Wellington or Royal Palm Beach ????? (Madison, Hampton: foreclosures, HOA fees, insurance)

[startpackinn]

Just looking for real honest opinions, I live in New Jersey originally from Brooklyn N.Y. also lived in Staten Island for 14 years. Two children ages 10 and 13, Oh and the big kid 40... looking to move. Just looking for some opinions on what town is better for raising kids. Schools being very important to me. Price range $300k-375k

[graywolf73]

Both are good to raise kids, with Wellington being a little better. A couple of years ago believe it or not, $300-375k wouldn't have gotten you anything. Nowadays, it can buy you a pretty nice house in a really good area. I would stick to the western part of Royal Palm Beach, it's nicer. Prices in Wellington start in the $200's for a townhouse all the way up to mega, mega millions for some of the rich polo and drassage areas. If you are thinking about buying, I would definitely recommend driving around and checking out the areas first. If you have any other ?, you can IM me.

[startpackinn]

Good info, In my town in Jersey 650k won't get you much so I'm thrilled with
350k. I like the community Olympia, the homes are close but right now there is 85 feet between the homes in my community and it's far when the kids want to walk to a friends house, also not as many kids. I just love the entrance and it seems so nice.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by startpackinn

Good info, In my town in Jersey 650k won't get you much so I'm thrilled with
350k. I like the community Olympia, the homes are close but right now there is 85 feet between the homes in my community and it's far when the kids want to walk to a friends house, also not as many kids. I just love the entrance and it seems so nice.

I would avoid Olympia and look elsewhere, during the boom Olympia was one of the worst developments for flipping and artificially inflated prices. Now many homes within the gates are in foreclosure as well it's one of only a few (maybe the only one) newer communities in Wellington that is not completely built out. Minto is struggling to get people in there now. It is very tight, and the subdivisions inside have tight streets.

Even if you want to buy now, personally I wouldn't, you have to figure in property tax rates along with HOA fees (which can be very expensive) along with insurance which can further set you back.

Olympia can get very noisy too, it's adjacent to the Forest Hill Blvd Dragway lol and also during the 4th of July and New Years Eve block parties and people lighting off fireworks is normal for hours too, if your bothered by noise, block parties and fireworks I would look elsewhere.

[startpackinn]

Originally Posted by THX 1138

I would avoid Olympia and look elsewhere, during the boom Olympia was one of the worst developments for flipping and artificially inflated prices. Now many homes within the gates are in foreclosure as well it's one of only a few (maybe the only one) newer communities in Wellington that is not completely built out. Minto is struggling to get people in there now. It is very tight, and the subdivisions inside have tight streets.

Even if you want to buy now, personally I wouldn't, you have to figure in property tax rates along with HOA fees (which can be very expensive) along with insurance which can further set you back.

Olympia can get very noisy too, it's adjacent to the Forest Hill Blvd Dragway lol and also during the 4th of July and New Years Eve block parties and people lighting off fireworks is normal for hours too, if your bothered by noise, block parties and fireworks I would look elsewhere.

Struggling for the builder is just the word I wanted to hear, ( better for negotiating) I work for a national builder myself and I just gave a 120k incentive to someone on a new home. I do feel bad for the families in foreclosure.

As far as taxes I'm at 14k per year but I am scared of insurance rates.

Wow... Block parties.. I grew up in Brooklyn and have longed for one for many years. It sounds like everything I would enjoy. I'm sure you think I'm nuts, but that's how I grew up. Mix that with good schools and a safe area and I'm in.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by startpackinn

Struggling for the builder is just the word I wanted to hear, ( better for negotiating) I work for a national builder myself and I just gave a 120k incentive to someone on a new home. I do feel bad for the families in foreclosure.

As far as taxes I'm at 14k per year but I am scared of insurance rates.

Wow... Block parties.. I grew up in Brooklyn and have longed for one for many years. It sounds like everything I would enjoy. I'm sure you think I'm nuts, but that's how I grew up. Mix that with good schools and a safe area and I'm in.

Just keep in mind taxes are higher in Wellington then some other parts of PB County. One of my friends, who doesn't even live in the village limits, bought a $750K house, pay's over $12K year in taxes, $5K+ in insurance and $3K/year for HOA fees.

For example a $425K house in Olympia would be around $8K/year in taxes. A $750K house in Wellington would be over $14K year. So in general expect to pay more if you live in the Village limits.

[dvalente]

Originally Posted by startpackinn

Struggling for the builder is just the word I wanted to hear, ( better for negotiating) I work for a national builder myself and I just gave a 120k incentive to someone on a new home. I do feel bad for the families in foreclosure.

As far as taxes I'm at 14k per year but I am scared of insurance rates.

Wow... Block parties.. I grew up in Brooklyn and have longed for one for many years. It sounds like everything I would enjoy. I'm sure you think I'm nuts, but that's how I grew up. Mix that with good schools and a safe area and I'm in.

startpackinn,
My question is have you moved yet? If so where to and did you make the right choice? We are a family of 4 (younger kids) living in NJ originally from Brooklyn -skipped SI- but same scenario. I would love to hear your feedback at this point. We are mixed between Wellington and RPB, and I have to tell ya, if I wanted to deal with gangs I would move my family back to Brooklyn at least that is a criminal I understand, so what's the real with gangs in Florida?
Thanks

[My 3 G's]

I lived in Wellington for 4 years and to be honest, it is more hype. I have 2 children and I found the area to be a bit snobby. The people look nice, but they are not very friendly. Some of the schools are overcrowded. But the biggest issue for me was all the foreclosures in the area.

We moved on to Royal Palm Beach (Madison Green) and we are so much happier, more of a family feel and I absolutely LOVE the schools. My son attended Royal Palm Beach Elementary and the school is phenomenal. I am a teacher and I was impressed at the level of academics. There is a tremendous community feel to the school. Just what I was looking for.

I currently teach in a Wellington Area school and I still prefer Royal Palm.

Due to job issues, we are relocating up north within a year or two, but I can honestly say, I am very happy raising my children in Royal Palm Beach.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by My 3 G's

I lived in Wellington for 4 years and to be honest, it is more hype. I have 2 children and I found the area to be a bit snobby. The people look nice, but they are not very friendly. Some of the schools are overcrowded. But the biggest issue for me was all the foreclosures in the area.

We moved on to Royal Palm Beach (Madison Green) and we are so much happier, more of a family feel and I absolutely LOVE the schools. My son attended Royal Palm Beach Elementary and the school is phenomenal. I am a teacher and I was impressed at the level of academics. There is a tremendous community feel to the school. Just what I was looking for.

I currently teach in a Wellington Area school and I still prefer Royal Palm.

Due to job issues, we are relocating up north within a year or two, but I can honestly say, I am very happy raising my children in Royal Palm Beach.

I don't agree nor do I think there is much difference between RPB and Wellington, I live in Wellington and I'm just not feeling the same vibe. If you want snobby you need to head to Boca. Sure Welly World changed drastically and in my opinion it was a better place then what it is now 10 years ago or so, before the mall was built and when 441 was just a 2 lane road with little or no traffic.

During season sure we get the Hampton types here for Polo and Horse Season, but they tend to mingle in their own little circles and hang out at The Player's Club, you will see these people wearing riding pant with boots walking around Publix.

I also don't get the point on foreclosures, RPB has it's fair share of them too. There are little if any foreclosures in my development.

[Heather915]

Is Madison garden in Royal Palm beach a good place to raise a family? Any good preschools close by?