Located between West Palm Beach and Miami on the southern Florida coast, Boca Raton is attracting more and more residents each year. With its pristine coastline, safe reputation, quality public schools plus a plethora of restaurants, bars, and golf courses, it’s an attractive area for young couples, families, and retirees alike.
If you’re considering moving to Boca Raton, you’re probably looking to get a bit more information about the area. Keep reading for the best neighborhoods, costs of living, schools, entertainment, and shopping in the Boca Raton area so you can find out if it’s the right move for you.
Best Neighborhoods in Boca Raton
There are tons of country club communities and small neighborhoods scattered around Boca Raton that make amazing places to live. The Boca area is only about 32 square miles, so it’s a relatively small city with a population of just under 100,000 people. It boasts 5 miles of some of the nicest beaches in Florida.
Boca is split between East Boca and West Boca. Depending on who you’re talking to, you’ll hear arguments claiming their side is the best. Both East and West Boca have great schools, low crime, and plenty of amenities. Which side is right for you will depend on exactly what you’re looking for in a house and neighborhoods.
East Boca
East Boca is the side with the coast, so if you live here you’ll have much easier access to the beach. That being said, it’s also known for having the worst traffic. The single-family homes here tend to be older, with newer, high-rise, beach-front condos mixed in. As the city’s historic district, the homes here tend to be more expensive, often needing major upgrades, but coming with loads of character.
This side of Boca has a more urban feel with most of the fine dining, luxury shops, and walkable areas such as Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place. Downtown Boca also offers the Boca Raton Museum of Art. Two of the three universities are also in East Boca, attracting students from all over the world as well as being two of the top ten employers in the area.
West Boca
On the other side of the city, you have West Boca. Although it does sit farther from the beach, there are many perks to living on this side as well. The houses are not only newer, but they’re more spread out and there’s a lot more greenery. There are both gated and non-gated communities that typically cost less than the homes in East Boca. The country club communities offer luxurious resort-style amenities like tennis courts, golf courses, irresistible pools, and their own dining options. These often come with country club fees.
With almost all of the big box stores located in West Boca, you won’t have to go as far for daily needs such as grocery shopping. You’ll also spend less time sitting in traffic unless you’re headed to the beach. There are great outdoor spaces and parks in West Boca.
Cost of Living in Boca Raton
Boca Raton is known for its lavish country clubs, fine dining, luxury shopping, and yachts. So it’s normal that you might be left wondering if you can afford to live in Boca Raton. The area is definitely considered one of the more expensive areas in Florida, with average home rental prices above the state and national averages. However, it is cheaper than living in Miami.
According to Area Vibes, the cost of living in Boca Raton is about 30 percent higher than the national average. Keep in mind the quality of living in the area when you consider this number. Boca Raton offers great amenities, low crime rates, and excellent public schools, making the higher cost of living worth it for some.
Housing makes up for most of the extra costs of living in Boca Raton. Some neighborhoods come with steep country club fees that are often paid with a large down payment and then a yearly or monthly membership. According to Broward, Palm Beach and St Lucie Assoc of Realtors, the median single family home price is $675,000 as of Oct 2021, up 25.7% over the past year. The median condo price is $269,500, up 12.5% over the prior year. This is to be expected when you’re living in paradise. The real estate market is made up of beachfront properties, country club homes, and luxury condos.
The good news is that outside of home prices and rent, Boca Raton is closer to par with the rest of the country. Groceries are a bit more expensive, but health care, goods and services, utilities, and transportation all fall close to the national average.
The Best Beaches of Boca Raton
One of the main draws to Boca Raton is its breathtaking, pristine beaches. Whether you live right on the water or a bit further away in West Boca, we’re sure that you’ll love spending the sunny Florida days hanging out on one of the gorgeous beaches that Boca has to offer.
Red Reef Park - This is the perfect beach for snorkelers. The city recently extended its artificial reef to include a total of 20 modules which are expected to attract more of the fish species that are in the area. You’ll find plenty of room to picnic, swim, or even fish on this huge, white sand beach.
South Beach Park - Slightly less developed than some of the other parks in Boca Raton, this beach gets fewer visitors. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the peaceful beach or take a nature walk.
Spanish River Park - This beach has a dog-friendly section as well as tons of well-kept nature trails for bird watching. The park boasts a gorgeous picnic area with grills, green space, and even Banyan trees.
South Inlet Park - Here you will find a jetty, picnic areas with shelters, restrooms, showers, and even a play area for the kids. This beach park is smaller and often less crowded than others.
Boca Beach Club - This private beach club is perfect if you’re looking for a more luxurious day at the beach. They offer cabanas, day beds, drink and dining options, waterfront pools, and a private beach for their guests.
Deerfield Beach - Just south of Boca Raton you’ll find Deerfield beach. The well-kept beach has a great fishing pier that stretches out 1000 feet from the shoreline that’s perfect for fishing. From this beach, you can visit the Deerfield Island Park, a preservice for picnics and nature walks through the mangroves.
Restaurants in Boca Raton
Boca Raton has no shortage of local and trendy eateries for residents and tourists alike. There is a very diverse restaurant scene offering options from fine dining to cafes. Being a coastal town, you can find plenty of restaurants right on the water with beachfront views. There are also a few trendy breweries where you can score bar food while tasting the local brews.
With more and more restaurants popping up every day, Boca Raton is becoming a bit of a foodie paradise. Some local favorites include Tucci’s Pizza, Kanpai, Abe & Louie’s, Kapow Noodle Bar, and Rebel House. No matter what type of food you’re looking for, from sushi to Indian to American fare, you’ll find a hip spot with raving reviews.
Shopping In Boca Raton
As far as shopping goes in Boca Raton, you’ll see all the usual big box stores that you find in most American cities. You can grab groceries and the essentials at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Publix just as you do where you live now.
If you’re looking for smaller shops and boutiques, Boca Raton has no shortage of those either. In Mizner Park, you’ll find more than 40 unique stores, dining, and even an iPic theatre. There’s an outdoor shopping center at Boca Center which also has tons of popular shops and eateries. Other shopping centers and areas include Town Center at Boca Raton, Glades Plaza, Royal Palm Place, and Downtown Boca. You’ll be able to shop til you drop!
Education
The Boca Raton area is considered one of the best areas in Florida regarding the public school system. The schools here have a higher average proficiency than the rest of Florida in math and reading. According to Public School Review, the area has one of the highest concentrations of top-ranking schools in Florida. With an average ranking of 10/10, they’re in the top 10 percent of Florida public schools. While the public schools have a great reputation, there are also numerous private schools to choose from as well.
There is higher education available in the Boca Raton area as well. Florida Atlantic University states that it’s the most diverse public university in Florida and offers 28 different bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Lynn University and Everglades University are two private universities based in Boca Raton.
Boca Raton is a Little Slice of Heaven
Ask anyone who lives in Boca Raton and they’ll tell you this is one of the best places to live. Great education for the kids, world-class dining, extravagant shopping, a safe environment, and epic, white sand beaches are just a few of the main draws to Boca Raton. It’s our own little slice of heaven on the southern Florida coast.
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