Thinking of Moving to PSL from NJ (Port St. Lucie, Melbourne: crime, houses)

[NJtoPSL]

My husband and kids are looking to move to PSL from NJ. Can anyone tell me about the Vizcaya Falls area? We looked at houses and are trying to decide to get up and relocate. How are the schools? I hear they are overcrowded and some have lotteries. Does PSL offer full day kindergarten or is it 1/2 day. HELP!!!!!!!!!! Afraid of leaving an area that I know.

PSLtoNJ

[KarenMathers]

I don't know about PSL kindergarten schedules, but I do hear the taxes are high and the schools are not good.

[TriMT7]

Hello there,

The Vizcaya Falls neighborhood is in the Saint Lucie West area, which is great for convenience to shopping and dining and I-95 and the turnpike, and near the "Torino" area, which is a made-up area in the past few years used by realtors. Saint Lucie West has a theater, and a family fun amusement type place, with bowling, mini golf, laser tage, etc. Traffic down Saint Lucie West Blvd. CAN be annoying however.

Like 98% of Port Saint Lucie, the area is safe, and Vizcaya Falls is gated. Despite its astronomical growth, PSL is STILL safer and has less crime than surrounding cities of Fort Pierce, Stuart, Vero Beach, Melbourne, etc.


Living West of the Turnpike in Port Saint Lucie will get you "red zone" schools. Many of the new schools in the area are "K-8." I actually believe that there's a K-8 very close to vizcaya Falls.

From what I understand, the Port Saint Lucie K-8's in the red zone are all rated either "A" or "B." There's three traditional elementary schools (K-5) in the red zone. Windmill Point is rated "A," while Bayshore and Manatee elementary schools are rated "C." So, try to get your child into a K-8, or Windmill Point. Port Saint Lucie doesn't necessarily send children to the "closest school," so register as soon as possible.

There are also magnet school choices in the system as well.

More information:

Saint Lucie County school board:

St. Lucie County Public Schools - SLCSB

School maps:

http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/pdf/0708ZoneMap.pdf (broken link)

School comparisons:

GreatSchools.net


And remember, it's the students and parents that "make" a school and determine how well and far a child will go. I went to Saint Lucie public schools 2nd grade through high school, graduating in 2000. Seven years of post-secondary education later, I still look back fondly on some great teachers!

[Wendyb0077]

Hi There, I moved from South Jersey to PSL in 1989. There wasn't much here at the time. Now It is a booming City. The subdivision you are talking about is in the NW part of town in the Torino Parkway area. They are still building in there, re-sales are popping up too. My son lives in that area and my grandson went to Kindergarten last year. All day!!! There are different school zones and you would have to go to the school board to find out which school your child will go to. My e-mail is wendyb0077@yahoo.com if you need more info. Wendy

[seeriously]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Despite its astronomical growth, PSL is STILL safer and has less crime than surrounding cities of Fort Pierce, Stuart, Vero Beach, Melbourne, etc.

Statistics please!! How you can lump Vero Beach in with Fort Pierce ad Melbourne is amazing. PSL is in the news weekly for busting pot growers/sellers.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by verobeach

Statistics please!! How you can lump Vero Beach in with Fort Pierce ad Melbourne is amazing. PSL is in the news weekly for busting pot growers/sellers.

I have provided these statistics time and again.


Compare Port St. Lucie to Vero Beach According to THIS site:

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and THIS site:
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Obviosuly Vero isn't as bad as Melbourne or Ft. Pierce, but don't kid yourself about the seriousness of "real crime" vs. some grow houses that are so quiet and well kept that even the neighbors don't know what's going on next door.

[LingLing]

North Fort Pierce is nice, very large houses with very large lots. I just spent whole day in my friend's home, learning horse back riding (First time in my life). They have five horses. My dog played with their three dogs all day and she is not moving much tonight. Dinner with camp fire in this chilling night. What a day. The same as Vero beach, not all areas of Ft. Pierce are bad. Oops, I just compared Vero Beach with Fort Pierce.