How's living in Boca Raton?

[Dougeefresh]

My wife and I may soon move to Boca Raton and I would like to know how it's like living there? My workplace will be in Central Boca. I heard it's not cheap to live in Boca especially East Boca. How do you think a family with no kids and 120k household income would fare? I would like to buy a house in an area with good school district (strictly to prevent housing price from tanking, learned my lesson). Don't care much for the weather. Just interested in the financial aspect of living only. Coming from a Chicago suburb.
Thanks!

[TrevorM3]

Boca isnt cheap. But 120k and no kids you're fine. Why specifically boca? Its full of snobs, and old people. I still frequent their mall and restaraunts however. Take a look at coral springs.

[gatorfast]

Boca is a fantastic place to live. I work there and live about 20min away. Most areas of Boca have good school districts. $120k with no kids should get you a nice place. Like you were saying, the further east you are the more expensive the real estate gets. A good size 4br place in west Boca could go for 400-450k while east Boca will set you back 500k+.

In general, the turnpike is basically the split between east and west Boca.

[tdott]

I'm actually look to do the same move this summer. My company is off Federal/Glades.

Spent a fews weekends checking out Boca when I was out there for work. So far I like it, feels really upscale. I too am looking for a house, not sure yet if it will be Boca or slightly north around Delray.

[Dougeefresh]

Originally Posted by tdott

I'm actually look to do the same move this summer. My company is off Federal/Glades.

Spent a fews weekends checking out Boca when I was out there for work. So far I like it, feels really upscale. I too am looking for a house, not sure yet if it will be Boca or slightly north around Delray.

Do you have any specific areas that you are focusing on for house hunting?

[s85e90]

Lived in Boca for 3 years after moving from NY. I love Boca but IMO it's not worth the premium to live there. Everything, including gas is much more $$$ there. So many more places to explore that are just as nice.

[rantarM3]

I know a couple of people in Boca who would like to move out but stay because of the schools. The stereotypical traits of a Boca resident are pretentious, narcissistic, highly leveraged, & self-absorbed. Spend some time there and decide for yourself whether those traits are more prevalent in Boca than neighboring areas. Boca is generally nicely kept, schools are good, and there are decent restaurants.

[gatorfast]

Tough crowd

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Dougeefresh

Do you have any specific areas that you are focusing on for house hunting?

Not sure yet, i'm waiting for things to get confirmed first. We just did a general search to get a sense of the surround areas, where we end up will depend on timing and what is for sale when we are looking.

[MiamiE93Vert]

I can't speak for the Boca area as I am a Wisconsin transplant in Miami (Bienvenidos!) but you should be able to find a place that suits your tastes as you can move West/East to find a location that fits your income in S. Florida. Don't discount the weather; one winter away from the Midwest and you will wonder why you did not move sooner.

[purpl3ish]

i need to do that move too..maybe not to boca but somewhere else in FL, would consider trying to open up a leasing brokerage company in boca though because of the clientele.

[nolan12]

I'm not in Boca, but a little further North in Palm Beach Co, but I considered a couple other factors when finding a location too.

Houses that are up to date with the latest hurricane building codes were typically cheaper to insure. How far East/West you live I hear makes a difference on which companies that will actually provide homeowners insurance to you. I was told that I-95 was the dividing line.

[Dougeefresh]

In Boca to check it out and about to go back to Chicago
Weather is awesome and the town itself is not bad. A lot of old people (no offense to them) and more old people in nice cars(Ferraris, porsches, Astons, maseratis, Bentleys, rolls) everywhere! Makes me feel poor
Restaurants were very pricey, maybe because of the area I stayed in (Boca Beach Club). Gas was higher than Chicago but not by too much.
The only question left is how much for a nice house in a nice neighborhood. I have a feeling that it wouldn't be very affordable from all I ever seen...

[Slapshot9]

I work in Boca (Glades/Military Trail) and live in West Boynton (10yrs)because it's quieter and a better value. Schools are good. Delray is nice too. Don't care much for Broward or Dade counties. Rent for a few months till you figure out what you want. The weather is awesome, no more snow. Ever!

[mjposner]

Lived there for six years, moved away the minute I could to Wellington. "The stereotypical traits of a Boca resident are pretentious, narcissistic, highly leveraged, & self-absorbed." This has a lot of truth to it. If you are not a landsman, then you may be in for a surprise.

If you decide to buy a house, I am a Real Estate Attorney and can help you with your closing. We do a lot of deals in Boca. Also, check out Atlantic Avenue in Delray. We also have an active BMWCCA Chapter here, with meetings 15 miles north of Boca every month.

[M3Carbon]

Just moved back to DC from a 2yr stint in that area (work move). Boca is very nice but you will need to find a great home deal to stretch $120K into comfortable living. Delray/Boynton are better values. Delray has more action (nightlife, beaches, etc.) and less old people. If you can swing the drive I might even say Fort Lauderdale as an option. Listen to Gatorfast. He's local and knows what he is talking about.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by s85e90

Lived in Boca for 3 years after moving from NY. I love Boca but IMO it's not worth the premium to live there. Everything, including gas is much more $$$ there. So many more places to explore that are just as nice.

+1000. End thread.

[tdott]

Originally Posted by mjposner

L
If you decide to buy a house, I am a Real Estate Attorney and can help you with your closing.

Thanks I may take you up on that offer, probably will be later this summer, i'll reach out to you for contact info when we are down there house hunting.

['Cane]

As others have said, you'll pay more in Boca because of the ZIP. Delray is nice, and southeast Boynton has some great deals. I live in SE Boynton, I'm 5 minutes from 95, and two miles from Atlantic Ave. and it's a great place to live.

[s85e90]

I just moved to Coconut Creek/Coral Springs area right on border of Parkland. It's just as nice and younger people and overal cost of living is cheaper. (dependent where you are exactly)

[BNBM3]

You are not comfortably buying a $500k house in Boca on $120k/year income. There are plenty of less expensive options.

I vote +1 for Delray. Parts of Coral Springs or if you want to come up the turnpike a little more and don't mind the extra 20 minutes, you may want to look at Plantation.

If you don't mind a more country feel, you can get a very nice house on 2 acres in Loxahatchee for under $300k. Have cars, boats, garden, livestock, whatever. I know a LOT of people who have left Lauderdale for that area and they don't regret it for a second.