Moving to West Palm Beach area - need advice (Boca Raton: rentals, neighborhoods)

[ireznikov]

I have an option to move from Northern NJ to West Palm Beach for work. I have 3 kids 10, 10 and 3. Heard all great things about Florida, and mentally prepared for the hot and humid summer (I assume it's going to be easier for me since it's pretty hot and humid in NYC). Looking to rent in the beginning, but still would like to be next to great schools and have a small town suburban feeling (sidewalks, "downtown" shops/restaurants/playgrounds). Any advice on where to look for such 3/4 bedroom rental as well as school and preschools suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Also looking for recommendations on pediatricians and family doctors.

[THX 1138]

There really is no place here that has a typical Northeast small town feel to it, the area is basically similar to Northern New Jersey in terms of the sprawl issues but without a lot of the small towns you can live in and commute from. The only place that comes close would be Stuart, FL which is further north or Downtown Delray Beach or Lake Worth.

Rental market is tight, very difficult to find rentals and they do not stay on the market too long.

If you worried about the humidity, then visit here in July first, spend a week and think about it. Personally I found the summers in the Northeast more oppressive than anything there.

For schools I would recommend Wellington which is a suburb west of West Palm Beach, it is very family oriented but has no traditional downtown. If you want to closer to the beach, than try Jupiter.

[wireyourworld]

Yeah Wellington is a good option to check out if beach is not an issue. There are quite a few nice parks, its close to agricultural areas, its quite busy during high season (now) with out of state and international folks here for the equestrian festivals. No "downtown", but there is the Mall at Wellington Green and all of its related outparcels of stores and restaurants. 441/7 is filled with stores and its only about 10 miles to downtown west palm and easy enough to get south by 441 or turnpike. Wellington itself has those sidewalk neighborhoods that you might be looking for and some older shopping centers that give it its own "town". Just a few miles from the fairgrounds too.

I found this site a couple of weeks ago that gives a pretty good overview of all the communities around these parts Wellington Explore The Palm Beaches: Palm Beach County Florida FL Ventures Towns Cities Communities Villages Outdoors Indoors Activities Events Pahokee Juno Palm Beach Boca Raton Wellington Delray Boynton Check the left column for the others.

[wireyourworld]

Keep in mind that those pretty scenes on that site sure don't show the not so nice places that are in EVERY area.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by wireyourworld

Yeah Wellington is a good option to check out if beach is not an issue. There are quite a few nice parks, its close to agricultural areas, its quite busy during high season (now) with out of state and international folks here for the equestrian festivals. No "downtown", but there is the Mall at Wellington Green and all of its related outparcels of stores and restaurants. 441/7 is filled with stores and its only about 10 miles to downtown west palm and easy enough to get south by 441 or turnpike. Wellington itself has those sidewalk neighborhoods that you might be looking for and some older shopping centers that give it its own "town". Just a few miles from the fairgrounds too.

I found this site a couple of weeks ago that gives a pretty good overview of all the communities around these parts Wellington Explore The Palm Beaches: Palm Beach County Florida FL Ventures Towns Cities Communities Villages Outdoors Indoors Activities Events Pahokee Juno Palm Beach Boca Raton Wellington Delray Boynton Check the left column for the others.

Wellington doesn't have the "downtown" sidewalk/shop/restaurant thing going. The OP wants the traditional downtown, ala Main Street. Closest would be Stuart or downtown Lake Worth or Delray.

If you mean "older shopping centers" as the old Wellington Mall or what's in and around Forest Hill and Wellington Trace or Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores, I suppose strip malls are more like it, again not the same.

Even when equine season is over, Wellington is still a busy place due to the mall, Forest Hill and everything on 441 that has sprung up over the past 10+ years.

[wireyourworld]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

Wellington doesn't have the "downtown" sidewalk/shop/restaurant thing going. The OP wants the traditional downtown, ala Main Street. Closest would be Stuart or downtown Lake Worth or Delray.

If you mean "older shopping centers" as the old Wellington Mall or what's in and around Forest Hill and Wellington Trace or Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores, I suppose strip malls are more like it, again not the same.

Even when equine season is over, Wellington is still a busy place due to the mall, Forest Hill and everything on 441 that has sprung up over the past 10+ years.

Not sure what your point is, I was only adding information to YOUR previous post.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by wireyourworld

Keep in mind that those pretty scenes on that site sure don't show the not so nice places that are in EVERY area.

Including all those nice places off of the 12th Fairway....

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by wireyourworld

Not sure what your point is, I was only adding information to YOUR previous post.

Point is, Wellington has no downtown/Mayberry feel. It's not the same to what someone from the Northeast would experience from a traditional downtown.

[ireznikov]

Thank you all to your responses! I've also done my own research, and it sounds like Jupiter would be the best choice. Based on the pictures on Google maps, the Abacoa town center is pretty similar to what I would be looking for in a "traditional downtown".

[wireyourworld]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

Point is, Wellington has no downtown/Mayberry feel. It's not the same to what someone from the Northeast would experience from a traditional downtown.

Then why did you bother mentioning it in the first place?