NY to Boca (Miami, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach: 2009, foreclosures, rent)

[E39Chris525i]

Originally my family and I were supposed to move to Miami around January-February 2009. After a 2 week vacation in Miami, we realized that Miami is not for us. We are now focusing on Boca Raton. I am familiar with the area as I lived with my aunt/uncle on Texas Trail and loved it. We will either buy a condo to get started (first time buyer) or rent and then buy. The only concern is finding a jay oh bee (job). Boca is in the middle of WPB and Ft. Lauderdale, so at least we could work in either location. We have begun applying. Job market stinks everywhere, though is the job market stronger in Ft. Lauderdale or WPB? Boca reminds us so much of the town we are living now (Beacon, NY) only with palm trees and beaches . I don't recall seeing any "bad areas" in Boca, though I know every town in the good ol US of A has a bad area. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[compelled to reply]

Well, what do you want in a location, and what don't you want? It's not a secret that Palm Beach and Broward Counties are generally better places to live unless you are willing to deal with certain things in exchange for the flavor in Miami that does not exist elsewhere. By comparison, Boca and Palm Beach County (or Broward County) do not really offer all that much flavor at all. Pretty much typical sunebelt. However, they are less BS to live in. Boca is mostly nice,it has one poorer bad area off of Dixie Hwy near Glades Rd but it's not seedy or anything. There is crime in Boca (a lot of I-95 crime from Boynton and Pompano, and Miami lol), especially car burglaries and automotive related crime, but generally speaking your chances of being victimized aren't particularly high.

[E39Chris525i]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Well, what do you want in a location, and what don't you want? It's not a secret that Palm Beach and Broward Counties are generally better places to live unless you are willing to deal with certain things in exchange for the flavor in Miami that does not exist elsewhere. By comparison, Boca and Palm Beach County (or Broward County) do not really offer all that much flavor at all. Pretty much typical sunebelt. However, they are less BS to live in. Boca is mostly nice,it has one poorer bad area off of Dixie Hwy near Glades Rd but it's not seedy or anything. There is crime in Boca (a lot of I-95 crime from Boynton and Pompano, and Miami lol), especially car burglaries and automotive related crime, but generally speaking your chances of being victimized aren't particularly high.

We don't care for the nightlife. Just laid back, nice and quiet environment. We drove by Delray Beach this past weekend and we were immediately turned off . Reminds me of Harlem with palm trees. Boca would be the ideal location for us. We may even consider Deerfield Beach which is only a stone throw south.....

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by E39Chris525i

We don't care for the nightlife. Just laid back, nice and quiet environment. We drove by Delray Beach this past weekend and we were immediately turned off . Reminds me of Harlem with palm trees. Boca would be the ideal location for us. We may even consider Deerfield Beach which is only a stone throw south.....

Where in Delray did you go? Sounds like you drove down Swinton Ave. I'm just curious because I can definitely see where you get that impression from, but it's good parts are VERY good.

Deerfield is the same way, except the defined lines are easier and the extremes aren't quite as wide (which means the nice areas aren't as nice either), just stay east of Dixie Hwy.

You guys would probably like Parkland the best, just south of Boca, seeing what you want. Can't get much quieter than that.

[E39Chris525i]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Where in Delray did you go? Sounds like you drove down Swinton Ave. I'm just curious because I can definitely see where you get that impression from, but it's good parts are VERY good.

Deerfield is the same way, except the defined lines are easier and the extremes aren't quite as wide (which means the nice areas aren't as nice either), just stay east of Dixie Hwy.

You guys would probably like Parkland the best, just south of Boca, seeing what you want. Can't get much quieter than that.

We drove on Linton and some area by the name of 16th street. Not sure if it was NW, SW, etc... Is "Swinton Ave" a mock of Linton? LOL. Not a pretty picture. We have plenty of time, so its not a rush like some people here need a place ASAP. We might just stick to Boca, but we will check out Parkland like you said.

[bale002]

If you work in the telecommunications software industry you may be able to find jobs in Boca Raton itself.

Office Depot is building a huge corporate headquarters in Boca, though right now their earnings are down.

In any case, it is best to live as close as possible to where you work (I work from home, for example, my commute is about 25 ft).

What industry are you in?

[E39Chris525i]

Originally Posted by bale002

If you work in the telecommunications software industry you may be able to find jobs in Boca Raton itself.

Office Depot is building a huge corporate headquarters in Boca, though right now their earnings are down.

In any case, it is best to live as close as possible to where you work (I work from home, for example, my commute is about 25 ft).

What industry are you in?

I am in the accounting dept/4-yr finance degree. My wife is a MA (medical assistant). 25ft commute saves you on gas .

[bale002]

Originally Posted by E39Chris525i

I am in the accounting dept/4-yr finance degree. My wife is a MA (medical assistant). 25ft commute saves you on gas .

I think you both have a reasonable, if not good, chance of finding jobs in Boca itself.

For kicks, sometimes I read through job announcements in the finance/accounting field, and Boca comes up often. And medical goes just about everywhere in southeastern Florida.

If you really like Boca as a place to live, make the extra effort to search out all companies/professionals in the town (try Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce members list, even the Palm Beach County register of companies/occupational professionals) and contact them.

Wish you the best!

[runwiththewind4]

Office Depot has a monster of a building on Miltary & Clint Moore. I didn't hear good things about working for them though. I know someone there and years ago I tried getting into the company but decided against them. Try www.craigslist.com and http://www.indeed.com/

Your timing is great as you can pick up great deals. Try foreclosures too. Check out the Boca Del Mar area. That is central Boca. It's 10 min. if you want to drive East (have you been to Mizner Park?) and it's 10 min. to 441 where there's a lot of shopping. There are townhouses off of Military near Boca Center between Palmetto Park Rd & Glades - nice area - check out that area & St. Andrews off of Palmetto Park Rd. Boca Pointe off of 18th St. is a nice area. Charlestown townhouses is really quaint off of 18th near Military. Parkland has homes vs. condos. It's zoned for horses - great area. When I win the lottery, that's where I'm heading.

Downtown Delray is fun to visit - really good restaurants. The Hamlet Country Club is off of Atlantic between Congress & Military. Beautiful homes.

Good luck. I think Boca is just so convenient to everything and very manicured.