Visitors and residents are drawn to Delray Beach, Florida for its art, coastline, golf, and nature. It’s one of the smaller beach cities along the southeastern Florida shores, tucked between larger neighbors like Boca Raton and Boynton Beach. It has a distinct vibe, and it’s the perfect place for active adults who want to stay out of cities but still enjoy being just minutes from recreation and relaxation.
Climate
There’s no snow and no ice in Delray Beach, which might explain why so many people from the north arrive in this area when it’s time to retire or take a vacation. Delray Beach has a tropical climate, which means summers are long, hot, and humid. Winters are mild and brief, and there’s rarely a need to wear a heavy coat or put away the flip flops. About 60 inches of rain will fall every year, usually during the summer months and early fall.
Hurricane season is from July 1 to November 30, and while major hurricanes aren’t frequent, tropical storms do sweep in from the Caribbean across the Atlantic fairly regularly. Most of the homes and businesses in Delray Beach have hurricane shutters and wind-resistant doors and windows.
Golf and Recreation
Golfing is a year-round activity in Delray Beach, and there are several highly rated courses in the area. The Delray Beach Golf Club has a course designed by Donald Ross, and there’s also a restaurant and practice facilities. The Delaire Country Club provides members with 27 pristine holes of golf, eight tennis courts, and a pool. Golfers who appreciate perfecting their putts with a view of the ocean will want to play at Gulf Stream Golf Club, which has panoramic vistas as well as a formal clubhouse with a strict dress code.
The city of Delray Beach includes three miles of Atlantic coastline, so beaches are not hard to find. The public beach is a popular place for families, and there’s plenty of shade. Gulfstream Park is a bit quieter, and Atlantic Dunes Beach includes a boardwalk and a nature trail. Boat clubs, fishing charters, and kayak rentals are available for anyone interested in spending time on the water rather than in the water.
Nature lovers will find plenty to do in Delray Beach. Wakodahatchee Wetlands are great for photographers hoping to see alligators, rabbits, turtles, frogs, snakes, and birds. There are also hiking and biking paths meandering through 50 acres of ponds, boardwalks, shrubs, and swamps. Just north of Delray Beach is the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Visitors can hunt and fish or take an airboat ride. There’s also a butterfly garden and a unique look at the most northern part of the Everglades ecosystem.
Arts and Entertainment
It’s hard to find a small beach town with an entire part of its city center dedicated to the arts. Delray Beach manages that, however, and it’s a whimsical, diverse area known as the Pineapple Grove Arts District. Located just off Atlantic Avenue and steps from the beach, this sensory section of downtown includes locally owned art galleries and eclectic boutiques and shops. Festivals happen several times a year. Exhibitions and shows are frequently held at the Arts Garage, and there’s also some great food to be found. Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub is a local favorite, and Burt & Max’s is an excellent place for burgers and drink specials.
Another cultural gem in Delray Beach is the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. The six historical gardens are a living exhibition, and the museum features artwork that spans the centuries of Japanese history. There’s a cafe, private tours, and tons of special events.
Delray Beach Real Estate
Anyone thinking about retiring to Florida or moving to the sunshine state will want to consider Delray Beach. It’s less than an hour from Miami and even closer to South Florida cities like Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Palm Beach International Airport is 20 minutes away from the city, and cruise ships come and go from the Port of Palm Beach and the Port Everglades daily.
Condos
There are lots of options when it comes to housing. For active adults who prefer a low-maintenance condo lifestyle, communities like Lakes of Delray have great amenities with various floor plans offering 800 to 1,500 square feet and one or two bedrooms.
The Pines of Delray is also a popular 55+ condo community. Homes are affordable, with many of them less than $200,000. There’s also an active social calendar and two clubhouses to meet the needs of all residents and their guests.
Single-family Homes
Buyers who prefer the privacy and space of a single-family home also have lots of options in Delray Beach. Valencia Falls is a 55+ community with more than 10 models available on a resale basis. Residents enjoy a 25,000 square-foot clubhouse, beach access, a resistance pool, and tennis courts.
Homes at Villaggio Reserve are spacious and comfortable, with large master suites and attached one or two-car garages. The social calendar is also full, thanks to an on-site activities director. Residents can participate in Zumba classes, movie nights, and card games.
New Construction Homes
There are also opportunities to find Delray Beach homes for sale in new construction communities. Delray Trails will have 436 attached and single-family homes available for 55+ buyers across their 120 acres. A 10-acre amenity complex is planned, and construction began in 2020.
Polo Trace is a planned community of 324 single-family homes and there will be no age restrictions. An on-site restaurant and two pools are some of the features of this new construction neighborhood.
There’s also Avalon Trails, a 55+ community of new construction villa homes. An on-site activities coordinator will help plan social events and assist residents in taking advantage of some of the exciting amenities, including a lap pool and fitness center.
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