South Florida is one of the nation’s most diverse regions and Boca Raton is a key example of the patchwork of the great state of Florida. People from all walks of life find a home in Boca Raton. If you are considering a move to Boca Raton for your family and a member of your family possesses special needs, please consider the following institutions in town and the surrounding area.
Unicorn Village Academy (Ages 13 to 22)
Serving ages 13 to 22, Unicorn Village Academy provides a complete education for those with special needs in Boca Raton, with a focus on whole-life skills from the scholastic to the professional. It is a stand-out among Boca Raton special needs schools, as it is the sole institution in the city to serve its students beyond the age of 18. Trained faculty provide individual-specific academic instruction to students in tandem with vocational training as students work towards their high school diploma. At the age of 17, students may become eligible to participate in UVA’s post-secondary work program, which encompasses a full year of internship opportunities in partnership with the Boca West Country Club.
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Nothing says summer more than exotic cocktails, sunsets on the beach, and the smell of smoked meats in every backyard. Summer is ultimately one of the reasons so many natives love our state. The closest thing before the Caribbean, South Florida is a nice introduction into the island vibe mentality. With tourism more in the fall/winter season, the roads, beaches, and avenues aren't jam-packed, letting the natives have some time to enjoy. Where summer is--the heat is sure to follow, and as every resident knows, the heat can be absolutely unbearable. The rainy season can rear its ugly season, and within an instant, the rain pours down--only to become sunny again minutes later!
South Florida is indeed a tropical paradise, but not all paradises come without troubles, too. You're grilling out in the backyard during dusk; the smell is lovely, the beer is flowing, and the atmosphere is ideal. Things go as planned and your soiree is an instant success...except for one thing: mosquitoes. Yes, the one thing most of us absolutely detest more than any insect that exists on this earth. South Florida natives know that mosquitoes are absolute killjoys during the summer season, and a lot of natives refuse to go outside because of it. With that being said, not all is completely lost! There is a multitude of ways you can experience the best of the summer season, without being bitten to death! These simple tips will reduce your bites and stay safe.
Eliminate Standing Water
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South Florida may not have the prestigious history of centuries old universities lining the northeast, nor the Pacific Coast technical institutions pacing the ascension of Silicon Valley, but South Florida is an enormous market attracting some of the best minds in the world to our local economy. From Miami to Palm Beach, numerous educational institutions show massive influence growth as their numbers rise and funding pours in. Whether looking to relocate to Boca Raton or as an existing resident, our exhaustive list of Boca Raton Colleges & Universities is here.
Palm Beach County's best-known public university, FAU was founded in 1961 but vaulted to national prominence with the growth of its campus and the ascension of its athletics program to relevance. As of 2018, its enrollment has grown to over 30,000 students representing over 140 countries. The earmark year of 2004 marked FAU's transition into a more traditional university, with an increase in admissions stringency, research funding, and the addition of an on-campus stadium. For a prominent, constantly growing university experience, look no further to...
[ It's always important to do proper research if you are unsure of any fruits and plants you come across. With any of the aforementioned, they are to be eaten at your own risk. Always make sure to thoroughly rinse your fruits or plants before consuming them. ]
The suburban sprawl that is Boca grows every day. Condos are appearing overnight, and it is not stopping from there. Boca Raton is becoming more of a concrete jungle with each, passing day. The construction that litters the sides of major highways is indicative of the large influx of people moving in. With hip college communities nestling next to natural areas--it's hard to imagine how any native wildlife can flourish outside the cemented streets. On the contrary, the floral diversity allows many natives to obtain delicious, edible, and HEALTHY plants to munch on.
You've been on many nature trails here in South Florida and always wondered if those delicious-looking fruits hanging from trees are edible--well, you're about to find out. Here are 4 examples of some tasty, edible, wild treats you can find here in Boca.
Seagrape
Go to any beach here in Boca and you'll most likely find this dotted along A1A. You may have found yourself perusing the fruits this shrub produces and...
In just a few short years, Yoga has gone from a fringe activity that we'd commonly associate with... ahem... new-age types, and is now a facet of everyday life for millions of Americans. Among many things, the Boca Raton community vibe is sustained by people who work hard, play hard, and take care of their bodies. For some, yoga is a way of life. For others, an essential way to break up a busy week. Whatever your reason for coming to Boca Raton, bliss out at one of these 4 (among many) great Boca Raton yoga studios.
UPDATED (01/24/2021): YOGA AT THE BEACH ADDED TO ENTRIES
The Brainchild of founder Paige Held, the yoga joint brand has now expanded to 6 locations, with an additional 2 sets to open this year. The yoga joint is a hot yoga studio featuring their signature vinyasa flow, yin/restore, and high-intensity fit classes focusing on core strength and cardiovascular endurance. all under the purifying infrared lighting that makes so many moments at YJ as photogenic as they are healing.
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Even with the incredible heat outside, our backyards remain a central part of our Boca Raton home. In south Florida, our backyards are often the expression of tropical luxury living, with incredible attention invested into our gazebos, planters, swimming pools, and everything in between. looking to spice up your backyard? check out these 5 suggestions below!
Add in a swinging chair
A swinging chair is such a strong South Florida vibe, with everything from basket chairs to tire swings, hammocks, and recliners adorning our illustrious backyards. Swinging chairs allow you the freedom to enjoy the breeze and colorful flora while taking in a good book or sipping your favorite cocktail.
Build your own glass terrarium or plant an herb wall
Florida is blessed to be home to some of the most incredible plants and animal life found anywhere in the united states. Vines, ferns, and trees grow wild, and quickly - thanks to our subtropical clime. Succulent gardens, large terrariums, or even a high-end biophilic plant design wall are options to add nature's most beautiful gifts into our backyard scene....
The sun is hot and the temperature is rising. If you’re a Boca Raton native, then you’ve probably had your fair share of intense heat. The months of late July and August are no stranger to those conditions. Floridians, by nature, are a resilient bunch—but what about our gardens? The proverbial thorn in the side for any gardener with a green thumb is watching those roses and peonies wilt. There is nothing more demoralizing than seeing your hard work perish.
Luckily, there are an array of different shrubs, flowers, and fauna sure to sustain even in the hottest conditions. Midsummer may be scorching us all right now, but these plants will surprise even the most skeptical gardener.
Gerbera Daisy
You’ve probably seen these cheerful flowers littered in the many Publix’s floral departments. There’s a reason for it, though, and here’s why. These beauties have a lifespan of up to a week or more in a vase. Have you ever wondered why they are a common ‘filler’ in a boutique arrangement? Well, their beauty is a given, but the fact that these daisies can withstand intense conditions is a favorite among most. Trimming away wilted gerberas is recommended—as trimming promotes new buds to grow faster.
Sunflowers
Ah, the most well-known flower next to the rose. These flowers are commonly associated...
It's Cheaper To Rent Than own
In 2006, prior to the real estate collapse 2 years later, home buying peaked and has dwindled ever since. Remaining effects of 2008, the mass migration of young people to major urban centers, and many Baby Boomers aging out of their home are a few examples of why. With a higher demand on rent, rental costs are skyrocketing. In 2015 alone, rental prices nationwide rose 4.6%. When considering the tax implications of a mortgage and nearly comparable prices of rent - why not pay what's often even less to own your Boca Raton home?
You need to make a 20% down payment
You technically don't need to reach this mark, with some mortgages beginning at as low as a 3% down payment. However, 20% is ideal and without that magic number, you may be forced to take out private mortgage insurance. With good enough credit and a history of on-time payments, you may be able to avoid...
If you’re a real estate professional, odds are that you’re pretty good with people. You can empathize, lead small talk to the sale at hand, identify subtle clues on a buyer’s face that can help you isolate problem areas for them during a showing, etc. You could be everything short of a mind-reader and all outside indicators are blinking green: you have a buyer that is ready to buy a new house! Well, apologies for the psychics out there, but everyone is capable of self-deception. Your buyer may be picturing their triumphant move to new digs, but they very well may be seeing their own situation through rose-colored glasses. Putting aside the benefit of the doubt, here are 5 cold hard signs that your buyer leads are ready to purchase a new house.
Good Credit and Financial Solvency
This seems pretty boilerplate, no? Well, it tends to be something that a buyer lead may try to obscure or downplay. Do they have a good credit score? How is their debt to income ratio (DTI)? Bad, but they’ve been making on-time monthly payments on their $25,000 credit-card statement? Your buyer leads may have formulated a plan to pay for their $3500/month principle plus HOA plus property taxes, but this is where a simple accounting course (available at reasonable rates at your local community college) can come in handy when vetting your buyer leads. Verify their employment and banks statements along with the aforementioned DTI to give yourself the clearest picture of your buyer lead’s financial picture and see if this house is made of concrete blocks or cards.
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