Living in Palm Coast Florida: Pros and Cons

Living Palm Coast Florida

Are you considering a move to Palm Coast, Florida? With its appealing prices and proximity to St. Augustine, it’s no wonder many people are choosing Palm Coast for more affordable housing options. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to determine if Palm Coast is the right fit for you.

Palm Coast is conveniently located in beautiful Northeast Florida, just 24 miles south of the historic district of St. Augustine, 27 miles north of Daytona Beach, and 73 miles from Orlando. This central location provides easy access to multiple airports, giving you flexibility in your travel plans.

Pros & Cons of Living in Palm Coast

Enjoy the Outdoors

If you love to be outdoors, one of the biggest advantages of living in Palm Coast is the extensive network of bike paths and nature trails spanning over 100 miles. This makes Palm Coast one of the most bike-friendly cities in Northeast Florida. Whether you enjoy cycling, walking, running, or simply being outdoors, you’ll have plenty of options to explore. From trails with oak canopies to riding along the A1A Scenic Loop while enjoying breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, you are never too far from a trail to enjoy.

For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Mala Compra Greenway Trail offers a thrilling 5.5-mile single track, known for its technical challenges. Additionally, there is a trail along the Intracoastal Waterway with scenic views of the river. This trail connects to various others, including the Lehigh Trail. Palm Coast’s bike-friendly environment also offers maintenance stations along some trails, making it a safe and enjoyable experience.

Dining in Palm Coast

Living in Palm Coast, European Village

European Village

European Village, although not a main street or city center, is a popular spot in Palm Coast. It offers dining options, live music, and a farmers market on Sundays. You will find cuisine including Indian, Italian, Sushi, and American here. There are many other options within Pal Coast from Portuguese to Thai as well. However, if you’re looking for a more vibrant dining and shopping scene, Flagler Beach and Tangier Outlets in Daytona are nearby alternatives worth exploring.

Best Section to Live in Palm Coast

Palm Coast is renowned for its affordability compared to other cities in Florida. The cost of living is slightly below the national average, allowing you to stretch your budget further. Housing options in Palm Coast range from single-family homes to condos and apartments. The city is divided into several sections, named after the first letter of the streets. The sections differ primarily in proximity to the beaches, with the western sections requiring a slightly longer drive.

Notably, Palm Harbor stands out as a unique section with 70 miles of man-made saltwater canals, ideal for boaters. Homes in Palm

Living in Palm Coast

Palm Harbor

Harbor allow direct boat docking, with proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway affecting property values. Canal homes in Palm Coast offer more value for the money compared to St. Augustine and there are many more options here to live on a canal.

The city also features other sections like Woodlands, Indian Trails, Matanzas Woods, Lehigh Woods, Pine Grove, and Seminole Woods, which offer a variety of housing communities. Palm Coast boasts many concrete block homes on spacious 80 ft wide lots, providing a comfortable living environment with sufficient privacy.

While Palm Coast has luxurious areas like the Hammock, featuring golf courses and oceanfront homes, there are also gated communities like Grand Haven that offer beautiful homes in the $400s and up, catering to different price ranges.

Cost of Living in Palm Coast

Living in Palm Coast Palm Coast is managed by the local government, which imposes regulations similar to those found in homeowners associations. These regulations cover aspects such as lawn maintenance and boat or RV storage. It’s important to note that storing a boat in your driveway is not permitted, although short-term parking on your property is allowed in certain situations. Property taxes in Palm Coast are around 1.9%, slightly higher than neighboring cities. Nevertheless, the overall cost of living in Palm Coast is lower than in many other areas of Florida, with home values averaging 29% less.

Palm Coast Beaches

Palm Coast enjoys a coastal location in Northeast Florida, resulting in cooler winters compared to southern parts of the state. Summers can still be hot, but the humidity is generally lower. Average temperatures range from 48°F to 90°F, with a few winter days dipping into the 30s. The proximity to the ocean provides a cooling ocean breeze, making the summers more comfortable. Palm Coast’s beaches are stunning, although some areas north of the coast in the Hammock region have rocks in the shallow waters.

For another beach experience, Flagler Beach, located about 7 miles south of Palm Coast, is an excellent alternative. It’s important to note that driving on the beaches is not allowed, so public parking is the best option.

Schools and Healthcare in Palm Coast

If you have children, researching schools is crucial. Belle Terre Elementary is ranked number one, and Indian Middle School follows closely as the second-ranked school in the area. Make sure to check out this link for further details.

When it comes to healthcare, Palm Coast offers multiple in-patient and out-patient facilities. Advent Health is a comprehensive, full-service, 99-bed acute care community hospital located in the southern part of Palm Coast, near Flagler Beach. Future developments by Flagler Health+ at US1 and Palm Coast Parkway are uncertain at this time, with potential interest from Halifax and Baptist. Stay tuned for updates on healthcare options.

Lifestyle and Amenities

Palm Coast provides a tranquil and comfortable living environment, devoid of excessive tourist activity except during winter when snowbirds arrive. You can enjoy dining out without enduring long wait times, and all your day-to-day needs are conveniently met with access to grocery stores like Publix, Winn Dixie, Walmart, Target, and Home Depot. While Palm Coast offers a quieter atmosphere compared to its neighboring cities, it’s still within reasonable proximity to major attractions such as the Daytona 500, Disney in Orlando, and the historic city of St. Augustine.

Conclusion Palm Coast, Florida, presents an attractive option for those seeking affordability, a bike-friendly environment, and a quieter lifestyle. With its various housing options, central location, and beautiful beaches, Palm Coast might just be the right fit for you. If you have any questions or need further information, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for reading, and we hope this blog post helps you in your research of Palm Coast.

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About the Author
Kim Devlin
Kim Devlin is Your St Augustine Realtor. A Relocation Specialist serving Northeast Florida, St Johns County and Flagler County. She enjoys sharing real estate tips and local insight on communities and living in St Augustine Florida. Tune in weekly and be sure to subscribe to her monthly newsletter.