What BestPlaces Users Say about West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, Florida is a popular place for both tourists and residents alike. It boasts beautiful beaches, year-round warm weather, and a vibrant downtown area. However, like any city, it also has its drawbacks. To get a better understanding of what it's like to live in West Palm Beach, I have included some excerpts from user reviews on BestPlaces.net.
According to user "Jasmine," West Palm Beach is a "great place to live" with "plenty of things to do." She mentions the city's "beautiful parks and beaches" as well as its "diverse food scene." However, she also notes that the cost of living is high and traffic can be a major issue.
Another user, "Mark," has mixed feelings about West Palm Beach. He mentions the "gorgeous weather and scenery," but also points out the "massive amount of traffic" and "lack of job opportunities" as major downsides. He adds that the city is "not very pedestrian-friendly" and that "crime can be a problem in certain areas."
On the other hand, user "Kelly" highly recommends West Palm Beach. She describes it as a "tropical paradise" with a "laid-back vibe." She also mentions the "friendly and welcoming community" and the "numerous outdoor activities" available. However, she does mention that housing prices can be steep and that the city can feel "overcrowded" during peak tourist season.
One user, "Mike," has a more negative view of West Palm Beach. He mentions the "constant construction" and "lack of affordable housing" as major complaints. He also notes that the city can feel "too touristy" and that the "nightlife scene is lacking."
In conclusion, while West Palm Beach offers many attractive features, it also has its share of drawbacks. High cost of living, traffic, and crime seem to be common concerns among reviewers. However, others appreciate the city's warm climate and diverse culture. Ultimately, whether or not West Palm Beach is the right place to live will depend on individual preferences and priorities.
based on 51 ReviewsGet to know West Palm Beach with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited West Palm Beach
Run, don't walk to get out of Florida - 5/24/2007
"It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there". Ever heard that saying? Well, don't say you haven't been warned. This place is the most rediculous of places I've ever lived. South Florida in general, really. The cost of living is beyond anything even resembling normal. The average person cannot afford it. The schools are a disgrace, they bring in portables (1 room trailors) because they don't want to spend the money to build schools big enough in the first place. The bugs and heat are unbearable. The summer heat/humidity is far worse than Atlanta in the summer time. And The people are rude, obnoxious yankees who are trying to turn it into a rude Nothern state!! (you know who you are)
The traffic is barely tolerable, most jobs require 45-60 commute times. The unending road construction adds to it. The thousands of immigrants that wont speak English are taking over, there are many, many businesses who's street front signage aren't even in English anymore.
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Perception vs reality - 5/10/2007
Like every City and County in the US, there are certain places in Palm Beach County that you probably would not go unless you are looking for trouble - outside of those areas, I feel completely safe in WPB - have lived here for 16 years - back then there were quite a few more unsafe areas! I am more concerned about the crazy violent crimes in random 'safe' places throughout the nation rather than violent crimes that happen in areas that I am sure most people in the City do not go for
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Sunny South Florida at a high price - 3/29/2007
You pay a price living in South Florida. Even though the cost of house is declining now, prices are still high. Home, wind, and flood insurance price are through the roof (hope there isn't another hurricane). Not much public transportation. The city is constantly under construction. Traffic is getting worse. It's a good idea to speak multiple languages. Spanish is very prevalent here.
The good news is this place is beautiful. Great beaches and
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Only the Wealthy can Survive Here - 3/14/2007
Palm Beach County, in general has become a place for only the very wealthy to live. The average cost of a home in West Palm Beach is 430K. I never imagined this area getting so expensive, but it has. I'm one of those people who remember when Palm Beach County WAS affordable. People are leaving because of the high taxes and insurance, crime, poor schools and housing costs. Broward & Dade Counties continue to move Northward, invading Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. It's like a cancer. There are an estimate 1,000 Gangs in West Palm Beach. So much negativity here. The biggest problem in Palm Beach County is that there are NO jobs and NO major corporations. And employers do not want to pay good salaries. Our local Government and Governor ARE a JOKE. High cost of living here, but the jobs do not pay. Unless you are extremely wealthy, I don't recommend living here. It's not worth it. People are leaving this area and moving to either North Florida, or out of the
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west palm beach is heaven - 1/17/2007
just moved recently from Michigan, and i think west palm beach area is the nicest place on god's earth to live. people keep saying that housing is getting expensive...the reason why its getting expensive here is because companies are moving to the area fast, not only to west palm beach but to the state of florida in general. you can still find housing in the 200's if you look especially with the real estate market going down now, but you can depend on one thing : " eventually, if you buy a house here IT WILL KEEP GOING UP IN VALUE" so you might pay a little more than other places but you are having the best life ever and making a good investment.
about the weather being hot! it is true it gets really hot in the summer but i still think its better than snow ( my own oppinion ) plus you still have air condition and THE BEACHES to cool you down.
this area is also getting top job growth ratings in the COUNTRY along with orlando, coral springs and many other cities.
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Look both ways and never make eye contact! - 12/29/2006
No, I am not kidding. The violent crime in this county (Palm Beach) is worse than when I lived in NY. Pick any day of the week, any time of year, and read any local article in the Post at www.palmbeachpost.com. Shootings, murders, drugs, carjackings, robberies, etc. We have it all here, every day of the week. Need some cash? Don't even think about using an ATM, especially at night! Other than that, I guess the palm tress are nice to look
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Beautiful West Palm Beach - 12/29/2006
Yes, the palm trees blowing in the wind make West Palm a lovely place to visit. BUT for those of us living here, it's another story entirely. West Palm Beach is the place to live if you want to be robbed walking out of the mall or even picking up your children from day care. The crime here is pervasive! On Christmas Eve a few days ago, a man was repeatedly shot and killed in the middle of the mall several times by gang members carrying out a vendetta. Break-ins to homes and cars are a daily occurrence and part of life here. You NEVER leave home or walk out of a store without worrying that you may become a victim of crime. Drugs are everywhere and drug addicted zombies walk the streets at night - no one does anything about it.
And if you can afford to own a home, you are paying OUTRAGEOUS homeowners insurance rates because of the past few hurricane seasons. I personally pay more than $4500.00 per year to insure my home and nearly $8000.00 in property taxes (per year!).
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Moved here from Miami, Same poor quality of life. - 12/13/2006
I moved here after having all of Miami I could stand. Same place, differnet zip codes. I have now decided that south Florida is just a terrible place to live. I do not recomend living here(south Florida) unless there is absolutly no alternitive but living in the street. I am not being rude just honest about the quality of life in so. FL. Something that native Floridians seem unable to do. They have seemed to convince themselves that this is "Paradise"
Well I can life the rest of my life without ever seeing "Paradise"
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I don't recommend living here - 10/26/2006
I've lived in West Palm Beach for 9 years and it's only because my fiance didn't want to move until now. The crime is horrible, everyone I know has had either their house broken into or their car broken into. The traffic is horrendous, there are so many drivers that don't have a license and have no clue what to do with a vehicle. There's neverending road construction and traffic jams. My homeowner's insurance went from $2500 up to $4000 in one year. The schools are a joke. My son's kindergarten class has 22 children and 1 teacher, and 4 kids don't speak any English at all. The schools are so overcrowded that they have to bring in "portables" for classrooms, which are little one room trailers. It's so hot and humid it's like torture stepping out your front door from May until October. If you can find one kind and friendly person in your day you think you've won the lottery. The only people that like it here are the ones that move from a third world country because they don't
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