It's beautiful
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4/4/2011
Pros: beautiful environment, trees, cheap housing, climate, low crime. Cons: New Yorkers, no jobs, few man-made attractions. Could be regarded either way: limited shopping. Consumer oriented people complain about lack of shopping centers; I think it's a plus.
I spent my life looking for the ideal place to live. I lived in 16 cities in the last 12 years and visited 45 states. I could have retired anywhere in the US. I chose Palm Coast.
I love living in a house surrounded by palm trees and tall pines. I love going to an undeveloped and nearly deserted Atlantic beach a few minutes away. I love being surrounded by wildlife sanctuaries and beautiful wilderness parks.
Look elsewhere if you want a picturesque walkable downtown (you want Mount Dora), cultural attractions such as museums and restaurants (stay in the Northeast), or attractive, friendly neighbors (move to Alabama). I don't care about jobs, but I can't avoid wondering what non-retired people do for a living. I've heard some make a hellish 70-100 mile commute to Jacksonville or Orlando. I've heard people moved out because they couldn't find a job.
Overbuilding in the early 2000s, followed by repos, has made relatively new houses cheap, similar to Cape Coral/Ft Myers. But the place has not turned into a suburban ghetto like Poinciana, contrary to the claims of other reviewers. I also dispute what they say about high crime and bad schools. Government statistics say the crime rate here is one-fourth that of Florida and the US. I never lock my door. My granddaughter's school is one of the best I've seen in terms of educational quality, caring positive attitude and making students participate rather than languish.
Palm Coast is for people who love the outdoors more than man-made attractions.
Robert | Palm Coast, FL