Moving to Boca Raton with parents (Boynton Beach, Coconut Creek: RV park, HOA fees, condo)

[KrasotkaJS]

I have been considering moving to different parts of Florida for a few years now and have not decided to pull the trigger on the move. I currently live in NYC. My parents have a home in Flagler county that they want to retire in. It will not be possible for me to transfer to any surrounding area near Flagler

I was just given an opportunity to transfer to Boca Raton. My annual salary will be anywhere 70 to 75k. I would be looking to buy a condo, and my budget would be $250k max for a 2bedroom. I am looking for a safe low crime area. Being a single 35 yr old White female, I would prefer to live in a White area. Will I have trouble finding housing under my budget? I am not looking anything near the beach, and wouldn't being further inland.

Now as for my parents. They do not want to live in a condo and would prefer a house without any HOA fees. Their budget is 400-450k for a house. The houses that I've seen in Boca in that price range are just downright embarrassing and nightmarish options. Obviously Boca is out of the question as any decent house will be above 750k. They do not mind living 20-30 minutes driving from Boca. Are there any decent areas where one could get a 3-4 bedroom 2000sq ft house under $450k. They do not want to be in any community and have to waste $ on those ridiculous HOA fees.

I checked out Boynton Beach and found some nice homes in that price range. What scared me off are all the negative reviews of Boynton and the complaints of crime, gang activity, robberies, assaults. Living in such an area would be unacceptable for them.


Before I uproot them and bring them with me, I need to make sure I will not ruin their retirement by making their lives miserable.

[Ghaati]

Originally Posted by KrasotkaJS

I have been considering moving to different parts of Florida for a few years now and have not decided to pull the trigger on the move. I currently live in NYC. My parents have a home in Flagler county that they want to retire in. It will not be possible for me to transfer to any surrounding area near Flagler

I was just given an opportunity to transfer to Boca Raton. My annual salary will be anywhere 70 to 75k. I would be looking to buy a condo, and my budget would be $250k max for a 2bedroom. I am looking for a safe low crime area. Being a single 35 yr old White female, I would prefer to live in a White area. Will I have trouble finding housing under my budget? I am not looking anything near the beach, and wouldn't being further inland.

Now as for my parents. They do not want to live in a condo and would prefer a house without any HOA fees. Their budget is 400-450k for a house. The houses that I've seen in Boca in that price range are just downright embarrassing and nightmarish options. Obviously Boca is out of the question as any decent house will be above 750k. They do not mind living 20-30 minutes driving from Boca. Are there any decent areas where one could get a 3-4 bedroom 2000sq ft house under $450k. They do not want to be in any community and have to waste $ on those ridiculous HOA fees.

I checked out Boynton Beach and found some nice homes in that price range. What scared me off are all the negative reviews of Boynton and the complaints of crime, gang activity, robberies, assaults. Living in such an area would be unacceptable for them.


Before I uproot them and bring them with me, I need to make sure I will not ruin their retirement by making their lives miserable.

Well basically in that part of the state: you can "waste $ on those ridiculous HOA fees" or you can risk "crime, gang activity, robberies, assaults." Those "ridiculous HOA fees" usually come with gates and security personnel, a key card in order to use the pool and clubhouse facilities if there are any.

Also, if it's just your parents, why would they want a 3-4 bedroom 2000 sf home to retire in? Do they plan on hiring a maid to keep it clean? Wouldn't it be more cost efficient to get 2 bedroom 2 bath 1500 sf home with a den or covered lanai, and a small yard for entertaining?

As for Boca, you're not likely to find a condo for $250k max, and if you do, there's likely to be a lot of "ridiculous HOA fees."

Maybe look into what those fees cover, before making blanket statements.

[KrasotkaJS]

Originally Posted by Ghaati

Well basically in that part of the state: you can "waste $ on those ridiculous HOA fees" or you can risk "crime, gang activity, robberies, assaults." Those "ridiculous HOA fees" usually come with gates and security personnel, a key card in order to use the pool and clubhouse facilities if there are any.

Also, if it's just your parents, why would they want a 3-4 bedroom 2000 sf home to retire in? Do they plan on hiring a maid to keep it clean? Wouldn't it be more cost efficient to get 2 bedroom 2 bath 1500 sf home with a den or covered lanai, and a small yard for entertaining?

As for Boca, you're not likely to find a condo for $250k max, and if you do, there's likely to be a lot of "ridiculous HOA fees."

Maybe look into what those fees cover, before making blanket statements.

I always found HOA frustrating. Wonder why South Florida was ever developed like that. There are plenty of areas that are safe and function as normal neighborhoods around the country without having to resort to HOA. At the end of the day, these HOA fees are nothing but another money grab.

You are right, they probably wouldn't need a 2000sq feet home, one that is 1500 would be fine.


You say I will not find a condo under $250k. I see plenty of them in Sandalfoot Cove area of Boca. Am I looking at the wrong thing or something? Bear with me because I am not familiar with the area, just learning aobut it. Is Sandalfoot a safe area?

[cfbs2691]

Cross Sandalfoot off your list

[City Guy997S]

Originally Posted by KrasotkaJS

I always found HOA frustrating. Wonder why South Florida was ever developed like that. There are plenty of areas that are safe and function as normal neighborhoods around the country without having to resort to HOA. At the end of the day, these HOA fees are nothing but another money grab.

You are right, they probably wouldn't need a 2000sq feet home, one that is 1500 would be fine.


You say I will not find a condo under $250k. I see plenty of them in Sandalfoot Cove area of Boca. Am I looking at the wrong thing or something? Bear with me because I am not familiar with the area, just learning aobut it. Is Sandalfoot a safe area?

Sandalfoot is the white trash area of Boca......yeah there is even a trailer park out there!
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...8_M52108-15522


Forget living in Boca in a nice place for 250K, it won't happen especially after you factor in the HOA/club fees.

HOAs are common, people want the well maintained community look. They want the green grass, the seasonal flowers planted at the entrance. They don't want Uncle Eddie's RV parked on the grass in front of the house for 2 years, they don't want junk cars in the driveway like in Hoboken, NJ!

East Boca (inside city limits) is basically a big HOA, the city has lots of rules.

Out west, unincorporated west Boca needs the HOAs to try to look as nice as East Boca.

Look in Coconut Creek, it is next to Boca and you might find what you want at your price point.

[City Guy997S]

BTW Flagler is a very pleasant place, if I was your parents I'd be pissed you dragged me to West Boynton Beach (MISERABLE PLACE). Flagler is laid back, low traffic, beach town kind of vibe. Boynton is NY/NJ retirees, crowded, crappy shopping centers with big box stores. East Boynton is ghetto. They recently made headlines for an unlicensed 13 yr old on a dirtbike running from the cops, kid ran out of talent and crashed/died at the scene. Parents outraged that they bought jr a dirtbike the day before (Christmas) and the cops shouldn't have chased him. Now they are suing the city while taking zero responsibility for setting this tragedy in motion with the purchase!

https://cbs12.com/news/local/video-s...re-fatal-crash

[wizrap]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

Cross Sandalfoot off your list

I concur.

[KrasotkaJS]

Originally Posted by City Guy997S

BTW Flagler is a very pleasant place, if I was your parents I'd be pissed you dragged me to West Boynton Beach (MISERABLE PLACE). Flagler is laid back, low traffic, beach town kind of vibe. Boynton is NY/NJ retirees, crowded, crappy shopping centers with big box stores. East Boynton is ghetto. They recently made headlines for an unlicensed 13 yr old on a dirtbike running from the cops, kid ran out of talent and crashed/died at the scene. Parents outraged that they bought jr a dirtbike the day before (Christmas) and the cops shouldn't have chased him. Now they are suing the city while taking zero responsibility for setting this tragedy in motion with the purchase!

https://cbs12.com/news/local/video-s...re-fatal-crash

That's what worries me. I do not want to drag them out there and have them be miserable surrounded by ghetto trash.

Are there any other areas within 30 min driving distance of Boca where they could buy a decent house under 400k?

[City Guy997S]

Why not just move yourself and leave them in Flagler? See how you like the area, how the job works out before you disrupt their lives?

The Boca Resort and Club (Landmark Pink Tower) to the Flagler Pier (another local landmark) is 245 miles/ just under a 4 hour drive.

[newtovenice]

Originally Posted by KrasotkaJS

I have been considering moving to different parts of Florida for a few years now and have not decided to pull the trigger on the move. I currently live in NYC. My parents have a home in Flagler county that they want to retire in. It will not be possible for me to transfer to any surrounding area near Flagler

I was just given an opportunity to transfer to Boca Raton. My annual salary will be anywhere 70 to 75k. I would be looking to buy a condo, and my budget would be $250k max for a 2bedroom. I am looking for a safe low crime area. Being a single 35 yr old White female, I would prefer to live in a White area. Will I have trouble finding housing under my budget? I am not looking anything near the beach, and wouldn't being further inland.

Now as for my parents. They do not want to live in a condo and would prefer a house without any HOA fees. Their budget is 400-450k for a house. The houses that I've seen in Boca in that price range are just downright embarrassing and nightmarish options. Obviously Boca is out of the question as any decent house will be above 750k. They do not mind living 20-30 minutes driving from Boca. Are there any decent areas where one could get a 3-4 bedroom 2000sq ft house under $450k. They do not want to be in any community and have to waste $ on those ridiculous HOA fees.

I checked out Boynton Beach and found some nice homes in that price range. What scared me off are all the negative reviews of Boynton and the complaints of crime, gang activity, robberies, assaults. Living in such an area would be unacceptable for them.


Before I uproot them and bring them with me, I need to make sure I will not ruin their retirement by making their lives miserable.

Cross SE Florida off your list.

Very, very, very few areas are non HOA.