Alright, I'm a 55-year-old graphic designer and With a population of 63,818, Port Orange is a smaller city. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Should I be concerned? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
15 upvotes
12 Replies
raised_delilah25
Came here for weather and stayed because it exceeded my expectations. The job market is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
38 upvotes
Luke
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem pretty good.
I've been here 5 years and it's exactly what I was looking for. The thing nobody mentions is food scene. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The East side vs the Sunset side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
34 upvotes
Quinn Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 58, moved here 3 years ago from Pittsburgh. I've lived in Greenfield and Midtown, 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. Active local events and festivals
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The cost of living situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Greenfield: Great for families. decent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 Pittsburgh, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
34 upvotes
Piper Diaz
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 33, moved here 9 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Road conditions need improvement
3. The housing market situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Westside: 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 Charlotte, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $50K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
31 upvotes
Dominic C.
Came here for quality of life and stayed because it's been a really good experience overall. The nightlife is honestly excellent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
23 upvotes
orlandogirl2020
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 56, moved here 14 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Uptown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Close to major attractions
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally better than expected - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Rising rent and home prices
3. The dating scene situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for couples. average vibes, walkable.
- Uptown: 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 Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are reasonable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. 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.
16 upvotes
Isabella R.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is solid in most areas.
15 upvotes
Camila Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 53, moved here 4 years ago from New York. I've lived in Uptown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Growing food and restaurant scene
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Four distinct seasons
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for families. solid vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 New York, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $50K-$90K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
14 upvotes
Rylee Bailey
I've lived in Westside for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Portland, I was surprised by dating scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- The cost of living scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Stephen A.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's been a really good experience overall. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Hope this helps!.
10 upvotes
Matthew Price
I work in government here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is decent. No regrets on my end..
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