Boca Raton is a suburban community on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, between Ft. Lauderdale & West Palm Beach. Home to 90,000 residents, Boca – as the locals call it – is a growing city, popular with retirees looking to escape the cold, college students, and young families.
Boca Raton’s comparatively smaller population to surrounding metropolitan cities is one of the most common reasons incoming residents desiring a coastal life choose Boca as their moving destination. What’s more, the reduced crowds don’t mean any reduction in quality or variety of amenities. Pair this with a housing market regularly posting a variety of new listings and it’s easy to see why so many people are choosing to make the move to Boca Raton.
- Housing
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty reports Boca Raton’s housing market having a median closing price of $312,500. This is a 9% increase compared to last quarter, but keep in mind that it’s common practise for real estate investors to make acquisitions at the end of the year to receive tax credits, which can drive up the median closing price.
Boca’s median closing price is competitive with surrounding cities, while offering more of a small-town dynamic that’s becoming harder to find as Florida’s coast continues to develop.
- Quality Education
One of the main drivers of short-term residents in Boca Raton is post-secondary education. Boca is home to three university’s and two college’s, collectively bringing over 125,000 students to the city and surrounding area. This emphasis on education in the community trickles down to high school and elementary programs that are on par with, or exceed national standards.
Elementary class sizes average between 15 and 10 students per teacher and only increases to between 15 and 20 throughout middle school and high school. The reduced number of pupils per class has contributed to Boca boasting a 95.8% high school graduation rate.
- Sunshine Coast Lifestyle Without the Crowds
Boca Raton takes influence from modern and traditional coastal lifestyles to create a hybrid that incorporates the best of both. Beach towns were developed to escape the business of ‘big city’ life. But as more people came to enjoy the coast, the development everyone was trying to escape followed. It’s all too common to hear about visitors and new residents in major cities like Miami get excited about the proximity of gorgeous beaches only to end up stuck in traffic most of the day due to the sheer amount of people trying to get around.
Boca Raton has a population of roughly 90,000 which allows the city to maintain its laid back dynamic, where you have the space to enjoy your surroundings. Of course, during peak tourist season there’s a surge of snowbirds looking to escape the cold, but when you live so close to some of the most desirable beaches in the world, that’s expected.
- Climate
Boca Raton is a shimmering example of the highly-desired ‘Florida weather,’ getting 236 days of sun a year and over 12 hours of sun every day, Spring to Fall. Typical winter conditions are almost non-existent, there’s no snowfall, and the coldest it gets in winter is 56°F. In the summer the mercury can easily hit 90°F, but averages around 82°F, so keep your shades and sunblock handy whenever you head out to enjoy your endless summer.
- Celebrate the Arts
The Arts are alive and flourishing in Boca Raton. The biggest celebration the city holds is The Festival of the Arts BOCA. The annual festival has been going strong for 12 years and prides itself on celebrating the arts and educating the public on emerging artists and movements. Festival of the Arts BOCA ranges in offerings from sculptures by upcoming artists to screenings of cinematic marvels like Star Wars with a live orchestra.
Beyond the Festival, Boca has a myriad of arts & culture programming throughout the year. Mizner Park Amphitheatre is managed by the city and regularly has free concerts, festivals, and commercial concerts from a variety of artists. The 4,000 person venue is in downtown Boca and serves as a hub for Boca’s arts & culture scene.
- Beaches and Parks Just Out the Door – Literally
You’d find it hard to be in Boca Raton and not be within proximity of a beach. The only decision to make is which beach you want to try on your next outing. Red Reef Park is a coastal oceanfront beach with public grills and tables available; just make sure to get there early. The park is also home to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, where visitors can get a hands-on learning experience about local ecosystems and wildlife.
Spanish River Park is another popular place to spend sunny days in Boca. The park has an oceanfront beach and boat access to Florida’s Intercoastal Waterway. If you’re looking for somewhere to take your dog to cool off, Spanish River Park has Bark Park Dog Beach as a designated pet-friendly beach.
- Outdoor Recreation
Beaches aren’t the only world class amenities you can find in Boca. The quiet city has no shortage of golf courses with breathtaking views of the local landscape. Boca Raton Resort has two golf courses, as well as a tennis facility available to the public. The golf courses are designed with an emphasis on sustainability and wildlife management, which also contributes to the wonderful aesthetic of the resort.
If you’ve ever dreamed of golfing along the Atlantic Ocean, be sure to play a round at Red Reef Executive Golf Course. The course is ocean front provides sweeping panoramic views that will impress amateurs and pros alike.
- The Bahamas are a Boat Ride Away
South Florida’s beaches have a reputation of making visitors feel as if they are in an exotic resort, hours away from the US. The azure, blue water and soft, white sand beaches make it hard to argue that. But, if you are looking to explore beaches beyond Boca, you won’t have to travel very far. The Bahamas is literally a boat ride away, making it popular destination for Boca-area residents for day trips and weekend vacations.
If you’re thinking about moving to coastal Florida and want to escape the busy metropolitan cities, Boca Raton should be in your consideration. The quiet beachtown has endless ways to enjoy the amazing weather, whatever your preference is . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty has experienced real estate professionals in Boca Raton who understand the local housing market and can help you find your perfect home in Boca Raton.
Contact us and one of our experienced real estate professionals will help you complete your next real estate transaction in confidence, so you can establish yourself and enjoy everything Boca Raton, Florida has to offer.
