Should I relocate to Port St Lucie????? (Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach: rentals, crime)

[BigMike1]

Hey everyone, I just received a nice job offer in Port St Lucie. I have never been in southeastern Florida so I am unsure whether or not to accept. Don't know anything about the area. I am married with 3 kids, and would love a little input about crime (very important), schools and recreational activities. Is it a great area to raise a family? Thanks so much for any help you can give me.

[PBCboy]

Make sure you move to the western, more upscale section if you want the best schools (west of the turn pike). Overall the area is growing very rapidly right now, it was on the safest cities list but with the huge population moving there from bigger cities I doubt it will stay that way. However it is safer than any city its size in Florida and the crime is relatively low. Unfortunately the beach is pretty far from that area and hurricanes hit hard, but it doesn't have the gang problems and other crap that other areas in Florida face (such as Palm Beach County further south of it). Overall it's a good place to live right now.

[SKB]

You can get fantastic deals on rentals out that way, homes are not selling in PSL at all right now.

[pslOldTimer]

Go up one step to the Florida index, and look for the button to "Search this Forum". Enter Port St. Lucie in the text box. There has been a lot written about PSL over the last year. You will see every type of opinion and discussions of almost anything you can think of, from crime to schools to restaurants to hurricanes.

Try to determine who actually lives or lived in PSL to determine how much weight to give their opinion. Remember that some folks will not be happy anywhere.

If you still have questions after digesting all that, fire away...

[ddlove01]

I've lived in PSL since '93 and pslOldTimer has been here for 30+ years. I agree with his post that you definitely need to check stuff out before moving ANYWHERE! I am moving to NC by the end of the year, and yes, I will miss PSL (I graduated from high school and college in St. Lucie County), but our family needs a change and we researched for over a year before taking the plunge.

PBCboy - Regarding western PSL being more ...If you are talking Tradition, then that's one thing, but most of the western area is the same as all other areas in PSL. The main problem with "west of the TPike" is TRAFFIC! It's gotten a little better, but still awfully crowded around rush hour.

BigMike1, if you don't mind me asking, what kind of work are you in? A lot of people on this board are familiar with the job market in PSL, maybe we could help you out : )

Originally Posted by PBCboy

Make sure you move to the western, more upscale section if you want the best schools (west of the turn pike). Overall the area is growing very rapidly right now, it was on the safest cities list but with the huge population moving there from bigger cities I doubt it will stay that way. However it is safer than any city its size in Florida and the crime is relatively low. Unfortunately the beach is pretty far from that area and hurricanes hit hard, but it doesn't have the gang problems and other crap that other areas in Florida face (such as Palm Beach County further south of it). Overall it's a good place to live right now.

[tao]

Thought I'd share some pics of Port St. Lucie and the Treasure Coast:

[SKB]

I was wondering why this page was taking so long to load.
My goodness those pictures are beautiful indeed. Are you the photographer?

Thanks for sharing those, simply amazing.

[tao]

Thanks! Yes, I'm the photographer. This area is great for taking beautiful shots. You just can't beat the natural beauty of the ocean and the beach!

[momix5]

We are thinking of PSL also, how about some pictures of down town areas, and developments!

[SKB]

If you like gated, Tradition is simply beautiful, a really good place for families.