Hi all, Been living here since 2013. Household incomes average around $71,840 in Palm Coast. Crime rate is something to consider -Palm Coast sits at 170.4 per 100K. The unemployment rate is 2.0%, which is pretty low. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Worth the trade-offs? TIA! It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
14 upvotes
27 Replies
Hazel Jimenez
thanks for sharing
37 upvotes
Landon M.
Hot take but I love the pace of life here. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
37 upvotes
Samantha R.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2020 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. real estate 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 wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. Downtown schools are hit or miss. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
36 upvotes
Charles J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want job market, then yeah this place is great. But if healthcare matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
Audrey Torres
accurate
35 upvotes
Santiago J.
same here
33 upvotes
Serenity Campbell
lol so true
33 upvotes
David Perez
literally same
33 upvotes
Greyson D.
I work in retail here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is tough. Happy to answer more specific questions..
31 upvotes
genesis_mind
We moved here with our family and I'm still on the fence after all this time. Schools in Highland area are average. Kids love it here.
31 upvotes
Serenity S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Nashville about 12 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Limited entertainment options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Jose R.
preach
31 upvotes
Sophie Hernandez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Worth doing your research before committing.
25 upvotes
Clara Torres
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Everett Mendoza
bump
22 upvotes
Ella S.
Can confirm, been here 3 years.
20 upvotes
Mia Rogers
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem tough.
I've been here 8 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is average.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The South side vs the Meadowbrook side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Brooklyn Young
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value food scene, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely decent and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Greenfield) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. community vibe is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
16 upvotes
Isla Green
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Compared to San Diego it's pretty good.
15 upvotes
Hazel Rodriguez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from San Francisco and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Oak Park. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
13 upvotes
Alan C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely decent and I've found I love the pace of life here. My neighborhood (Westside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Nashville, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Chain restaurants dominate.
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.
13 upvotes
Amelia Mitchell
Moved here from Charlotte about 2 years ago. it was the best decision I ever made. Still getting used to public transit but Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
12 upvotes
Allison H.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are hit or miss, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
11 upvotes
Nova T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. it's not perfect but it works for me. Compared to Denver it's solid.
5 upvotes
Arianna
Bought a house here in 2015 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
4 upvotes
Zoey Murphy
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 55, moved here 11 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Old Town and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The healthcare situation is pricey and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Old Town: Great for families. tough vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: 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 Nashville, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
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