Trying to decide between Delray and Deerfield to Buy a Home (Boynton Beach: HOA, insurance)

[FloridaKelly]

Hello! I'm torn between The Cove in Deerfield and Chapel Hill in Boynton as well as the west area between Congress and Military Trail in Delray. Love the beach breezes but the homes offer more in western Delray. I've heard Deerfield can have gang type crime but a beautiful beach. Looking for a quiet area with a yard for my dogs. Any opinions would be great. Thanks!

[City Guy997S]

Both areas will have spillover crime from surrounding ghettos, neither are big enough of a concern to prevent you from buying in either area. Just be aware of your surroundings. I think the criminal element in West Delray/Boynton is worse than Deerfield. No personal experience in either but the news tends to have bigger stories in Delray/Boynton and the depressed area seems way bigger there by square mile.

Bigger issue will be things like insurance (windstorm/flood), how old is the house/any updates to make the insurance less?

[Libertad06]

I actually like the Deerfield area better. Nicer beach, less crowded/snooty compared to Delray.

[cfbs2691]

I've lived in Delray and Deerfield, and the other poster's right in that all areas will have crime.
Personally, I wouldn't live in Boynton Beach, anywhere, if you gave me a house for free.

Delray between Congress and Military isn't too safe...IMO.

I'd definitely pick the Cove area in Deerfield.
Depending on how close you are to Hillsboro, you'll feel it during season, or when there's an event at the beach, as far as traffic.
Also, again, depending on where in the Cove area... there's a sense of community that's not easy to find down here.

There will be some crime and undesirables at any of the places you're considering.. but hey it's South Florida.

Best of luck.

[Mattr82]

What are your priorities in a house as far as size, price point, land for your dogs, etc? I generally consider areas West of Jog Rd to be "West," "Central," from Jog to Congress and "East" from Congress and beyond. You're going to get a very different feel of communities West of Jog (lots of gated, family oriented HOA communities) and East of Congress (closer to water and action, heavier traffic).

[Camerali]

Thanks cfbs2691. The area in Delray is by Linton between Congress and Military off Via Verona and Germantown Rd. It's in a community but not gated. Is this a bad area? It looks like a nice neighborhood.

[Camerali]

Thanks very much everyone! I'm looking for a quiet area between 300k and 550k, ranch style house with around .25 acre or a little more. I've lived in Delray 20 yrs. and moved in 2000. I know the area better than Deerfield but have heard good things about the Cove. We live a healthy lifestyle, non drinker/smoker, into fitness, swimming and produce/farmer's markets. Our household consists of my 84 yr. old granduncle, one child in college and 3 dogs.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by Camerali

Thanks cfbs2691. The area in Delray is by Linton between Congress and Military off Via Verona and Germantown Rd. It's in a community but not gated. Is this a bad area? It looks like a nice neighborhood.

That’s actually one area of Delray I think is decent.
However, the traffic is horrendous.

[Camerali]

Too bad you aren't a realtor! I could use your help. I'm going to look in Boynton. Boca is getting too much crime coming from the south not north. Any areas you suggest? I know Chapel Hill is good but don't know anything west of there. Thank you!

[Camerali]

BTW, I work from home so traffic wouldn't be an issue other than shopping etc. I'm looking for a low or no HOA, 200 a month or less and not too far west of Boynton. I'm liking Boynton more than Delray.