Places that don't feel like Florida? (Miami, Kendall: apartment, how much, houses)

[KhatLady]

Hello everyone.

I moved to Florida from Rhode Island right out of high school. The longer I live here, the more I miss New England. Unfortunately this is where the job is, so my husband and I are sadly resigned to the idea that {barring a mysterious benefactor leaving us a winning lotto ticket} we are trapped here for the long run.

My husband works in Boca, so we need to live in this area. We're also firmly in the middle class, so we don't have the money to throw towards a McMansion piece of property.

All that said, I need nature like I'm used to from growing up in New England. Lots of trees, quiet, private, safe - as opposed to half-dead palms, crowded complexes and bugs being the extent of the wildlife. Can anyone point me to an area to start house or apartment-hunting that doesn't feel like the typical over-developed, stagnant, plastic Florida I've grown to loathe over the last 15 years? It's a shot in the dark, I know, but it never hurts to ask.

Thanks!

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by KhatLady

Hello everyone.

I moved to Florida from Rhode Island right out of high school. The longer I live here, the more I miss New England. Unfortunately this is where the job is, so my husband and I are sadly resigned to the idea that {barring a mysterious benefactor leaving us a winning lotto ticket} we are trapped here for the long run.

My husband works in Boca, so we need to live in this area. We're also firmly in the middle class, so we don't have the money to throw towards a McMansion piece of property.

All that said, I need nature like I'm used to from growing up in New England. Lots of trees, quiet, private, safe - as opposed to half-dead palms, crowded complexes and bugs being the extent of the wildlife. Can anyone point me to an area to start house or apartment-hunting that doesn't feel like the typical over-developed, stagnant, plastic Florida I've grown to loathe over the last 15 years? It's a shot in the dark, I know, but it never hurts to ask.

Thanks!

LoL, you won't be happy until hubby can find a job in the Panhandle or further north!

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by KhatLady

Hello everyone.

I moved to Florida from Rhode Island right out of high school. The longer I live here, the more I miss New England. Unfortunately this is where the job is, so my husband and I are sadly resigned to the idea that {barring a mysterious benefactor leaving us a winning lotto ticket} we are trapped here for the long run.

My husband works in Boca, so we need to live in this area. We're also firmly in the middle class, so we don't have the money to throw towards a McMansion piece of property.

All that said, I need nature like I'm used to from growing up in New England. Lots of trees, quiet, private, safe - as opposed to half-dead palms, crowded complexes and bugs being the extent of the wildlife. Can anyone point me to an area to start house or apartment-hunting that doesn't feel like the typical over-developed, stagnant, plastic Florida I've grown to loathe over the last 15 years? It's a shot in the dark, I know, but it never hurts to ask.

Thanks!

The historic neighborhoods just outside of downtown Delray Beach may have the look and feel you're looking for. You will pay more per sq. ft. there, and likely get a smaller house, but the tradeoffs in having a more authentic neighborhood and neighbors is worth it.

It WILL feel like Florida - "old Florida"... more lush trees, tropical landscaping, smaller homes.

There may be similar in eastern Boca, but I'm not as familiar with Boca.

[wireyourworld]

Old Florida means an older community, and / or places where individualism is not dead. Depends on how far your husband wants to drive to work, how much land you want to care for, and even if you're willing to consider well water versus city.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by wireyourworld

Old Florida means an older community, and / or places where individualism is not dead. Depends on how far your husband wants to drive to work, how much land you want to care for, and even if you're willing to consider well water versus city.

I didn't think about this, but yes, the acreage communities, etc. are available for people who want a more country lifestyle/nature.

[wireyourworld]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

I didn't think about this, but yes, the acreage communities, etc. are available for people who want a more country lifestyle/nature.

Being from New England, I completely empathize with the OP.

Need to be in a spot where you can breathe without hitting your neighbors house on the exhale. :-)

[compelled to reply]

Believe it or not, Palmetto Bay and eastern Kendall area in Miami-Dade County, centered around Old Cutler Road and Killian Parkway in particular. That is a brutal commute to Boca, though, and not cheap. Could look at the Palm Beach Farms neighborhood of Boca, but it's pretty pricey. Tri made some good suggestions, and Loxahatchee in particular is pretty affordable although more of a rural old Florida lifestyle than a quasi New England feel.

[wireyourworld]

From a Coldwell Banker google hit


"The Acreage, Florida is located in Palm Beach. Nearby cities and towns include Lake Belvedere Estates, Loxahatchee Groves, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach and Wellington. The Acreage is a suburban community with a population of 41,505. The median household income in The Acreage is $80,971. 70% of residents are married and families with children reside in 44% of The Acreage households. Half the population of The Acreage commutes 35 minutes or more to work, with 65% of residents holding white collar jobs and 35% residents holding blue collar jobs.
The median age of homes in The Acreage, FL is 7 years, with 82% of those homes owned, 6% rented and 10% not occupied."

And my add: There are dirt roads, 1.5 acre lots, canals and well water, horses, other livestock, dogs and cats. Kids on bikes. More plant life then you will ever want will blow into your yard, and if you like it you can keep it. Most houses are variations of ranch style, some date back to the 80's like ours though its still CBS, some are new McMansions.

[THX 1138]

Originally Posted by KhatLady

Hello everyone.

I moved to Florida from Rhode Island right out of high school. The longer I live here, the more I miss New England. Unfortunately this is where the job is, so my husband and I are sadly resigned to the idea that {barring a mysterious benefactor leaving us a winning lotto ticket} we are trapped here for the long run.

My husband works in Boca, so we need to live in this area. We're also firmly in the middle class, so we don't have the money to throw towards a McMansion piece of property.

All that said, I need nature like I'm used to from growing up in New England. Lots of trees, quiet, private, safe - as opposed to half-dead palms, crowded complexes and bugs being the extent of the wildlife. Can anyone point me to an area to start house or apartment-hunting that doesn't feel like the typical over-developed, stagnant, plastic Florida I've grown to loathe over the last 15 years? It's a shot in the dark, I know, but it never hurts to ask.

Thanks!

The only ticket to your desire is a one way trip up I-95....

[City Guy997S]

Some folks here are confusing New England with "hillbilly, illegal immigrant dirt road paradise" that Loxahatchee/Acreage offers ! New England living doesn't usually offer 1.25 acre lots on dirt roads.

To the OP, you are not going to find NE living here. That being said, you are looking for neighborhoods that offer more character than West Boca/441 offers. Look into the Lake Ida area of Delray, the Old Floresta area in Boca is similar but priced higher per sq ft. Lake Ida is a mix of homes, less of the barrel tile McMansion/palm tree concept that has overtaken much of the county.