Moving to southern Florida

[DisneyPoohBear]

Hi all, I just found out we are moving to southern Florida in less than a month. It will be the Boca Raton area or possibly a little bit north from there. My husband had the job offer come in today so now we are a bit thin on time. Anyone have any advice about moving or knowledge of the area? We are doing research on our own but I'd like to get some opinions from here. I have lived in the midwest my whole life and both our families live here so that will be the hardest part for us.. Thanks!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Rent, would be my first thought. Then you can get a feel for the area and find your niche.

From Columbia to Boca, how exciting! Just think, no more winter and you get to go to the beach and eat seafood. Two of my favorite things.

Congratulations and good luck with moving.

As far as keeping in touch with family, get a webcam, good cell phone plan, use Skype, etc....

 

[FergieTCat]

My mother lives in one of the gated communities in Delray Beach. But, I know a few younger people with families who live in the area as well.

Out of Boca, Delray and Boynton Beach, I'd say Boca is the nicest.

 

[DefLepard]

Boca Raton is about ten minutes North of me, I can not even start to tell you where to look ... many communities are great in Boca and just north of it
I would recommend renting then checking out areas you might want to move into for good...

Welcome to South Florida !

I can say this, in Boca, you are only a 2 1/2 hr drive from Mickey

 

[jodifla]

Boca is a nice area, with good schools. Parts of Delray are quite nice as well. I agree with renting at first. It's going to be a big shock to the system moving from the Midwest to SoFla.

I'm sure you will miss your family. While you are in Florida, be sure to take advantage of all Florida has to offer. Besides all the great seafood, there's swimming, snorkeling, cheap cruises, lot and lots of great beaches, the Florida Keys, just to name a few things.

We miss Florida, and are plotting to get back. We definitely plan to retire back in Florida.

 

[Ceila]

Sent you a PM

 

[Bilberry]

Good luck with your move! I'm in the middle of doing the same thing, moving from the mid-west to south Florida. I'll be on the other coast, I believe, in Fort Myers.

 

[Belle0101]

Congrats!! You're living my dream!

Best case scenario, we'll be doing the same in 3 years. Worst case scenario, it'll be when DH retires in 20+ years.

Oddly enough my uncle moved to FL some 15+ years ago. When I told him last week that we had made our mind up to do the same he acted like I was nuts.

Sorry I don't know of any areas to suggest but I think the PP gave some great advice with renting. Best of luck to you and your family!!

 

[precious pixie]

I grew up in Boca. I live in Miami now, but think that with a family Boca is best. I'll send you a pm with some more info

 

[DisneyPoohBear]

Thanks everyone! Sorry it took so long to get back. I just found out we are leaving in two weeks and I am scrambling start packing which I had forgotten is no fun at all.. We just submitted an app to The Villas at Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach. Hopefully, they will take us in so I don't have a breakdown about not having a home. I would love to be in Boca so we will take our time to look around and see what the driving would be for my husband. Now I get to start applying for jobs too.. I can't wait to be so close to WDW! Maybe I can use the free dining later this year and finally afford to stay in one of my favorite hotels for a night or two...

 

[lucas]

Welcome to South Florida. I live in beautiful downtown Boca Raton.

Here is a link to the City of Boca's website:
http://www.ci.boca-raton.fl.us/

 

[MiniGirl]

Renting first is a great idea. We lived in south Florida for awhile, but, honestly, we avoided Boca. It is a beautiful city with a lot of nice homes, but it just wasn't for us. After several moves we settled in a little city called Lighthouse Point. It is about halfway between Boca and Ft. Lauderdale east of US1.

We spent some time in West Palm, too, and enjoyed it. Of course, this was quite a few years ago, so I'm sure it has all changed.

 

[SandrA9810]

Good luck with getting home owners insurance, and don't forget about flood insurance. Two of the hardest things to get in Florida. Take a look at the flood maps for Florida as a starting point. It is FL, so really any area can flood, you just don't want it to happen after every rain storm.

Welcome to hurricane land. They're lots of fun to sit through and watch as they cross the atlantic.

 

[disfan07]

The Viallas at Emerald Dunes are actually directly North (about 20 minutes) from where my Gradnparents live. They lliv ein Gleneagles in Delray Beach.

That location give you great access to West Palm Beach Aiport. Fort Lauderdale Airport is also about 1 hour 15 minutes from there and you can usually get much cheaper flights form there than from Palm Beach.

It takes us about 20 minutes to get to the beach from Delray. I would think it would probably take you guys teh same.

If you have kids, there is a place called Boomers in Boca. It has mini golf, go karts, rock wall, laser tag, etc. We used to go there every time we would visit.

There are also a lot of places to play mini golf, bowling, movie theaters, etc in the area.

As far as schools go in that area, I know a few people who have kids who live around there and they all send or have sent their kids to private school. I dont know if that was because of the public schools or not though.