Sign In Register
Delilah Bailey jobs

Starting a business in Daytona Beach?

Been meaning to ask this. Just moved here 3 months ago and
17 upvotes

21 Replies

urban_david20
We moved here with our family and it exceeded my expectations. Schools in Fairview area are better than expected. Kids love it here.
39 upvotes
Waylon
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I have mixed feelings honestly. Compared to Boston it's better than expected.
36 upvotes
Maya Clark
Moved here from Portland about 12 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to job market but Feel free to reach out with questions..
34 upvotes
Nolan Castillo
same here
34 upvotes
Jace Rogers
Moved here last year, no regrets.
33 upvotes
Eva Bennett
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Midtown for 7 years. Moved from Tampa for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Wesley Ramos
Public transit is hit or miss here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
32 upvotes
Adrian Torres
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.

I've been here 15 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the outdoor recreation is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Oak Park side vs the South side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Matthew Murphy
This.
32 upvotes
Brooklyn Taylor
The food scene here is average. Tons of great Asian places. I'm still on the fence after all this time.
27 upvotes
Christopher C.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Internet is pretty good in most areas.
26 upvotes
Eleanor
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Fairview side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
26 upvotes
Gianna Lee
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value food scene, you'll love it. The healthcare is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (The Heights) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. public transit is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Gabriel Baker
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a contractor who relocated here from Tampa about 13 years ago. The main reasons were weather and a job opportunity.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons

Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not very walkable outside downtown

Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are manageable, gas is challenging.

Socially, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Isla Diaz
I'm a software engineer and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is pretty good and there's always something going on.
15 upvotes
Lydia C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Westside for 7 years. Moved from Atlanta for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

**Employment:**
construction is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is improving - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
Jose Bailey
I've lived in Westside for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is challenging

The downsides:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Can feel isolated

Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
nashvilledude2025
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I have mixed feelings honestly. Feel free to reach out with questions..
6 upvotes
Donald C.
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 10 years here, that's my honest assessment.
3 upvotes
Jonathan F.
+1
0 upvotes
Bennett Williams
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Pine Hills for 7 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is improving. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.

**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is solid - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills schools are improving. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Limited shopping options. And school system can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
0 upvotes
← Back to Daytona Beach Community