Gated communities in palm beach county (sales, real estate, house)

[Bill v]

Hi all.

I see that this posting is coming quite awhile from the last posting but I'm hoping someone may still be looking and able to help.

I started looking for a place to retire to from the cold northeast,the palm beach area seems right to me and even found what seems a great community with water access and docks a part of every home.it's called the harbour place, as I looked deeper something caught my attention. They have about 100 homes and about a dozen are for sale. Multi million dollar properties with such a percentage available. Is there a problem with the area or the homes themselves? I can't seem to find anything suggesting that but I'm quite curious. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Bill v]

Sorry I meant harbour isles not harbour place.

[Snowbird100]

Originally Posted by JSnFla

50 is young if u go to a nursing home maybe but theres tons of young people in their 20s and 30s living all over south florida. jupiter, palm beach gardens are very, very nice. a bit ritzy, snobby so u have to be careful. i would not live any further south than palm beach gardens. its just getting too crazy, overcrowded and non english speaking the further south u go. start around pga blvd in PBG and look nothward from there. homes prices in these areas are still way too overpriced and will crash over the next few years

Please note the date of this post: 04-30-2007, 08:45 PM

He/she was right !

May I ask if you had a crystal ball

[Snowbird100]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

Well, let me just say that the communities you are looking at are amongst the most exclusive in the county, and indeed, possibly the state! As far as Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens go as a whole, I would say the wealthy people of course skew "older," but there is a University satellite campus of FAU in Jupiter, as well as PBCC campus in Palm Beach Gardens, so it's not nearly as bad as say, Palm Beach Island!! There are a LOT of young families to be found!

But anyway,

Mirasol is West of I-95 and the Turnpike in Palm Beach Gardens. It's a fast developing area with tons of new shopping and dining choices, including "Midtown at the Gardens."

Mirasol is where the Honda Classic is held each year, and prices BEGIN at 800k, with about 2000 homes or so in the development.

San Michele is a smaller development... with maybe 100 estate homes, if that. It's not as "exclusive," in my opinion, due to it's location, but that location is also more convenient and centrally located than Mirasol, in my opinion. Again, big homes, big prices!


Frenchman's Reserve has an exquisite entryway, and the best location of all your options, in my opinion, due to its proximity to the Gardens Mall, and downtown at the Gardens, as well as the short drive to the beaches of Juno and Jupiter. Again, mediterranean inspired homes, golf, etc. The only downside of Frenchman's Reserve is that there's maybe a block or two "between the niceness" that could be better. It's by no means ghetto or unsafe.... just not "pretty"...



IBIS is the oldest community of your options you have listed. In my opinion, it's a bit far from "everything" and is located quite far west on Northlake Blvd., which is not as nice a drive or location as PGA Blvd where the other communities are clustered around.

I wish I was a realtor because I'd be happy to show you around the area. It has grown a LOT while maintaining a nicer pace of life than Boca, etc. Be aware, I believe either Mirasol or San Michele require proof of net worth before they even LET you take a look at the community (at least that's how it was a couple years ago when a friend of mine was looking to buy). Find a realtor who will be conscientous to your desires and needs and make them take you around to the different communities over a weekend! Good luck!

Though this post was a few years old, but very informative !

[skylinet]

Originally Posted by Bill v

Sorry I meant harbour isles not harbour place.

There's nothing wrong with harbour isles. Half the homes on the market have been on there for over a year because they were trying to get 2007 prices. If you are looking for a newer gated community on the water that is a great choice.

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by skylinet

There's nothing wrong with harbour isles. Half the homes on the market have been on there for over a year because they were trying to get 2007 prices. If you are looking for a newer gated community on the water that is a great choice.

Pulte built Prosperity Harbor just north of Harbor Isles and it is also very nice and about 1/2 to 1/3 the price (comparing waterfront to waterfront).

Harbor Isles is insane with their tax values, nothing is worth 3MM+ in there! A few nice places have sold in the very low 2MM range recently though so I would expect the values to come down next time the tax roll is figured.

[Snowbird100]

I just looked at those million $+ properties in Harbour Isles ... on line, I think they are way over priced !

It's not worth it !

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by Snowbird100

I just looked at those million $+ properties in Harbour Isles ... on line, I think they are way over priced !

It's not worth it !

Especially when it comes to the location. Who would pay millions to have a house here? You gotta pay for landscaping and upkeep, you have to deal with roaches, snakes, alligators, and mosquitoes. And the humidity is hell. For all that BS, you could get a 600,000 nicer home in San Diego (or the suburbs) where it's perfect weather and none of the animals. The Florida real estate market is unreal.

[Snowbird100]

Originally Posted by allenk893

Especially when it comes to the location. Who would pay millions to have a house here? You gotta pay for landscaping and upkeep, you have to deal with roaches, snakes, alligators, and mosquitoes. And the humidity is hell. For all that BS, you could get a 600,000 nicer home in San Diego (or the suburbs) where it's perfect weather and none of the animals. The Florida real estate market is unreal.

I agree with the above except one: San Diego. Reason ? As a Canadian, I am only allowed to stay in the States 6 months/year, so winter in Florida is perfect for me.

There's something to think about though, Florida is the entertainment capital of the world, imagine all the cruises to the Caribean, Central & South America. I rarely check cruises along the California coast but there aren't too many islands to cruise, there's only Mexico, Hawaii ...

A couple of things "new" to me and draw my attention is what you mentioned about alligators, snakes, roaches (I thought big tropical roaches are everywhere in FL)...

Does any Florida native or South Florida native know if alligators climb to home owners' backyard, especially the above Harbour Isles and Prosperity Harbour ?

Thanks !

[City Guy997S]

1. Prosperity Harbor/Harbor Isles are salt water canals with seawalls so no gators will be: A. in salt water, B. Be able to scale a 5 ft seawall. Alligators are mostly found in fresh water canals and are naturally afraid of humans (unless they have been fed, then they associate humans with food...not good).

2. FL's wildlife is there but honestly you could go years without seeing any of it up close. More importantly if you have a clean home, airtight windows/doors your bug issues will be minimal. Most of the wildlife will flee humans and the people that get bit are usually trying to mess with the animal or pick it up.

3. If you want to see really big money, look into Lost Tree Village (about 2 miles from Prosperity Harbor/Harbor Isles). Dry lot homes can be 3MM, oceanfront can be 20MM and it is a wonderful country club that is oceanfront on the east, intracoastal to the west. Lots of Fortune 500 CEO's live there and lots of wealthy Canadians.