Located just an hour up the coast from Miami you will find one of the best small town communities in the entire country. VisitFlorida.com 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. It is easily accessible by either by I-95 or Atlantic Avenue.
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.
Local Demographics
As of the 2010 national census, there are 60,522 people who call Delray Beach home. According to the numbers from the 2000 census, 22.4% of those people are between the ages of 45 and 64, and 25.9% of those residents are over the age of 65.
The median age for the community is 44, and the median household income is $43,371.
Arts & Culture
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 each year 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 Area Communities
Located just north of Delray is Valencia Bay by GL Homes. Known for its world-class amenities, Valencia Bay offers a 55+ resort lifestyle that caters to residents looking to live life to its fullest. The opulent 33,000 sq. ft. Clubhouse and Lifestyle Complex serves as the hub of the community and offers hundreds of exciting events including Broadway style shows, matinees, cocktail parties and galas. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or fitness enthusiast, there is a club or program to satisfy everyone’s taste. To ensure a lifestyle that is second to none, an onsite, full-time lifestyle director will perfectly curate an exciting social calendar and plan exciting trips to enhance your experience at Valencia Bay.
Delray might not get as much attention as it’s 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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