Jupiter Farms? (Palm Beach, Country Estates: foreclosure, insurance, how much)

[U120]

Can someone give me the low down on Jupiter Farms. I already understand that there is no HOA, therefore no dues. Larger parcels of land. Less expensive homes. Whats the give-up? How close is it to retail (shopping, restaurants, gas stations or Dunkin Donuts, 7-11s) . How about distance to the beach? Also, is the entire Farm area dedicated to one school zone, and if so, which HS and Elementary schools is slated? Do the same type of families live in Jupiter Farms, that say you would find living in Abacoa? Is a distinctley different demographic? Very curious. Thanks in advance....Cmon M5, I know youre loaded with info and opinions about this......

[Native51]

Jupiter Farms definitely has a rural mentality. I think the big issue out there has been the recent influx of folks who expect urban amenities (paved roads in particular) in a rural setting. There is a shopping center with a Publix and some other shops, but that's about it for the most part.

Most of the kids in Jupiter Farms go to Jupiter Farms Elem, Watson Duncan Middle (in PBG) and Jupiter High. Those east of Jupiter Farms road go to Jupiter proper schools.

Based on my friends that live out there, most of the folks enjoy their distance from the city and would not be as happy in an Abacoa environment. The demographics are generally the same, and both are family oriented. Reminds me of the Acreage....

[m5*]

hello it's me (haha) sorry for the delay in a reply i have been deep into the job hunt for the fiance so that we can get our butts down there and out of ny ASAP!!

i love the farms because you get a lot of land which is great for privacy and having pets and kids. i also love the size of the homes out there. i am 29 and will be getting married this year a month after i turn 30 and would absolutely love to end up in the farms or out west on northlake where you get basically the same style of living but you're a few exits closer to "life." there is a great publix shopping area in the farms but not a whole lot else. many of the roads are still dirt which may be a turn off for most people. there are a good deal of paved roads where you pay a tiny bit more for the houses but it's worth the trade off if that is what you are looking for.

as for the people in the area, you can have a neighbor who has 6 horses, a neighbor who has 5 cars on blocks in his yard, a 3 kid working class family, and a few millionaires thrown in. in other words, it's a good mixed balance of people. the fact that you have an acre of land means that no one is really going to be throwing their footballinto your yard and having to run over your veggie patch to get to it. i also find the taxes to be extremely reasonable. we have a budget of $300k for a home and i won't even consider a house if the taxes are over 4k and i have a good deal of jupiter farms properties in my sights.

the jupiter farms elementary school is one of the best schools in the state BTW.

i mentioned out west on northlake previously and i will recommend anyone who likes the farms to look out there as well. right now i am looking for jobs from end to end in palm beach county. if the fiance lands a job in west palm beach, i would consider the northlake area before the fams because it's less of a drive. i enjoy www.ziprealty.com for searching by zipcode (33412/33411 in the northlake/acreage area) and www.palmbeach.expertrealty.com for searching by city (jupiter) then neighborhood (jupiter farms) i also check out www.zillow.com to see how much the taxes are and how much the house was sold for the last time it was purchased.

i will hopefully soon be a florida resident again and a first time home buyer shortly after that. i am not a fan of moving and would love to find a 2000+ square foot home with room to grow that i can start a family in and stay for a long while. with that in mind, my main searches are in the farms and out west on northlake. i feel like you get more for your money. they aren't the closest neighborhoods to the beach but it's still the same beautiful beach even if you drive 25 minutes to get to it. after all, what are pools for?

as for abacoa, it is nice but it was made to be that way, it's almost like disneyland. i also can not deal with hoa's and the houses don't have much of a yard. it's a fit for some, my mother in law will most likely live there, she loves that kind of place. i'm not an average 29 year old, i can afford brand new furniture but i prefer antiques and refinishing things myself. i prefer more space in a home than a new home. i love the little personal touches that can make a home yours, including painting the exterior any color you want and doing my own landscaping.

[TriMT7]

Bare in mind, m5, that the taxes you see on the property appraiser website for any particular property will not be the taxes you will pay when you purchase the home. Assuming you will be buying a non-distressed/non-foreclosure property, budget and figure that your taxes will be roughly 2% of purchase price (will prob end up being lower when all is said and done (homesteading, etc.), but it's best to be surprised in a good way than in a bad.

[m5*]

I've talked to the property appraiser's office and have learned a lot, they're so nice and helpful. I've kept my FL residency so I'll be able to get homestead which is good for me.

[U120]

Thanks again Tri and m5, you two are always very helpful. m5, how long will it take you to get to the beach from Jupiter Farms?

[m5*]

20-25 mins

[TriMT7]

If you like Jupiter Farms, you may also like Palm Beach Country Estates, which is West on Donald Ross Road in Jupiter. Same concept, but a bit closer to civilization (like 5 minutes from Abacoa).

[ideascubed]

TriMT7, what a great idea!!! Palm Beach Country Estates is a great location, closer to the beach too! The best of both worlds actually, lots of land, newer built homes, west of 95 for the insurance break, city water, close to shopping and dining, easy to get to 95 and the turnpike. Good call.

If I had to choose between the farms and PB country Estates, it would be the estates. Biggest reason is the water sitch. I hate well water. And I love the beach!

[m5*]

the houses in palm beach country estates just starting creeping into my budget. i have wanted to live out there for at least 10 years. i would choose pbce over the farms as well.