Do your homework or just avoid
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4/8/2021
I lived there for 25 years and it used to be awesome but it has gone downhill a LOT the past 10 years and a lot of people are leaving for that reason or would if they could. Most of The city government is inept and under qualified. They selectively enforce codes to the detriment of certain residents and neighborhoods. It may look like a great place but if you’re the one whose neighbor ruins your entire street’s property values with numerous code violations, or makes violent threats against you, don’t bother calling anyone at the city, especially the mayor. They will actually resist your complaints to the point of absurdity and treat you as if you’re the problem and some will even say so. Giant party noise at 4am? The police will actually suggest that you sleep on the other side of your own house if the noise is a problem. If you move here, make sure you have some funds set aside for an attorney because the city will “lose” official records and claim you never reported anything. Look carefully at crime statistics and how they define incidents. A lot more happens than ends up on the books because of this. Make sure any house you buy is inspected well because the building department turns a blind eye to work without permits and it hurts a lot of new homeowners as free the fact. Make sure the police are willing to remove homeless people taking a shower with your hose on your front porch. Make sure code enforcement will actually shut down the chicken factory or ATV park in the backyard of the house next door. Ask whether repeat felons breaking into your home while you are present will ever see a day in jail. There are great police officers and some competent people in most departments, but many of them are leaving or trying to, just like the good ones before them did. See for yourself how they’re replacing them. The mayor is either clueless or directing this. I left there because of all this and more, and for no other reason. Ignore this at your peril. North and central Florida are MUCH better.
Gail | Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, FL