📍 About DAB & Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach Tower is located at Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB), adjacent to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. This coastal Florida city is famous for its beaches, motorsports, and vibrant mix of students, families, and retirees. With affordable living, warm weather, and endless recreation, it’s a great choice for new controllers.
🏡 Where to Live
Best Neighborhoods – Singles & Couples
- Beachside – Ocean views, walkable, restaurants and nightlife
- Downtown – Urban-feel, near marina, riverwalk, and local events
- South Daytona – Quiet, close to airport and affordable apartments
Best for Families
- Port Orange – Excellent schools, family-friendly parks and new housing
- Ormond Beach – Suburban, safe, and scenic
- Palm Coast – 35 minutes north, affordable housing, growing community
🚗 Commute Times to DAB (Daytona Beach Airport)
- 5–15 min: South Daytona, Beachside, Downtown, Embry-Riddle area
- 15–25 min: Port Orange, Ormond Beach
- 30–40 min: Palm Coast, Deltona, New Smyrna Beach
🎓 Top School Districts
- Volusia County Schools – Serves most of the area including Daytona, Port Orange, Ormond
- Flagler County Schools – Covers Palm Coast and surrounding areas
- FUTURES Foundation – Support for gifted, STEM, and magnet programs
🧳 Things to Do – Within 2 Hours, Year-Round
🌴 Outdoor Activities
- Beaches: Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach – all great for sun and surf
- Trails & Parks: Tomoka State Park, Bulow Creek State Park, Tiger Bay State Forest
- Biking: East Central Regional Rail Trail, Loop around Ormond and Daytona
- Boating & Fishing: Halifax River, Ponce Inlet, Intracoastal Waterway
🏛️ Indoor & Cultural
- Museums: Museum of Arts & Sciences, Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
- Racing: Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR events, Daytona 500 Experience
- Performing Arts: Peabody Auditorium, News-Journal Center
- Breweries: Ormond Brewing Company, Daytona Beach Brewing Co.
✈️ Nearby Airports
- Daytona Beach International Airport (DAB): On-site — regional flights via American, Delta
- Orlando Sanford International (SFB): ~45 min – Allegiant and some international flights
- Orlando International Airport (MCO): ~1 hr 15 min – Full-service international hub
🧭 Helpful Resources for Newcomers
🛡️ Crime & Safety + Town Websites
- Port Orange & Ormond Beach: Very safe, great for families
- South Daytona: Safe and quiet, especially near Reed Canal Park
- Beachside & Downtown: Popular but varies block-by-block — check local crime maps
🔗 Town Websites
💰 Cost of Living
- Home Prices: Median in Daytona area: $270,000–$330,000
- Rent: 1-bedroom apartments average $1,200–$1,500/month
- Utilities: ~$180–$230/month for apartment (high summer A/C usage)
- Groceries: Average – milk ~$4.00, eggs ~$3.00
- Gasoline: ~$3.50/gallon
- Taxes: No state income tax in Florida; property taxes vary by county
🌆 Neighborhood Highlights
- Beachside: Walkable with ocean views, ideal for singles or couples
- Port Orange: Clean, suburban, great schools and shopping
- Ormond Beach: Mix of retirees and young families, tree-lined neighborhoods
☀️ Seasonal Weather
- Winter: Mild and sunny — highs in the 60s–70s
- Spring: Warm and breezy, 70s–80s — ideal beach season
- Summer: Hot and humid — 90s daily, frequent thunderstorms
- Fall: Warm with tropical storm potential — keep an eye on hurricane season (June–Nov)
🚇 Public Transportation & Traffic
- Votran: Local bus service covering Daytona, Port Orange, and Ormond Beach
- Driving: Most residents drive — I-95 and US-1 are major thoroughfares
- Parking: Abundant in most areas — permits needed for some beachside spots
🏥 Healthcare & Urgent Care
- AdventHealth Daytona Beach: Full-service hospital with emergency care
- Halifax Health Medical Center: Major medical provider in Volusia County
- Urgent Care: AdventHealth Centra Care, MedExpress, and Walgreens Clinics
🫂 Social Life & Community
- Young Professionals: Beach bars, rooftop lounges, paddle clubs, co-working spaces
- Families: Kid-friendly parks, splash pads, and family events year-round
- Faith/Volunteer: Numerous churches and active Rotary/Chamber groups
🍽️ Dining & Food Scene
- Local Favorites: Don Vito’s, Crabby Joe’s Deck & Grill, Zen Bistro
- Seafood: Riptides Raw Bar, The Oyster Pub, Chart House
- Breweries: Daytona Beach Brewing Co., Ormond Brewing Company
🛫 ATC-Specific Tips
- Live nearby: South Daytona and Port Orange offer 5–15 min commutes
- Training environment: Embry-Riddle traffic makes for a busy local airspace — great experience!
- Shifts: Rotating — blackout curtains and noise control recommended near student housing
📦 Moving Tips
- Weather: Move before peak summer to avoid heat and rain
- Storm prep: Be hurricane-ready — insurance, water, and shutters
- Best apartment season: May–August near ERAU; September–November offers more deals
❓ FAQs
- Is Daytona Beach walkable?
Beachside and downtown are walkable; car is needed for suburban areas - Is the airport busy?
Moderate commercial traffic with high GA and student pilot activity - Is Florida expensive?
Not in Daytona — it's more affordable than other Florida coastal cities