Whoah! Are there any decent rentals below $1,600 in PBC??? (Boynton Beach: real estate, apartments)

[bleighorr]

Ok so my research has shown me that a decent place (I'm currently in almost 1,900 sq. feet 3 bedroom w/ den that i've converted into another bedroom in a great neighborhood w/ pool & bike trails here in NC...currently pay 1200 a month for + about 250 in electr. + about 60 bucks in water each month) will cost me an ARM & LEG to rent down there!!! I've been looking on craigslist.org, etc. and the price of rentals in PBC is verrrry expensive...I'm in SHOCK, actually....because in comparison, the wages don't seem higher in PBC for general jobs (sales/account mgmt./customer svc, town jobs, etc.) than they are here in NC!!!

I'm hoping the JOB MARKET there pays according to the rental prices!???? Has anyone relocated from the Raleigh area to PBC within the last year or so? If so, I'd like to hear your take on your relocation experience: difference in schools, salaries/economy here vs. there, etc. I'm NOT looking to buy, only rent (IF I'm offered the job i'm in consideration for, no salary discussions yet)... Do people actually MAKE IT off 45K there??????? The rentals are like CRAZY high in PBC!!!

If i lived in Martin County, would the rentals be that much cheaper than my expenditure in gas overall....and how would my commute be to downtown WPalm Beach??? (and i know it's hard to visualize what traffic means here vs. there....here it's 5 lanes one way crowded into the RTP area where there are good paying jobs....milder than Atlanta, GA traffic, but still congested though...) Is the commute bumper to bumper like that going from Martin Co. or Jupiter into WPalm Beach? Gas if $4.00 a gallon here, and i'm spending about $450 a month in my toyota matrix driving back and forth to work, commute time about 40-50 minutes each way in traffic.

p.s. good neighborhood information is always appreciated :-)...i have 3 boys and 1 girl, no drugs, etc. very athletic kids. I just wanted to know in case this becomes a salary negotiation point, which it obviously will if i continue on in the interview process.....

[TriMT7]

Such deals exist, but you'll have to pound the pavement. In general, you'll definitely be nearing 2k for four bedrooms in better neighborhoods though. Check out Royal Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and Wellington.

With four kids are you looking at 3 or 4 bedrooms?


Also, don't discount the possibility of living downtown. South of Okeechobee has some good family neighborhoods. Older homes though, but you can't beat the (lack of) commute!

[TriMT7]

Ok, searched Craigslist and found this in Royal Palm Beach:

4 bed 2 bath two story house in Nautica Lakes (http://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/apa/725470731.html - broken link)

[bleighorr]

Thanks so much......i can't check craigslist from my job....but....i'll look at this post tonight. I have a girlfriend who just moved down to Tequesta.....I can deal w/ a 3 bedroom....although i'd like a 4....i'm actually in a 3 bedroom now....i just converted the den (which has french doors) into a fourth bedroom. They share a closet w/ me upstairs.

wishlist: I'd like a decent neighborhood w/ a heated pool...(community pool) so my 14 yo and 12 yo can have something to do. Are you familiar with any of the neighborhoods by Jupiter HS?

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by bleighorr

Thanks so much......i can't check craigslist from my job....but....i'll look at this post tonight. I have a girlfriend who just moved down to Tequesta.....I can deal w/ a 3 bedroom....although i'd like a 4....i'm actually in a 3 bedroom now....i just converted the den (which has french doors) into a fourth bedroom. They share a closet w/ me upstairs.

wishlist: I'd like a decent neighborhood w/ a heated pool...(community pool) so my 14 yo and 12 yo can have something to do. Are you familiar with any of the neighborhoods by Jupiter HS?

No prob.

I am familiar with the general Abacoa area, yes, and a couple of close subdivisions nearby, like Botanica and some of the older subdivisions. Jupiter is a real family-friendly town. not too many "bad" areas. Unfortunately, abacoa tends to be a bit more on the pricey side...prob around 1700 for a four bedroom.

Also check out Evergrene in Palm Beach Gardens... though I don't think anything in there will be 1600 for a four bedroom....

[bleighorr]

Hey: What the heck do people DO DOWN THERE to make all this money to afford these rents/mortgages???????????????????? THAT'S THE BILLION DOLLAR QUESTION....And do single parents even EXIST there??? lol

If RENT is this high, I'd hate to ask about DAYCARE!!!! OMGGGG!!! What is it, like $300 a week for a 2 year old???

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by bleighorr

Hey: What the heck do people DO DOWN THERE to make all this money to afford these rents/mortgages???????????????????? THAT'S THE BILLION DOLLAR QUESTION....And do single parents even EXIST there??? lol

If RENT is this high, I'd hate to ask about DAYCARE!!!! OMGGGG!!! What is it, like $300 a week for a 2 year old???

Don't know the answer to the first question, to be honest.... and I have no kids, so I can't give you insight into the second.

A lot of South Florida real estate is propped up by New York and foreign money. BUT, I've heard that it's a renter's market out there, so don't be afraid to negotiate.

[bleighorr]

Thanks Tri-i didn't even think about the possible negotiation thing.... Any other feedback from anyone from Raleigh area would be appreciated. I'm always up for good advice when it comes to schools, places to live, and daycare....:-)

[twowolves]

View Stonybrook Apartments For Rent in Boynton Beach, Florida - ForRent.com

These apts are in west Boynton Beach, just about 8 minutes from I-95 which would head you to WPB.....only up to 3br but reasonable prices and very nice area. A nice pool and workout room, skateboard park just down the street about 5 min away. Shopping and restaurants 5 minutes walking distance.

There are MANY daycare centers around, christian ones too if that's your preference. I think the range is around $180 and up per week depending on the age of the child for full time.

[heydade]

stay away from boynton beach...do not believe what people tell you about it being a nice area. It's not....and the perceived "good" areas are too close to the bad areas to really have peace of mind at night.