haha I did live there, I do temporarily live here for the next week, my ex gf did a hellish commute to get her mba at stetson from downtown orlando, I had my 21st birthday there, my first kiss in the old "park" (alley with a tree in it) downtown, my high school band played at every now defunct bar and coffeehouse there, I have paid infinite traffic tickets at the courthouse, and I have some errands to run there in the next few hours.
its nothing to brag about, but I know deland buddy.
If you have a pulse, it sucks. if you are a redneck or a recluse, maybe you'll be okay.
anyone who has anything going for them makes it their first priority to get OUT of volusia county. since I've moved back I haven't run into anyone my age who isn't weighed down with kids from a young age or functionally retarded.