Vero beach area vs west palm beach area (Jupiter, Wellington: high crime, houses)

[bonbeat]

I am planning a move to either WPB area or Vero beach area. What is the better area for a family with middle school age children. I want a safe clean area and want to keep my kids away from gangs. Nice schools are important and not too far from the beach.

[FlaLadyB]

Well.. West Palm Beach is a huge area. What part ?? Preference would be the northern part of Palm Beach County -skipping the middle of WPB

[carodox]

I can't speak personally because my kids did not go school here, but many people I know who do have kids in school here, like Vero. Vero seems like an idyllic place to raise kids. The biggest downsides to Vero is if you're looking for nightlife. Vero is easy to get around, relatively safe, everything is accessible, decent government, great shopping, libraries, movie theaters, and seasonal activities.

[FlaLadyB]

West Palm Beach and Vero are SO different - like night and day when it comes to housing and things to do....
WPB has a lot of everything in housing but it's not cheap.. tons of things to do of all kinds and anything you might want.

Vero.. humm .. quiet and the opposite of WPB .. depends on what YOU want in a lifestyle

[Nolefan34]

I personally like Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens above all other areas around here especially as safe family areas with good schools. But they are also pricier than Martin, St. Lucie County, or Indian River Counties. Vero Beach is much cheaper, more laid back, far less traffic. Not sure about crime, but I would imagine the rates are similar between those areas. I would not live in West Palm Beach proper. That is a bad area with high crime and worse traffic than Vero or Jupiter.

Essentially, the closer to West Palm you live the more entertainment options you have and the more culture. But things are also more expensive in Palm Beach County. It is a trade-off.

I would also recommend checking out Stuart, Palm City, and Jensen Beach.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Nolefan34;

I would not live in West Palm Beach proper. That is a bad area with high crime and worse traffic than Vero or Jupiter.

Just curious... without looking at a map, what do you believe the actual borders of the city of "West Palm Beach proper" are?

And, are you honestly of the opinion that the entire city is the same in terms of income, demographics, and neighborhoods and crime statistics?


(For the record, the crime index in Fort Pierce is much higher than West Palm Beach).

[carodox]

Yes, some call Ft. Pierce, Port Fierce! In WPB, the areas are very different. When I have looked at houses, realtors have warned me -- you can't walk in this section at night -- stay away. The only section I like is down town around el cid, and some of the smaller neighborhoods, even Northwood. But it's all very crowded. City place is overrun with teenagers and high priced chains. It's a great 30 something city if you've got a 5 figure income. Wellington has good schools. But outside the city, you have traffic and strip malls and developments. Jupiter is a bedroom community. Pretty, affluent but it doesn't seem to have a heart. I had friends who lived there and they moved to WPB on the intracoastal because they found themselves going there 3 times a week when the lived in Jupiter. All depends on what you're looking for.