Jupiter (Palm Beach: rentals, townhouse, neighborhoods)

[OceanBreezes]

We visited Jupiter a few months ago and fell in love with the small town feel and proximity to WPB/city/jobs. We are hoping to have a slower pace of life and warmer temperatures compared to DC. We have 3 small children, one who will be in kindergarden and another in preschool.
Our house in on the market and we have given notice at work so it has been decided that we will go when our house sells.
Any advice in terms of neighborhoods/schools/moving details?

[TriMT7]

Abacoa, hands down, is a great family area. I have heard of people selling homes in some of the other popular developments, liek Egret's Landing, in order to buy in abacoa and get their kids into Abacoa zoned schools (which, admittedly, I don't know what those schools are exactly!)

Hoem prices are coming down, but look to spend between 210-300k for a nice townhouse, and close to 400k for a single family home.

[Sunandsand]

We lived in Jupiter for 3 years, excellent area. Abacoa is fine if you like a very planned community with tiny lots. The planned down town has some night life, but is overrun by unsupervised teens from all over Palm Beach County every weekend. It was not our thing at all.

We preferred Jupiter Farms, about 5 miles west of Jupiter. Lots from 1.25-2.5 acres, has its own Elementary school. Nice community park. A nice slower pace. Little farms all over, kids ride horses, ATVs, do 4 H stuff...yet can be at the beach in 15 minutes.

But what ever you do, RENT. I can not say this enough. We have tracked prices and inventory since we moved. The inventory is growing every month and prices have dropped but have a LONG way to go.

Do not buy now. There are tons of great rentals. You can negotiate a great lease. Get the deposit as low as possible and put into escrow.

You rent for 1-2 years and then if you like the area still, grab a bargain on a house.