<p>We’ll be visiting West Palm Beach, Florida next month to investigate the possibility of relocating permanently. No, we won’t be looking at any houses or condos near the Kennedy Compound. LOL.</p>
<p>I understand that there’s been some recent renewal and gentification in WPB that has begun to attract more middle class folks to the city. Anyone familiar with the city? What do you like and what don’t you like about WPB, Palm Beach County and south Florida as a place to live. In your opinion, is there enough culture, books, arts in the area for a former northeasterner or west coaster? How’s the cost of everyday living for people whom don’t have the assets of Donald Trump?</p>
<p>I like So Florida ok, but if you are a culture vulture it won’t compare to Northeast cities. Been to WPB too. The WPB people aspire to live in Boca. </p>
<p>My most recent Florida visit was to the Fort Myers area. Sanibal, etc. have a bit more charm than Broward, Palm Beach, etc., and seem a little more natural and laid back. You will have to search a little for culture and decent resteraunts however. BTW I read that Cape Coral is among the leaders in mortgage defaults, but it is relatively inexpensive in the cities across Aligator Alley compared to So Fla.</p>
<p>I assure you, West Palm Beach people do not aspire to live in Boca! As matter of fact, a lot of Boca people don’t aspire to live in Boca. They would love nothing more than to sell their over-priced homes that are worth substantially less than what they paid for them and move north. I have lived in Palm Beach County for more than 30 years. My husband has commuted 40 plus miles a day to Boca for over 20 years. You could not pay me enough to live in Boca!</p>
<p>To answer the op, as far as gentification, you are correct. The downtown area has been improved significantly. City Place is nice, with restaurants and shops. Palm Beach County definitely lacks the charm of say, Sanibel. And it cannot compare with a large Northeast city, but that is not what it is. As far as culture and arts, there is plenty to do in South Florida. Miami is just over an hour away and Ft. Lauderdale is less than an hour. The cost of living is a bit high, but not in camparison to most cities in the Northeast. As you can tell by my previous post, I prefer Northern Palm Beach County to the South end, but your milage may vary.</p>