EXPLORING THE BEAUTY OF BOCA RATON, FLORIDA: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

Are you thinking of moving to Boca Raton, Florida?  Whether you are just starting your research or have been scouring the internet for information, this blog is your go-to resource for everything you need to know about this beautiful coastal city in South Florida.

Let’s dive right in and explore Boca Raton from its layout to housing options, schools, business, shops, and entertainment hotspots.

BOCA RATON’S LAYOUT

First things first, let’s get acquainted with Boca Raton’s geography.  While Google Maps may not provide a complete outline of the city, Boca Raton is more extensive than it appears.  Some locals even distinguish between “Boca” and “West Boca”, but they are essentially the same city.

To give you an idea of its borders, Boca Raton extends North to Delray Beach, its neighboring city, and to the South, it shares borders with Deerfield Beach and Parkland. East of Interstate 95 is primarily considered East Boca, while after the freeway, the city adopts a consistent look characterized by gated communities.

HOUSING IN BOCA RATON

Now let’s talk housing. East Boca features a range of single family homes, with some areas around Royal Palm and Boca Country Club. These neighborhoods typically have older, non-gated homes that date back to the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.  On the other hand, condos are prevalent along the beach.

If you’re interested in waterfront properties, know that Boca Raton has limited options compared to its nearby cities like Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, which offer more choices for boat and jet ski enthusiasts. 

In West Boca, especially West of the I-95 freeway, you’ll find many gated communities.  This area started expanding in the 80’s and 90’s, so if you prefer newer homes, you may want to explore developments from reputable builders.

ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING

Boca Raton doesn’t fall short when it comes to entertainment and shopping.  Downtown Boca, including Mizner Park and the Boca Art Museum, is a cultural hub filled with restaurants and shops.  Palmetto Park Road also offers a variety of dining and shopping options.  There is also the Boca Town Center which draws not only locals but visitors from South Florida. 

There is of course the beautiful beach, complete with the Boca Inlet and the Boca Sand Bar, perfect for boating and watersports.

SCHOOLS IN BOCA RATON

One of the great things for families in Boca Raton is its outstanding school system.  Whether you are looking for public or private education, Boca has you covered.

For public Elementary schools, consider options like Colusa Elementary, Whispering Pines Elementary, Addison Mizner, or Boca Elementary.  Middle schools like Omni Middle Schools, Spanish River, Eagles Landing, and Loggers Run also offer great education. For public high school, you have choices like Spanish River High School, Olympic Heights Community High School, West Boca Raton High School, and Boca Raton High School.

The public school system is definitely better than its neighboring cities like Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale and many of them are rated 10/10 by greatschools.org.

If private education is your preference, explore St. Andrews, Pinecrest, and American Heritage, each offering unique advantages.

GOLF IN BOCA RATON

If you’re a golfer you will find plenty of options in Boca Raton. Most of the country clubs in West Boca are in gated communities and if you don’t live in the community you cannot join.  You will have better options in East Boca like Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club and Boca Raton Country Club that allow non-residents to join.  There are also public golf courses in Boca Raton like Red Reef Executive Golf Club, Southwinds Golf Club, The Boca Raton Golf Club.  With public golf courses there is no membership requirements, you can just simply pay to play.

GETTING AROUND IN BOCA RATON

It’s important to note that Boca Raton spans a considerable area from North to South and East to West.  Traveling from one end to the other can take 25 to 30 minutes.  To make to West side more accessible, they’ve developed shopping areas along route 441, providing residents with more options for entertainment and shopping.

In conclusion, Boca Raton offers a fantastic blend of housing options, great schools, shopping, entertainment, and beautiful beaches.  Whether you’re looking to buy a home, invest in property, or simply enjoy the Florida lifestyle, Boca Raton has something for everyone.