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Along Florida's northeast coast, leafy Port Orange (population 57,000) started out in 1867 and was for years considered a southern suburb of Daytona Beach. These days, it is a mostly middle class city in its own right and has grown by 25% just within the last decade. Known for its fishing, cute downtown and good schools, this coastal metropolis attracts a mature demographic with 50% of residents age 45 or better.
The cost of living is 5% below the national average, and the median home price is $145,000, down 20% in the last year alone. Most homes are fewer than 25 years old, and deals can be found. When it comes to foreclosures, Volusia County is the 14th hardest hit county in Florida, and Port Orange is the 5th hardest hit city within the county with 1 in every 455 homes a foreclosure (not a terrible rate). The crime rate is below the national average.
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Neighborhoods, from modest ones to custom home, gated ones, are orderly and tree-lined, and 500 acres of parks create welcoming green spaces around the city. Port Orange has a modern, pastel feeling about it, and it considers itself business-friendly. One of the newest commercial additions is the Pavilion at Port Orange, an appealing upscale 525,000 sq. ft. open-air marketplace with dining, shopping and entertainment. The Parks and Recreation Department has a separate, newly renovated Adult Center and a good selection of adult classes, including ballroom dancing and painting. The Port Orange YMCA has lifelong learning classes and sponsors social groups for older adults. The Port Orange Senior Center has a variety of activities and classes.
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| One of largest festivals in Volusia County is the annual Family Days each October (the grandkids will love it), and the Lakeside Jazz Festival attracts big crowds and dozens of performers each April. The Volusia County Library System has a branch library here and offers internet/computer classes, clubs and movies, etc. For amenities not found in Port Orange, such as a professional theater, a symphony, a ballet company and a planetarium, Daytona Beach is 5 miles up the road. And while Daytona Beach continues to attract rowdy Spring Break and Daytona International Speedway car racing crowds, most of these visitors do not venture into Port Orange.
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Votran is the public transportation system and operates limited routes around the city (people age 65 or better ride for $.60). Beachside Trolleys run from just north of Port Orange through Daytona Beach and up to Ormond Beach for people, primarily tourists, wanting to access the beach and waterfront shopping and dining venues. The nearest airport is in Daytona Beach and is serviced by most major airlines.
Halifx MC, associated with the Atlantic Medical Center in Daytona Beach, is located in Port Orange, but it does not accept Medicaid or Medicare patients. Most residents instead receive care at one of three hospitals in Daytona Beach, including at Halifax Health, a Level II Trauma Center, and at award-winning Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center (356 beds), named one of the nation's top 50 hospitals (Medicare and Medicaid patients accepted). The nearest VA medical center is in Gainesville (108 miles), and the nearest outpatient clinic is in Dayton Beach.
Summers are hot and humid (temperatures in the 80s and 90s), and winters are mild and slightly less humid (temperatures in the 50s, 60s, low-70s). The area receives 3 to 7 inches of rain each month, and the sun shines 255 days of the year. It's Florida. The chance of a tornado is 50% greater than the national average, and the chance of being hit by a hurricane is 1 in 50 (compared to Miami which has a 1 in 6 chance). The air quality is well above the national average, but the water quality is well below it.
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Port Orange is quiet, well-maintained and visually attractive, avoiding a lot of the "noise" found in nearby Daytona Beach. Affordable housing, very good nearby medical care, a low crime rate and close at hand beaches make it a spot to consider for retirement.
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