The city of Boca Raton, once known as a winter retreat for retirees and tourists, has grown into an affluent year-round playground with exclusive yacht and country clubs, luxury homes and some of South Florida's most popular upscale shopping and dining. Sprawling across Florida’s Atlantic Coast, roughly 50 miles north of Miami, the city is a haven for boaters and anglers. But over the past several years, it has experienced rapid development downtown, becoming a destination for shoppers and the home for major companies like Office Depot, Tyco Integrated Security and ADT Security Services. According to the Palm Beach Post, Boca’s median age of 48 is younger than it’s ever been, and its population has grown three times as fast as the rest of the country in the past few years.
Exclusive yacht and country clubs in Boca Raton offer luxury and leisure on Florida’s coast.
Luxury homes in Boca Raton provide elegant living with stunning design and top-tier amenities.
Sprawling across Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Boca Raton offers scenic views and vibrant living.
Royal Palm Place in Boca Raton offers upscale shopping and dining in a vibrant setting.
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High-end shopping, dining and a thriving arts scene in downtown Boca Raton
Downtown is a major shopping and dining destination, anchored by two open-air plazas: Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place. Both locations offer upscale boutiques and restaurants, ranging from casual take-out to fine dining. Most of the city's nightlife is clustered here, from craft cocktail and wine bars to nightclubs and intimate music venues. “Boca has everything,” says Diane Gray, a local Realtor with the Keyes Company. “Just go down Federal Highway and hit any kind of restaurant – Greek, Mexican, Cuban, Japanese. It used to be an older kind of town, but it’s catching a younger vibe now while still keeping older traditions alive.”
Home to theaters and museums, Mizner Park is, in many ways, the cultural heart of the city. The Boca Raton Museum of Art includes an art school for kids and adults, as well as contemporary exhibits, a sculpture garden and space for social events. At the Boca Ballet Theatre, locals can catch professional performances or enroll in workshops that feature guests from renowned companies like the American Ballet Theatre. Concerts are staged all year at the Mizner Park Amphitheater, which is also the site of March's annual 10-day, multi-media Festival of the Arts BOCA, named the #1 cultural event on Social Magazine’s list of Top 10 Florida Events for 2022. Renovations to the amphitheater are expected to begin in 2025, along with the construction of the new Center for Arts and Innovation, a $155 million creative campus designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano. When completed, the almost 2-acre site will house six performing arts spaces and an incubation lab for entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, east of downtown, off Glades Road, is The Town Center at Boca Raton, one of South Florida’s largest and most popular luxury malls. Inside are sought-after brands, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Cartier. “The Town Center has grown tremendously,” says Caroline Greenhouse, a local Realtor with Lang Realty. “I used to love going up to Palm Beach Gardens because it had so many anchor designer stores. Now, our Town Center can give any other mall in South Florida a run for its money. There’s a variety of high-end stores and boutiques.” Big-box grocery stores and specialty food markets are found throughout the city, most concentrated along major routes like Glades Road, Yamato Road and U.S. Highway 1 (known locally as Federal Highway).
Mizner Park in Boca Raton offers upscale shopping, fine dining, and vibrant cultural events.
Royal Palm Place in Boca Raton features luxury boutiques and diverse dining in a lively setting.
The Mizner Park Amphitheater hosts concerts and events year-round in the heart of Boca Raton.
The sculpture garden at the Boca Raton Museum of Art offers serene outdoor displays of art.
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Boca Raton’s robust parks system
The city’s oceanfront is actually a barrier island. On one side is the vast blue ocean; on the other, a series of private docks jut out into the Intracoastal Waterway. In the middle of the island, just across the water from Lake Wyman Park, is the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a 20-acre preserve that protects several species of native animal and plant life, ranging from exotic butterflies and endangered sea turtles to the center’s namesake gumbo limbo trees.
The nature center is connected by a boardwalk to Red Reef Park, a nearly 70-acre hub of outdoorsy activity along the Intracoastal Waterway and beachfront. Visitors can snorkel through an expansive man-made reef system, float around designated swimming areas, tee off from the 9-hole golf course or fish for marlins and barracuda from the beach.
Further inland, Sugar Sand Park’s 132 acres are packed with things to do. Its children’s science museum, tri-level science-themed playground, splash pad and carousel are a boon for young kids. Other amenities include a roller hockey rink, a nature trail and the Willow Theatre, a 155-seat theater that regularly hosts professional musical theatre productions, concerts and comedy acts.
The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton offers scenic trails and interactive exhibits.
The Gumbo Limbo Center in Boca Raton is a 20-acre preserve protecting sea turtles and wildlife.
Explore Boca Raton Red Reef Park, where visitors relax and enjoy stunning ocean views.
Delight in family moments in Boca Raton, embraced by the charm of Sugar Sand Park.
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Luxury living along the Intracoastal Waterway
Boca Raton's 2024 median home price was around $600,000, down almost 14% from the previous year. On the east side of the city, midcentury houses along the Intracoastal Waterway easily cost upwards of $2 million, while two- to three-bedroom homes on dry lots roughly range from $400,000 to the high $800,000s. New construction single-family properties with three- to four-bedrooms range from $1.2 million to $5 million. “A lot of new construction hit the downtown area, and, in order to compete, buildings on the oceanfront and Intracoastal are maintaining their concrete restoration, redoing their lobbies and aesthetics,” Greenhouse says. Downtown or on the coast, luxury high-rise condos with less than 2,500 square feet run $1 million to $2 million, while larger units go for more than $10 million. Sprawling estates in the gated yacht and country club communities can cost over $20 million.
Luxury high-rise condos in Boca Raton offer upscale amenities with stunning coastal views.
Two- to three-bedroom homes in Boca Raton offer luxury living, priced from $400K to $800K.
Enjoy sprawling estates in Boca Raton gated communities with yacht clubs and unmatched luxury.
Discover waterfront estates in Boca Raton, offering stunning views and premium coastal living.
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Well-rated public schools and home of Florida Atlantic University
The School District of Palm Beach County serves Boca Raton. One of America's largest districts, Palm Beach earns a B-plus by Niche. The city has 13 elementary, five middle and 23 high schools; highlights include Boca Raton Community High, a STEM magnet school; and Spanish River Community High, with specialized academies in American history and law, biotechnology, early childhood education, and entrepreneurship.
One of the city’s largest employers, Florida Atlantic University, has over 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across its 10 colleges and made The Princeton Review’s “Best 389 Colleges" list for 2024. Also local are the smaller Lynn University, Everglades University and Palm Beach State College.
Courtyard at Boca Raton Community High School.
Drop off area at Addison Mizner School.
Florida Atlantic University Signage in Downtown Boca Raton Neighborhood.
Welcome to Olympic Heights Community High.
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Easy access to I-95, U.S. Highway 1 and public transportation
Running parallel to Interstate 95, U.S. Highway 1 passes through downtown, providing easy north-south access to the whole East Coast. State Road A1A runs north and south between the Atlantic and the Intracoastal Waterway, providing access to coastal destinations like Fort Lauderdale. The city is served by the PalmTran bus system, the Tri-Rail commuter train and the Brightline high-speed rail, so residents are connected to surrounding South Florida hubs, as well as area airports. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is 25 miles away, and Miami International is less than 50 miles away. The local, smaller Boca Raton Airport is used for private, corporate and charter flights and has noise abatement programs to keep sound pollution to a minimum, including voluntary curfews for pilots between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Hurricane season and a relatively low crime rate
Boca Raton locals need to be prepared for hurricane season between June 1 and November 30. In the event of a hurricane, residents are advised to learn their home's evacuation zone. Much of the city falls within a Special Flood Hazard area as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and buyers seeking a mortgage from a federally backed lender are required to purchase flood insurance. Residents living outside of this area are still encouraged to purchase flood insurance, though it isn't required.
According to FBI data, Boca Raton's reported property crime rate was below the national figure but above the statewide rate. The city's violent crime rates are generally below both the U.S. and state figures. Between 2022 and 2023, property crime rates increased by about 7%, while violent crime rates fell by around 10%.
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Boca Raton, FL sell after 175 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Boca Raton, FL over the last 12 months is $737,500, up 11% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Renovated & Move in ready! Single story home boasting volume ceilings, 4 beds, 2.5 baths, formal dinning, living room, Open kitchen to the spacious dinette & family room. Screened lanai overlooking the private fenced in backyard. Updated white kitchen with modern quartz counters, updated stainless steel appliances. Luxury vinyl flooring throughout. Updated bathrooms with custom white shaker
Welcome to this stunningly renovated 2BR/2BA top-floor condo in the desirable Yarmouth section of Century Village Boca Raton. From the moment you enter, you'll be captivated by the light wood-look tile flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the home, creating a bright and modern aesthetic. The chef's kitchen is a showstopper, boasting never-used stainless-steel appliances, double sinks, a
2/1.5, Desirable 1st floor, updated kitchen with granite, tile in kitchen and dining area, updated bathrooms, shower - no tub, Both bedrooms have sliding doors out to enclosed patio with magnificent lake view. Parking spot #528 !!! Amenities include internet and WIFI, Century Village is like living in a resort, fitness center, live shows,movies,buses,classes,bingo,card
Renovated & Move in ready! Single story home boasting volume ceilings, 4 beds, 2.5 baths, formal dinning, living room, Open kitchen to the spacious dinette & family room. Screened lanai overlooking the private fenced in backyard. Updated white kitchen with modern quartz counters, updated stainless steel appliances. Luxury vinyl flooring throughout. Updated bathrooms with custom white shaker
Welcome to this stunningly renovated 2BR/2BA top-floor condo in the desirable Yarmouth section of Century Village Boca Raton. From the moment you enter, you'll be captivated by the light wood-look tile flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the home, creating a bright and modern aesthetic. The chef's kitchen is a showstopper, boasting never-used stainless-steel appliances, double sinks, a
2/1.5, Desirable 1st floor, updated kitchen with granite, tile in kitchen and dining area, updated bathrooms, shower - no tub, Both bedrooms have sliding doors out to enclosed patio with magnificent lake view. Parking spot #528 !!! Amenities include internet and WIFI, Century Village is like living in a resort, fitness center, live shows,movies,buses,classes,bingo,card
A magnificent home that is a true luxury living. Known for its top-rated schools and exclusive ambiance. Thisexpansive property boasts an impressive 5,196 square feet of total living space in sophistication and modernelegance. Five generously sized bedrooms, Plus a dedicated media room. Step inside to discover high ceilingsthroughout, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and openness.
Available Now for Annual Rental!! Welcome to this stunningly renovated 2BR/2BA top-floor condo in the desirable Yarmouth section of Century Village Boca Raton. From the moment you enter, you'll be captivated by the light wood-look tile flooring that flows seamlessly throughout the home, creating a bright and modern aesthetic. The chef's kitchen is a showstopper, boasting never-used
2/1.5,2nd floor,Corner, updated kitchen,granite,double sink,tile in living area,carpet in bedrooms,fans, light and bright apt,screened patio with pull downs,unfurnished,close to house of worship and clubhouse.The amenities now include internet and wifi,Century Village is like living in a resort,fitness center,live shows,movies,buses,classes,bingo,card rooms,trips,tennis,close to shopping and
While you may often find a neighborhood described as “peaceful” or “quiet,” no name quite embodies that ideal like Whisper Walk on the western side of Boca Raton. The neighborhood caters to homebuyers of all stages in life, offering everything from great schools for young families to exclusive living for retirees.
The larger neighborhood gets its name from a specific subdivision called Whisper Walk, a 55-plus community offering attached villas, town houses and condos from the mid-$300,000s to lower $400,000s, with private gated streets and community amenities like tennis courts and pools. Other developments like Boca Gardens and Town Villas offer similar multifamily options, while only the former is a 55-plus community. Areas outside these gated communities offer a more traditional suburban experience, with cul-de-sacs and a mix of freestanding ranch-style homes and Spanish designs. Three-bedroom homes in these subdivisions range from the mid-$400,000s to the upper $500,000s.
Students in Whisper Walk can attend Palm Beach County public schools, with top-rated schools in the neighborhood or nearby. Whispering Pines Elementary School has an overall grade of A-minus from Niche and an 8/10 score in student progress from GreatSchools, creating a solid foundation for students on their educational journey. Their next stop is Omni Middle School, which has also earned an overall A-minus grade from Niche and offers a Biomedical Health Informatics academy, where students take courses in medical sciences, information technology and data management to build a comprehensive knowledge of health informatics and gain key industry certifications. Olympic Heights Community High School features an overall A grade from Niche, an 8/10 in college readiness from GreatSchools and offers six choice programs in fields like finance and culinary arts.
For even more learning opportunities or to find your next great read, check out the nearby West Boca Branch Library. Discuss your favorite novels at the monthly book club or join the Tod Squad with your toddler for group stories, lessons and crafts.
To enjoy a day outdoors in Whisper Walk, look no further than Pinewoods Park, a nearby public green space that offers three baseball diamonds and a playground within walking distance of the neighborhood. If you’re looking for somewhere to play a quick round, head just south of the neighborhood for easy access to Southwinds Golf Course, a public course offering 18 holes of play with prolific water features and plenty of opportunity to spot local wildlife. The course offers one-on-one coaching, junior camps for the kids and even community events like ladies’ night or a 9-hole scramble.
After a day on the course, grab a quick bite at Ben’s Kosher Deli, a family-owned and operated restaurant chain with four locations in New York and one in Boca Raton or get a different taste of the Big Apple at Way Beyond Bagels, serving authentic New York-style bagels in more than 20 flavors and an impressive variety of sandwiches, salads, coffee and more. For all your home cooking needs, check out Doris Italian Market & Bakery, a specialty supermarket selling local seafood, fresh produce and all the Italian American staples required for the perfect sauce or sandwich. Any other snacks or household necessities can be found at Publix in The Reserve shopping center. The neighborhood is located along nearby US Highway 441, offering easy access north toward West Palm Beach or south toward Fort Lauderdale. For a destination a little closer to home, Whisper Walk is less than 10 miles from Boca Raton’s best beaches.
Complete with cascading waterfalls, lush tropical landscaping, a five-star country club and championship golf courses, Boca West might appear to be a neighborhood only for the high-end homebuyer. But with “prices in the $100,000s to the millions,” says Realtor Ken Reichele with Lang Realty/Boca Raton, the neighborhood attracts a spectrum of buyers. “In Boca West, you’ll find garden apartments, town houses, patio homes and custom-built houses,” he says. “Homeowners use them as primary and secondary residences, and there are more than 3,600 to choose from.”
No matter where you travel in Boca West, homes and their environs are stunning and impeccably maintained. Most were built in the 1970s and 1980s with Mediterranean features, such as barrel-tile roofs, stucco siding and arched doorways and windows. Here, you’ll find single-family homes with luxury pools, paved courtyards and spectacular golf course views starting at $1 million and selling for as much as $5 million. Villas, many with two-car garages and a large square footage, list from $700,000 to $900,000, and town houses, some with single-car garages and screened-in patios, start at $350,000. And condos priced as low as $175,000 are also available, many with breathtaking water views.
Each of the schools that serve Boca West received an A from Niche. For her student-centered approach and individualized instruction, a teacher at Whispering Pines Elementary was named Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise’s teacher of the year. At Omni Middle, students can participate in the school’s biomedical health informatics academy, a three-year program during which students receive a foundation in medical and biomedical sciences, honors credit, industry certification and first-hand looks at clinical facilities. Spanish River Community High’s choice academy programs are just as ambitious, providing students with educational pathways in biotechnology, law, entrepreneurship and early childhood teacher education.
Golf is the lifeblood of this neighborhood and is integral to its design. Fifty-five unique residential villages are built around four 18-hole championship golf courses, which also feature a 4-acre short game area, a driving range with 50 tees and a golf pro shop. The Boca West Country Club is a hub for community activities and recently received a multimillion-dollar expansion, Reichele says. It offers a tennis center with more than two dozen Har-Tru tennis courts, a US Open cushion court and pickleball courts. You’ll also find a state-of-the-art fitness center, a large aquatic center and several restaurants on site. In addition, residents enjoy an active social calendar of lectures, art and painting classes, card games, theater outings, day trips and sporting events.
For everyday needs, you don’t have to go far. The Publix at Woodfield Plaza and another at Lakeside Centre are very close. Casa Tequila, a local Mexican restaurant, is also located at Lakeside. It features a live Mariachi band every Saturday night and piping fajitas, hot chips and salsa, and goblet-sized margueritas any day of the week. Along Glades Road, you can catch a Palm Tran bus to most destinations throughout Boca Raton. You’ll also see Bagelworks, known for its legendary tuna and fresh-made bagels, and Saito’s Japanese Steakhouse, where hibachi chefs slice, dice and toss meals right before you. If you head up Lyons Road, you’ll find Boca Hamptons Plaza, featuring an array of stores and more marketing options, such as Sinbad’s Grocery, a Mediterranean market, and Vicky Bakery, which specializes in Cuban pastries. For special pampering, the Boca West Country Club offers a European-styled spa, with skilled massage therapists and other personal care professionals. The area’s premier shopping destination, Town Center at Boca Raton, is less than 3 miles away, and popular destinations throughout South Florida are more easily accessible with Florida’s Turnpike right next door.
Whether looking for a golfer’s paradise to spend the winter months or a thriving neighborhood in which to shop, play tennis and enjoy an active social life, Boca West may have the right home and amenities for the way you want to live.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
