A Relocator’s Guide to Palm Beach

When Standard Oil tycoon Henry Flagler made his first trip to Palm Beach in the late 1800s, he described it as “a veritable paradise.” While much has changed since its first developments over 100 years ago, that laid-back, idyllic vibe has remained. Also known as “America’s First Resort Destination,” if you’re like many who are looking to buy Palm Beach luxury real estate and put down roots, here’s what you need to know.

In 1878, a ship carrying coconuts from Havana to Spain wrecked off the coast of present-day Palm Beach. Many of the coconuts floated ashore, and the area became a lush grove of palm trees, giving the town the name Palm Beach.

The town is located on an eighteen-mile-long barrier island between the Intracoastal Waterway to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. It’s no wonder that so many people seeking to relocate to the area specifically ask about waterfront Palm Beach luxury homes for sale. The highest point of elevation on the island is 30 feet above sea level — a point located on the golf course at the Palm Beach Country Club.

Palm Beach’s mild winters are a sanctuary for those seeking to trade their flannel for flip flops, making winter a hot tourism season. The average temperature for Palm Beach during the winter months of December-February ranges between the mid-fifties and mid-seventies.

December is also when the annual Palm Beach Food & Wine Festival takes place. This four-day culinary festival in paradise has everything from celebrity Food Network stars grilling poolside and comfort food to five-course dinners with masterful wine pairings and more. Residents of Palm Beach mansions and travelers agree that this event should not be missed.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show is another favorite. Every March, at the tail end of winter, this elevated event offers the latest and greatest to boat enthusiasts from all over the world, including superyacht shows, exquisite culinary experiences, and masterclasses in fishing and conservation.

With more than 160 golf courses and 25 private country clubs, Palm Beach is a golfer’s mecca. The PGA National Resort & Spa provides an unmatched experience for golf lovers. It’s not uncommon for golf enthusiasts who are moving here to ask about Palm Beach mansions for sale that are located near this celebrated course.

 

West Palm Beach hosts training for four baseball teams every February and March during MLB Spring Training: the Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Miami Marlins. Locals don’t need to stray far from their Palm Beach mansions to watch exhibition games and get autographs from their favorite players as they gear up for the season.

Palm Beach real estate is popular for those ready to retire as well, not only because of the hospitable weather but also due to the numerous upscale retirement communities in the area and tax breaks specifically for retirees.  Ask your Palm Beach luxury real estate broker for further details and to recommend savvy professionals who can best advise you.

With so much to offer, the island town of Palm Beach is a popular tourism destination for families and people of all ages. Worth Avenue is a world-renown, palm tree-lined shopping and dining district with over 200 high-end boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries.

Whether you’re looking for Palm Beach mansions or Palm Beach estates for sale, there is truly something for everyone here. If you’re a surfer, check out the Surfing Florida Museum, which showcases the history and culture of surfing in Florida.

This opulent beachy paradise also has a robust arts and cultural history supported by many non-profit arts organizations such as the Society of the Four Arts. This organization maintains an art gallery, botanical garden, concert hall, sculpture garden, and two libraries that serve as public libraries for the town.

Since 1979, the Palm Beach Landmarks Preservation Commission has engaged in studying and preserving 328 properties and locations in and around Palm Beach. Thirteen of these structures are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you love a home with history, ask your Palm Beach realtor if there are any Palm Beach estates for sale that are landmarked by the Preservation Commission. They may not appear on the market often, but they’re worth inquiring about.

 

 

Additionally, the town has a number of museums, including the Flagler Museum at Whitehall — Henry Flagler’s estate, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places — and the Norton Museum of Art in nearby West Palm Beach.

There’s also the Kravis Center for Performing Arts, which holds productions of popular Broadway musicals. On Thursdays, you and your family can attend the famous weekly concert series Clematis by Night, held at Centennial Square on the scenic West Palm Beach waterfront.

 

With such year-round, sunny weather, it’s no surprise that Palm Beach has a wealth of outdoor activities to choose from. It’s one of the main reasons individuals and families are scrambling to purchase their own piece of Palm Beach luxury real estate. Altogether, the Palm Beaches of Palm Beach County occupy forty-seven miles of picturesque Atlantic coastline. Swimming, diving, fishing, boating, and more are all on the menu.

When we said “wealth of outdoor activities,” we weren’t kidding. Here are just a few of Palm Beach’s many beautiful designated outdoor recreation areas:  Grassy Waters Preserve Nature Center, Okeeheelee Nature Center, Apoxee Wilderness Trail, and Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County.

Like much of America, the real estate market in Palm Beach is a seller’s market, and it’s never been hotter. The median home sale price this year is up approximately 14% compared to just last year. Meanwhile, the average amount of time a home stays listed on the market has gone from 67 days to 42 days, also within a year’s time.

In other words, prices are steadily on the rise for Palm Beach real estate, just as they are in south Florida in general. In today’s ultra-competitive luxury real estate market, working with a quality real estate agent can make all the difference.

Whether you’re looking for Palm Beach mansions or Miami Beach luxury apartments, contact experienced local luxury real estate agent Jaqueline Marks today. Jacqueline has a well-deserved reputation as a consummate real estate professional who always puts her clients first. She has helped some of the world’s most exclusive clientele and understands the importance of serving her clients with discretion and confidentiality. Contact Jaqueline today to explore the selection of homes for sale in Palm Beach.