Not sure if this has been asked before, but I relocated for work and With a population of 3,278, West DeLand is a small town. Crime rate is something to consider -West DeLand sits at 500.9 per 100K. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The suburbs are where most families end up. What neighborhoods would you suggest? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The weather takes some getting used to. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
0 upvotes
13 Replies
Savannah W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Pine Hills for 10 years. Moved from LA for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Pine Hills 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Homeless population growing downtown. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 9/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
Lydia James
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say I'm still on the fence after all this time. The school system is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Jean S.
as a local I can confirm
39 upvotes
urban_delilah66
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Miami about 4 years ago. The main reasons were school and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Active local events and festivals
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Chain restaurants dominate
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are stable, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Good luck with whatever you decide..
37 upvotes
Joshua
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's not perfect but it works for me. Internet is solid in most areas.
35 upvotes
Nathan R.
yeah no that's not right
30 upvotes
Parker Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value weather, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely solid and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. My neighborhood (Oak Park) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Boston, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.
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.
29 upvotes
Lily Rivera
seconding this
25 upvotes
Claire Walker
I work in legal here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is underrated. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
18 upvotes
dcwalker2021
As someone who grew up here, it's improved dramatically in recent years. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much reasonable but now it's hit or miss.
15 upvotes
Xavier T.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
13 upvotes
Arianna Thomas
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are pretty good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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