What Are The Pros And Cons Of Living In Boca Raton?
Boca Raton is a city on the southeastern coast of Florida. A popular tourist destination, it has many parks, beaches, and golf courses. These attractions draw residents and visitors alike throughout the year.
Boca Raton has a reputation as a city of upscale neighborhoods. If you’ve been thinking about moving there, you probably have a lot of questions.
Living in Boca Raton has many upsides: there are lots of job opportunities, beautiful weather young-round, and many housing options. The city generously funds public services, offering recreational opportunities and access to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. There are also downsides to the area, such as the high cost of living and erratic weather, including frequent rain and occasional hurricanes.
Read on to learn the top pros and cons of living in Boca Raton.
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Pros Of Living in Boca Raton
1. There Are Tons Of Different Communities
Living in Boca Raton isn’t a singular experience. Depending on where you live, you can find communities of all types.
The city is diverse in both culture and neighborhood. You’ll find quiet suburbs and bustling metropolitan areas. There is plenty of access to outdoor areas like the beach and even the Everglades.
Some communities are very upscale, with many gated neighborhoods. Others are much more relaxed. In short, there’s something for everyone here.
2. The Weather Is Beautiful Year-Round
Boca Raton has a tropical climate, so there’s more rain than you might expect. But the city also averages 231 days of sunshine every year.
You’ll find temperatures in the 80s most of the year. In January, it drops to the mid-60s. That means that even during the coldest month of the year, it’s still temperate. The city gets the most rainfall in August, which means it is hot and muggy. December is the driest month, with cooler, sunnier days.
3. There Are Lots Of Things To Do
The city makes it a priority to keep the beaches clean. In Boca Raton, you have immediate access to two miles of beautiful beach.
The beach isn’t the only thing to do. There are tons of outdoor recreational areas, sports fields, picnic areas, and parks. You can also find museums, public gardens, exhibits, and more.
The Boca Raton arts community is active and thriving. You can find endless options for cultural events and more. The local restaurant scene is impressive and features both high-end chains and local eateries.
4. There Are Affordable Housing Options
The housing market in Boca Raton is thriving. That means that there is a wide range of options for homes. This includes condos, studio apartments, single homes, and homes in gated communities.
The property options across different Boca Raton neighborhoods are diverse. Rentals go for about $2,300 a month on average for an apartment. But depending on the neighborhood, you can find ones as low as $1,500.
So while housing isn’t as cheap as elsewhere in Florida, it is affordable for most people. The diverse properties and neighborhoods offer plenty of options.
5. It Is Family Friendly
There are a lot of schools in Boca Raton. They are known for producing academically successful students. There are options from preschool up through college.
The city has 20 private schools, but there are many options for public education too. Public school students in the city score consistently higher than their peers elsewhere in Florida.
With 29 public schools, Boca Raton has the highest concentration of public school options in the state. Families have plenty of choices when it comes to their children’s education.
6. The Crime Rate Is Lower Than Average
Boca Raton’s city taxes go toward improving public infrastructure. This means that many people feel safe with better living conditions.
The crime rate in Boca Raton is much lower than other cities in southern Florida. Crime varies by neighborhood. But in general, the city is a very safe place to live.
In 2019, the city’s crime rate was 1.6 times lower than the national average. The last five years have shown decreasing rates of violent and property crime. The rates look to be continuing to fall.
7. The Job Market is Good
Boca Raton has a lot of job opportunities. Several major corporations are headquartered there, including Office Depot. Some of the biggest employers in the city are hospitals, IBM, ADT security, and Florida Atlantic University. There are plenty of jobs in other sectors as well.
The median household income in Boca Raton is $80,938, which is higher than the national average. The unemployment rate is 3.9 percent.
8. You Can Easily Access Many Other Parts of Florida
In some ways, Boca Raton is the epicenter of travel throughout Florida. From there, you can access Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. The city has three airports nearby. Fantastic Florida destinations like the Everglades and the Treasure Coast are also within easy reach.
Though there is a lot of tourist activity, residents get used to it. There are ways to enjoy the local sights without fighting the crowds. In the summer, tourist activity drops as snowbirds return to their homes.
Cons of Living in Boca Raton
1. There May Be Hurricanes
Hurricane season runs from June to November in Boca Raton. Locals learn to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
The city is considered a “high-risk” hurricane zone. Since 1930, the area has seen 86 hurricanes. The most recent was Hurricane Ana in 2015, which caused significant damage.
2. The Traffic is Notoriously Bad
Boca Raton’s access to the rest of Florida can also be a drawback. There is a lot of traffic through the area from both residents and tourists.
There are lots of routes through the city, but the traffic flow is consistently bad. There are also few options for public transport, which means there are more cars on the road.
3. The Cost of Living is High
Boca Raton has a reputation of being for wealthy people. That’s not true, but the cost of living is higher than many places in Florida. For one thing, there is a sales tax of 7 percent. You’ll also find yourself paying more for public services and utilities.
4. There Are Some Bad Neighborhoods
Although crime is low as a whole, there are some bad neighborhoods in Boca Raton. The city has some history of gang activity. Meanwhile Pearl City, one neighborhood, is an epicenter of drug trafficking.
Boca Raton has seen a rising number of drug overdoses in recent years. These are mainly opioids and heroin.
5. The Summer Can Be Brutally Hot
It goes without saying that summer in south Florida is quite hot. The winter is pleasant, sunny, and mild. But when July arrives, you’ll find yourself sweating.
You will need air conditioning to survive the Boca Raton summer in comfort. Though those months are hot, the weather can also change suddenly.
6. There Isn’t an Active Nightlife Scene
Boca Raton might be a city, but things close relatively early. You’ll find grocery stores and restaurants closing their doors before 11 p.m.
Nightlife options are slim when you compare them to other regions nearby. Though the city has a few bars, most locals go to Ft. Lauderdale for a night out. Miami is also an option, though it’s much more expensive.
7. There is Little Public Transportation
Boca Raton’s public services funding unfortunately don’t include public transportation. A personal vehicle is a must for this city.
There are a few public bus routes, but they’re notoriously bad. They tend to run erratically, often late, and sometimes not even on a consistent route.
8. The Weather May Be Erratic
As if it wasn’t enough that the weather gets extremely hot, it can also change without warning. One moment, the day will be bright and sunny. The next, there could be a torrential downpour.
People who live in Boca Raton learn to be prepared at any moment. That goes not just for hurricanes and other extreme weather events. It also applies to regular days.
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Related Questions
Boca Raton has a higher-than-average property crime rate, though this has been falling in recent years. There are some dangerous parts of the city. However, the rate of violent crime is significantly lower than the national average.
As recently as 2007, there were reports of nine active gangs in Boca Raton. The city has a history of mafia activity. However, this does not seem to factor significantly into present-day crime stats.
Your choice of neighborhood in Boca Raton will probably depend on your budget, family size, and goals. Some of the best neighborhoods for families, for example, include Clint Moore, Bel Marra, and Highland Beach.
Boca Raton is a somewhat more expensive place to live than elsewhere in Florida. The city imposes a 7 percent sales tax. Meanwhile, the property tax is roughly $1,064 per $100,000 in home value.
You don’t need to be a millionaire to live in the city. But the cost of living is higher than elsewhere in the state of Florida.
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