[usernamezero]

Possibly moving to the area. About us: professional married couple, kid, dog. Not willing to sacrifice my kids education for this move. We like food, outdoor living, and dog/horse friendly. Moving from the NE.
Does this area (or surrounding area for horse) offer that?
Where am I sending my kid to school? Public vs Private?

Thank you ahead of time.

[kyle19125]

That's a rough area for quality schools as there just isn't much the demand or support for them there largely and overall rank middle of the pack (or worse) statewide.

If you can focus on the coastal area along A1A north from Marineland to St Augustine Beach through Crescent Beach and Butler Beach you're zoned for RB Hunt Elementary School which is ranked #17 in the state https://www-rbh.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

Gamble Rogers Middle School in St Augustine Beach (same school zone) is an A-rated school also with a very popular Marine Science Program https://www-grms.stjohns.k12.fl.us/

St Augustine HS is an "A" rated school also (same zone) and is known for it's aerospace academy partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. https://www-sahs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/w...file-18-19.pdf

That area also offers the bonus of being a nice area to live in as well, safe and quiet. St Augustine has a pretty decent food scene too with craft breweries/distilleries and lots of outdoor recreational options.

I can't address horse friendliness although there are dozens of boarding facilities and places to ride. https://www.newhorse.com/page/horseb...40.html?page=1
http://www.sjcfl.us/HCP/Riding.aspx

[usernamezero]

Thank you!

[Fredesch]

I don't think you can find a quality school - public or private in Eastern Volusia County. Two key factors in schools here - the chamber of commerce looks at schools as a source of labor for the low wage hospitality industry and folks that don't have kids in schools vote to have lower taxes and worse schools. We moved here after our youngest graduated from high school and wouldn't consider moving here while our kids were in school.

[EscAlaMike]

Originally Posted by usernamezero

Possibly moving to the area. About us: professional married couple, kid, dog. Not willing to sacrifice my kids education for this move. We like food, outdoor living, and dog/horse friendly. Moving from the NE.
Does this area (or surrounding area for horse) offer that?
Where am I sending my kid to school? Public vs Private?

Thank you ahead of time.

I attended public schools in eastern Volusia County in the 90s and early 2000s.

Palm Coast and Ormond Beach are completely different communities.

If you want land for horses, there is a lot of ranch land west of I-95 in both Volusia and Flagler counties.

As for food - well, Daytona Beach is your immediate "big city", and Orlando is your real "big city". Daytona is not known for its culinary options. It's a beer and BBQ town. Orlando has everything. It caters to tourists from the world over, and has everything you could imagine.

I grew up exploring and hunting the woods west of Ormond Beach (OB is my hometown). There are outdoor things to do. The Halifax/Tomoka and St. Johns Rivers are nice for boating - of course you have the beach.

As for schools - well I grew up in Volusia County schools. I know I'm biased, but I thought the whole experience was a gigantic waste of time. I still think that.

If you insist on sending your kids to school though, there are plenty of options in the area. There are private schools, and the public schools have specialty programs that will allow your children to get into any college they want, provided they are driven. My classmates went everywhere from Ivy League to community college, to dropping out prior to graduation in order to pursue their business interests (their businesses are worth millions).

Why are you considering the move? Just looking for better weather? If that's the case, there are much better options, even in Florida, than this area.

[usernamezero]

Originally Posted by FSUMike

I attended public schools in eastern Volusia County in the 90s and early 2000s.

Palm Coast and Ormond Beach are completely different communities.

If you want land for horses, there is a lot of ranch land west of I-95 in both Volusia and Flagler counties.

As for food - well, Daytona Beach is your immediate "big city", and Orlando is your real "big city". Daytona is not known for its culinary options. It's a beer and BBQ town. Orlando has everything. It caters to tourists from the world over, and has everything you could imagine.

I grew up exploring and hunting the woods west of Ormond Beach (OB is my hometown). There are outdoor things to do. The Halifax/Tomoka and St. Johns Rivers are nice for boating - of course you have the beach.

As for schools - well I grew up in Volusia County schools. I know I'm biased, but I thought the whole experience was a gigantic waste of time. I still think that.

If you insist on sending your kids to school though, there are plenty of options in the area. There are private schools, and the public schools have specialty programs that will allow your children to get into any college they want, provided they are driven. My classmates went everywhere from Ivy League to community college, to dropping out prior to graduation in order to pursue their business interests (their businesses are worth millions).

Why are you considering the move? Just looking for better weather? If that's the case, there are much better options, even in Florida, than this area.

Moving for employment purposes, so need to stay within the Flagler/Volusia county areas. Unfortunately the commute from Saint Johns county would be too far.
Thanks for the info! Very helpful.