So, I'm single, late 50s, and It's a a smaller city city with about 71,665 people. With a population of 71,665, Poinciana is a smaller city. The weather takes some getting used to. What would you do? Thanks! The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
17 upvotes
16 Replies
true_evan13
couldn't agree more
38 upvotes
Dylan B.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Houston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in engineering. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like seafood.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Colton Ramos
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are tough, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
35 upvotes
Mason C.
yep
34 upvotes
Elena W.
I've lived in North for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it was the best decision I ever made. When I first moved here from New York, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The walkability scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Hope this helps!.
31 upvotes
Josiah Davis
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
29 upvotes
sfdude2024
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
18 upvotes
tulsa_mia
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.
I've been here 1 years and I genuinely enjoy living here. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's affordable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is solid.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the Eastside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
grayson_lover
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Boston about 9 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and cost of living.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Active local events and festivals
- Lots of family-friendly activities
Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Jayden Campbell
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
13 upvotes
David Foster
The food scene here is surprisingly good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I have mixed feelings honestly.
11 upvotes
Brooklyn Jones
Moved here last year, no regrets.
10 upvotes
Emmett Adams
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
7 upvotes
Adam Johnson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely pretty good and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. My neighborhood (Eastside) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. pet-friendliness is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
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.
6 upvotes
Ruby Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 15 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is improving - 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. Uptown schools are pretty 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. Road conditions need improvement. Limited shopping options. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Jackson Lopez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 13 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in West. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in retail. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally solid. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
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