Helpp!! Moving to Boca Raton this summer (Century Village, Century: condo, house)

[CJFlorida]

OP, for goodness sakes please RENT!! Florida is just beginning to unwind from a historic housing bubble. You are a newcomer who does not know the market or the area. You could get totally taken trying to buy right now.

There are literally hundreds and hundreds of rentals all over Boca, Parkland, Coral Springs. Look at the palmbeachpost online ads. Check realtor dot com under rentals.

Landlords are desperate here. You can negotiate a low deposit, insist they prove their payments are up to date, insist your deposit is put into escrow. It is a renters market down here, take advantage of it. What ever the asking rent is, cut it by at least a third or more. Landlords are taking any decent renter they can get and giving them great perks.

Please don't buy right now when renting makes so much more sense in your situation! Any house you buy for $500,000 now could very well be going for $450,000 in a year. You could rent that same house for $1800/month and put the savings into a 6% CD and wait for more price drops!

[paullow]

Hello fellow Texan! Our family moved to Boca Raton last summer (in 07) from Fort Worth, Texas. We like it here but it does take some getting used to - it ain't Texas! Consider renting your first year. That's what we did and now we are in the process of purchasing a home (3 bedroom). Consider the Addison Mizner Elementary School area (33486 - zip), especially if you have kids. Our daughter transitioned very well there and our son attended Boca Community Middle. The prices of houses have dropped in recent months but it's difficult to find a 5 bedroom here at all! A 4 bedroom home that would cost $200,000- 250,000 in Fort Worth is likely to cost at least $450,000 - 550,000 here. Due to the slow market, there are a lot of nice homes for rent - but expect to pay more than TEXAS! I highly recommend you move to Boca Raton, proper, (versus Deerfield Beach or Delray Beach) if you had kids in public school. I wish you the best with your move.

[Sharkey514]

Please consider renting!! Read above posts on this. You can rent a nice house for less money it will cost you in mortgage payment, insurance, and taxes around her. The market still has some adjusting to do. Go on realtor (dot com). If you can't find a large enough place in Boca, you may find some houses for rent in Coconut Creek and Parkland - not a bad commute to FAU.

[obusyone]

You might be familiar with International Baccalaureate - - a rigorous academic program that started with children in the military. The Deerfield Beach High School - 910 SW 15 St Deerfield Beach ZIP 33441and Middle School 710 SE 6th Avenue Deerfield Beach ZIP 33441 have the IB programs and extra pathways like Health and Wellness in the middle school for example. They are stilll in Broward County not Palm Beach County - but if you live within the district - even if you aren't in the program your kids can be exposed to the kids there. It's not too far of a drive from Deerfield Beach to Boca Raton/FAU either. Check their website for more info Broward County Public Schools

[bocainwaiting]

I am also moving to Boca Raton in March 2009. I am 50 and would like to rent, to start, a 1100 sq ft 1 or 2 bedroom condo. Interested in knowing approximate monthly charges such as medical insurance, auto insurance, cable TV and internet, electric, water. I am also single (divorced) and want to join up a singles social group.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by keithwatkinsfl

Coming from texas you wont be on the level. Best thing for you is to move to pompano or hillsboro beach the peolpe or nicer, to much politics in boca you wont blend in being from a cow pasture state.

This is totally ridiculous. There are plenty of people in Boca from all over the country, especially the FAU faculty. I think the OP will be very happy in Boca. There is lots to choose from.

[flgrammie]

Boca is wonderful. I left there two years ago, and have regretted it ever since.

[House4Sale]

I agree, flgrammie. We left Boca (worst mistake ever) and thankfully were able to return there. We are struggling but I'd rather be poor in Boca than well off in some other towns.

I don't want 2 badmouth other areas (wish I could shout a warning from the rooftop. Don't move to ------ ----!!) for others may like it there but ugh.

I know how you feel. Are you still in FL?

[flgrammie]

No, I moved to South Carolina. Totally different here, low levels of intelligence. God I miss Boca Raton!!!

[House4Sale]

Come back down, FLGrammie. Do you have to move a whole family? What are your requirements or obstacles (briefly). You might be able to do so easier than you thought being realty is so much cheaper now. Houses were at an all time high when you left, now they're near all time low. Condos in Century Village can be found for less than 100,000. Some for around $89,000. Then there's Boca Lago which is great. Also, many are renting houses or parts of houses to single people. Also there are some great apts. available. Anything in Boca is better than being miserable elsewhere.

Best wishes.