Palm Coast: Home sweet home?

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

We recently reported on a survey that showed Palm Coast residents are less and less satisfied with their quality of life. Ten years ago, 82% of residents said their quality of life was excellent or good; today, that number is 67%, which is much below average compared to other communities.

Based on the negative comments regularly aimed at Palm Coast on our Facebook page, I’m not all that surprised to see that fewer people are happy. The biggest factor is likely unemployment and underemployment. When I’ve been on the job hunt in the past, I get so discouraged by the rejection that it seems everything else in life looks gray. It doesn’t matter how nice the parks and trees are when I don’t have a job.

I’m guessing that another factor bringing down the numbers, though, is the rapid population growth. Since 2002, the population in Palm Coast has doubled. A smaller and smaller percentage of residents have lived here for a long period of time, and that means hometown pride is going to suffer.

The other day at the softball field next to the Flagler County Fairgrounds, we played a team with individualized uniforms. I saw names like Art and Joe on the back, but there was one player with “Espanola” on the back.

For those who haven’t been to Espanola, it’s a microscopic community with seemingly little to brag about in terms of amenities. But this player was proud of where he lived, and it was uplifting to see that.

Why would people in Palm Coast say things like “This place is a dump. I can’t wait to move” on our Facebook page?

Some might be upset with the rapid growth and empty storefronts. But I think it’s less a reflection of the city itself and more because they feel no allegiance to the city. Many recent transplants still consider New Jersey or Pittsburgh “home.” It’s only natural to be nostalgic about the last place you lived, the friends you left behind.

To the readers: Do you consider Palm Coast “home”? If not, why not? What would make it feel more like home?

If you agree that the quality of life seems to be slipping, what can be done about it?

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