Any Info. on Boca Raton?

Updated on April 26, 2011
R.D. asks from Haysville, KS
4 answers

Hey moms,

My husband and I have somewhat been kicking around the idea of relocating. He has an amazing job here, and can be transfered wherever. He knows I love the beach and warm weather, so here lately he has been asking about Boca. Not sure if we would ever move, and if we do, it would at least be two years before that happens. But I would like to get any insight/input just to have. I am a teacher and education is very important to us. How are the schools in Boca? Or is there a suburb that would be a good place to live? We live in Kansas, so we don't know a lot about Florida and even less about Boca. Any info at all would be appreciated :)
I guess a little background on us may help :)
I am 23, my husband is 25, and we have a two year old little girl. I am wondering if Boca (or any surrounding areas) is a family friendly town?

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K.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

I live right outside of Boca.. The schools are very good in Boca but I wouldn't "personally" live IN Boca because it can be very snobby...
Surrounding, "great" areas to check out would be: Coral Springs, Parkland, West Boynton Beach...
Good luck with your decision :0)

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K.C.

answers from Orlando on

My sister lives in Boca - right near the Town Center (mall) and enjoys it. She mostly has chosen to live there because it is close to work for her and her boyfriend.
Boca in my opinion is mostly Old, rich people. When we were visiting my sister a few months ago we took my then almost two year old out to lunch. We went to Smokey Bones, which I think everyone can agree is a family place, there was a man sitting next to us that complained, loudly, about my daughter being there. And she was not causing a ruckus. She was just coloring at the table. Then they brought out everyones food, except my daughters, and she started whining a little. The man got very upset and told my sister "she needed to teach the brat how to behave" I know this isn't an example of how all people there are, but this old grump is who I think of when i think of Boca. But I know there is a Stroller Strides in Boca that is very successful, so there have to be some mommies and kids around. :)
If I were you I would probably go on meetup.com and search Boca Raton and talk to some of the moms groups you find on there. They will really be able to give you the specific information that you are looking for. I don't know much about Palm Beach County Schools either.

I grew up in Coral Springs/Parkland and it was fantastic! About 10 minutes from the beach and a wonderful school district (broward county). It's about 15 mintues from Boca.

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K.P.

answers from New York on

I grew up in Fort Lauderdale and a lot of my friends lived in Boca. We went to a prep school b/c the schools in Broward County are hit-or-miss. Palm Beach County Schools are notably better, but there are also plenty of private/parochial options in that area.

Boca is expensive- no matter how you look at it. The homes, shopping, restaurants, schools, etc are generally high-end. It's pretty and like most other places in FL, close to the water (but most homes have pools).

If you are looking to find a teaching job, FL is a VERY difficult market right now. We are hoping to relocate in the next two years, so I check the postings frequently for school administration positions... NOTHING! They are cutting back significantly and are "repurposing" teachers on the PEL and assigning them to areas that are not certificated tenure areas in FL (like Phys Ed).

The area is beautiful and we're hoping to get back to my family as soon as possible. Housing prices are very low right now and there is no state income tax- which is why salaries are lower. The general cost of living is lower... salaries reflect that (just so you aren't shocked).

South FL isn't really about "suburbs", it's pretty metropolitan. Depending on your budget and your school preferences:
- Fort Lauderdale (northern Lauderdale is more "affordable")
- Pompano Beach (bad public schools, but several good private options)
- Lauderhill
- Deerfield Beach
- Coral Springs/Parkland
**Anything North of West Palm Beach is VERY different and much more "Southern". Volusia County is beautiful (Daytona and Ormond area), but a "different world" than Fort Lauderdale. That's part of what makes FL such a cool place to be... you can be in a "big city" and drive an hour and be in the "Old South".

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I grew up in Boca and now live in Kansas. I will send you a private message.

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