Tequesta retains coastal small-town vibes amidst Florida's growth
“Everyone in the world is moving to America and in America, everyone is moving to Florida. Inside of Florida, everyone is moving to Palm Beach County, and when it comes to Palm Beach County, it doesn’t get better than Tequesta,” says Realtor William Funkey with Seawinds Realty. He’s not exaggerating. In 2022, Florida saw a population boom of nearly 2%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, making it the most popular state in the country. And more than 13,000 of the 580,000 new Florida driver's licenses issued that year were issued in Palm Beach, according to the Palm Beach Post. Nonetheless, Sarah Greenberg, founder of Sweet Life Palm Beach and a Tequesta local, says her hometown is in no danger of growing too big: “The population here has been around 5,000 for the last 30-plus years, and it’s not projected to change at all. It’ll remain an intimate, coastal town.”
A close-knit community where neighbors gather year-round
Funkey describes Tequesta as a “fishing, surfing kind of town, with a lot of golfers.” But technically speaking, Tequesta can’t even be called a town. “Legally it’s a village, not even a town, it’s that little,” he says, adding that it really leans into that cloistered village atmosphere. “It’s a really great place to live, where everyone knows their neighbors. And it’s so rare to hear of anything bad happening here, you can let your kids ride off on their bikes and come back later without a care in the world,” he gushes. Greenberg agrees with him, adding that not only do people here know each other, but they gather together constantly. “Every holiday is done up to the nines. People have parties in their cul-de-sacs, end-of-driveway parties; there are Christmas carolers, people just really gather here,” she says. She describes the general vibe as “small-town, main-street U.S.A.”
From condos to waterfront homes, properties sell quickly in Tequesta
You’ll find a variety of homes here, from French Colonial-inspired condos with second-story wraparound porches to single-family Key West and Mediterranean-style homes. Greenberg observes: “The price range is mixed. Home prices here range from $200,000 for a little condo up to $13.5 million for a luxury waterfront home.” And they fly off the market almost as soon as they’re put up for sale. “It’s in high demand, especially with the surrounding area’s recent population boom,” Funkey notes, adding that homes here tend to go under contract in just over a month. For a two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo with a wide walk-out porch, luxury vinyl tile flooring throughout and a freshly remodeled kitchen, you can expect to pay around the $330,000 mark. For a four-bedroom, three-bathroom waterfront Key West-style home with an in-ground pool, a boat ramp, a spacious and sunny chef’s kitchen and French-patterned Turkish travertine flooring throughout the living spaces, you’ll likely pay closer to $2.2 million.
Well-regarded schools offer a diverse array of programs
Tequesta students are served by the Palm Beach County Public Schools system. Depending on your address, your youngster will attend either Limestone Creek or Jupiter Elementary, so make sure to check the district boundaries ahead of registration time. Both elementary schools are highly rated by Niche. In 2023, Limestone Creek received an A-minus and Jupiter received a B-minus overall grade. For grades six through eight, older students attend Jupiter Middle School, which earned a B-plus grade from Niche. Teens finish up their grade school careers at Jupiter High School, which earned an A grade from Niche and a 7/10 GreatSchools Summary Rating. Jupiter High students enjoy the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of choice and in-house programs, from Army J.R.O.T.C. and Criminal Justice to Horticulture and Medical Sciences.
Publix, parks and restaurants are all within easy reach
For their groceries, Tequesta residents can visit their local Publix at the northeast end of town less than half a mile from Tequesta Park. The park itself is chock full of sports courts and fields and webbed with a paved multiuse trail, not to mention its picnic pavilion and dog park. Heading back east toward the river, off Seabrock Road, you’ll also find Tequesta’s popular Constitution Park. Home to a sprawling playground and skate park, Constitution Park is also where locals gather for events like Trucks & Tunes. “There are food trucks and live music in the community park every first Friday. People are on blankets on the grass, listening to the music and having dinner, it’s a fun time,” Greenberg says of the monthly event. She notes that another popular local hang-out is Perk Coffee Shop. “Literally everyone goes there, it’s a staple around here,” Funkey agrees. And Perk is just one of the many hotspots in downtown Tequesta locals love. “There’s Gallery Grill, which has been here forever, and Hog Snappers, is also fantastic,” says Greenberg, adding that all the shops and dining downtown are walkable. She describes Gallery Grill as “more of a quaint, mom-and-pop-type, locally sourced breakfast and lunch spot.” But Hog Snappers is where she recommends new residents visit first. “It’s an impressive experience. It’s got island vibes, a full bar and live music. The atmosphere is on point,” she says.
With its unique atmosphere that blends comfortable small-town friendliness with luxurious coastal living, it's easy to see why Funkey calls Tequesta “the best place in the world to live.”
![Gabor Kovacs]()
Photography Contributed By
Gabor Kovacs
