10 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Boca Raton, FL
Beautiful Boca Raton, located on Florida’s southeast coast, is a popular and sought-after spot to call home. Living in Boca Raton is like living in a fantasy, what with all the golf courses, the Palm Coast’s world-famous beaches, and the best restaurants and nightlife in the world being just minutes away.
With a current population of 97,000, Boca Raton continues to attract new residents who want to take advantage of the city’s many amenities. Here are ten things to know before moving to Boca Raton, FL!
1. A higher-than-average cost of living
This lavish way of life in Boca Raton is one of the city’s most coveted features. The high cost of living can be attributed to the region’s high concentration of wealth. This city has a cost of living that is 20% more than the U.S. average, with a ranking of 120 on the overall cost of living scale. The city’s median home price is also above the national average, at $556,771.
If you’re seeking a low-cost spot to settle in Florida, you might want to explore some other parts towards central or northern Florida.
2. Visit South Beach Park or Red Reef Park
Do you enjoy relaxing on the beach? The beaches in Boca Raton are among the finest in the state of Florida. This city is renowned for its beautiful coastline, which stretches for two miles and features powdery white sand and clear blue waters guarded by professional lifeguards. Boca Raton’s beaches are perfect for families because of how quiet, calm, and relaxed they are. It’s a terrific spot for water sports and sunset watching, and there’s a boardwalk to explore as well.
The 24.5-acre South Beach Park in Boca Raton is a terrific spot to take the kids or just kick back and relax. Do some wildlife watching while you swim, surf, shell, boat, or fish. Red Reef Park is a 67-acre coastal park that boasts some of the best beach access in Boca Raton and is widely regarded as a popular beach in the area. This park is well-liked for its tidiness and lack of the big crowds characteristic of the other beaches to the south. However, its parking is somewhat pricey.
The small beach at South Inlet Park is a hidden gem in the neighborhood, and parking isn’t expensive. Spend some time near the water’s edge, away from the people, and enjoy the breeze.
3. The city is in a convenient location
In Palm Beach County, Boca Raton can be found just inland from the Atlantic Ocean. It is conveniently situated close to many other well-known Florida metropolises. It’s just 24 minutes to Fort Lauderdale, 47 to Miami, 1 hour and 15 minutes to Naples, and 2 hours to Fort Myers, thanks to Boca Raton’s convenient location off of Interstate 95.
And with Orlando’s theme parks just three hours away, you can easily take a day trip or weekend vacation. Florida Atlantic University’s campus is conveniently located next to the Boca Raton Airport, which provides service to the greater Miami area.
4. You get to enjoy both professional and college sports
If you’re a sports fanatic, south Florida is the place to be. For every sport, there is a team to root for. Citizens of Boca Raton are expected to support their local teams no matter the sport, from ice hockey to football. Check out a game at the BB&T Center to see the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League, the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League, or the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball.
Golf fans should not miss the Allianz Championship Golf Tournament, a PGA Tour event. Boca Raton is also home to a number of collegiate sports teams for those looking for a change from the pros. Participate in Florida Atlantic University or University of Miami collegiate athletics.
5. It is home to Florida Atlantic University
If you’re relocating to Boca Raton with school-aged children or planning to start a family, you’ll be pleased to learn that the city places a high priority on education. Located near many of South Florida’s finest public and private educational institutions. Boca Raton is home to some of the best public schools in Florida because of its inclusion in the Palm Beach County Public School District. Waters Edge Elementary School, Don Estridge High Technical Middle School, Fau High School, and A.D. Henderson University School are some of the best schools in Boca Raton.
Those interested in furthering their education can check out Florida Atlantic University’s main campus, which is located in Boca Raton. This public four-year institution is home to more than 33,000 students pursuing degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. There are also a couple of private universities in the area, including Lynn University and Everglades University.
6. You get to enjoy warm weather
Many individuals are drawn to Boca Raton because of the pleasant weather year-round. The weather is pleasant and windy, moderate winters with clear skies. The hottest times of year are between the months of June and September, when average highs reach into the high 80s and low 90s with a lot of humidity and possible hurricanes.
The coldest months typically see temperatures above 46 degrees Fahrenheit, so the climate is generally mild year-round. If you are relocating from a location where it frequently snows, a snow shovel will be one less thing you need to bring with you.
7. Businesses thrive in this city
The job market and entrepreneurial landscape in Boca Raton are both promising. City residents enjoy an income tax-free environment, and the favorable regulatory environment helps businesses flourish. Because of the absence of taxes, a large number of businesses have set up shop in the city, providing locals with gainful employment.
The local government itself, the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the many universities, and even IBM are among the city’s top employers.
8. Visit The Boca Museum of Art or attend The Festival of the Arts
Boca Raton, like much of Southern Florida, is a cultural mecca with a thriving arts scene and other artistic flourishings. The city’s dedication to maintaining and nurturing an appreciation for the arts is probably its primary cultural mission. As such, it has much to offer art enthusiasts, students, and connoisseurs.
The Festival of the Arts is a beloved yearly event that brings together and inspires Palm Beach County’s artistic community through a wide variety of talks, performances, and displays. Like its yearly Palm Beach counterpart, Art Boca Raton celebrates the originality and impact of today’s young artists.
The Boca Museum of Art is arguably the city’s most important cultural institution due to the caliber of its exhibitions and cultural services, such as its art school and guild for local artists, which are recognized on a national and international scale.
9. Eat at Ichiyami Buffet & Sushi or Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria
Southern Florida is a popular treasure trove of unique, tasty, and (often) locally sourced cuisine. This pattern holds true everywhere, including Boca Raton. The beautiful thing about areas like here and West Palm Beach is that you can get good meals for various budgets. The wood-fired pizzas at Louie Bossi’s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria make it one of the best restaurants in Boca Raton.
Then there’s Farmer’s Table, a restaurant serving excellent American food in a charmingly rustic setting. This Boca Raton eatery serves a variety of meals, including breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. With its spacious and contemporary buffet layout, Ichiyami Buffet & Sushi is another fantastic Boca Raton restaurant option. It gives you all the standard nigiri, sushi rolls, and fried rice, in addition to the delicious hibachi grill, at a very affordable price.
10. You’re free from traffic here
Are you sick of spending so much time in traffic? You’ll be a little happier in Boca Raton. Traveling to and from this city is not as hasslesome as many other parts of Southern Florida. There is less traffic to contend with on your commute to or from work, school, or home in the evenings. There is of course the traffic on the infamous I-95, but if you live and commute within the city itself, you won’t suffer that traffic as much.
This is undoubtedly one of the best qualities of this amazing city. You can schedule your commute without being concerned about being delayed by traffic. In Boca Raton, your daily routines don’t have to wear you out.
Final Thoughts
Living in Boca Raton, you get to enjoy a thriving economy, little or no traffic, a healthy educational sector, and a great food scene. However, consider this city’s high cost of living before making your move.
