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Cameron Bennett best-worst

Things Palm Bay needs to improve

Born and raised here. The weather takes some getting used to.
26 upvotes

6 Replies

John Baker
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in South for 2 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. 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 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.

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

**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South 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. Limited public transit options. Bugs and humidity in summer. And cultural scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Hazel J.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Tampa about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a fresh start and quality of life.

Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Good airport with direct flights
- Lots of family-friendly activities

Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Limited entertainment options

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.

Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
27 upvotes
Emilia Sanchez
literally same
26 upvotes
Gary R.
spot on
26 upvotes
Miles Brooks
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 15 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in North. It's pretty good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in legal. If you're in government you might struggle.

People: Generally pretty good. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Indian.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
10 upvotes
Weston Allen
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
5 upvotes
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