Relocating with kids in West Palm Beach? This city on Florida’s Gold Coast offers residents beautiful weather, tons of family-friendly parks with easy beach access, and a more affordable cost of living than surrounding cities like Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton. Here are the five best neighborhoods in West Palm Beach for families!
El Cid
- Home Price: $484,733 median purchase price; $809 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of West Palm Beach neighborhoods
Located just south of Downtown West Palm Beach on the shores of the Lake Worth Lagoon is El Cid. This West Palm Beach neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflected in the area’s historic architecture and Mediterranean Revival and Mission-style homes. The El Cid Neighborhood Association holds fun family-friendly events like the annual El Cid Holiday Party in December, and parents have access to great local schools like The Greene School and Palm Beach Day Academy.
Things to Do in El Cid
Walk the grounds to see rotating exhibits or the Palm and Cycad Collection at the historic Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. Plan your next family expedition to the Sea Base, Northern Tier, Summit, or Philmont regions at Blue Sky Adventures. View the American, Chinese, and European permanent art exhibitions at the Norton Museum of Art. Enjoy a day of fun in the sun and sand at nearby Municipal Beach. Chow down on Japanese dishes like Beef Noodles Soup, Chiangmail Noodles, or Kaeng Pa Curry at Joy Noodles & Asian Cuisine. Get wrapped up in tasty favorites like the Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Thai Chicken Wrap, or Fajita Wrap from PB Wraps. Share classic rolls like a King Crab California or specialty rolls like the Dancing Eel Roll or Dragon Roll at Sushi Jo. Or get out of the house for a date night and order Fettuccini Bolognese, Simple Grilled Bronzino, or “Everything” Crusted Salmon at Kitchen.
Flamingo Park
- Home Price: $525,700 median purchase price; $812 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 71% of West Palm Beach neighborhoods
Looking for a great place to live with affordable homes for rent in West Palm Beach? Flamingo Park is a diverse and growing neighborhood with colorful cottages and Mediterranean-style houses ready to buy or rent. The third-most walkable neighborhood in West Palm Beach, this area has plenty of wide, tree-lined sidewalks for afternoon walks with the whole family. Plus, Downtown West Palm Beach is still easily accessible via the Palm Tran Public Transportation bus system, or by a six-minute drive down US-1. Residents love the local community in this family-friendly West Palm Beach neighborhood, complete with fantastic events like the annual Holiday Historic Home Tour.
Things to Do in Flamingo Park
Let your kids play on the playground or walk through and view the public art at this West Palm Beach neighborhood’s namesake, Flamingo Park. Work out at the rec center or bring your dog to run at the dog park at Howard Park and Community Center. Sign you or your kids up for Art School or Summer Art Experience at Armory Art Center. Let off some steam with the Smash, Fury, or Rampage packages available at Outrageous Room. Start the day with a Quick Start, French Toast, or Hive Breakfast Sandwich from Hive Bakery & Cafe. Order a hot sandwich like the Cubano, a cold sandwich like the Caprese, or an Italian Salad at Buccan Sandwich Shop. Sample a Local Mushroom Pizza, Bucatini Carbonara, or Harissa Rubbed Swordfish at Grato. Or enjoy a family dinner while dining on the Lobster Roll, Jambalaya, and Classic Blend Meatloaf at Table 26 Palm Beach.
Northwood Shores
- Home Price: $227,000 median purchase price; $1,009 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 53% of West Palm Beach neighborhoods
Sandwiched between the waters of Lake Mangonia and Lake Worth Lagoon, Northwood Shores is part of a wider historic Northwood area that includes Northwood Hills, Northwood Village, and more. Some highlights of these family-friendly areas in West Palm Beach are the highest natural peaks in South Florida and an “Art Night Out” on the last Friday of every month among the streets and shops of Northwood Village. West Palm Beach homes for sale in this area range from single-family ranch homes to Mediterranean styles, with spacious manicured yards amid picturesque canopied streets. You can also expect high-quality public education opportunities for your younger children at Northboro Elementary, Northmore Elementary, and Pleasant City Elementary, all part of the Palm Beach Public School District.
Things to Do in Northwood Shores
Listen to live music on one of two stages and meet local artists in the Miles Davis Studio at Northwood Art & Music. Teach your kids to fish on the pier, have an afternoon picnic, or play on the fields in Currie Park. Choose custom art and lighting pieces and enjoy the current art exhibitions at Habatat Galleries. Cultivate a love of local marine wildlife—including a large bottlenose dolphin population—with Palm Beach Jupiter Dolphin Tours. Taste Thai favorites like Garlic Delight, Pad Cha, or Green Curry at Malakor Thai Cafe. Order Italian specialties like Spaghetti with Meatball, Baked Ziti, Eggplant Parmesan, and more at Presto Pizza & Deli. Sit down for a meal of Grilled Tuna Steak, Duck Filet, or Lamb Loin Chops at French Grill House. Or sample Mediterranean food with Greek options like Lamb Souvlaki, Famous Traditional Gyro, or Pastitsio at Souvlaki Grill.
Southside
- Home Price: $283,614 median purchase price; $854 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 65% of West Palm Beach neighborhoods
Located minutes from the Palm Beach Zoo, safe, affordable WPB neighborhood Southside is one of the best places for families! Affectionately-named “SoSo,” Southside is located right along the coast of the Lake Worth Lagoon, making it a great West Palm Beach neighborhood for waterfront living. The Cox Science Center & Aquarium is also only a short drive outside this neighborhood, a perfect opportunity for a fun and educational day out with the kids! Residents love the quiet, friendly interior of this West Palm Beach neighborhood, while the border along US-1 offers a wide variety of restaurants and fun amenities. Additionally, local schools like Flagler Montessori Pre-School, South Olive Elementary, and St. Juliana Catholic School offer great education opportunities no matter where you live in the area!
Things to Do in Southside
Cheer on your favorite local teams in the WPB Cup and other annual tournaments at WPB Soccer. Play on the Splash Pad or teach your kids to skateboard and rollerblade at Phipps Park & Skate Park. Work up a sweat with a personal coach or sign up for a fitness class at Station2Fitness. Attend monthly art walk weekends, buy from creative vendors, and enjoy live entertainment at Palm Beach art collective The Peach. Try vegan dinner entrees like Parmigiana, NY Pasta, or Barley Risotto at Darbster. Check out the specials of the day or get a Tuna Salad, Roasted Eggplant & Brie, or Roasted Vegetable Sandwich to-go at Aioli. Go for Cuban lunch specials like Bistec de Palomilla, Pollo Asado o Frito, and Lechon Asado con Cebolla at Havana. Or make a reservation at La Sirena—serving Italian dishes like Rigatoni Alla Vodka, Langoustine Alla Griglia, and Scaloppini Sciue Sciue.
Villages of Palm Beach Lakes
- Home Price: $134,900 median purchase price; $1,219 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 50% of West Palm Beach neighborhoods
Villages of Palm Beach Lakes is a large neighborhood in West Palm Beach with plenty of great amenities and affordable real estate among many small canals and lakes. Moving into a home in this neighborhood gives you access to recreation opportunities provided by the Villages of Palm Beach Lakes Property Owners Association, including free access to activities in Stamford Park, Faircloth Park, and Perini Park. This provides a great opportunity for you to get to know your neighbors and for your kids to make new friends at days out at the pools and picnic spaces! And with proximity to fantastic schools like Palm Beach Lakes Community High School and Bear Lakes Middle School, you can rest assured your children will receive a great education!
Things to Do in Villages of Palm Beach Lakes
Tee off for a round of golf on one of two courses, take the kids to the pool, or sign up for a tennis lesson with a membership at Bear Lakes Country Club. Play volleyball, bocce ball, and enjoy the salt water pool at Stamford Park Pool. Explore a variety of local and national shops and restaurants on a leisurely stroll through the shopping mall at Village Commons. Snag spring training tickets for the Houston Astros (MLB) and Washington Nationals (MLB) sessions, or take part in community walks, concerts, and festivals hosted at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Feast on the Milanesa Sandwich, Carnitas Burrito, and Birria Tacos at Tacos Al Carbon. Go Greek with a classic Gyro, Spicy Falafel, or Cousin Platter from Your Greek Cousin. Snack on Fried Cajun Chicken, Fish Filet Sandwich, or a Shrimp Po Boy at Cajun R Us. Or take the family out for a night watching your favorite sports team as you enjoy The Original Duffy’s Cheeseburger, Tsunami Turkey Burger, or the Major League Burger at Duffy’s Sports Grill.
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