Anyone seeking a beautiful coastal community to call home can look no further! Delray Beach is located along the east coast of Florida in Palm Beach County. Moving to Delray Beach is a big decision, but a simple one for those craving the salty ocean air, a collection of artistic amenities, and access to some of the United State’s most spectacular beaches!
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Delray Beach is home to approximately 69,450 people of all ages and lifestyles. The area is known for its vibrant neighborhoods and trendy amenities. Read on for a glimpse into the innovative and exciting life of a Delray Beach local.
The History Of Delray Beach
Delray Beach was originally settled in the 1800s and got its start as an agricultural community. Officially becoming incorporated as a town in 1911, the farmers of Delray Beach turned their attention to pineapple and tomato canning facilities with pineapples becoming the main agricultural crop sustaining the town, which influenced the future Pineapple Grove neighborhood.
By the 1920s, Delray’s population grew to approximately 1,050. This residential boom brought new life to the town and many improvements were made to the area including water and sewer lines, paved streets, and sidewalks. Several hotels were built to accommodate the growing tourism industry as people discovered the beauty of Delray’s beach.
Delray Beach continued to thrive over the years, growing as a tourist destination as well as a coveted residential town. The city’s growing popularity attracted artists and writers who were inspired by the natural beauty of the coastal community, laying the groundwork for the booming artistic community that resides in the city today.
In the 1970s, the final nail ensured Delray Beach’s ever-growing popularity: the completion of Interstate 95. Access to the city became a breeze and people have flocked to this incredible destination ever since, whether just for a visit or for those seeking a gorgeous oceanside home.
Delray Beach Real Estate
The small, coastal city of Delray Beach offers a selection of charming neighborhoods filled with trendy and eclectic architecture. The modern designs of these homes are ideal for the vibrant demographic drawn to the area. Along with the gorgeous designs, Delray Beach also boasts of affordable prices as the average cost of real estate in this amazing city is approximately $260,000 with an average rental cost of $2,158 per month.
The variety of homes available among the Delray Beach listings offer a little something for everyone, suiting all lifestyles. According to Neighborhood Scout, the most popular types of homes in the city include:
- Apartment Complexes (52%)
- Single-Family Homes (33%)
- Townhomes (12%)
- Mobile Homes/Other (3%)
Approximately 60 percent of these homes are owner-occupied, with about 30 percent of residents choosing to rent.
Beautifully located along the ocean, there are several architectural styles that locals can choose from. Whether you’re seeking a classic Mediterranean look, featuring arched doorways, red ceramic or clay roofing, and wrought-iron balconies, or a trendy Art Deco style influenced by the roaring 20s, Delray Beach has it all.
Diverse Neighborhoods
Delray Beach is home to a wide demographic including young families, retirees, and everything in between. If you’re considering moving to Delray Beach, you’ll have an excellent selection of neighborhoods to peruse, finding the one that perfectly matches your lifestyle.
Here are just a few examples of some of the top neighborhoods in the area and who they are best suited for:
Married Couples: Delray Shores
Over half of the population of Delray Shores are married couples with children. As one of the most affordable areas in the city that consists of some of the top-rated schools around, Delray Shores is the obvious option for couples and young families.
Working Professionals: Downtown Delray Beach
The downtown region of the city is a vibrant area filled with gorgeous older homes, modern condos, and apartment complexes. With a number of excellent amenities nearby, the residents of Downtown have plenty to keep them entertained and well-fed and the number of major businesses offers an excellent selection of job opportunities. The proximity to Interstate 95 and the Tri-Rail allows for easy commutes to work in the surrounding area.
Retirees: Avalon Trails
This incredible 55+ community is a retirement dream along the beach. The neighborhood offers a variety of private amenities including The Club at Avalon Trails. The Club features a number of excellent community resources including several pools, a fully stocked fitness studio, gardens and walking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and more.
Activities & Amenities
There is so much to do in this exciting city! Daytime and evening activities are available for all age groups and all interests throughout Delray Beach. Whether you’re looking to keep your children entertained all day, paint the town red into the late hours of the night, or shop until you drop along the beautiful waterfront plazas, there’s an endless stream of activity and entertainment at any time, all year long.
Atlantic Avenue is the city’s hotspot, filled with thriving nightlife, diverse dining, and shopping of all varieties. The strip is home to a plethora of art fairs and street festivals all throughout the year, offering an exciting collection of events to locals and tourists alike.
The Delray Beach Playhouse opened its doors in 1947 and has been offering a nonstop run of plays, musicals, children’s theatre, classes, and camps ever since. As a staple in the Delray Beach community, the popular Playhouse can be found in Lake Ida East Park.
If it’s a mixture of nostalgic video games and retro charm that you’re looking for, the Silverball Museum is the place to be! Featuring over 150 video games and pinball machines that date back to the 1930s, this eclectic museum offers a peek into the past for the younger generation and a nostalgic walk down memory lane for the older generations. This 9,000 square foot museum is a must-see for anybody venturing into the heart of Delray Beach.
The kiddos can enjoy learning and exploring opportunities at the Sandoway Discovery Center. Found at the historic J.B. Evans House, this intriguing center features a collection of native plants, live animals, and beautiful shells from all over the world. Environmental education programs and classes are available to children and students as well.
Take In The Fresh Air
Being a coastal city, the residents of Delray Beach can soak up the sun in a variety of ways. From the beautiful beaches to the well-maintained parks, there’s always room for outdoor adventurers.
Living up to its name, Delray Beach offers a sweeping two-mile stretch of public beach access. Travel Holiday magazine has named the Delray Municipal Beach as one of the top beaches in the southeast United States. The well-maintained stretch of sand paired with the sparkling water makes for a popular attraction to locals and tourists alike.
When it comes to parklands, Delray Beach has no shortage of fantastic options. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place for a picnic or a field to host a soccer tournament, here are a few of the city’s top park destinations:
- Gulfstream Park: This beautiful beach and park are located right along the oceanfront. The beautiful soft sands attract a small collection of locals, away from the tourist crowds of Atlantic Avenue. The park features a fabulous children’s playground, a picnic area, and is not far from a great selection of local restaurants.
- Veterans Park: An excellent spot to sit along the water under the shade of majestic trees, Veterans Park is a quiet destination where visitors can relax, watching the boats float by. It’s known to be a small, yet very clean park and also features a kids play structure and a shuffleboard court.
- West Delray Regional Park: Nestled along the Everglades, this fantastic park offers plenty of well-marked trails for hiking and mountain biking. The canopy of trees makes up the setting for the popular West Delray Trail, a five-mile loop trail, perfect for all skill levels. There’s also plenty of space for radio-controlled planes, boats, and cars.
- Barwick Park: This well-maintained stretch of parkland is perfect for those looking for a little more activity. Barwick features a long exercise track shaded by the surrounding trees and several outdoor gym setups. Visitors can also enjoy the picnic area, the playground, and plenty of open space for sports.
Excellent Educational Options
Delray Beach falls under the jurisdiction of the School District of Palm Beach County (SDPBC). This incredible school district is the tenth-largest public district in the United States and the fifth-largest in Florida. SDPBC is made up of 180 schools and consists of some of the top-rated institutions in the state.
Delray Beach students have a selection of twenty-three elementary schools, sixteen middle schools, and eight high schools to choose from. Along with the public school board, there are also forty-three private school options including Montessori and religious-based institutions.
The top-rated schools found within the borders of Delray Beach, according to Niche.com, include:
- Suncoast Community High School (9-12)
- Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts (9-12)
- Bak Middle School of the Arts (6-8)
- Morikami Park Elementary School (PK-5)
- Banyan Creek Elementary School (PK-5)
The Vibrant Art Scene
It’s well-known that the locals of Delray Beach can appreciate a diverse variety of artwork. Be it performance, visual, or musical, the city is filled with a vibrant art scene featuring all sorts of exceptional local and international talent.
The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a cultural hub of Japanese arts and culture. Rotating exhibits showcase various demonstrations such as the traditional tea ceremonies and classes for visitors to enjoy. The museum is also host to several traditional Japanese festivals which are celebrated all throughout the year.
One of Delray Beach’s most famous districts is the Pineapple Grove Arts District. This colorful area can be found downtown, north of Atlantic Avenue. Pineapple Grove is known for its selection of galleries, performance art, and cultural organizations. Artists Alley is home to a thriving community of local artists who work to display new and exciting artwork to the public.
Arts Garage is a fantastic nonprofit, multi-media art studio. Dozens of concerts, live theatre productions, and educational and outreach programs are available at this fabulous venue. A popular visual art gallery can also be found here, showcasing the eclectic work of local and aspiring artists.
The Sights, The Smells, The Shops
Foodies will delight in the diverse dining opportunities found all over the city. Everything under the sun is available to Delray Beach residents to suit all palettes. If you’re craving seafood, seek out any number of the fantastic sushi bars and Japanese restaurants. Want something a little more unique? Try one of the many gourmet ice cream parlours or craft breweries found downtown. The possibilities are endless when it comes to dining in Delray!
Not only is Delray Beach an artistic atmosphere and a diner’s dream, but it’s also home to an incredible selection of local shops and bustling shopping centers. Downtown Delray is filled with unique shops, creative local boutiques, and the latest designer fashions. This area is akin to New York’s Madison Avenue and SoHo with the added benefit of the beautiful ocean waterfront location.
No matter what you’re searching for, you can find it somewhere in Delray Beach. The city is home to a wide variety of shops featuring arts and crafts, books and music, clothing and accessories, hand-made jewelry, specialty goods, and so much more! The mix of unique, local businesses and familiar brand names provide anything and everything for locals to browse.
As you may have gathered, living in Delray Beach offers a plethora of outstanding amenities and refreshing natural surroundings. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing oceanfront retirement property or you’re a young professional seeking new and thrilling job opportunities, this amazing community has something perfectly suited to your lifestyle!
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