Boca Raton Rentals and Real Estate

Boca Raton. The name itself conjures up images of the great south Florida lifestyle. There are the miles and miles of palm tree festooned beaches with the clear, warm waters of the Atlantic washing gently to shore. There is the rich history and the exciting modern attractions. Then there are the golf course communities dotting the landscape with homes for sale at every price point.

Incorporated in 1925, Boca Raton is one of south Florida’s oldest towns and is one of the largest in terms of population and land area stretching from the ocean to the Everglades. Located 43 miles north of Miami, it is the southernmost city in Palm Beach County. The area was originally occupied by the Tequesta tribe, but it remained largely uninhabited after the indigenous people were removed by the Spanish and British. In 1926 Addison Mizner built what may be the most famous landmark in the area, the Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn. Later known as the ‘Boca Raton Resort & Club’, it is now a Waldorf Astoria resort. Mizner’s architecture would set the tone for decades to come, and many buildings in the city are still Mediterranean in style. In fact, today there is a very strict developmental code for all the commercial buildings and advertisements to be constructed within the city. Billboards, outdoor car dealerships, and even Walmart stores are prohibited within the confines of the city center.

Boca Raton has a rich Japanese heritage that survives to this day. In 1904 Japanese farmers of the Yamato Colony populated land to the west of city with pineapple plantations. Sadly much of their crop was destroyed in the years that followed, and by the 1920s most of the farmers had returned to Japan. During World War 2 much of the land was confiscated and used as the Boca Raton Army Air Force Base. After the war this was donated to Palm Beach County, and you will now find the grounds of the Florida Atlantic University in its place. Today you can enjoy the Japanese culture to the west of town, where you can visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, next to the Butterfly Garden.

There are many other notable attractions within Boca Raton. In 1991 Mizner Park was constructed. This is a cultural center, designed to resemble a contemporary Mediterranean town center. Here you can enjoy many shops and boutiques, and a multitude of restaurants and cafes. You’ll find the Boca Raton Museum of Art here, as well as an amphitheater where you can enjoy concerts and outdoor performances throughout the year. If that isn’t enough shopping for you, you will also find the Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, which is the largest indoor mall in Palm Beach County. There are 220 shops here ranging from high-street favorites to elite specialty stores.

Other cultural interests include the National Cartoon Museum, and the Caldwell Theatre Company. In the early 1970’s, IBM built a massive complex here which is famous for being the birthplace of the IBM PC. Boca Raton continues to be a thriving business center to this day.

The Eastern coast of Boca Raton features 2 miles of spectacular beaches, which are connected to city parks. Red Reef Park is a 67 acre oceanfront park that showcases some of the gorgeous natural scenery of the area, and is home to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. This environmental education center features sea tanks, butterfly gardens, a four-story observation tower, and a picturesque boardwalk trail. It is also home to a research facility run by Florida Atlantic University, for the study of sea turtles, sharks, and other marine life. Children love to snorkel here, as limestone boulders have created reefs just 10 feet off the shore where you can spot fish and turtles, as well as the occasional eel and stingray! Also be sure to visit Sugar Sand Park, which features the Children’s Science Explorium.

There are excellent education opportunities throughout Boca Raton, from top-rated elementary schools right up to FAU.

One reason for Boca’s popularity is the weather. Annual average temperatures range from 68 to 85. Except for some summer rain, there is hardly a day that you can’t get outside and enjoy the weather. The area actually qualifies as having a ‘Tropical rainforest Climate’, meaning you will be delighted by tropical trees and plants and enjoy living frost-free! However If you do feel the need to get away from all this glorious sunshine, you’ll find Palm Beach International Airport just 26 miles away.

Boca Raton Homes For Rent

Boca Raton Real Estate encompasses a large area, and much of it is found outside the city centre. There are many planned developments, gated communities and golf courses to be explored. The homes for sale include luxury, oceanfront condominiums rising into the sky along the beaches, and waterfront estate homes along the Intracoastal with docks and direct ocean access. Boca Raton also features luxury club communities like St. Andrews where gated, estate homes run into the millions. According to Forbes, Boca Raton has three of the ten most expensive gated communities in the U.S. The Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club holds the #1 spot. Although known as one of the wealthiest communities in South Florida, there are in fact nearly 400 individual communities that provide a wealth of real estate options to suit every taste and budget.

With its size, cultural diversity, ocean access and golf opportunities, if you are considering moving to south Florida, there will certainly be something of interest for you in Boca Raton. Call us today, and let us help you find your dream Boca Raton Real Estate.