coral springs vs wellington (Boca Raton, Boynton Beach: real estate, renting, crime)

[mec1212]

I just moved down here 4 months ago from New England after taking a job in Boca Raton. My family will be joining me in about a month as we have just sold our house.

Right now I am staying with a friend in Boynton Beach, but with a 6 & 9 year old we need to find the right neighborhood/schools for the kids. The two communities we have it narrowed down to are Wellington and Coral Springs. Commute wise I don't think there is a huge difference during work hours. I've been told by many, as I work for the police department, that both have good schools and neighborhoods.

We seem to like the Coral Springs neighborhoods, house look and feel a little more than wellington, but again not sure.

Anyone have "GOOD" advise to pass along and not just the "it's bad all over Florida line"?

Thank you

[graywolf73]

I lived in Coral Springs for 16 years, 1981-1997. The reason we moved is because I would NOT raise a child there. When I grew up there, it was nice. There was very little crime, the traffic wasn't too bad, it was a very nice slice of suburbia.

Then in the mid '90's it started getting bad. Crime got worse, less desirables started moving in, they started building commercial building like crazy! Traffic is horrendous. My parents still live there. They unfortunately can't sell their house. Real Estate prices have dropped like a lead balloon. I dread going there and am so thankful I left.

Wellington, is much better. Not great, but better. The schools are certainly better. We lived in The Acreage which is just west of Wellington for 10 years. And I would choose that area over CS any day. Additionally, Broward county is becoming over-run with the overflow of Dade county. Which means, if you don't speak spanish, you're becoming the minority.

Just my two cents.

[5dubbs]

We moved in August from New England (CT) to Wellington, and we love it. We have three kids, ages 8, 5 and 1. The elementary school and preschool we've enrolled my older two children in are wonderful. There are so many activities for families here, and we feel very safe. We haven't bought a house yet (still renting), but we've seen houses in many attractive, family-friendly neighborhoods. If you'd like any specific advice, please send me a message. Go Sox!

[PBCboy]

Neither Coral Springs or Wellington are dangerous areas. I prefer Wellington, though, as the people and variety of shopping and neighborhoods seem better to me than in Coral Springs. Neither are bad areas, though, and either will come down to personal preference. I'd suggest you visit both areas and make your own judgment about which city is better. Overall, though, Wellington is nicer looking, has better shopping, and feels more upscale to me.