Wellington

Greenview Shores is physically at the center of Wellington, offering a peaceful waterfront energy in an already quiet village west of Palm Beach. “It’s one of the most sought-after non-gated areas,” Michelle Gibson of the Hansen Real Estate Group shares. Over two decades of experience in the Wellington real estate market make her the go-to source for all things Wellington; her wealth of knowledge is shared on her website, WellingtonHomeTeam.com. “Compared to other communities, you won’t find the same price point with the amount of space you’re afforded. Most of the people in Greenview Shores live here full-time, and they range from families just starting out to people who have lived in the homes they built for decades.” <br><br>“Most of the original owners bought their land and built their homes during construction years,” Gibson says. “They’re mostly ranches, but all of them are pretty unique as far as layout and you won’t get much of the cookie-cutter feeling as you’re driving through. It’s a very well-planned community that doesn’t get a lot of through traffic. Each village has only one or two ins and outs, so they’re very secure.” <br><br>While most of the communities in Wellington have HOAs, options on the canals and man-made lakes leading to Lake Wellington that give homeowners free reign to decorate as they please. Four bed, two-to-three bath ranch-style homes on quarter acre lots with large garages and colorful exteriors go for $650,000 to $760,000. Meanwhile, stately stucco and tile and Greek Revival influences with grand columns make up the gated and manned Polo West community, where homes go for $1.3 million to $2.25 million dollars. <br><br>The Palm Beach School District is known for being one of the best in the state. Kids in Greenview Shores can start strong at Wellington Elementary School or New Horizons Elementary School, both earning a B-plus from Niche. They move on to Polo Park Middle School or Wellington Landings Middle School, both earning an A-minus from Niche. They finish strong at Wellington High School, which was first established as Wellington College of Design in 1886. The historic school earns an A from Niche. <br><br>Besides the equestrian fields nearby, grassy escapes with swings and slides are also easy to find within Greenview Shores. Farmington Park is open to the public and sits right on the lake. Nearby Tiger Shark Cove Park is beloved by locals, not only for its ocean-themed play structures, but also because of its history as a community-led project dreamed up from the ideas of local children. The same goes for Scott's Place Barrier-Free Playground. “My family and I helped build Scott’s Park and volunteered during the construction,” says Gibson. “It’s a park for children of all abilities, so there are play structures for kids in wheelchairs, for example.” <br><br>Thousands of horses arrive during peak season (January through the end of March) to compete in the heavily attended Winter Equestrian Festival. On the non-equestrian front, Greenview Shores is 4 miles from the Wellington Branch Library, which finished renovations at the end of 2021 and hosts a wide variety of events from Zumba to board game nights. <br><br>Residents pick up the necessities from the local Publix before eating out at familiar favorites like Lindburgers, a Southeast Florida staple celebrating nearly 40 years of service. The Movies at Wellington holds strong as an independent, family-owned movie theater showing blockbusters and indie films alike. The Wellington Mall is a 5 mile drive away for a full day of shopping and chain restaurant fare. <br><br>While most of Wellington is car-dependent, locals get creative when getting around. “Some people have golf carts, and during peak season, you’ll see horses walking down some of the main streets,” Gibson shares. U.S. Route 98 and Florida’s Turnpike are nearby for the 18-mile commute to West Palm Beach. Locals welcome their visitors at the Palm Beach International Airport 15 miles to the east. <br><br>“Wellington is pretty quiet and there’s no through traffic in the neighborhoods, but the roads do get busier during horse show season,” Gibson says.

Resort-style amenities and suburban charm come together in Olympia. Tucked in the east side of Wellington, this neighborhood’s homes sit along winding canals and lakes. The neighborhood’s two guard-gated subdivisions – Olympia to the west of Lyons Road and Village Walk to the east – prioritize a lifestyle of comfort and peace of mind. "Olympia is very friendly, pet-friendly and family-oriented. People wave to each other. Every now and then, you'll see someone on a small boat in one of the lakes or by the water fishing with the kids, and you'll wave to them, too," says Chris Chames, Associate Broker with Exit Realty Oceanside. In addition to selling homes nearby, Chames has been an Olympia resident for more than seven years. Olympia’s prime location on the east side of Wellington places it close to prime shopping options, local schools and plentiful recreation.<br><br>Homes in the Olympia area share Spanish Revival and Mediterranean design aspects. Barrel roof tiles, arches, warm colors and stucco exteriors contribute to the neighborhood’s look. Many homes’ backyards are connected to the area’s lakes and canals, and in-ground pools are a common feature. Most homes in the neighborhood were built in the 2000s, and buyers can find a mix of single-story ranchers and two-story estates nearby. Move-in ready homes sell between the mid-$400,000s and $1.6 million. “They do the landscaping perfectly. Everything is very well maintained. My HOA fee covers lawn maintenance, too," Chames says.<br><br>Olympia residents have access to an impressive selection of recreational facilities. “Compared to other areas that I looked at, you see way more people walking around here. People are outside all the time. They're riding bicycles, playing tennis, swimming in the pool, working out in the gym," Chames says. Within the neighborhood, the private clubhouse area includes greenspace, a wetland preserve and courts for volleyball, pickleball, tennis and basketball. Close to the neighborhood’s schools, Olympia Park offers facilities for baseball, football, track and more. "Both my sons are in soccer, and Wellington has a great soccer team, so I've been there a lot," Chames says. "It's a really good spot." Just north of the neighborhood, the Banyan Golf Club offers a private 18-hole course with tennis courts and onsite dining. And less than 4 miles northwest of Olympia, Okeheelee Park is one of the West Palm Beach area’s largest recreational areas, with an equestrian center, a 27-hole public golf course, a BMX track and lake access for boating and fishing. <br><br>Immediately west of the neighborhood near Forest Hill Boulevard, the Wellington Green complex offers multiple dining and shopping options. The Mall at Wellington Green hosts Dillard’s, Macy’s, Ashley Furniture and JCPenney stores, along with retailers like H&M and Apple. Outside the mall, smaller shopping centers host retailers like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market, and well-known restaurants such as Five Guys and First Watch. Sports bars nearby include Bonefish Mac’s Sports Grille, Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings.<br><br>Students in the Olympia area can attend schools in the Palm Beach County School District, including Equestrian Trails Elementary School. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and holds an A grade on Niche. Emerald Cove Middle School holds an A-minus grade. Both schools are less than 4 miles away for most Olympia residents. Palm Beach Central High School offers more than 50 student clubs and organizations. The school earns an A grade on Niche.<br><br>Olympia is situated 13 miles southwest of downtown West Palm Beach and 45 miles north of Fort Lauderdale. Residents are connected to the rest of the West Palm Beach area by Florida’s Turnpike to the east, Forest Hill Boulevard/FL-882 to the north and South State Road 7/US-441 to the west. The nearest hospital, Wellington Regional Medical Center, is immediately northwest of the neighborhood on Forest Hill Boulevard. Flights depart from Palm Beach International Airport, 11 miles northeast of Olympia.

Located within the Equestrian Capital of the World, the Landings at Wellington is where suburbia and horse ownership merge. Just 15 miles outside of West Palm Beach, homeowners in the Landings at Wellington can stay close to equestrian amenities and festivities. “People like this neighborhood because it’s away from the hustle and bustle side of town, but within a good school district,” says Martha Jolicoeur, real estate broker at Douglas Elliman, and long-time resident of Wellington. <br>The Landings at Wellington has several distinct areas. Lakefield, in the northern portion, is a collection of gated communities, such as Lakefield West, which is directly across from The Wanderers Club. Houses here are three- to four-bedrooms. At the Aero Club, homeowners can access the neighborhood’s private runway. Homes can have as many as five bedrooms and five baths and at least 1 acre of land, with private hangars where residents can store their personal planes. Houses with barns and training fields on the properties are also commonplace across the Landings at Wellington to accommodate local competitive equestrians. Spanish Revival homes are the standard style throughout the neighborhood. <br>Prices in the Landing at Wellington often start at $550,000, but many homes cost as much as $2 to $3 million, especially around the Aero Club. Houses closer to the runway will often list higher due to their prime location, as well as those with more amenities like barns and open fields. <br>Awarded an A from Niche, Binks Forest Elementary is a K-5 that students in the neighborhood can attend. Wellington Landings Middle School receives an A-minus from Niche and offers students several specified programs, like Pre-Information Technology, where students can learn the foundations they need for programming and software development. At Wellington Community High School, students can enroll in the Pre-Veterinary Program to learn about horse anatomy, behavior and physiology. Niche also awards this school an A. <br>Events in Wellington draw international visitors. Wellington is famous for its Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), where amateurs and professional equestrians can compete at the Wellington International in jumping, dressage and hunting events. The festival spans 13 weeks from January to March, with 80 acres of arenas to host competitors and spectators. Throughout the year, Wellington International hosts Saturday Night Lights, inviting the public to watch grand prix competitions, listen to live music or ride the old-fashioned carousel. Every March, the Wellington Bacon and Bourbon Festival brings local flavor and charm to the neighborhood. Vendors offer whiskey tastings paired with bacon and pork dishes. <br>Greenbriar Park has a designated dog park where residents can let dogs loose to play and water fountains to keep pets hydrated. The park even has different areas catered to dogs of different sizes for more controlled playtime. The Wanderers Club is a private golf course and country club with a driving range, tennis courts, pools and a clubhouse. Equestrian fields encourage athletes to practice and perfect their techniques before competitions. <br>Residents in the Landings at Wellington can find local restaurants and familiar brands at the Courtyard Shops at Wellington only 3 miles away. “When it’s too busy in the winter during the festival, you won’t have to wait to eat on this side of town,” says Jolicoeur. The Publix in the complex allows people to complete their grocery shopping. The Kontiki Wine and Raw Bar has Thai and other Asian cuisine at a more premium price. Its chandelier and neon sign create an elegant atmosphere for a nice night out. For the best burgers, Lindburgers Wellington is a more casual option with a diverse menu of American classics. At the Mall at Wellington Green 7 miles away, residents can find a Trader Joe’s and a Whole Foods Market. <br>Because of its design and layout, the Landings at Wellington is a car-dependent community. “You’ll see a lot of golf carts here because the parking can be difficult,” says Jolicoeur. When driving, residents may need to stop at horse-crossing signs, as equestrians use Wellington’s horse trails to exercise their show horses.

It’s not uncommon to see signs urging drivers to watch out for horses on the road in Wellington. After all, horses reign supreme in this South Florida village. The area has attracted equestrian enthusiasts for decades, in part because of its warm weather. It has even earned the nickname “Equestrian Capital of the World.” Palm Beach Polo and Country offers an established option for those looking to settle down here — a gated development right at the center of town, complete with a golf course and prime proximity to the area’s equestrian facilities. <br><br>“A lot of people speak the same language here, which is ‘horse,’” says Martha Jolicoeur, a Realtor with Douglas Elliman and a Palm Beach Polo Club resident. “When I talk to new clients I ask, ‘are you equestrian?’ And if not, I ask what about the neighborhood is appealing in particular. There are folks who live here who aren’t equestrian, but the community really has a special value because it appeals to a special clientele.”<br><br>Palm Beach Polo and Country is a sprawling community, with myriad homes, many of them with Mediterranean-inspired styling. While some date back to the late 1970s, there are options from every era since, including some recently built, contemporaries. It’s not just single-family homes, either — quite a few townhomes and condos are scattered about as well. All options line quiet streets, behind the development’s gates. The neighborhood’s crime score is significantly better than the national average, according to the CAP Index.<br><br>Condos in Palm Beach Polo and Country typically run between 1,200 and 1,800 square feet and cost between $400,000 and $600,000. Townhomes average just over 2,000 square feet and start in the $500,000s. Depending on the size, they can push to well over $1 million. Single-family houses here, which average over 3,700 square feet, often sell for between $1 million and $2 million. However, some of the new builds are priced at several million. “The club was built in 1979 and it started around polo,” Jolicoeur says. “The idea was to attract people to come and watch polo competitions, and to live in the same area, so it served as a home for riders competing." <br><br>A home in Palm Beach Polo and Country can come with plenty of recreation opportunities built in. The 18-hole on-site golf course is just the start. The club here also includes a golf house that offers everything from a fitness center to massage sessions. There’s a community pool, too.<br><br>Locals can enjoy outdoor time with the kids at nearby Wellington spots like Scott’s Place Playground, an accessible space designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities. The playground sits by both the Wellington Amphitheater, which hosts programming including a Thursday-night food truck and music series, and the Wellington Aquatics Complex, where there's a public Olympic-sized pool. Young athletes in the area can take advantage of the 16-acre Village Park Athletics Complex just south of Palm Beach Polo and Country, which has a dozen multipurpose fields. “It’s very prestigious. It was rated one of the top cities to raise a family in,” local realtor Carol Arya says of Wellington. Arya, of KW Reserve Palm Beach, has more than 20 years of real estate experience.<br><br>This area is an epicenter for equestrian competition, particularly during the horse show season, from early January to late March. Several dozen horses come through the 111-acre Wellington International facility over the course of those several weeks. Wellington International features 18 separate arenas and is just about 3 miles from Palm Beach Polo and Country. The weekly Saturday Night Lights events, a series of jumping competitions, are the headliners of the season.<br><br>Residents can make the quick trip from their front doors to the club’s popular Stallion Restaurant for a bite to eat. Stallion, which is being renovated, has a wide-ranging menu with everything from charred octopus to filet mignon. Or people can step right outside the neighborhood to visit places like Alacruz Grill, an Argentinian steakhouse, or Fujisan Asian Bistro, where the sushi is a hit. Both are part of Wellington Town Square, which also features a Publix supermarket.<br><br>The School District of Palm Beach County covers Wellington, a system with a B-plus grade on Niche. Kids in Palm Beach Polo and Country may start at either the A-minus-rated Elbridge Gale Elementary or the B-plus-rated New Horizons Elementary depending on where in the neighborhood they live. Students at New Horizons can take part in the school’s integrated STEAM program and Elbridge Gale’s extracurricular opportunities include a clay club and a basketball club. All students in the area then matriculate to the A-minus-rated Polo Park Middle, where they can enter the pre-engineering or pre-IT magnet programs. Wellington Community High boasts an A grade and leans into the surrounding area with programs like an equine/pre-veterinary academy.<br><br>Palm Beach Polo and Country’s central location is a boon for travel. People here can head right out of the neighborhood and on to Forest Boulevard, then Southern Boulevard, for drives out to Palm Beach, only about 15 miles away. The same route can take locals to Palm Beach International Airport. Southern Boulevard connects with Florida’s Turnpike for commutes up and down the coast. And locals can access multiple stops in the area’s Palm Tran bus system along Forest Hill Boulevard.