{"id":19537,"date":"2013-11-01T03:47:04","date_gmt":"2013-11-01T10:47:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/?p=19537"},"modified":"2013-11-01T03:47:04","modified_gmt":"2013-11-01T10:47:04","slug":"move-to-west-palm-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/move-to-west-palm-beach\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Things You Need to Know About West Palm Beach Before You Move There"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. West Palm Beach Is a Big Little City<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Alex Chihak<\/p><\/div>
\nThe population of West Palm Beach<\/a> is just over 100,000\u2014less than places like Green Bay, Waco<\/a>, and Temecula<\/a>. But between here and Miami<\/a> there are five million people, and the amenities catering to the wealthy on Palm Beach Island mean the living feels more civilized than it does in (I\u2019m guessing now) Broken Arrow, OK.<\/p>\n

2. You\u2019ll Start the Summer Early at SunFest<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: SunFest FB page<\/p><\/div>
\nThe largest waterfront music and arts festival in Florida takes place downtown every May. The lineup is eclectic\u2014Who do you want to see; MGMT, the B-52s, or Snoop (insert species)?\u2014and the vibe family friendly. It\u2019s also your last best chance to spend five days in the South Florida sun; wait until June, and you\u2019ll literally burst into flames. (Figuratively.)<\/p>\n

3. You\u2019ll Keep Halloween Going Late at Moonfest<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user Dawn Ashley<\/p><\/div>
\nSunFest\u2019s evil, grownup cousin, Moonfest takes over downtown on a Saturday near Halloween. Costumes range from the thrown-together to the over-the-top, and the skin level ranges from \u201cAmish Mafia\u201d to \u201cdowntown South Florida Halloween party\u201d (use your imagination).<\/p>\n

4. Happy Hour Gets Classy in Palm Beach<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.taboorestaurant.com<\/p><\/div>
\nPalm Beach<\/a> is West Palm\u2019s well-heeled sister across the Intracoastal Waterway. While you probably won\u2019t get invited to many galas, you can try on a little fanciness in the post-work hours. Palm Beach spots like Ta-boo and Charley\u2019s Crab have happy hours where you can get a bite and a drink that will have you feeling wealthy until you pick up your Dodge Neon from the valet.<\/p>\n

5. The Town So Nice They Copied Its Name a Half Dozen or So Times<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Tumblr user user ovtlvw<\/p><\/div>
\nWest Palm Beach is west of Palm Beach, south of Palm Beach Gardens<\/a> and North Palm Beach, southwest of Palm Beach Shores<\/a>, and east of Royal Palm Beach<\/a>. This group of cities and the vicinity is known as\u2014wait for it\u2014\u201cthe Palm Beaches.\u201d They are located in Palm Beach County. It\u2019s a beach to keep straight. (Sorry.)<\/p>\n

6. PBI is 90 Percent Awesome, Five Percent Frustrating, 5 Percent Adorable<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.pbia.org<\/p><\/div>
\nPalm Beach International Airport could probably put the third part of its name in quotation marks\u2014if you\u2019re flying overseas, you\u2019ll more than likely need to drive to Fort Lauderdale<\/a> or Miami. But if you\u2019re flying somewhere closer, it\u2019s great. Its small size and simple layout means never fretting that you\u2019ll miss a flight.<\/p>\n

7. Feel like Scarface at Havana<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user Jeff Houck<\/p><\/div>
\nHavana has some of the best Cuban food in the area, but that\u2019s only part of the charm. The darkened, old-school classy dining room will make you feel like the world is yours. To double your South Florida anti-hero fun, order the medianoche\u2014Dexter\u2019s favorite.<\/p>\n

8. JFK Had a Nuke-Proof Bunker on a Man-Made Island<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user Visit Florida<\/p><\/div>
\nWhat is buried deep in the heart of Peanut Island, a tiny island now used mostly as a gathering spot for carousing boaters? If you guessed \u201cpresidential fallout shelter,\u201d you read the headline (cheater). The structure is now open for tours, and you can get there from the Riviera Beach Marina on Captain Joe\u2019s Water Taxi.<\/p>\n

9. The Gulf Stream Is Your Climate Control<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.podaac.jpl.nasa.gov<\/p><\/div>
\nOn its way from the Gulf of Mexico, this underwater river of warm water makes its nearest approach to land off the coast of Palm Beach. That warm water contributes to the lovely winters that have attracted generations of retired folk.<\/p>\n

10. Scuba Diving Is Great for the Adventurous and Lazy<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flicker no shoes<\/p><\/div>
\nWhen you scuba dive here, you don\u2019t swim\u2014you ride the Gulf Stream. It\u2019s called drift diving, and ideally all you do is (a) breath and (b) remain as still as possible. As you float by, you\u2019ll see turtles, sharks, and various other things from Disney movies. After you\u2019re done drifting, a boat will pick up, and the tyranny of controlling your body begins anew.<\/p>\n

var googletag = googletag || {};
\ngoogletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
\n(function() {
\nvar gads = document.createElement(‘script’);
\ngads.async = true;
\ngads.type = ‘text\/javascript’;
\nvar useSSL = ‘https:’ == document.location.protocol;
\ngads.src = (useSSL ? ‘https:’ : ‘http:’) +
\n\/\/www.googletagservices.com\/tag\/js\/gpt.js’;
\nvar node = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
\nnode.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
\n})();<\/p>\n

googletag.cmd.push(function() {
\ngoogletag.defineSlot(‘\/1014900\/M_Blog_300x250_Inline’, [300, 250], ‘div-gpt-ad-1425403311834-0’).addService(googletag.pubads());
\ngoogletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
\ngoogletag.enableServices();
\n});<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n
\n

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1425403311834-0’); });<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

11. Clematis Street Is Where You\u2019ll Party<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Waterpoint Realty<\/p><\/div>
\nThe four blocks of Clematis Street are lined with bars and restaurants like Rocco\u2019s Tacos, Grease Burger Bar, and World of Beer. It culminates in the City Commons, a waterfront area that features docks, an amphitheater, and a fountain that wild children run through screaming. Every Thursday is Clematis by Night, a concert series in the park.<\/p>\n

12. The Boat Show Is for Gawking at the Super Rich<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Alex Chihak<\/p><\/div>
\nThe Palm Beach International Boat Show will make you feel poor in new and delightful ways. You will see boats so exquisitely designed that you will weep; and those boats will be the lifeboats for bigger, even-fancier boats.<\/p>\n

13. Eat at the Restaurant of a Three-Michelin-Star Winner<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user thepurplepassport<\/p><\/div>
\nDaniel Boulud won three Michelin stars at one of his restaurants. He has a restaurant in Palm Beach. (Note the subtle distinction I just made.) Caf\u00e9 Boulud features a rotating seasonal menu, and for 20 bucks you can get a three-course prix fixe lunch there.<\/p>\n

14. Spring Is for Baseball<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user wallyg<\/p><\/div>
\nSpring is when all baseball fans can be hopeful and the scores don\u2019t matter. You can experience this unique blend of optimism and pointlessness just up the road in Jupiter<\/a> at Roger Dean Stadium. Two pro teams do their training there, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins.<\/p>\n

15. The Palm Beach Zoo Is the Cutest Zoo of Them All<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Palm Beach Zoo<\/p><\/div>
\nThe Palm Beach Zoo is small, yes, but it\u2019s a great place to catch a glimpse of wild local\u2014 river otters, Florida panthers, gators\u2014and more exotic species, such as tigers, jaguars, and a whole lotta monkeys. The lush tropical canopy ensures you\u2019re cool and shaded throughout your visit.<\/p>\n

16. Bike Through the Backyards of the Rich<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.palmbeachbiketour.com<\/p><\/div>
\nThe Lake Trail runs along the Intracoastal Waterway on Palm Beach Island, ending in a pier at the inlet. Along the way you\u2019ll get up-close views of multimillion dollar homes and historic buildings like Sea Gull Cottage, a home of Palm Beach founder Henry Flagler.<\/p>\n

17. Every Other Thing Here Is Named \u201cFlagler\u201d<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.flaglermuseum.us<\/p><\/div>
\nHenry Flagler built a railroad to the Keys, founded Palm Beach, and basically came up with the idea of humans living in South Florida. The Flagler Museum is housed in Whitehall, one of his Palm Beach mansions, and it celebrates the life and exploits of this 19th-century baron.<\/p>\n

18. See a Show at the Kravis Center<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.kravis.org<\/p><\/div>
\nThe performing arts center has four venues and puts on a variety of plays, concerts, and other shows throughout the year. It is home to the Miami City Ballet, the Palm Beach Opera, and the Palm Beach Pops.<\/p>\n

19. Check Out Art After Dark at the Norton Museum<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.visitwpb.com<\/p><\/div>
\nOn Thursday, the Norton Museum of Art purees the worlds of art, film, and music into a rich, flavorful, and nourishing cultural stew. You can check out of their permanent collection and rotating exhibits while listening to indie bands or snacking from food carts.<\/p>\n

20. CityPlace Is the Friday Night Spot for the Indecisive<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user Tzvetan Chaliavski<\/p><\/div>
\nIf it\u2019s the weekend and all you know is that you want to go \u201cout,\u201d head to CityPlace. This outdoor complex has shopping at Anthropologie, Bang & Olufsen, and places with less-silly names; dining at Brewzzi, City Cellar, Mellow Mushroom; and a Muvico movie theater and an Improv. It also hosts various events throughout the year, like an arts festival and a holiday celebration featuring real (fake) snow.<\/p>\n

var googletag = googletag || {};
\ngoogletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
\n(function() {
\nvar gads = document.createElement(‘script’);
\ngads.async = true;
\ngads.type = ‘text\/javascript’;
\nvar useSSL = ‘https:’ == document.location.protocol;
\ngads.src = (useSSL ? ‘https:’ : ‘http:’) +
\n\/\/www.googletagservices.com\/tag\/js\/gpt.js’;
\nvar node = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
\nnode.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
\n})();<\/p>\n

googletag.cmd.push(function() {
\ngoogletag.defineSlot(‘\/1014900\/M_Blog_300x250_Inline2’, [300, 250], ‘div-gpt-ad-1425403275176-0’).addService(googletag.pubads());
\ngoogletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
\ngoogletag.enableServices();
\n});<\/p>\n

\n<\/p>\n
\n

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1425403275176-0’); });<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

21. No Rain, No Rainbows<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Alex Chihak<\/p><\/div>
\nIt\u2019s going to rain in the summer\u2014there\u2019s no getting around it. That\u2019s okay, though. The typical pattern is dry morning, wet afternoon, dry evening. Which means you can start your day comfortable and dry, and end it comfortable and dry and (slightly) cooler from the afternoon downpour.<\/p>\n

22. Your Friends and Family Will Visit\u2014for a While<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.viajeromagico.com<\/p><\/div>
\nI\u2019ve got some good (or bad) news: When people find out you live in South Florida, they\u2019ll visit. But there\u2019s some bad (good) news: They\u2019ll leave you. West Palm Beach is a great base for excursions to other Florida hotspots. Miami is an hour and a half away, Key Largo<\/a> is two, Ft. Lauderdale is an hour, and Orlando<\/a> is two and a half.<\/p>\n

23. Sea Turtles Will Be Your Neighbors<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user catsman50<\/p><\/div>
\nFive types of sea turtles swim the waters off the coast, and three types nest on the beaches. For whatever you want to donate, you can go to the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach<\/a> and check out injured turtles on the mend, or schedule a nighttime turtle walk with a guide for the chance to see mama turtles laying eggs, or maybe even\u2014squeal!\u2014sea turtle hatchlings making their way to the ocean.<\/p>\n

24. Jimmy Buffett Fans Aren\u2019t the Only Kind of Parrotheads Around<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user Chuck Jensen<\/p><\/div>
\nGreen-cheeked amazon parrots, natives of Mexico, have made a home at The Breakers resort and can be seen flying over downtown. These guys are better neighbors than many Florida transplants, though\u2014they don\u2019t crowd out or compete with other species.<\/p>\n

25. The Rockefeller Life Is Within Reach\u2014for a Night or Two<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: www.thebreakers.com<\/p><\/div>
\nThe Breakers hotel was founded in 1896 by Henry Flagler and has been visited by every Monopoly-guy stand-in you can think of\u2014Vanderbilt, Astor, J.P. Morgan and more. During the off-season summer months, locals can get a discount.<\/p>\n

26. You Might Run into Vanilla Ice<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user YoTuT<\/p><\/div>
\nRob Van Winkle lives in the suburb of Wellington<\/a>, and like all of us he must occasionally leave the house for food and entertainment and having stripes shaved into his eyebrows. Be on the lookout.<\/p>\n

27. Palm Beach County Is to Golf What Fraggle Rock Is to Fraggles<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user mrnoy9n<\/p><\/div>
\nPalm Beach County has the most golf courses of any county in Florida, the golfingest state in the union. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods live here. For that matter, the PGA lives here\u2014its headquarters is in Palm Beach Gardens.<\/p>\n

28. You Might Get Treated to Tequila and Dancing<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user her royal jilliness<\/p><\/div>
\nRocco\u2019s Tacos has tacos (duh), guacamole made tableside, over 200 types of tequila\u2014and, on the right night, owner Rocco Mangel, who will do his Tequila Dance on the bar and give guests shots of Patron.<\/p>\n

29. Driving Can Be a Test of Wits and Grace<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Alex Chihak<\/p><\/div>
\nIn South Florida you have people of all ages, nations, and creeds, of differing levels of experience and guile, some only here for a season or a week or a day\u2014and all of those people have cars. It\u2019s best to follow Bruce Lee\u2019s advice and \u201cbe like water\u201d on the road. Drive defensively, and be ready to react to your opponent.<\/p>\n

30. There Is a Park Named for Burt Reynolds Nearby<\/h2>\n

\"30

Source: Flickr user glen.h<\/p><\/div>
\nThere is a park named for Burt Reynolds nearby.
\nLike This Post? You\u2019ll Definitely Love These:<\/b><\/p>\n