Hey folks, Military spouse here. Homes are going for about $365,900 on average. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Is this normal for New Smyrna Beach? It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
12 upvotes
11 Replies
George H.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Salt Lake City and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Pine Hills. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: improving. Tons of options if you like Indian.
No regrets on my end..
36 upvotes
Sebastian Foster
Bought a house here in 2017 and it's not perfect but it works for me. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
35 upvotes
John Clark
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
32 upvotes
Colton Gutierrez
I've lived in East for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I have mixed feelings honestly. When I first moved here from Phoenix, I was surprised by safety. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Good airport with direct flights
- The weather scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Rising rent and home prices
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for retirees. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
29 upvotes
Silas Thomas
interesting, hadn't considered that
18 upvotes
Nolan James
I've lived in Eastside for about 13 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it exceeded my expectations. When I first moved here from Dallas, I was surprised by food scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- The housing market scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. No regrets on my end..
16 upvotes
Arianna Thompson
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Eva Patel
haha yep pretty much
6 upvotes
Oliver Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 44, moved here 9 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Sunset and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Nice parks and green spaces
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The community vibe situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: 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 Baltimore, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. 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.
3 upvotes
Dylan Gutierrez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a nurse who relocated here from Phoenix about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is challenging.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
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