Anyone else feel this way? We have two kids and With a population of 75,924, Daytona Beach is a smaller city. The median home value here is around $244,300, which is actually reasonable. Median household income is $50,130, which feels on the lower side for the area. Average temperature is around 72--F, so it's warm year-round. It's a a smaller city city with about 75,924 people. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much.
Pros:
- Good job market
- Low taxes
- Lots of new development
Cons:
- Traffic can be terrible
- Poor road conditions
- Far from major airports
Is this normal for Daytona Beach? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up.
10 upvotes
12 Replies
Eleanor M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
40 upvotes
Matthew Castillo
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's challenging for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in marketing. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
Brooklyn S.
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong job market in several industries
- The safety scene is average
The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for young professionals. Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Paisley Myers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 3 years and the quality of life is solid. The thing nobody mentions is public transit. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into surfing, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Cedar Grove side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
33 upvotes
Luke G.
glad someone said it
22 upvotes
Luca James
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 51, moved here 2 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in South and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Affordable housing options
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The pet-friendliness situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- South: Great for retirees. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
Nicholas C.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 48, moved here 6 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Maple Ridge and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The cultural scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Maple Ridge: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Chicago, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $40K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
18 upvotes
Camila S.
I've lived in Midtown for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Lots of new development happening
- The safety scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Everly S.
Saving this thread
8 upvotes
Austin Johnson
I'm a nurse and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is tough and there's always something going on.
8 upvotes
Sophie Morris
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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