an area prides itself on, in a way.

Where are the areas with lots of safe, walkable streets (retail, restaurants, fun stuff, etc)?? I try not to compare, but this is something that can be found almost everywhere. For someone considering living coastally in the northern 1/2 to 1/3 of Palm Beach county, it seems you'd have to drive as far as Hollywood Beach or Miami Beach for that level of activity. Just trying to understand, as I can't seem to find these on the maps.

Sorry for such a long question, it's just very important to me and I appreciate your perspective.

[DaniellaG]

I also think the amount of times one does these activities you are stating will depend on what point you are in your life. If you are retired,working 9 to 5,single,with a new family etc. One has less time with a 9 to 5 job for ex. I am from a state that has a limited hot months and winter is 7 months so yes on the nice days one knows they must take advantage of it because being in doors is 7 months of the year unless you ski. The heat/humidity does take a toll but for me it is better then the 7 inches one may get or even more and you still must get to work. That is traffic at its worst. I know some though who love winter.
From what I heard Delray has a cute beach town. Also someone told me also about Palm Beach and I went through it for 5 min and saw a lot of outdoor shopping and the ocean. The gentleman I was speaking with froom there said it was the CA of FL. I don't know if that is true as I have lived in CA for awhile and now FL and I think FL is not like CA at all.

[Reedsmit]

I have lived in the Jupiter / Tequesta area for 30 years and raised two children here. I do not live in a gated community or Home Owner Association, I do not have an alarm system and I know my neighbors.

The beaches are beautiful, if you enjoy fishing, boating, golfing, the area has it all. We have spring training at Roger Dean Stadium, a very nice mall in Palm Beach Gardens.

My children attended Limestone Creek Elementary, the parents were very involved in the school and it was a great experience. When it was time to go on to High School each of them went to a Magnet School which you had to apply and be accepted to. Each of the schools were in the top 100 schools in the Nation.

There are year round activities and sports for the children through the Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association. There is also many fine churches.

Jupiter / Tequesta has a small town feel to it. But there is an exit for I-95 and the Turnpike, it is 2 1/2 hours north to Orlanda, 2 hours north to Kennedy Space Center, 2 hours south to Miami.

The Kravis Center for Performing Arts is an easy 30 min. drive. They always have a wonder calander of events including world class performances.

As any where there is crime of some sort, but the amount of crime and type of crime is very minimal here. If you go to do an internet search on Tequesta, FL you can read the daily Police Reports. The majority of which seem to be traffic stops.

Definately do not look at Lake Park, Rivieria Beach, Lake Worth and many areas of West Palm Beach.
Jupiter, Tequesta, Boca Raton, Wellington - these are all wonderful family communities.

And I would not hesitate living in any of them.