A little over three years ago, we had some time to kill before our flight back to California. My mind was already set on moving to South Florida, and my husband convinced me to come here in the hottest time of the year to see if July heat and humidity would be unbearable enough to change my mind. They were not – by the end of our week long trip we were under contract on our amazing house in the suburb of Boca Raton.
The hottest afternoon of the year found us in Mizner Park. Someone sent us here to check out what they said was a bustling town center. What we found was anything but that. A few small stores were empty. Few people were braving a 90 degree heat. The place seemed deserted and sad. We hoped it was not all Boca had to offer.
Next time we came back to Mizner Park was late night around Christmas. The place looked strikingly different. Fully packed restaurants featured live music. Art market stretched a few blocks. Small boutique shops invited customers in even past 10pm. Coming from a sleepy California suburb where all life ended at 9pm we have only experienced such night time activity on our European trips.
Mizner park is a small center of activity in Boca, but there are a few others. Town Center Mall is an upscale shopping center where you can spend a day after getting a nice Christmas bonus. Deerfield Beach pier area is packed during season. And of course, Boca Raton beaches are fantastic.
Still, Boca Raton has a reputation of an upscale retirement town. Gated communities as far as an eye can see, many 55+, gave it a reputation of a boring place where only retired people have fun. But not for long, as New York Times reveals. Boca Raton is changing. With companies moving to South Florida, and fantastic public and private schools, young people are no longer staying away.
For us, living next to Boca has been an ideal location. Seemingly far from activity, it’s actually a short driving distance from everything. Fort Lauderdale, which is home to restaurants, bars, theaters, and life performances, is an easy evening drive. If you are in the mood for a fancy brunch and window shopping on a weekend, Palm Beach is an hour away. Miami traffic makes commute seem difficult, but not more so than commuting to San Francisco from Silicon Valley.
As a Jewish family, moving to South Florida is the closest thing to moving to Israel. Keeping Kosher may be hard in Tulsa (“Friends” reference) but it is incredibly easy in Boca. Synagogues of any affiliation, as well as Kosher stores and restaurants, are abound. This is a completely different experience from living in Silicon Valley – a home to mostly liberal Jews who try to fit into their equally liberal communities. Hanukkah Menorahs, Yarmulkas, and Orthodox Jews walking home on Shabbat make you feel welcome and safe.
Boca Raton is also a center of the Russian speaking community. Far enough away from Sunny Isles – a town where English is considered a foreign language – Boca is home to hundreds of young Russian speaking families. With people moving from different states, looking for babysitters, kids activities, places to live, and travel advice, you will feel isolated for about two days. Moving here, we were as apprehensive about losing our social circle as anyone would be – but we could not believe how many fast friends we made in only a few short months living here. As in California, people tend to keep their social circles relatively closed and rarely expand them, making social connections is incredibly easy in Boca Raton.
Boca Raton is getting bigger, younger, and more exciting by the day. As a realtor and an investor, I see an opportunity, and I am excited to help young people find a home here. Currently, we have two fully renovated apartments on the market, in the perfect location next to the beach and close to the centers of activity. Satinleaf Properties is buying and selling Boca Raton – one property at a time.
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