Can anyone help me to see the good side of Palm Beach County? (West Palm Beach: for sale, real estate)

[THASPECIAL]

Originally Posted by INeedAChange

He said his mother lives in WP and doesnt have a problem with the crime--don't you think he should give it more time there?

It depends.......maybe he should if he just isnt used to it yet, and maybe he shouldnt if he has actually felt threatened by what he sees in his day to day life

[blepp]

You would have a longer commute, but you should consider a move to PSL. I used to live in the DC area now and understand your frustration there, but you need to consider your baby and having him grow up in a safe place. PSL would fit the bill.

[pirate girl]

The good side of Palm Beach County is in my rearview mirror as I'm leaving. I lived there for about four years and didn't realize how bad it was until I moved away.

[NewToCA]

My sister and her husband live in an area called Singer Island, and the section is called Palm Beach Shores.

She has lived there for about 15 years now, but has asked us about possibly moving out here to California. Apparently, she has run into a significant amount of intimidation from some new occupants of rental properties, and the property crime has become a problem. She said she is even afraid to walk her dogs at night, and that was never previously a problem. She has had some vandalism the past few months, including having a dolphin fountain she has in front of the house (It has been there for over 10 years) smashed to pieces.

Any insights as to what is going on here? I thought that Marriott was developing a significant part of this area and was looking to make it safe for timeshare sales.

[PBCboy]

Originally Posted by pirate girl

The good side of Palm Beach County is in my rearview mirror as I'm leaving. I lived there for about four years and didn't realize how bad it was until I moved away.

Can you explain more?

[INeedAChange]

I think if the OP or his family had his safety threatened, he should move now, but otherwise stick it out for awhile--he did say he had a great job in WPB

Originally Posted by NewToCA

My sister and her husband live in an area called Singer Island, and the section is called Palm Beach Shores.

She has lived there for about 15 years now, but has asked us about possibly moving out here to California. Apparently, she has run into a significant amount of intimidation from some new occupants of rental properties, and the property crime has become a problem. She said she is even afraid to walk her dogs at night, and that was never previously a problem. She has had some vandalism the past few months, including having a dolphin fountain she has in front of the house (It has been there for over 10 years) smashed to pieces.

Any insights as to what is going on here? I thought that Marriott was developing a significant part of this area and was looking to make it safe for timeshare sales.

[ncbound]

grew up in wpb and hated it! Never felt safe even twenty years ago. Live in north east Boca now and like it plenty. wpb is depressing. start looking in Jupiter or Boca

[Agnes]

Megatron, I am embarrassed for the other posters here, they are not giving you any positive feedback. Geez!

I am originally from the DC area too (burbs, Arlington). I worked for several years in the city as a young adult and was so glad to move out - it was stressful, so political, everyone so harried. I landed in Florida, first Tallahassee, then West Palm Beach.

I do not care for West Palm Beach, either. There is nothing here that would "hold" me except I now am married, with kids, and my husband's career and family are here - so here we are! You just have to focus on the positive.

The WPB area has safe, pretty places to live, beautiful beaches, cultural opportunities, and for you, a good job with good money. Good things! And cost of living is still WAY cheaper than DC. You just need to find a place to live where you feel safer, and a place where you and your girlfriend and child can get some support.

Wellington and Jupiter both are safe burbs and very family-friendly. You may have to commute more but you definitely won't be in the ghetto. Great parks, medical facilities, social groups, parenting groups, sports, things to do. Personally I prefer Jupiter because it is closer to the coast.

I think if you find a safer place to live, you will enjoy this area more and be able to give it a few years. Don't move back to DC - you have just started here! The most important thing right now is to save money, be safe, and prepare for your child. Take the free parenting classes that the hospitals here offer, and have your girlfriend sign up for a local moms group - you can find them at Meetup: World's largest community of local Meetups, clubs and groups! (type in your zip code). You two will need a lot of support as new parents!

Congratulations on your soon-to-be-baby. This is a stressful but exciting time of life. I know how hard it is to relocate from another state - it is a real culture shift - but you just have to look hard for what you need. You will find it.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by pirate girl

The good side of Palm Beach County is in my rearview mirror as I'm leaving. I lived there for about four years and didn't realize how bad it was until I moved away.

Someone sounds a little bitter, I know a few people that talked this way when they left....now they are wishing they never did. Come winter I always send them a box of oranges.

[ikemcfadden]

Like any city, West Palm has good and bad areas, plusses and negatives. It's all a matter of perspective. Does WPB have more crime than St. Augustine? Most likely. But, that's true of any city with 100-times the population of a tiny town like St. Augustine. It also has a far more diverse economy, which means far greater job opportunities, cultural opportunities and activities.

Personally, I've lived in a variety of neighborhoods in PB County and never felt intimidated or worried about crime. AND...I've even had my house broken into in a WPB neighborhood. But, I've also lived in Los Angeles, DC, New York and London...and the economic/crime/gang/racial issues in WPB really can't hold a candle to those cities, which are all quite a good bit worse. As I said, it really depends on your perspective and to what you are comparing West Palm Beach.

Personally, I think it's a fine mid-size city, with plenty to do and lots of interesting people. It's large enough to provide a variety of opportunities and activities, and yet small enough for you to feel like a member of a community where you can really get to know the other "locals". Personally, I like WPB better than any of the aforementioned cities I mentioned. Having lived all over the world, Palm Beach County is, for me at least, a fine place to live where the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks.

Of course, in the end, relative measurements like "crime" and subjective asessments like "good" and "bad" are all in the eye of the beholder. The handful of times when I didn't "like where I was at"...I found in hindsight said more about my psychology and frame of mind at the moment than any objective reality I was experiencing.