Boca Raton, Florida Real Estate and Community Info

In Spanish Boca Raton literally means “mouse mouth,” a curious name for such a beautiful place. The prevailing theory is that this was once a euphemism for “Thieves Inlet,” an inlet in the Biscayne Bay area of Miami, mistakenly applied to present-day Lake Boca Raton. While the origin of its name might be cause for speculation, there is no denying that Boca Raton is a real estate gem in South Florida. Boca Raton has a population of 86,396 and is located in Palm Beach County. Boca Raton is famous for being the architectural brainchild of Addison Mizner—the visionary behind much of its original architecture. Mizner’s Mediterranean and Spanish Colonial Revival style continue to inspire developers in Boca Raton today. This link to such important cultural history adds to the already staggering appeal of Boca Raton real estate. With an average annual temperature of 75 degrees, Boca Raton has earned its beloved motto: “A city for all seasons.”

Dining and Shopping

It is no surprise that Boca Raton, with all of its aesthetic wonder, would also provide unparalleled pleasures for the palate. With cuisine ranging from traditional American steakhouses, to the exotic flares of Cuban and Mediterranean influences, the restaurants of Boca Raton are as varied and unique as the residents themselves. Boca Raton has distinguished itself as a premier shopping destination in South Florida. Of particular repute is Mizner Park. In its center is a Spanish-style courtyard, evoking a traditional, open-air marketplace. Residents often refer to Mizner Park as simply “Downtown Boca,” because this is where almost anything can be found—from the familiar fare of Banana Republic to the one-of-a-kind finds at Victor's Antiques and Oriental Art.

Parks and Recreation

With almost 1500 acres of parkland, Boca Raton is the perfect place for relaxation and recreation. Boca Raton has five miles of postcard-worthy beaches for swimming and snorkeling. You can even experience a living reef at the famous Red Reef Park, located on the eastern shore. At the popular Gumbo Limbo Nature Center you can get up close and personal with sea turtles, sharks, stingrays and other marine animals housed in their 25 foot-wide sea tanks. As a center for environmental research and conservation, the many interactive displays and programs here are designed to both delight and educate.

Living

Boca Raton enjoys the economic benefits of being the headquarters of several major businesses, including Office Depot, GEO Group, and BMI Gaming. In the 1980s, the Boca Raton Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) was formed to revitalize downtown Boca Raton, introducing infrastructure improvements to buildings, parking and transportation. Today, Boca Raton real estate continues to reap the benefits of these efforts. A strict development code limits the number of billboards and advertisements in the city, ensuring optimal visibility of the natural landscape.

Boca Raton is a beacon of arts and culture. You can see the work of Degas, Matisse, Picasso and Warhol at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, or enjoy a performance by the outstanding Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia. Theatre buffs can get their fix at Caldwell Theater Company—the longest running professional theater in South Florida.

Schools, Hospitals, Transportation

Boca Raton is part of the District of Palm Beach County, the only urban school district in Florida that has earned an "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education for the seventh consecutive year. Boca Raton is also the home of Florida Atlantic University, the largest university in the area. The FAU Owls are in the top 24% of NCAA Division I universities, and soon you will be able to see the Owls in action in their brand new stadium, a multi-million dollar project very near completion.

Boca Raton Regional Hospital has been serving the city for over forty years and has garnered many awards in the process, including “Best of the Best Places to Give Birth” in Palm Beach County. In transportation, Palm Tran provides the county with bus service seven days a week. Tri Rail is South Florida’s commuter railroad and has a station conveniently located in Boca Raton. The Palm Beach International Airport is in nearby West Palm Beach and offers daily flights to major airports all over the world.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (561) 218-1230 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.