Why West Palm Beach Is a Great Place to Call Home
West Palm Beach is more than a great place to visit and vacation — West Palm Beach is a great place to call home. Our residents enjoy year-round sunshine, excellent schools, beautiful beaches, world-class dining, music, and entertainment. From concerts and charity galas, to dining and drinks, to shopping and special events on the downtown West Palm Beach waterfront – the entertainment opportunities in downtown WPB are endless!
According to Travel & Leisure Magazine:
West Palm Beach is centrally located, fabulously diverse, filled to the brim with things to do, and has new restaurants, bars, shops, arts and culture, and entertainment happenings hitting the docket all the time. It’s home to world-class creatives, artists, and musicians eager to share their talents with the community. Your social calendar can be filled every day of the week if you choose, but it’s also the ideal place to relax thanks to the colorful flora and fauna, serene Intracoastal Waterway, and nearby beaches.
Cost of Living in West Palm Beach
According to the cost of living data from Area Vibes, the cost of living index of West Palm Beach is 6% higher than the average of Florida and 5% higher than the national average. The area’s housing and transportation index are 10% and 13% higher than the national average, respectively.
As a native to the area, I can tell you that the neighborhoods mentioned below are definitely on the higher end of the real estate spectrum. These neighborhoods are located in close proximity to the Intracoastal and the ocean, making them much more desirable than western neighborhoods and therefore more expensive. If you are buying a home in the eastern portion of West Palm Beach, expect to pay, at least, $400,000 for the most modest of homes and upwards of $1 million for larger homes.
Top 5 Reasons to Live in West Palm Beach
So what makes living in West Palm Beach so desirable? Here are five top reasons to move to West Palm Beach:
-
No state income tax
Florida is one of the few states in the nation that does not have a state income tax. This can result in substantial savings for your wallet and retirement. -
Strong job market
With an international airport, a strong tourism market, close proximity to Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, and a strong tech hub, West Palm Beach boasts one of the better job markets in Florida. -
Social activities galore
SunFest, Moonfest, culinary events, Green Markets, world-class musicals and concerts, boat shows, art festivals, and water everywhere make West Palm Beach a top destination to live, work, and play. -
Accessibility
West Palm Beach has its own international airport, is 45 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and about an hour from Miami International Airport. It also has several smaller airports for private plane charters. From any of these airports you can easily access the Bahamas, Central America, and South America, or most major cities in the country. We are also about 2.5 hours from Orlando, allowing those with a love of Disney or theme parks an exciting weekend destination. -
Climate
November to May is probably the best time to be a South Floridian. Because of our proximity to the Gulfstream, we never really get any cold weather. Expect cool nights and daily averages in the 70s during these times of year the rest of the country is blanketed in snow.
By the Numbers
-
Population of WPB: 111,000
-
Average Commute: 23.7 minutes
-
Median Age: 39.1 years
-
Median Household Income: $54,603
-
Median Property Value: $263,400
-
Median Property Taxes: $21,128
-
Average Annual Rainfall: 63"
-
Sunny Days Per Year: 238
-
Average Winter Low: 50°F
-
Public Beaches: 30*
-
Golf Courses: 21
-
Public Parks: 56
-
Hiking Trails: 13
*Note: there are no actual, traditional beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. You can go over one of the three main bridges to Palm Beach Island, just across the Intracoastal Waterway, to enjoy the white sand and turquoise waters. However, in the city of West Palm Beach, there’s no Atlantic Ocean shoreline. Within Palm Beach County, there are 30 public beaches to enjoy!
Best Neighborhoods in West Palm Beach
Note: these are not listed in any particular order.
Learn a little bit more about the top neighborhoods in West Palm Beach as hand-picked from the team at LiveWPB. Ultimately, the best neighborhood in West Palm Beach is the one that is right for you and your family. If you are new to the area and want to discuss the opportunities available in each neighborhood as well as the factors that matter most to you, feel free to contact us.
Secondary Education in West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Atlantic University is the largest university in West Palm Beach, Florida by number of degrees awarded annually. The most popular majors in WPB are Registered Nursing, Pharmacy, and General Business Administration & Management. The median tuition cost for private four-year colleges is $32,880.
Medical Facilities in West Palm Beach
-
Good Samaritan Medical Center
-
St. Mary’s Medical Center
-
JFK North Hospital
-
Wellington Regional Medical Center
-
Jupiter Medical Center
-
Bethseda Hospital West & Bethseda Hospital East
West Palm Beach and the surrounding areas are serviced by a number of top-notch hospitals and medical facilities.
Entertainment in West Palm Beach
There is something for everyone in WPB! Respectable Street has hosted over 1,000 live acts ranging from the first performing avant-garde act Chris and Cosey to The Red Hot Chili Peppers and legends like the Damned and The Misfits. The Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens comprise the former residence of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton (1905–1982) and feature 100 works of art, 9 monumental garden sculptures, and 250 rare tropical plants and cycads.
