Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton – which one is for you?

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Florida has a large number of beautiful cities. However, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton have always been grouped together. Before, the difference between these two cities was enormous. One was a fun college town while the other was a rich retirement community. Today, this difference no longer stands true. So which one is better, Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton? Each city is unique in its own special way. If you are considering these two cities for your future home, then make sure to read until the very end.   

Reasons to choose Boca Raton 

Boca Raton was a fancy town for seniors. However, with the growth of Florida Atlantic University, many young people move here annually with movers Boca Raton. Here are all the reasons for moving to Boca Raton. 

  • Universities – as mentioned, there are many universities in Boca Raton, most notably Florida Atlantic, Palm Beach, Lynn Universities, and Everglades University. 
  • The population – Boca Raton is a smaller city with 93,235 people when compared to Fort Lauderdale with over 176, 013. If you want to avoid the busy life in a big city, Boca Raton is for you. 
  • Beaches – you can spend your free time swimming and enjoying beach life. 
  • Gated Communities – remember rich retirement communities? They are quite famous in Boca Raton. 
  • Art scene – you can visit the annual Festival of the Arts, Mizner Park, the Boca Museum of Art, and the Boca Raton Children’s Museum. 
  • The Bahamas – The Bahamas and Boca Raton are practically neighbors. 
a surfer on a beach in Boca Raton thinking about Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton
Boca Raton has an amazing shoreline.

Advantages to living in Fort Lauderdale 

Fort Lauderdale has always been a fun city. Even today, this still remains the same as many young people who graduate from universities in this city, choose to settle down here as well. In addition to this, before you book moving company Fort Lauderdale, read about the benefits of Fort Lauderdale. 

  • Multicultural aspect – since it is a large city, Fort Lauderdale is very culturally diverse.  
  • Location – just like Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale has beautiful beaches. Additionally, it is close to an international airport, rail service, and Miami. 
  • Parks – Fort Lauderdale has more than 1500 types of various trees and flowers. You can take a walk and enjoy nature if you visit the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park or the Riverwalk Linear Park. 
  • Outdoor activities – you can try anything from fishing, swimming, surfing, and diving, to sports, such as tennis and golf. Additionally, cycling is very popular in the city as well. 

Housing costs in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton

The search for a suitable place to live likely ranks high on your list of priorities when considering a move to either one of these two cities. There is a significant price difference between the two. Fort Lauderdale’s many residential alternatives (condos, townhomes, single-family homes, etc.) are a major plus. Properties in Fort Lauderdale average about $314,300. A rise in demand from new inhabitants has driven up the cost of housing in the last year. Fort Lauderdale’s property market is thriving in part because of the increasing number of individuals relocating to the state. If you need help relocating to Fort Lauderdale, moving and storage Florida will be happy to help.

On the other hand, Boca Raton may have an image of opulence, but it is possible to find reasonably priced homes there. Assuming a square foot price of $208, the median price of a property in Boca Raton is $390,000. The current lack of competition in the Boca Raton real estate market is a great opportunity. Over the course of more than two months, a home may sit on the market and eventually sell for around 5% below the original asking price. All of this is great news for purchasers, but costs are rising. The current median house price in Boca Raton is about 20% more than it was a year ago. If you’d like to move to Boca Raton, Palm Beach County movers are just a phone call away.

a house in Boca Raton
Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton? Where should you invest in property? Fort Lauderdale is more affordable, but Boca Raton has a better housing market.

The vast majority of Boca Raton’s citizens are also proud homeowners. At 72.3%, Boca Raton’s homeownership rate is about 10% higher than the U.S. average. If you’re searching for a place to live in Boca Raton, you should be prepared to spend a pretty penny. Condos may be found for about $200,000 while single-family houses can sell for over $1 million. If you’re looking for something more affordable, then Fort Lauderdale is a perfect choice.

Renting in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton

Although most Boca Raton residents own their own property, it doesn’t mean you can’t also live there on a rental agreement. Only around one-fourth of the population owns their home, hence 27.7 percent of Boca Ratonians are renters. The median monthly rental in Boca Raton is $2,028. And rents in Boca Raton are on the down as well, with current rates 3.25 percent lower than this time last year. Boca Raton has a median monthly rental cost of $1,673 for a one-bedroom and $2,063 for a two-bedroom. Throughout Boca Raton, there are a variety of locations available for rent. Boca Terrace, Palmetto Park Terrace, and Palmetto Park West are the most reasonably priced areas. Take a look at Colonnade and Boca West if money isn’t a concern.

On the other side, the average price for a one-bedroom in Fort Lauderdale, Florida is $2,000. Compared to last year, this represents an increase of 3%. Both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton are reasonably priced. And you won’t have much trouble landing an apartment.

Education opportunities in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton

If you’re planning a family move to Florida, you probably want to know which city offers the best public schools. Academic success and fairness are only two of the indicators that academics have used to reach this conclusion. They also claim that Fort Lauderdale has several excellent educational institutions. And Boca Raton’s educational institutions score well also. We already knew that both cities have first-rate educational facilities, so that wasn’t a concern. If you’re thinking about moving to any of these, feel free to choose from excellent moving services Miami and get a free quote.

Fort Lauderdale is home to several excellent public schools. If you decide to relocate to Fort Lauderdale, you may choose from a variety of excellent educational options. Here are some of the best ones:

  • The College Academy at Broward College
  • Pompano Beach High School
  • McFatter Technical College High School
  • Sheridan Technical Center – High School
a student in class thinking about Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton
Both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton have excellent education opportunities.

And what are Boca Raton’s top-rated public schools? The following public schools in Boca Raton deserve serious consideration if you’re looking for a great place for your kids to learn:

  • Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. School of the Arts
  • Suncoast Community High School
  • Boca Raton Community High School
  • Spanish River Community High School

Taxes in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton

It’s crucial to factor in tax implications while looking at potential new places to live. People often overlook this fact, yet it may have a significant impact from state to state! Because Florida has no state income tax, residing in locations like Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton is quite appealing. However, locals are also responsible for other forms of taxation. This entails not just the tax on the purchase of a vehicle, but also the property taxes. Even though residents of the cities do not have to pay state income tax, non-residents still have to fork over 6% of their earnings to the municipal government. If you plan to stay there for more than 183 days a year, you may qualify for a tax break. Every purchase made in the city is subject to a 7% sales tax.

Real estate investors should be aware that properties in Fort Lauderdale require an annual property tax payment equal to 0.8% of the property’s value. Obtaining a homestead exemption is one approach to mitigate the high property taxes. If you’d like to buy a property in Fort Lauderdale and move here, Broward County movers are always there to step in and help with the process.

taxes sign
In Boca Raton, there are no income taxes

Although the cost of living in Boca Raton might be greater than the national average, there is no income tax in the city. Yes, there is no income tax in Boca Raton. Considering that the average income tax rate throughout the nation is 11.4%, it is a significant advantage. There is a 7% sales tax in Boca Raton. The Florida state sales tax accounts for 6%, while the Palm Beach County sales tax contributes the remaining 1%. Everything you purchase in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County is subject to this tax. The amount of property tax you must pay in Boca Raton depends on a number of variables. Lot size, square footage, and property value are all considered. The current rate of property tax in Boca Raton is 1.118%, which is just slightly more than the national average.

The food scene in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton 

Most people enjoy preparing meals and trying something new. In addition to this, you should dine out every once in a while. It is both fun and relaxing, especially if you moved recently. Since organizing an affordable relocation to Fort Lauderdale is stressful, going to a restaurant is a perfect post-move relaxation technique. Luckily, both Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton have an amazing food scene. Fort Lauderdale has one of the best restaurants in South Florida. The most notable ones are Shooters Restaurant by the beach, the Milk Money Bar & Kitchen with their interesting cocktails, and Chef Jean Pierre’s school where you can try food prepared by students. On the other hand, restaurants in Boca Raton are more family-owned businesses. Again, you should visit Kapow Noodle House which prepares the best ChineseJapanese, and Korean specialties.  

two hamburgers
The street food in both cities is amazing.

Traffic in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton  

You should move to Boca Raton since it is less busy. However, it does experience the rush hour, especially along Glades Rd., Federal Highway. On the other hand, Fort Lauderdale is a large city, hence the traffic can be crazy. Unlike Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale has one of the best public transport systems in entire South Florida. You will not even need a car if you decide to live in Fort Lauderdale. If you still want one, many homes come with reserved parking places. Generally speaking, you can reach both cities from I-95 or Military Trail, Federal Highway, and Florida’s Turnpike. As mentioned, Fort Lauderdale is close to Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport. As for Boca Raton, you can go to Palm Beach Airport, or Hollywood International as well. You will have no trouble traveling when living in these two Florida cities.  

Which city has a better healthcare system? 

The battle between Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton should compare their healthcare systems as well. Luckily, both cities have the best doctors and medical facilities not just in Florida, but in the entire city. Boca Raton has the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Headquarters and Boca Raton Regional Hospital. The hospital especially is one of the best surgical centers in Florida. Since Boca Raton has been a retirement community for a long time, it is not surprising it has one of the best hospitals in Florida. On the other hand, Fort Lauderdale is not far behind. Holy Cross Hospital and Kindred Hospital are located in the center of the city. Additionally, the Plantation General Hospital has the best emergency room and urgent care services. In addition to this, if you work in the healthcare industry, you can find easily find a good job in both of these cities.  

a woman in a hospital
The healthcare system in both cities is top-notch.

Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton – which city is safer?

These are not really the safest cities in the United States. Some people are certain to take advantage of the situation, given the large number of tourists and residents in this area. By posing as visitors, they are able to get entry to several restricted areas. The majority of crimes, fortunately, involve theft or burglary. So crime rates are high and it’s not uncommon for people to lose their wallets when they come here. On the other hand, there is an even lower rate of violent crime than the national average. Make sure not to keep a lot of money on you when you’re out and about. But again, it’s not like you’re making a move to Miami. Both cities are still much safer than Miami.

There is a wide disparity in the level of safety present across different areas. And before you employ the top long distance movers Florida, make sure you’ve looked at the properties in the more secure areas. Fort Lauderdale’s most secure and affordable neighborhoods are Coral Ridge, Imperial Point, Rio Vista, Tarpon River, and Victoria Park. And if you choose Boca Raton, the best areas to settle down are Boca Winds,  Fox Landing, Boca West Country Club, and Boca Pointe.

Shopping in Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton

Lastly, let’s discuss shopping options in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton. Both cities offer various shopping places and options. You can find anything, from high-end fashion to handmade products. In Boca Raton, Mizner Park is a center of high-end fashion stores. Royal Palm Plaza also offers many boutique shops and retail options. On the other hand, Fort Lauderdale is a shopping paradise. Due to its size and popularity, you can find anything and everything. The most famous shopping street would be Las Olas. With shopping, the battle between these two Florida cities end. Now it is up to you. Both cities are very beautiful and great for living. Based on your personal preference, make your final decision. These two Florida cities are waiting for you. If you’d love to move to Florida and enjoy affordable shopping sprees, local movers Florida are here for you. 

Do you enjoy boating?

Many people that love boating, beaches, and the hot weather are considering moving to Florida. Either city may be perfect for you if you like boating and fishing. The world’s finest yacht clubs may be found in Boca Raton. Such as Royal Palm Yacht Club and Yacht Club at Marina One. Those two clubs are equipped to welcome ships of all sizes, including the biggest superyachts. Boca Raton’s channels provide easy access to the Intercoastal Waterway for those who are interested in a boating vacation. Perhaps the Atlantic Seaboard.

fishing while thinking about Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton
If you like boating, then moving to Florida is the best decision you can make.

Meanwhile, Fort Lauderdale is sometimes called “America’s Venice” for obvious reasons. And that’s all because of the more than 3,000 miles of rivers and channels. The wealthy residents of the surrounding high-rises and grand mansions like spending time on their yachts. One of the quickest routes into the city is through the Fort Lauderdale canals.

How to choose between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale?

Although we have provided a lot of information on both towns, making a choice is still difficult. There are benefits and drawbacks to calling either Fort Lauderdale or Boca Raton home. Fort Lauderdale vs Boca Raton – it really comes down to your own preferences and needs. Nonetheless, knowledge is power. You should be prepared for life in any of these metropolises. We hope that all of the information in this article will help you make the right decision for you.

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