While West Palm Beach is itself a suburb of Miami, there are many great small neighborhoods in the area. Downtown District The downtown district is on the edge of the Lake Worth Lagoon and features views of the Palm Beach barrier island. Highway 704 passes along the southern border and connects the mainland with wealthy, exclusive neighborhoods on the other side over the Royal Park Bridge. In this central location, you have easy access to the best dining, shopping, and nightlife in West Palm Beach. Tourists, on their way to and from Miami, browse and spend time in upscale shopping malls and at special events. This area has beautiful walking and biking trails as well as lush green spaces and public parks along the edge of the water. Local festivals and special events fill the calendar of performing arts stages and venues year-round. Population – 1500 Median Income – $55,500 annual per household Median Home Price – $447,000 for a luxury condo Rental Rates – $1800 for a two-bedroom apartment Employers – Tomsich Health and Medical Center, Services industry employers, local government Schools – Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Atlantic University Something to Try: Browse the shops and restaurants at City Place and enjoy the live entertainment that frequently performs in the market areas. Flamingo Parks Head south from downtown on Highway One. Look to your right after you pass the Norton Museum of Art to see the commercially zoned facing of the Flamingo Parks neighborhood. Tucked back behind the shops and restaurants, residents enjoy quiet streets and easy access to the rest of the city’s amenities. You’ll find well-built single-family homes that were constructed in the 1920s. Prices can be high, but incomes for residents compensate. Most are working professionals or small business owners with a few inhabitants working in local shops. Apartments are nonexistent, and home rentals are rare. Don’t let that discourage you. Some homeowners rent out extra rooms to single professionals or convert their houses into vacation rentals. Population – 1000 Median Income – $76,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $525,000 for a single-family home Rental Rates – $850 for a furnished room Employers – Construction and contractor trades, local services employers Schools – The Green School, Belvedere Elementary School Something to Try: Stroll across Lake Ave to Howard Park and the Howard Park Community Center to participate in games, special events, and fitness training. Old Northwood Historic District The Northwood area has several attractive areas to live, but you’ll find the Old Northwood historic neighborhood along Spruce Avenue. It’s quiet and well maintained. Get there by traveling north from downtown along the North Dixie Highway. Turn Right at 36th Ave to connect with the primary access to the district. Most residents own their own homes and commute to jobs in other parts of the city. Renters might find accommodations, but the economic stability of the neighborhood favors long term occupancy. Old Northwood is away from the water, which some prefer to take a break from the alligators and mosquitos. It’s still plenty close to the Northwood Village where you’ll find a community of small local businesses. Population – 850 Median Income – $54,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $228,000 for a single-family home Rental Rates – $1000 per month Employers – Nearby retail shops Schools – Northboro Elementary School Something to Try: Learn to paint or play the ukulele during special events at Harold’s Coffee Lounge in the Northwood Village district. El Cid This upscale neighborhood is along the water’s edge south of the downtown area. Characterized by its palm trees, clean sidewalks, and Mediterranean style architecture, this suburb is perfect for middle-class families. Individual residences comprise most of the housing options with only a handful of apartments or condos. You’ll meet a few retirees and young professionals here, but the lack of rental options limit access to those with low or fixed incomes. El Cid has excellent amenities close by along the Dixie Highway. The Palm Tran public bus service connects you with the downtown area on route one if you don’t own a vehicle. On the other side of the district, a paved, narrow path gives pedestrians convenient access to the waterfront. Population – 1400 Median Income – $59,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $484,733 Rental Rates – $800 for a furnished guest room Employers – Customer service work in local shops, Publix Super Market, The Palm Beach Post Schools – The Green School Something to Try: Take an afternoon to visit the Ann Norton Sculpture Garden. Grandview Heights Located directly to the south of the city center, this neighborhood has all the advantages of being close to the urban action but with fewer disruptions. Cross over Highway 704 near the Henry J. Rolfs statue. Then head past the Palm Beach Convention Center to find yourself in the middle of Grandview Heights. Some housing rentals and a collection of short-term vacation properties are available, but a lack of public schools nearby puts a strain on families with small children. Still, this area is perfect for retirees or young working professionals. Howard Park Community Center is right next door, and the convention center, which hosts special events all year round, is within walking distance. You may find work in the hospitality industry or work in retail. The luxury auto sales businesses located to the north also employ residents. Population – 1200 Median Income – $58,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $278,000 Rental Rates – $1300 for a small apartment Employers – Hilton West Palm Beach, Jaguar Palm Beach Schools – Palm Beach Atlantic University, Palm Beach Christian Academy Something to Try: Take a self-guided tour through the 27-acre Howard Park Arboretum and learn about the community’s collection of exotic tropical trees. Providencia Park You’ll find this district just north of the main city center next to the Flagler Memorial Bridge. It’s home to working young professionals. It has many open public spaces for community gatherings and a thriving nightlife. There’s a mix of single-family homes as well as towering luxury condo buildings. Many renters enjoy a view of the city, but you can purchase a modest house at the street level if desired. The narrow streets are clean, and some roadways feature parking zones allowing to you tuck your vehicle out of the path of traffic. The waterfront bike trail connects you with employers in the downtown district, saving you the hassle of driving into work. For half of the week, Molly Trolley’s blue line runs right through the neighborhood on North Olive Avenue. Population – 1600 Median Income – $47,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $198,000 for a condo or townhouse Rental Rates – $1200 for a small condo or apartment Employers – St Mary’s Hospital, Good Samaritan Medical Center, local services providers Schools – The Rosarian Academy Something to Try: Connect with your fellow outdoor sporting enthusiasts at the nearby West Palm Beach Fishing Club. Pleasant City In 2015, West Palm Beach’s Community Redevelopment Agency started investing over $9 million into Pleasant City’s infrastructure. A new buffer wall separates residents from the rail lines to the west. The agency has also dramatically enhanced aesthetics and property values with its Plant, Paint, and Pave program. Affordable single-family homes near public schools make the neighborhood a desirable choice for young families. Area residents are also close enough to the city center to commute to jobs downtown. Commercial services along the highway are convenient and employ many locals. Several churches and a local community center connect you with your neighbors. Pleasant City is also the home to one of the oldest family-owned businesses in West Palm Beach, Bush Brothers Provisioning Company. Population – 2900 Median Income – $47,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $168,000 Rental Rates – $1100 for a small house Employers – Retailers along the Dixie Highway and in the Northwood Village Schools – Pleasant City Elementary Something to Try: Stroll a few blocks north to visit up to the Northwood village and browse through shops, galleries, and restaurants. Wellington Wellington isn’t in the city boundaries of West Palm Beach, but it’s close enough. Also, it’s incredible. This suburban development often ranks high in national lists of desirable communities. If you’re comfortable with the 30-minute drive to downtown, it’s well worth considering. Wellington is famous for its horses, and the equestrian sporting community dominates the local culture. Find horse property, ranches, boarding, training, and competition facilities throughout the area. The Winter Equestrian Festival runs from January through April and is the largest horse show in the country. Development began in the 1950s over the 31 square miles of area that is now the Wellington Village. Incorporated in 1995, the local municipality caters to the needs of the residents who enjoy a much lower crime rate than the rest of Florida, and better public schools. Population – 68,000 Median Income – $83,000 annual per household Median Home Price – $327,000 Rental Rates – $1550 per month for a modest apartment Employers – Shops at The Mall at Wellington Greens, Wellington Regional Medical Center, Palm Beach Polo and Country Club, The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Schools – Wellington Elementary, Wellington Landings Middle School, Wellington Community High School, Palm Beach State College Something to Try: Take a short break from all that horseback riding for a little hiking, cycling, or outdoor photography at the Wellington Environmental Preserve.