Reviews & Comments
West Palm Beach, FL
Worse than you can imagine -
7/9/2012Let me start out by stating: I am a NATIVE Floridian, born in West Palm Beach and have lived my entire life in this area. I believe I can actually give an objective review of this city. Since the late 90's, this area has gone significantly downhill. It's been overrun with illegals, the homeless, and criminals. Go to the Wal-Mart on Belvedere & Military and I'll give you $100 for every ENGLISH-only speaking person you find in that store (this includes both shoppers and employees. I am not against immigrants from other countries (I am the granddaughter of Italian immigrants) BUT I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN THEY COME HERE AND DON'T BOTHER TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE. TRY CALLING A UTILITY COMPANY AND YOU HAVE TO PRESS A BUTTON TO SPEAK TO THE CSR IN ENGLISH.
It drives me CRAZY to hear nothing but Spanish or Creole when I go into a store/restaurant/gas station. You can't go to a convenience store or gas station without being harassed for spare change. The first sight people arriving at PBIA see are panhandlers standing in the street just outside the exits. The job situations STINKS! I have three college degrees, am bilingual (Yes, I speak Spanish-I saw the necessity of learning Spanish when I was back in high school-in the 80's) and there are no jobs for qualified professionals. If you want to work for minimum wage, there are jobs; but you HAVE to speak Spanish or Creole to qualify. If you have a college degree, you are OVER QUALIFIED. No night life, culture or class.
When I was growing up, it was so safe; you could leave your doors unlocked. Now I own 2 GUNS and never leave my doors unlocked (for even a minute). Everything is so expensive and the cost of living vs. what you earn is grossly disproportionate.
I haven't been to the beach in years, because the pollution has become so bad. Sea lice (microscopic jellyfish larvae) infest the water and if they burrow into your skin, get prepared for total misery.
People are rude and distrustful. No place for middle-aged singles to go to meet like minded others. The school system is a joke, teachers are paid a little over $30,000 a year and are treated poorly. Florida is an 'at will' work state, which means you can be fired from your job at any time without cause. There is no state income tax, but no job security either. My last three bosses have treated all the employees like crap because they know there are three other people who would be knocking the door down to get a job.
I feel saddened by the change my beautiful city has undergone. I'm looking to relocate next year (outside of Florida) I want to feel like part of a community again and hear English when I go into a store. I may still have to lock my door, but at least I hope to know I'm in America.