Is Lake Worth a Ghetto? (Lakeside: foreclosed, HOA, motels)

[Andyouare?]

Really appreciate your responses, thanks; just helps a lot to have your insiders' perspectives.

Yes, walkable is subjective, I understand. I guess I'm picturing having a range of options along a 2 mile stretch, with a good portion within 1/2 mile before actually setting off on a hike. And then there is the sun to contend with in the hotter seasons. What I have encountered in WPB near the Turnpike is 1/4 mile to the gate of a community, then no sidewalks on Okeechobee and another mile to strip malls. Doesn't seem worth taking my life in my hands (between traffic and the sun) to get to that. The south of Okeecho. area you mention TriMT7 sounds promising to me. And thanks for the Jupiter tip; I'll take a look.

Rainroosty, really? I mean would I actually be in danger or is it just a diverse area?

Kozmic Ninja, for me it's probably equal wishes between livability & sustainability; actually for me it's hard to separate! For example, don't like to think of living without a library in walking distance.. But I know I'm spoiled; I'm not expecting perfection. Where do you ride a bike? Not on the side of main thoroughfares, do you? That might scare me, especially with the aged drivers. You're pretty perceptive to say "used clothing store, a natural food co-op and a coffee house all on the same block, not going to happen" How'd you know I'm missing Cambridge (MA) already??

[Reedsmit]

Originally Posted by Andyouare?

Okay folks, now I'm confused... I'm moving down to FL very soon, and was hoping Lake Worth was a good place for me because I want to live somewhere a little older, more charm, interesting, walking distance to shops, library, grocery store, etc. I want to be able to walk home at night and be home without feeling in danger. Without getting mugged and/or burglarized every year... or worse. So is it possible to live in Lake Worth, or anywhere else in the general Palm Beach Country area, and be able to walk to anything interesting safely? Or am I just going to have to resign myself to live in a gated community where I must drive to get to anything? Any advice, help, benefit of your experience will be much appreciated. Thanks.

There are areas of W.P.B. that you may enjoy living in.

Personally I would suggest P.B.G. near Legacy Place, it is NOT old. It is new, but it is a nice area, you can walk to shops, grocery stores, Library, you can bicycle. It is close to major highways, the mall is near. I am sure like all towns, there is some crime, but the area is very nice and safe.

I would not hesitate suggesting the area to anyone in my family or friends.

Legacy Place is shopping center on the south side of PGA Blvd., east of I-95. There is also an apartment complex on the corner of RCA Blvd. & A1A called Legacy Place. Eissey Campus is approximately 1/2 mile east. The Intercoastal Waterway is approximately a mile east. There are some very nice restaurants in the area.

Juno Beach is also another area that you may enjoy, it has more of a small town atmosphere, close to the ocean. It is on US1 between Donald Ross Rd and PGA Blvd.

Abacoa is another area that is small town feel, stores and restaurants in walking distance. Roger Dean Stadium is right in the center, the new Scripps development and Florida Atlantic north campus is there as well. Plenty of places to walk to, but close to major highways, beaches 10 - 15 minutes away.

Tequesta is an older town, very safe, you can walk to things there as well. It is on US1 just south of the Martin Co / Palm Beach Co. line.

I don't know where you will be working, all of these places are in the north end of the county, if you work in the Lake Worth area - it would be 30 - 45 min. commute daily. Good luck.

[rainroosty]

Andyouare?: Diverse, yes. But that strip is well known for crime and gang activity; lots of arrests every day. Robberies, etc.. Maybe you could walk it for years without a problem, but I know I sure wouldn't take the chance.

[KoZmiC NinJa]

Originally Posted by Andyouare?

Really appreciate your responses, thanks; just helps a lot to have your insiders' perspectives.


Kozmic Ninja, for me it's probably equal wishes between livability & sustainability; actually for me it's hard to separate! For example, don't like to think of living without a library in walking distance.. But I know I'm spoiled; I'm not expecting perfection. Where do you ride a bike? Not on the side of main thoroughfares, do you? That might scare me, especially with the aged drivers. You're pretty perceptive to say "used clothing store, a natural food co-op and a coffee house all on the same block, not going to happen" How'd you know I'm missing Cambridge (MA) already??

SE FL is a weird place....That said, I love Lake Worths Downtown and
if you are an alternative type person, its about the best place to find
what you might(?) be looking for. I had a real hard time adjusting to
Florida and contributed a lot of hater stuff. Ive lived in alot of places
and always felt at home within few months, but here it was slo o o o 0o 00o 0 o o w.
I long for what I was used to in PA, VT, NY etc, but you can find
stuff to replace that here if you are patient. No, I cannot go to
a punk rock club right off the bus line or an alt book store, etc...
but, what Ive replaced that with is equally fulfilling.... Bird/nature
stuff that rivals the Galapagos.....Some very cool people, and not
having to pay an oil bill 6 months out of the year. ITs hard,
but you can do it As far as the bike stuff goes, I am now a
hardened FL commuter !! Ive been attacked, run off
the road and have learned a totally guerilla way of riding you
dont get in shiny bike mags, but you can do it, I wont go on
here for the sake of brevity, but you can PM me for more
specifics.
After all of my hatin' and negativity about FL, the moment is
here where we have to go, and I am actually NOT that excited
about it. I will miss alot of stuff here.
Sometimes the grass is green, you just need to adjust the RGB
setting on your monitor to see it
Good luck on whatever you decide.

[Andyouare?]

Kozmic Ninja "sometimes the grass is green..." You're really right, I know. And I will have to get used to it and look for the "green in the green" (the birds and nature, as you say) Thanks very much for sharing your experience, that helps to know that your negatives were turned to positives enough that you're now sad to leave! Re: bikes, I just can't imagine riding a bike down Okeechobee. Are there bike paths around?? If it means I'm gonna get mugged on my bike, forget it, though!

And Rainroosty, thanks, too, I get your clarification.

it sounds like I will find good and bad. I'll hope for the best. Thanks All, it's good to know there are some helpful and friendly people down there! (Not that I thought there weren't; it's just that y'all stepped up so quickly, it's a treat.)

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Andyouare?

Kozmic Ninja "sometimes the grass is green..." You're really right, I know. And I will have to get used to it and look for the "green in the green" (the birds and nature, as you say) Thanks very much for sharing your experience, that helps to know that your negatives were turned to positives enough that you're now sad to leave! Re: bikes, I just can't imagine riding a bike down Okeechobee. Are there bike paths around?? If it means I'm gonna get mugged on my bike, forget it, though!

And Rainroosty, thanks, too, I get your clarification.

it sounds like I will find good and bad. I'll hope for the best. Thanks All, it's good to know there are some helpful and friendly people down there! (Not that I thought there weren't; it's just that y'all stepped up so quickly, it's a treat.)

IMO, there should usually be no reason why you should have to go to Okeechobee Blvd. for much. Most of what you need in WPB can be found East of 95, unless you need to go to Super Walmart!

Biking and jogging is great along Flagler, and along Palm Beach Island.

[Andyouare?]

TriMT7 "there should usually be no reason why you should have to go to Okeechobee Blvd. for much. Most of what you need in WPB can be found East of 95..."
I see what you are saying, thanks. But my problem is that where I need to be most of the time is west past the FL Tpke. So I want to be no more than about 15" from there. Just getting to 95 on Okeech from there takes 20 minutes and more in traffic. (This is not a commute issue, btw). I know there are alternative ways to drive, like Belvedere, but still, it's chancy. And I know Lake Worth is a little more than that, too. All I know east of 95 is City Place and that is totally not my style. I will check out the neighborhoods you mentioned earlier and see what I find.

"Biking and jogging is great along Flagler, and along Palm Beach Island"
Good to know.

[Andyouare?]

[quote=Reedsmit;11951020]There are areas of W.P.B. that you may enjoy living in.

I'll look at all these too. Thanks vry much!

[happycamper58]

Amen...and thank you! I LOVE Lake Worth. Bought a condo there 5 years ago after searching all over Florida. I think downtown is charming with lots of fun stores, great bars/restaurants and down to earth people. The artsy town is just my style and the water is sooo close (just a hop over the bridge to Palm Beach). I own in the questionable "B ave and Lake ave" area, but the neighbors in my bldg are wonderful and you simply have to watch out for the "characters" on the streets. The city is even tearing down some of the run-down homes in the area. The weather is wonderful in the Palm Beach area and, with the prices the way they are right now, I am currently looking to move even closer to downtown in one of the art deco style buildings, where I can walk to everything in town and also to the beach. Give it time and I'm sure that it will only get better and better in Lake Worth!

[sdwn]

Originally Posted by happycamper58

Amen...and thank you! I LOVE Lake Worth. Bought a condo there 5 years ago after searching all over Florida. I think downtown is charming with lots of fun stores, great bars/restaurants and down to earth people. The artsy town is just my style and the water is sooo close (just a hop over the bridge to Palm Beach). I own in the questionable "B ave and Lake ave" area, but the neighbors in my bldg are wonderful and you simply have to watch out for the "characters" on the streets. The city is even tearing down some of the run-down homes in the area. The weather is wonderful in the Palm Beach area and, with the prices the way they are right now, I am currently looking to move even closer to downtown in one of the art deco style buildings, where I can walk to everything in town and also to the beach. Give it time and I'm sure that it will only get better and better in Lake Worth!

characters,you mean (ILLEGALS) or crackheads? the bars, shops are great but thats all that is good in L.W. I grew up here and it has gone down hill from what it use to be. try walking around at night oh dont forget the day labor site where the old shuffle board court use to be. and dont forget the latino gangs MLK, S. 13 OR YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD CRACK DEALERS!! I LOVE LAKE WORTH.