Located just an hour up the coast from Miami you will find one of the best small town communities in the entire country. The state's official tourism website describes Delray Beach as a “small and intimate town with big-city sophistication.”
This is obvious to anyone who visits based solely on the number of art galleries, restaurants, and nightly entertainment events available throughout the popular downtown area. Delray Beach is the place where you can find big-city culture in a small-town environment…which is why so many people have decided to make their homes here.
The Perfect Location
The town itself is comprised of 15.9 square miles in Palm Beach County, just a bit north of Boca Raton and bordered on the west by the Everglades.
If being close to an airport is important to you, there are two to pick from near Delray Beach. The Palm Beach International Airport is just 15 miles north of town right off of I-95, and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is located 30 miles south of Delray.
A Storied History
The Delray Beach area was originally settled in the 1800s and developed as a farm community. It officially became a town in 1911 and pineapple and tomato canning facilities were built shortly after that.
Like many Florida towns, it felt the boom of tourism and real estate speculation during the 1920s. During that time, many popular artists and writers decided to make their homes in Delray Beach. This laid the groundwork for the thriving artist community that exists here today.
The final component that made Delray Beach as popular as it is today was the completion of Interstate 95 in the 1970s. Suddenly, this thriving community of arts and culture was accessible to anyone who wanted to visit.
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Things to Do in Delray Beach
Because arts and culture are such an important part of the community, Delray Beach is known for hosting many different annual festivals. Some of the most popular events of past and present include Delray Affair, Garlic Fest, and the Delray Beach Wine & Seafood Festival. The town is also famous for the 100-foot Christmas tree it puts on display each year.
With this much art and culture packed into it’s 15 square miles, Delray Beach is the ultimate in sophisticated relaxation and the perfect place for any artist or aspiring artist to retire.
Delray's location also makes it easy to get to and partake in events and activities happening in other places throughout South Florida.
Cost of Living in Delray Beach
The cost of living in Delray Beach is roughly 5% higher than the national average and just barely higher than the Florida average cost of living. You can see how it measures up to the cost of living in other popular retirement cities here.
Delray Beach Weather
Here’s a look at the average low and high temperatures in Delray Beach throughout the year:
| Month | Avg. Low | Avg. High |
| January | 61 | 75 |
| February | 64 | 77 |
| March | 66 | 80 |
| April | 70 | 83 |
| May | 74 | 86 |
| June | 77 | 89 |
| July | 78 | 90 |
| August | 78 | 90 |
| September | 78 | 89 |
| October | 75 | 86 |
| November | 69 | 81 |
| December | 64 | 77 |
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Delray Beach Healthcare
Delray Medical Center is a 532-bed acute care community hospital with a Level 1 Trauma Center and also offers several specialized services including cardiac care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurosciences, emergency care, and more.
Where to Retire in Delray Beach
Located just north of Delray Beach, Valencia Grand offers truly premium 55+ living unlike anywhere else, with a prime South Florida location, sophisticated country-club lifestyle, and all-new unmatched amenities.
Valencia Grand takes sophisticated living to the next level with one-story home designs made for 55+ living with stand-out features including expansive high ceilings, transom windows that let in even more Florida sunshine, impressive gourmet kitchens, spa-like baths, and spacious outdoor living areas.
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Final Thoughts
Delray might not get as much attention as its neighbor Boca Raton, but take a closer look and I think you'll see it deserves to be on your retirement radar.
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