Where to Live in
Boca Raton

Boca isn't building out anymore; the Everglades wall and the ocean make that impossible. We're building up. The big shift you need to know for 2026 is the consolidation around the Town Center Mall and the I-95 corridor. East of I-95 is where the money pools, but the real action—and the traffic—is in the dense, mixed-use zones sprouting around Mizner Park and Royal Palm Place. The old-timers are grumbling about the cranes, but if you want walkability and a pulse after 5 PM, you have to be in the splash zone. The suburbs west of the Turnpike are getting pricier, but they're still the land of three-car garages and HOA rules about your mailbox color. Don't get stuck in a strip mall canyon thinking it's "Boca."

The 2026 Shortlist

The Shortlist

Royal Palm Place / The Boca Raton

• The Vibe: Jet-Set Glitz
• Rent Check: Significantly above average. A decent 1BR starts at $2,400+. Penthouse life is a different number.
• The Good: This is the epicenter of the "new" Boca. You're steps from the newly renovated Boca Raton hotel, ** Addison** for a Michelin-level dinner, and the high-end shops at Royal Palm Plaza. Walkability is a 9/10 if you can afford the lifestyle. The new Brightline station is a game-changer for Miami/Fort Lauderdale commutes.
• The Bad: The noise. Between the nightlife, the construction, and the constant parade of supercars, it's not quiet. Parking is a nightmare unless you're valeting. The superficiality is dialed to 11; if you're not dressing for dinner, you'll feel out of place.
• Best For: The moneyed set who want to be seen. Retirees who've downsized from a mansion and want a concierge. Finance guys who need to be on a plane or a train fast.
• Insider Tip: Skip the main drag of Royal Palm Place for a drink. Head to the hidden patio at The Blue for a quiet(ish) cocktail and people-watching.

Downtown Boca / Mizner Park

• The Vibe: Urban Chic
• Rent Check: 10-20% above city average. You're paying for the zip code and the walkability.
• The Good: This is the most functional "downtown" Boca has. You can walk to Shake Shack, Max's Grille, or catch a movie. The Mizner Park Amphitheater has real concerts. The Boca Raton Museum of Art is right there. It's a sweet spot of culture and convenience without the full pretension of Royal Palm.
• The Bad: The "Mizner Park Bubble" is real. Cross the tracks on Federal Highway and it's a different world. Traffic on Palmetto Park Road during season will test your patience. The apartments here are older and smaller for the price, but the location is the amenity.
• Best For: Young professionals who work from home or commute to Fort Lauderdale. Empty nesters who sold the big house and want a condo life with culture at their doorstep.
• Insider Tip: The locals' escape is Sanborn Square behind Mizner Park. It's a quiet patch of green where you can actually hear birds instead of valets.

Southwest Boca / Logger's Run

• The Vibe: Family Fortress
• Rent Check: Right on the city average, but you get way more square footage for your money compared to east.
• The Good: This is the engine of Boca's family life. You're looking at A-rated schools like Loggers' Run Community Middle. The parks are massive—South County Regional Park has everything from dog parks to the Spanish River Library. You get a townhouse or a single-family home with a real yard. Shopping is convenient at Mission Bay Plaza.
• The Bad: You are driving. Everywhere. The 441 and Glades Road intersections are gridlock hell during rush hour. It's a sea of stucco and SUVs. If you're looking for a "scene," you won't find it here. It's bed, bath, and beyond.
• Best For: Families with school-aged kids. Anyone who needs space, a garage, and quiet streets.
• Insider Tip: For the best local produce and a slice of real Florida, hit the Boca Raton Green Market on Sundays at Sanborn Square, then escape the downtown chaos.

East Boca / The Preserve

• The Vibe: Old Florida
• Rent Check: Below average to average. This is the value play east of I-95.
• The Good: You’re tucked away in quiet, established neighborhoods like The Preserve or Boca Barwood with mature oak trees, not saplings. It's five minutes to the beach via Federal Highway but you're insulated from the tourist and nightlife noise. You get more house and land for your money than anywhere else east of the interstate. It feels like the Boca of 20 years ago.
• The Bad: The houses and infrastructure are older. Expect to update kitchens and bathrooms. You're not walking to much, but you're a cheap Uber ride to the hot spots. Some pockets are a bit rough around the edges, so check your specific street.
• Best For: Value-conscious buyers who want proximity to the water without the Mizner price tag. Long-term residents who refuse to move west.
• Insider Tip: The secret gem is Boca Wood Park, a tiny, old-school park on NW 2nd Avenue. It's perfect for a quiet morning coffee away from the coastal crowds.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Southwest Boca / Logger's Run is the undisputed king. The school ratings are consistently high, the neighborhoods are designed for kids (cul-de-sacs, parks), and you can find a 4-bedroom house without liquidating your 401k. Just be prepared for the east-west commute if parents work in the city center.
• For Wall St / Tech: Royal Palm Place or Downtown Boca. The new Brightline stop at Boca Raton makes this a no-brainer for a hybrid Miami/NYC commute. You can be in a downtown Miami office in under an hour door-to-door. The high-end amenities and networking opportunities are built for this crowd.
• The Value Play: East Boca / The Preserve. The gentrification wave is moving west from the beach, and these established, non-gated communities are next. Buy a dated 1980s home here, renovate, and you'll be sitting on a goldmine in 5 years as the younger professionals priced out of Mizner look for their next move. Focus on streets west of Federal Highway but east of I-95.