Moving To Palm Beach County, Florida: What You Need To Know

August 16th, 2021

Moving To Palm Beach County, Florida: What You Need To Know

When you live in Palm Beach County, you live near the heart of it all.

Beautiful beaches, warm weather, and all the attractions of Miami Beach and downtown Miami just 1.5 hour’s drive away. Of course, with so many great amenities at Arden in Palm Beach County, you don’t need to go far to have a great time.

Why Do People Move To Palm Beach County?

Florida Economy

At roughly $1.1 trillion, Florida had the fourth-largest economy in the US as of 2020. The sectors that account for the highest number of employers in Florida, as of 2021, are education and health services; government; leisure and hospitality; professional and business services; and trade, transportation, and utilities.

As of 2019, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in South Florida, which includes Palm Beach County, continues to have the largest GDP in the Sunshine State with $327.129 billion, which is more than double the second-highest GDP in Florida, which is the Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg- Clearwater (MSA).

Palm Beach County Employers

According to the US Census, a household’s median income in Palm Beach County was roughly $66,621 as of 2019, while the median individual income for a Floridian was $59,277. As reported by Payscale.com, the average salary for Palm Beach County residents is roughly $62,000 as of May 2021, which is also roughly the average salary for Florida.

The unemployment rate in Palm Beach County was 3.30% in April of 2021. Less than the national average of 5.5 reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2021.

As explained by the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, the largest employer in the area is the School District of Palm Beach County, followed by Tenet Coastal Division Palm Beach County, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, and NextEra Energy, Inc (headquarters), which reflects the top employers of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach MSA. Notably, the Aerospace industry is abundant in the county’s northern region, although those spaces are facilities rather than headquarters.

Great Weather in Florida

Florida scores a 6.8 out of 10 on the BestPlaces Comfort Index. On average, Florida gets 55 inches of rain, no inches of snow, and 237 sunny days. The summer high is 91°F in July, and the winter low is 49°F in January.

Active Living – Agrihood

The Agrihood, Community Farm, and Barn

The Agrihood is an intentionally planned community that incorporates agriculture into a residential setting. By being more mindful of our relationship with the environment around us, we can be better stewards of our land and each other. The neighborhood’s five-acre working community farm grows fruits, vegetables, and herbs under the supervision of our Farm Directors. The farm hosts seasonal classes and events.

The Clubhouse

The two-story Clubhouse has indoor and outdoor event spaces, a wi-fi café, and it’s where you’ll find our fitness center. On the second floor, there are porches and a club room.

Fitness Center

The fitness center features modern cardio and strength training equipment, as well as a private exercise studio. Residents also get access to Wellbeats™, which lets you join various group fitness classes broadcast on large screen TVs in the fitness center.

Hiking and Biking Trails

Parks, greenways, and nature trails snake their way through Arden, providing 20 miles of trails and easy access to everything Arden has to offer. There are ten individually mapped trails, each expertly crafted to suit everyone’s needs.

There are longer trails like the 3.3 miles long Ridge Trail and shorter trails like the 2.1 Arrowhead and Wandering Willow. You can even take a 3-mile walk around Arden Lake on the Arden Lake Loop Trail. There’s even a trail in the water and 200 acres of lakes in general.

Fields and Basketball Courts

Arden provides community members with two expansive playfields; courts for basketball and pickleball; and a great lawn where we host community events, food trucks, and more. Arden has over 500 acres of parks, playgrounds and green space for neighborhood residents to enjoy!

Arden Lake

Using our boat ramp, you can take canoes, kayaks, and small electric vessels out on the mile-long Arden Lake. Our pier provides a fishing area, and a place for birdwatching and observing wildlife. The nearby Lakeside Pavillion is ideal for ceremonies and receptions.

Har-Tru® Tennis Courts

Arden has four Har-Tru® tennis courts, green clay courts made of a metabasalt (a type of metamorphic rock). The result is a court that dries quickly after rain and even allows continued play during light rain. A clay court is also easier on the body, which reduces injury and is 10 to 15 degrees cooler than non-clay courts.

Resort-Style Swimming Pool

The upper level has cabanas, a spa, and lounge areas; the lower level has swim lanes and a nearby splash pad. Check out our photos and more information about Arden’s community resort-style swimming pool.

Schools Near Arden in Palm Beach County, FL

Young families living in Arden can send their children to schools within the Palm Beach County School District. Here’s what Niche.com, a reputable source of school evaluations, had to say about nearby schools.

Elementary and middle schools are rated based on academics, teachers, and diversity. School districts and high schools are graded on the additional metrics of college prep, clubs and activities, administration, sports, health and safety, food and resources, and facilities.  (Note: proximity to a school doesn’t determine enrollment).

  • Palm Beach County School District
    • Overall Niche Grade: B+
    • #1 in Best School Districts in Miami Area
  • Binks Forest Elementary School
    • Overall Niche Grade: A
  • Glades Day School
    • Overall Niche Grade: B
  • Ideal School of Advanced Learning
    • Overall Niche Grade: A
    • Private School
  • Seminole Ridge Community High
    • Overall Niche Grade: B+
  • Wellington High School
    • Overall Niche Grade: A –
  • Wellington Landings Middle School
    • Overall Niche Grade: A

Palm Beach County, FL Attractions

There are many attractions near Arden. Here are just a few.

  • Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens
  • Downtown West Palm Beach
  • Miami Beach
  • Downtown Miami
  • Clematis Street Historic Commercial District
  • Flagler Museum
  • Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex
  • Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
  • McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
  • Mounts Botanical Garden
  • Norton Museum of Art
  • Palm Beach Zoo at Dreher Park
  • Rapids Water Park
  • South Florida Science Museum

With so much to choose from, we’ve put together some guides to help you along.

Fun Facts About Palm Beach County

  • Palm Beach County is a taste maker’s haven. According to Forbes, 18 of Florida’s 42 billionaires own real estate in this South Florida Shangri-La.
  • West Palm Beach, just 40 minutes drive from Arden, turns 127-years-old in 2021. Its birthday was in 1894. It is the oldest municipality in the county!
  • Tourism is a big business in Palm Beach County.
    • Over 70,000 people employed
    • Over $7 billion injected into the local economy
    • Over 45 million in bed-tax revenue
    • Over $700 million in lodging sales
  • Palm Beach County is the single largest producer of sugarcane and sweet corn in America. Florida grows 50% of the US’s sugarcane, and most of that growth is Palm Beach County.
  • The Palm Beach County School District is the biggest employer in town. Out of its 22,000 employees, 12,900 are teachers. The district’s 193,000 students make it the 5th biggest school district in Florida and the 10th biggest in the US, all powered by a $2.9 billion budget. That’s an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15 to one. No wonder the graduation rate is 90%!
  • Palm Beach County’s 47 miles of shoreline is home to the Florida Reef Tract, the continental United State’s only living coral reef and the third largest reef on Earth. 160 artificial reefs made of limestone, concrete, and sunken ships were added to provide a home for invaluable marine life and provide fishing, diving, and snorkeling opportunities. That way, the natural coral reef doesn’t suffer from too much human intervention.
  • Don’t worry about it snowing anytime soon in Palm Beach County. The only recorded snowfall occurred in 1977!
  • There are more than 8,500 acres of public land divided between Palm Beach County’s 104 parks!
  • Palm Beach County has a long history. The first permanent colonial settlement is believed to be Fort Jupiter, built in 1838 by the U.S. Army. The first civilian residents arrived in 1860 to run the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
  • Palm Beach County’s oldest and biggest yearly event is the South Florida Fair, which has been happening in West Palm Beach since 1912. 2021 will be it’s 109th birthday.
  • The history of modern computing can be traced back to Boca Raton, found in southern Palm Beach County. There, the team behind “Project Acorn” worked clandestinely to build the first modern-day IBM PC. Time magazine called it the “Machine of the Year” in 1983, bumping the original cover that was going to go to Apple’s Steve Jobs, the planned “Man of the Year.”

Should I Move to Palm Beach County?

With a low unemployment rate and no state income tax, Florida is an attractive destination for many. The state’s robust economy, great weather, and rich culture provide endless entertainment. Palm Beach County is especially attractive real estate for young families because of its great school district.

How to View Homes at Arden, FL in Palm Beach County

In-Person Tours

Whether it’s online or in-person, you can check out our homes whenever it’s convenient for you. Browse homes by D.R. Horton, Ryan Homes, and Lennar.

Virtual Tours

D.R. Horton, Ryan Homes, and Lennar offer videos and interactive floor plans. Visit our homepage for more information. Browse today!

Tips For Moving To Florida

Moving can be hard. There’s so much to do and keep track of, so we put together a list of things to keep in mind as you pack up all your things, plus some tips for finding a reputable moving company. Although, we recommend consulting our more in-depth moving resources to help you meet your moving needs!

Choosing a Moving Company

Before choosing your Florida movers, you should get reviews from various sources, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Department of Consumer Affairs. The BBB may sound like a governmental organization, but it’s actually a non-profit. The reviews on the BBB are legitimate, but BBB accreditation doesn’t really mean much since it’s something any professional mover can get just by paying yearly dues, which primarily get you access to educational resources and marketing materials.

You also want to work with a moving company that’s been around for many years because that means it’s weathered many storms, has a history of customers successfully having their moving needs met, and honors its contracts and warranties. Many years in service should also provide ample customers who can serve as references. If a company can’t provide references, look elsewhere.

You want the moving company’s estimate to be reasonable and binding. Otherwise, you could end up having to pay more than your initial estimate. The moving company should offer you valuation coverage to protect your possessions, as well as a bill of lading, which is a document that you’re owed by law before any move. You should also steer clear of companies that demand any upfront payments or whose drivers you cannot reach during the move.

Make sure your moving company has an FLDMV license before finalizing your decision. Settle for nothing less than professional movers that make the moving process effortless so that all your moving needs are met, and all your possessions make it to your new home in one piece after their trip on the moving truck.

Change Your Address

Update your mailing address with the USPA a week before your move. All you need is a credit or debit card to change your address online.

Driver’s License

A Florida driver’s license needs to be updated within 30 days when you’ve moved within Florida.

Vehicle Registration

The information for vehicle registration is available online on the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (FL DMV) website.

Voter Registration

Any Floridian can register to vote online.

The Bottom Line on Moving To Florida

Florida and Palm Beach County have a lot going for them, but it’s Arden that makes living here a truly winning combination.

You may spend a lot of your time visiting the city, but home is where the heart is, and Arden is a great place to call your home. Visit Arden today and discover what your life can be!

References and Citations

  • issuu.com/pbmg/docs/pbrg_spring_2020_web
  • smartasset.com/taxes/florida-property-tax-calculator
  • www.avalara.com/taxrates/en/state-rates/florida/counties/palm-beach-county.html#:~:text=Palm%20Beach%20County%2C%20Florida%20sales%20tax%20rate%20details,and%20county%20sales%20tax%20rates.
  • www.bestplaces.net/climate/state/florida
  • www.bea.gov/data/gdp/gdp-state
  • www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=Palm_Beach_County/Salary
  • lmsresources.labormarketinfo.com/library/press/release.pdf
  • www.statista.com/statistics/248083/real-gross-domestic-product-gdp-of-the-united-states-by-metropolitan-area/
  • fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MHIFL12099A052NCEN
  • www.statista.com/statistics/273909/seasonally-adjusted-monthly-unemployment-rate-in-the-us/
  • www.bdb.org/facts-figures/top-employers/
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