Boynton Beach

Cypress Creek is a community on the brink of major change. This quaint gated community was built around the Cypress Creek Country Club in the late 1970s. But in 2018 the club permanently closed, changing the landscape. Over the past several years, it’s sat empty as developers made bids to develop the land. Most recently, the Toll Brothers submitted a plan to purchase it and build around 150 homes, two community parks and several small lakes. The proposal has yet to be approved by Palm Beach County, so until then Cypress Creek will remain the quiet neighborhood filled with custom homes that overlook the course that it is today.<br><br>The neighborhood consists of three main subdivisions: Cypress Creek, Bent Tree Villas East and Bent Tree Villas West. Cypress Creek is a gated community built on and around the golf course. Currently, there are 421 houses in the subdivision, but if developers successfully purchase the land, that number will balloon. Most homes here are custom ranches and Spanish Mission styles on lots that max out around one-third of an acre. Smaller single-story homes with two to four bedrooms range from $555,000 to $835,000, while large Spanish Mission estates with three to five bedrooms sell for between $870,000 and $1.35 million. The Bent Tree Villas subdivisions are 55-plus communities with a mix of renovated two-bedroom condos and single-family homes built in the 1980s. Prices range from $225,000 to $350,000. They are a bit farther out from the golf course, so they are less likely to be heavily affected by construction. Of note: all three communities have required HOAs. “It’s one of the very few neighborhoods with an HOA in Palm Beach County that I would consider moving to,” says Brett Colby, an associate of 20 years with RE/MAX Direct. He points to the neighborhood’s relatively low HOA fees, larger-than-normal lot sizes and safety. <br><br>Directly following the closure of the country club, Pulte Homes submitted a proposal to buy the land. The deal would later fall through, but while working on their proposal, they conducted a series of soil tests that showed the presence of high levels of arsenic, pesticides and other harmful chemicals. “When you’re developing raw land in Florida, that’s the catch-22,” says Realtor Mike Ryan with Highlight Realty Crop. He notes that since much of Florida was used for farming, it’s common for developers to excavate contaminated soil before building. “It takes some time,” he says. If the Toll Brothers’ proposal is approved, they will excavate around 353,000 cubic yards of soil. This process alone is expected to take at least nine months. According to Cypress Creek Property Owners Association Board Secretary Julie Nicholas, it’s believed that if the soil in the already existing community is undisturbed, it is not harmful. <br><br>Since the neighborhood is made up of gated communities, most residents have access to exclusive amenities like clubhouses and swimming pools. And while the Cypress Creek Club is no longer operational, golfers have several prestigious, private options within a 4-mile radius, including the Indian Spring Country Club, Pine Tree Golf Club and the Country Club of Florida. A little farther out is the Links at Boynton Beach, a city-owned course, complete with an 18-hole and 9-hole course, a putting green and a driving range. Pioneer Canal Park is a popular spot for non-golf-related activities, featuring amenities like basketball and tennis courts, a playground and a fishing pier off of Lake Osborne. The neighborhood is also around 5 miles from the famous Ocean Inlet Park, an 11-acre stretch of beaches off the Atlantic Ocean. <br><br>Cypress Creek is mainly residential, but there are several major malls and shopping centers surrounding it. Boynton Trail Centre is the closest commercial area and has a Walmart Neighborhood Market, a smaller-than-normal Walmart selling groceries and basic home necessities. Another busy shopping area is Boynton Town Center, which features Target, Michaels, Best Buy, and more. It’s just over 1 mile away making it a popular option for locals. And for even more shopping options, Boynton Beach Mall is less than 1 mile outside of town. It’s home to more than 120 businesses, including department stores, restaurants and entertainment spaces. There are several options for dining out, including The Boulevard, one of the area’s highest-rated eateries, lauded for its custom cocktails and dry rub wings. Its vibrant environment, complete with LED lights and live music, makes it a popular nightlife destination. <br><br>The neighborhood is served by the School District of Palm Beach County, which includes Galaxy Elementary School, graded a C-plus on Niche; Congress Middle School, graded a C; and Boynton Beach Community High School, graded a C-plus. Boynton Beach Community High offers eleven choice programs, or specialized pathways, for aerospace science, pre-med, I.T., dance and more. A nearby public charter school option is Franklin Academy, a kindergarten through 12th-grade institution offering a comprehensive research-based curriculum.<br><br>The neighborhood is bounded by Boynton Beach Boulevard and S Military Trail, which connect to U.S. Interstate 95, a busy commuter thoroughfare. Nearby big cities include West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, about 15 and 17 miles away, respectively. For residents who prefer public transit, Palm Tran buses pickup along Boynton Beach Boulevard and S Military Trail. And for longer trips, Palm Beach International Airport is a little more than 15 miles away.

Gated community with two lakes and multiple tennis courts near downtown Boynton Beach

With less than four miles from the ocean and waterways flowing through the neighborhood, Golfview Harbour is a quiet suburb in the city of Boynton Beach, 57 miles north from Miami. Here, there are waterfront properties with navigable access to over 70 miles of freshwater lakes and canals. "It's a boating and golf cart community," says Tony Cenkar, Realtor for eXp Realty and Golfview Harbour resident since 2004. "There are a lot of families. Everyone visits with each other and kids play outside." This charming, easy-going community likes to have fun under the south Florida sun, especially with the canals that weave through the area. A small walking path at the southern end of SW 11th Street leads to the closest park. "The community is pretty connected to Caloosa Park," Cenkar says. This popular recreational hub is jam-packed with sporting amenities, such as pickleball courts, softball fields, and even a roller hockey rink. And for a more relaxing vibe, grab a fishing pole and set up shop at the park's lake for a mellow afternoon of freshwater fishing. Residents can also use the canals, passing under Interstate 95 to reach Lake Ida West Park, a 189-acre park where residents can fish, kayak or let dogs enjoy the Lake Ida Dog Park. Most homes back up to the canals through the neighborhood, so docks and watercraft of all kind are often seen in backyards. While a couple of condominium complexes are on the outskirts of the neighborhood, there are mostly single-family homes along these roads. Colorful trim and some Mediterranean accents are found throughout the neighborhood, as well as some classic Florida-style brightly painted homes. "There are a few two-story houses, but it’s mostly ranch homes," Cenkar says. "For the location and being on the water, it's extremely affordable." Prices can rang from $400,000 to $850,000 with a median price of $450,000. There are a few HOA’s in the neighborhood, but not every home will be part of one. There are nine golf courses within 5 miles of the Golfview Harbour neighborhood, with most of them part of a country club. Country clubs, which may be private organizations, often have events in the evenings and throughout the year, including themed food nights and holiday celebrations. The Boynton Beach Night Market usually happens the last Saturday in July and features local businesses and restaurants, as well as live music from South Florida bands. For more local events, boats light up the canals during the holidays, and golf carts illuminate the streets with festive parades. While no commercial areas are located within the neighborhood, Cenkar states this is no detriment to Golfview Harbour because "We're close to everything." Before shopping, stop by the Green Owl Restaurant for brunch, open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and get French toast with strawberries. Boynton Beach Mall is almost 3 miles north, and with 135 stores including a movie theater, the mall also has stores for retail needs like JC Penney and Macy’s. For groceries, Publix Super Market at Sunshine Square is a little over 2 miles to the east, and a Walmart Supercenter is just a mile more. Children in Golfview Harbour can begin school at Crosspointe Elementary School, which earns a B-minus from Niche, for prekindergarten through fifth grade. Crosspointe has a STEM program that encourages students to problem-solve hands-on math and science activities. Students can then attend Carver Community Middle School, which earns a C-plus from Niche, for sixth through eighth grade and participate in the International Baccalaureate program before moving on to Atlantic Community High School, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Students can participate in the IB program or one of the Choice Academies at the school, including construction, criminal justice and photography. Golfview Harbour is just west of Interstate 95, making it ideal for commuting without the noise of through traffic. The PalmTran Route 2 heads north to West Palm Beach and south to Boca Raton with two stops to the west of the neighborhood along South Congress Avenue. Buses come through every 30 minutes.

Within the gated community of Hunters Run in the Boynton Beach area, there’s a feeling of a five-star resort with plenty of activities all day and into the evening. “It’s a great place to live, with events like a wine-tasting dinner happening all the time,” says Joshua Cohen, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty who’s lived in Hunters Run since 2009. “With three golf courses, pools and racquet activities within the community, it’s also not cheap.” The three courses that meander through the neighborhood are all different and provide challenges to the amateur and experienced golfer. Each course has a clubhouse with two restaurants and plenty of tennis and pickleball courts. “It’s not just happenstance that you live here,” Cohen says. “Most people play golf or are into tennis and pickleball. There are club fees for golf and tennis activities in addition to what you pay for the house.” House prices span from $200,000 for a condo to close to a million dollars for a roomy Spanish or Mediterranean-style home or villa. Homeowners association fees go along with living in Hunters Run, but the maintenance-free living is the trade-off. Once people move here, very few put their house up for sale. “The turnover, however, over the past 10 years has been substantial,” Cohen says. “That’s because the original people who started living here in 1981 have either sold their property or passed on.” Ninety-four percent of people living in Hunters Ridge own their homes. On the off chance that golf or racquet sports are not appealing, the social calendar at Hunters Run is packed with events such as holiday parties, comedy shows and trivia nights. Indoor recreation is also a thing, with fitness centers equipped with a full gym and spa. “It’s loaded and a busy place. You’re not going to be bored here,” Cohen says. There are plenty of lounge chairs by the pool to enjoy a drink, a place to play cards in the clubhouse and a salon when it’s time for a haircut. Barrier Free Park on Congress Avenue is a short drive from Hunters Run. For those who want to play tennis outside of the confines of Hunters Run, the park has a large tennis center, most of which are clay courts. The park's west side backs up to a lake, and there’s a pond in the center. There are three play areas, a picnic pavilion and a water play splash pad. Several walkways connect to the different play and picnic areas. Along the paths are various fitness stops featuring different kinds of exercise equipment. Within five miles to the southeast is downtown Delray Beach, with entertainment and dining along Atlantic Avenue. Bars and restaurants are located within that community center, making it a great starting point for a night out. El Camino bills itself as a Mexican Soul Food and Tequila Bar restaurant. It gets great reviews for its chicken fajitas and lively happy hours. Groceries can be found at the Walmart Neighborhood Market and Publix, located on South Military Trail. Hunters Run school-aged children are served by the Palm Beach County School District, rated a B-plus overall on Niche. With a 15-to-1 student-teacher ratio, Crosspointe Elementary students will surely get individualized attention. It’s also a STEM Choice school where science, technology, engineering and math are integrated into all aspects of learning. Carver Middle School has a C-plus grade on Niche and has over 800 students in grades six through eight. Atlantic Community High School is B-plus rated with a 97% graduation rate. Palm Tran is the bus transportation option in the area. With service throughout the county, there are several stops nearby Hunters Run, including on Military Trail and Congress Avenue and major east/west roads like Boynton Beach Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue. Baptist Health Bethesda Hospital East is only four miles away and Delray Public Beach is a little less than five miles away. The Boca Raton Airport is less than 20 minutes to the south.

Boynton Beach’s Leisureville stands out from other 55-plus communities in South Florida with low HOA fees and an everlasting seabreeze in the air. "It's a crow's fly from the most beautiful beaches in the world," says Desireé Cornelio, who has lived in Leisureville since 2010 and works as a broker associate with Hudson Realty. "People come here and try to find another neighborhood like this. They end up asking me if there are any others. With this price point and location? There aren't any like it. It’s dynamite." Boyton Leisureville's low HOA fee gives residents a carefree approach to suburban living. Services include sprinklers, lawnmowing and cable. Residents also get swipe-card access to the Community Clubhouse. "The houses here are built like forts,” Cornelia says. They’re built so well that inspectors can't believe it. I mean, these homes are over 30 years old!" Leisureville's 892 homes were constructed in the late 1970s and ‘80s by Campenelli Construction, an award-winning, Massachusetts-based company. Six single-family home models are available for homebuyers to browse, including the Edgewood model, a ranch-style home featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage and a sunny Florida room. The architectural designs of these properties are relatively simple, displaying Minimal Traditional influence with a couple of classic Florida vernacular features, such as smooth stucco siding. Multifamily homes, including single-story townhouses and condominiums, can be found in the community as well. List prices start at $129,000, about the cost of a one-bedroom condo, and max out just under $500,000, the cost of a waterfront two-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family home — which is Leisureville’s Challenger mode. Leisureville is less than a 5-mile drive from Oceanfront Park, Boynton Beach’s premier waterfront stretch. Cornelia says many Leisureville residents take friends and family there to spend a day by the sea. Leisureville has three clubhouses, each a hub for activity and relaxation. Outside, residents soak up the sun by the pool, take it easy in the hot tub or compete on the shuffleboard courts. Inside the clubhouses are game rooms where residents play billiards and card games; they can grab a book or two from the bookshelf library. Classes and clubs gather in the clubhouses, too. Leisureville’s social calendar is packed, so folks can always try something new or get back into something they love. Volunteer work is a common pastime among residents as well. "What do people love about this place? The community and the camaraderie,” Cornelia says. Boynton Beach Mall is just over a mile north of Boynton Leisureville, right off Boynton Beach Boulevard. This shopping center is one of the city’s main retail hubs. It has JCPenney, Macy’s, Dilliard’s Clearance, a movie theater and more. Boynton Beach’s up-and-coming downtown is nearby, too. Downtown’s heart, Ocean Avenue, is just 2 miles away. Food-wise, there are many options just outside the neighborhood, including El Atico, a small Colombian spot with good Latin tunes, fresh orange juice and delicious empanadas. Publix is right outside the neighborhood for grocery shopping. Leisureville is less than a mile from the nearest ramp onto Interstate 95, making it easy to get in and out of the city. Boynton Beach Boulevard runs along the community’s north side, so getting around the city is a breeze as well. PalmTran bus stops are on Boynton Beach Boulevard for carless commutes, but overall, Boynton Beach is a car-dependent area.

“Nothing sums up Meadows better than this: location,” says Cathy Casella, a local realtor with Brown Harris Stevens of Palm Beach. “It’s close to Interstate 95, but not too close. And it’s close to recently developed areas off Gateway Boulevard, which have great shopping and great restaurants,” she explains, adding that the neighborhood is also just 15 minutes from the beach and 30 minutes from Palm Beach International Airport. “It’s just a great, central location,” she says. “It’s definitely over-said in my industry, but ‘location, location, location’ really means a lot here.” But it’s not just Meadows’ location that appeals to homebuyers, it’s also the community itself. Per Casella: “There are tons of outdoor amenities within the neighborhood itself, which people love. Plus, it’s got a low homeowners association fee, which is a big draw, too.”<br><br>You’ll find mainly 1980s-era ranch-style bungalows here, with some taller Miami Modern-style homes dotted throughout, too. Meadows homes are often clad in stucco and painted in beachy neutral tones. Palettes featuring creams and teals or sage greens and corals are not unusual on these palm tree-lined streets. Casella observes: “The homes and lawns are all very well-maintained in Meadows. There’s definitely pride of ownership here.” She notes that this is great for prospective buyers: “Since they’re all well-maintained, most of them are move-in ready, unless, of course, you want to make some cosmetic changes to your taste. But what’s great about this neighborhood is that you really don’t have to change anything to move in.” She adds that homes here start at $320,000 and that list prices can climb as high as $600,000. She notes: “The $590,000 to $600,000 range is very much on the higher end, and most of the homes listed for around there see minor price reductions. $550,000 is not an unreasonable expectation for a Meadows home.” Casella adds that homes here tend to fly off the market, regardless of price. “They sell very quickly because they come up very infrequently, and the neighborhood is so desirable that people jump on the chance to buy here when they can.” <br><br>Meadows students attend schools in the Palm Beach County Public Schools district. Youngsters between preschool and fifth grade go to Freedom Shores Elementary, older students between sixth and eighth grade go to either Tradewinds or Congress Community Middle and teens go to Santaluces Community High between ninth and 12th grade. Freedom Shores and Santaluces both earned B-minus grades from Niche in 2023. Tradewinds and Congress both earned C grades from Niche. The four schools are all conveniently located less than 6 miles from the neighborhood, but Freedom Shores is by far the closest, off Hypoluxo Road within a mile of most homes. Santaluces is not too much farther, just another half mile away heading west down Hypoluxo and turning right on Lawrence Road. The high school offers students the opportunity to apply to participate in a wide variety of in-house programs and Choice Career Academies, ranging in subjects from cybersecurity and early childhood teacher education to web and digital design. <br><br>For a breath of fresh seaside air, residents can head just 6 miles east to Boynton Beach Oceanfront Beach Park. But for everyday outdoor activities, residents don’t even need to venture that far. Meadows Park, off Congress Avenue at the heart of the neighborhood within a mile of most homes, offers ample opportunities for residents of all ages to get their daily dose of vitamin D and exercise. “The community park is great, there’s everything from pickleball and tennis courts to the swimming pool and clubhouse. There are even little exercise stations people can use if they don’t want to go to the gym,” says Casella. <br><br>Stepping out for everyday essentials or a bite to eat is a breeze from Meadows, too. The Boynton Lakes Plaza shopping center less than a mile from the neighborhood, off Hypoluxo Road, has you covered for everything from groceries at the Publix to your morning coffee at Starbucks. Visit Park Avenue BBQ Grille, in the same shopping center, to enjoy dry-rubbed, fresh-smoked barbecue in a casual atmosphere. Or, if you’d rather have a traditional diner experience, head to The Diner in the Quantum Village shopping center off Gateway Boulevard just over 2 miles southeast of home. Its name says it all: The Diner offers a casual experience and classic American-style fare. It’s so popular that it’s ranked in Wanderlog’s list of the top five best breakfast joints in Boynton Beach since 2018. “On Gateway, there’s a ton of dining and retail, it’s got the stores and restaurants that really attract people in today’s environment. If you’re looking for casual shopping and dining, that’s the place to look,” says Casella.