• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 30 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 30th anniversary: Happy 30th Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $21,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $21 Million dollars
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    60,000+ subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

Do you have a home in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton or Palm Beach?

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
I love Florida. Years ago I was very familiar with these area. Now my knowledge is with the West coast of Florida so I figured where better to get information but from my tugger friends for the East Coast.

I have friends and family that live in these areas and love it and I have others that plan on moving. I have always been reluctant to move full time to Florida because of hurricanes but am now considering it.

If you live or have a second home in these areas I would love to hear what you think and any input you might have. If it is in a 55+ active community detail would be appreciated.
 

Talent312

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
17,461
Reaction score
7,277
Points
948
Resorts Owned
HGVC & GTS
I grew up in Miami. I have vivid memories of hurricanes. They were fun.
Electricity went out, so it was like camping, but we did have a gas stove.
Lots of trees came down, so we could build treehouses on the ground.
Dips in the road turned into ponds to wade in.

But seriously, the chances of a 'cane hitting any one certain spot is low.
These days there's plenty of warning, and plenty of insurance to cover.

I really like the Palm Beach area: The beaches, the shopping, the culture
(The Breakers Hotel, Henry Flagler Museum, Lion Country Safari, etc.)

But frankly, I prefer the more laid back atmosphere of Marco + Sanibel.
.
 

Luanne

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
19,353
Reaction score
10,185
Points
1,198
Location
New Mexico
Resorts Owned
Maui Lea at Maui Hill
San Diego Country Estates
My bff moved to Florida a little over a year ago. She was burned out due to the Camp Fire in Paradise, CA and lost everything. Her husband had passed away about a year before that. She moved to Florida to be close to her older dd, sil and two grandsons. She's living north of the areas you mentioned, on Merritt Island (near Cocoa Beach).
 

LannyPC

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2010
Messages
4,777
Reaction score
2,406
Points
448
Location
British Columbia
Do you have a home in Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton or Palm Beach?

No. In fact nowhere outside the country where I live do I have a home.
 
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
2,985
Reaction score
1,160
Points
348
Location
Deltona Florida
Probably the best east coast city to live in is New Smyrna Beach. It's a historic city, essentially two in one. One side is "mainland", or a part of the state itself. The other side is "beachside", which is on a long island. It's very laid back, the city shuts down around 6pm. Daytona Beach is the same, mainland and beachside (but not the same island as New Smyrna Beach), but it is a big-time tourist trap. The big thing is, New Smyrna Beach has never had a direct hit from a hurricane. A couple times, a hurricane has hit Vero Beach to the south, so the city got hit by the feeder bands, but never hit.

I would know, my grandparents lived there from 1981 - 1996, we visited them frequently, and I graduated high school there in 1991. A lady I went to high school with is a realtor in that area.

TS
 

AnnaS

TUG Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
2,166
Reaction score
1,218
Points
523
Location
NY
My in-laws had a condo (snowbirds) in Jupiter for many years. We visited quiet a few times. It was given to my husband and his brother and eventually we sold it a few years ago. (long story/in-laws passed). We have visited a few times since then. My husband's cousin lives in Tequesta. We loved the area and they were not too far from the beach. We thought it was a beautiful and nice area. Doctors and hospital great (in-laws both in here and there and one for surgery). That's about all the input I have.

Good luck in your search. Is visiting each area a possibility? Have you been to any of the areas?
 

Sugarcubesea

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
4,029
Reaction score
2,940
Points
449
Location
Novi, Michigan
Resorts Owned
QH, HBC, VBHC, & Pinestead Reef
I know this is an area you’re not considering but if you choose to live in Naples or Bonita Springs I can provide you with a ton of info on active communities in both locations.

We have finally narrowed it down to 3 locations in Naples and in Bonita Springs.

I even found a newcomers group to join.

I wish you much success in finding the place that makes you happy
 

Glynda

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
3,781
Reaction score
2,552
Points
599
Location
Charleston, SC
Resorts Owned
Bluegreen Points Lodge Alley Inn.
Brewster Green (two weeks).
I wouldn't live in Florida again for any reason but I do prefer the Gulf Coast over the East. The East Coast today, below Daytona, is just one town/city running into another. Traffic is horrible, but to be fair, in the Winter particularly, it's horrible on both coasts! I like the Gulf's calmer water, wider, and more level, white sand beaches. Walking on the East Coast beach at Vero, where my in-laws lived, hurt my back as it banked steeply. I like being able to wade so much further out into the Gulf and its sandbars. A few steps in the Atlantic and you can be over your head. I found the West Coast more laid back and charming...or at least it used to be before Florida became what it is today.
 

Brett

Guest
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
9,257
Reaction score
4,897
Points
598
Location
Coastal Virginia
I wouldn't live in Florida again for any reason but I do prefer the Gulf Coast over the East. The East Coast today, below Daytona, is just one town/city running into another. Traffic is horrible, but to be fair, in the Winter particularly, it's horrible on both coasts! I like the Gulf's calmer water, wider, and more level, white sand beaches. Walking on the East Coast beach at Vero, where my in-laws lived, hurt my back as it banked steeply. I like being able to wade so much further out into the Gulf and its sandbars. A few steps in the Atlantic and you can be over your head. I found the West Coast more laid back and charming...or at least it used to be before Florida became what it is today.

I've visited the east coast in Florida in January and February the last ten years and rarely encountered traffic - but it's around Cocoa Beach
 

b2bailey

TUG Review Crew
TUG Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2007
Messages
3,682
Reaction score
2,620
Points
598
Location
Santa Cruz CA
My introduction to Florida was a tiny, gulfside town named Anna Maria Island. My new father-in-law had retired there. A few years later my husband and I found out way to Naples. During the years we lived there, we visited several Atlantic side cities but I always preferred gulfside. The one city that caught my eye during those visits was Delray Beach. I just looked it up to confirm it's the place I am remembering -- and found this nice article.

 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
My introduction to Florida was a tiny, gulfside town named Anna Maria Island. My new father-in-law had retired there. A few years later my husband and I found out way to Naples. During the years we lived there, we visited several Atlantic side cities but I always preferred gulfside. The one city that caught my eye during those visits was Delray Beach. I just looked it up to confirm it's the place I am remembering -- and found this nice article.

I love the gulf side but initially feel the Atlantic side would be a better fit. Close enough to the gulf side to vacation.
 

dioxide45

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
47,361
Reaction score
18,926
Points
1,299
Location
NE Florida
Resorts Owned
Marriott Grande Vista
Marriott Harbour Lake
Sheraton Vistana Villages
Club Wyndham CWA
We opted to move to Jacksonville a year ago. Of course not as far south as you are asking about. The winters here are still kind of chilly, but the summers seem to be as hot as south Florida. While we like to vacation in the Palm Beach area along with Hutchinson Island. I don't think I would want to live that far south. The tourist areas seem okay, but I am not sure I would like the neighbourhoods as much. Not sure why, just the impression I get. Lots of traffic. Even here in Jacksonville the traffic is bad and I fear it is going to get worse as the road we live off of is under development. Looks to be thousands of new homes and apartments going in. One existing 55+ community right beside us and another brand new Del Webb community being built among all those new homes. We are only 15-20 minutes from the beach, but we have only been to the beach a few times. We do like the area we are living in, even though we have been living through a one year reconstruction of the condos we moved in to. They are just about finished up with that now.

We like that we live within driving distance of so many of the places we like to visit and if we opt for a trip to the Caribbean or Cancun, it is only a short flight away. We are also within 5 hours of some of the largest cruise ports in the world, if we ever get back to cruising.
 

Glenn2

TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2018
Messages
155
Reaction score
176
Points
153
Location
St. Petersburg, FL
Resorts Owned
Ft. Lauderdale Beach Resort (2)
Suites at Fisherman's Wharf
I have lived in Florida almost my entire life and would not live anywhere else, as it is home. I can't address the question about the Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach area, but it is a beautiful area of the state. IMHO, both coasts have its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your preferences. The great thing about Florida (among many), is the diversity of the state. Almost 3 states in one and all within driving distance of each other. I have lived mostly in the Tampa Bay area, grew up in Tampa and have lived the past 30 years or so in St. Petersburg, went to school and started my career in Tallahassee. Each part of the state has something to offer. I really enjoy visiting Fort Lauderdale and Miami, quite different from where I live, but only 4 hours away. I hope you enjoy living in Florida, don't let tropical storms dissuade you. That kind of risk you can find in many states, not just here. I wish you the best of luck in finding your next chapter here in Florida.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
My brother lives in Palm Coast near Flagler Beach and loves it. It’s not far from St. Augustine.
 

JudyH

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
1,869
Reaction score
707
Points
473
Location
Near the sea.
My close friend lives in the Avalon community in Boynton Beach. I have been there many times. I live in Venice on the Gulf side. Much less congested.
 

Glynda

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
3,781
Reaction score
2,552
Points
599
Location
Charleston, SC
Resorts Owned
Bluegreen Points Lodge Alley Inn.
Brewster Green (two weeks).
My brother lives in Palm Coast near Flagler Beach and loves it. It’s not far from St. Augustine.

The nice thing about living in that part of the state is that it doesn’t take all day to drive out of Florida to travel to other states!
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
The nice thing about living in that part of the state is that it doesn’t take all day to drive out of Florida to travel to other states!
Whereas I love the west coast one of the reasons I am considering this location is for the ease of driving to other locations that I go to, SC, Ga, NY. In addition, choice of airports, Amtrak trains, good medical and being near others I know plus close enough to the west coast to visit Marco Island often and lets not forget about Disney.
 

WinniWoman

TUG Review Crew: Veteran
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
Messages
10,762
Reaction score
7,057
Points
749
Location
The Weirs, New Hampshire
Resorts Owned
Innseason Pollard Brook
Whereas I love the west coast one of the reasons I am considering this location is for the ease of driving to other locations that I go to, SC, Ga, NY. In addition, choice of airports, Amtrak trains, good medical and being near others I know plus close enough to the west coast to visit Marco Island often and lets not forget about Disney.

Yes. That’s what my brother says. He and his wife maintain a rental condo in NY.
 

bbodb1

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2016
Messages
4,305
Reaction score
3,824
Points
348
Location
High radiation belt of the Northern Hemisphere
Resorts Owned
RCI Weeks: LaCosta Beach Club, RCI Points: Oakmont Resort, Vacation Village at Parkway. Wyndham: CWA and La Belle Maison, and WorldMark.
Speaking of this:

Whereas I love the west coast one of the reasons I am considering this location is for the ease of driving to other locations that I go to, SC, Ga, NY. In addition, choice of airports, Amtrak trains, good medical and being near others I know plus close enough to the west coast to visit Marco Island often and lets not forget about Disney.

...in the many hours spent at home this summer, I've been surfing YouTube a lot and have found several reviews of train travel. You may already be very familiar with Amtrak but on the possibility you might soon be traveling some new routes, be sure to give YouTube a look for any videos of the lines you might travel..
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
Speaking of this:



...in the many hours spent at home this summer, I've been surfing YouTube a lot and have found several reviews of train travel. You may already be very familiar with Amtrak but on the possibility you might soon be traveling some new routes, be sure to give YouTube a look for any videos of the lines you might travel..
I have traveled cross country with Amtrak, some beautiful routes.
 

Glynda

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
3,781
Reaction score
2,552
Points
599
Location
Charleston, SC
Resorts Owned
Bluegreen Points Lodge Alley Inn.
Brewster Green (two weeks).
I have traveled cross country with Amtrak, some beautiful routes.

I thought Amtrak went down the middle of Florida. It's been a long time but to get to Ft Myers on the Silver Star, I used to have to be picked up in Sebring.
 

Panina

TUG Review Crew: Elite
TUG Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
6,781
Reaction score
9,968
Points
499
Location
Florida
Resorts Owned
Hgvc Anderson, Blue Ride Village Resort
I thought Amtrak went down the middle of Florida. It's been a long time but to get to Ft Myers on the Silver Star, I used to have to be picked up in Sebring.
It comes along the east coast from Miami and mid Florida goes west to Tampa back east though Orlando and then up the east Coast to NY.
 

Glynda

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
3,781
Reaction score
2,552
Points
599
Location
Charleston, SC
Resorts Owned
Bluegreen Points Lodge Alley Inn.
Brewster Green (two weeks).
Amtrak also has the Auto Train that goes from VA to Sanford (north of Orlando) FL. I've never used it, but for northerners who don't want to drive I-95 all the way to Florida, it's an option.

TS

My in-laws used to put their car on the Auto Train when they spent Winters in Vero Beach.
 
Top