Highland Beach 55+

Highland Beach 55+ Communities

Looking for Highland Beach 55+ Communities?  Highland Beach is a great choice for individuals looking to retire to an area with a small-town feel without sacrificing the amenities offered in large cities.  This small beach town in South Palm Beach County is comprised of 1.1 square miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal waterway.  Situated just east of Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Highland Beach residents enjoy proximity to a wide range of grocery stores, major hospitals, diverse dining options, nightlife, culture-rich entertainment, and fun outdoor activities.   The population, as of the 2020 census, was 4,295.  According to the city's website, the population grows to 8,500 during the snowbird season (roughly November through April) and around 80% of residents are retired.

Highland Beach offers prime waterfront real estate.  Of the 4,022 residences, 3,635 are condos, 57 are co-ops, and 330 are single-family homes.  The vast majority of single-family homes are multi-million dollar mansions offering picturesque ocean views and expansive floorplans.  Most condo communities include mid to high rise buildings with 10 to 15 stories on average, while there are a few smaller boutique-style buildings scattered throughout this tropical enclave.  These luxury buildings usually offer five-star amenities with impeccably designed lobbies, concierge, oceanfront swimming pools, active clubhouses, and state-of-the-art fitness centers.   Highland Beach Luxury Real Estate Listings are far more common than Highland Beach listings under $500k.   Two of the 80+ condo buildings are Highland Beach 55+ Communities.

Highland Beach Lifestyle

While Highland Beach is primarily zoned for residential use, there is one hotel in town.  With only 115 rooms, The Delray Sands Resort does not disrupt the quiet oasis that this small town affords its residents.  In fact, many locals enjoy dining at the hotel.  Latitudes, Delray Sands seafood restaurant, offers craft cocktails and farm-to-table cuisine in a vibrant atmosphere with panoramic ocean views.

This small residential community offers refuge from the bustling city life that attracts tourists in droves to Palm Beach County.  Residents enjoy a quiet beach lifestyle with easy access to the plethora of amenities offered in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.  Take a 2-mile stroll from the Southern tip of Highland Beach across the Spanish River Bridge to experience Boca Raton's fine dining scene.  Savor the rich flavors of French cuisine at Kathy's Gazebo Cafe or sample old-world recipes from Caserta Italy at La Villetta Ristorante & Lounge.  Boca Raton offers diverse fine dining options, luxury shopping centers, and culture-rich entertainment.  Mizner Park is less than 4 miles from Highland Beach with a shopping mall and an Amphitheater where guests can enjoy opera, ballet, jazz, reggae, and lectures from famous authors, astronauts, and world-renowned scientists.  No matter what piques your interest, you will find it at Mizner Park.

Highland Beach residents are not limited to Boca Raton when looking for a good time near their quiet beach town, Delray Beach offers beautiful parks, great museums, and bustling nightlife.  The Sandoway Discovery Center is less than 2 miles from Highland Beach, offering residents proximity to a wonderful educational experience for the entire family.  The Sandoway features a nature center where visitors can learn all about the natural history of South Florida through fossil digs, sea turtle encounters, and butterfly garden tours.  There are many ways to spend the day immersing yourself in nature near Highland Beach, but there are equal opportunities to take part in the nightlife.  With Delray Beach's famous Atlantic Avenue less than 3 miles away, residents have endless options.  Head over to Death or Glory for a craft cocktail on the covered patio of the historic Falcon House with a fun, quirky, and dog-friendly atmosphere.  Take in some live classic rock at Johnny Brown's, a great option for a burger and a beer paired perfectly with some Old Florida Charm.

History

Highland Beach was home to the Calusa Tribe.  Calusa translates to "fierce people" and they lived up to their name with a dedication to defending their land through strength and ingenuity.  They used shells to fashion weapons and tools that helped them fend off enemies.  In fact, the Calusa resisted a colonization attempt by the Spanish in 1521.  Conquistador Ponce de Leon met his demise in this battle when he was shot by a poisonous dart.  By the late 1700's, the Calusa tribe was overcome by war and epidemics brought over by colonizing Europeans.

Much of this section of Florida's coastline was swampland until Henry Flagler completed the East Coast Railway around the turn of the century. Flagler built resorts along Florida's coastline and homes started popping up despite the severe lack of infrastructure in the area.  Residents got deliveries from the infamous "barefoot mailmen" that would carry mail along the 68-mile stretch between Miami and Palm Beach.  In the early 1900's the Yamato community was built by Japanese immigrants looking to farm in subtropical climates.  Aside from these brave early Florida residents, the population was pretty sparse until the post-war boom from 1945 to 1950.

Highland Beach was incorporated in 1949.  The town got its name because it was further above high tide than neighboring communities.  In 1966, Highland Beach employed one full-time staff member to oversee the town's operations.  Today, there are 49 employees and five elected officials.  The town is governed by a commission and a city manager that carries out daily administrative activities.  While the town contracts with Palm Beach County and neighboring cities for some services, Highland Beach has its own Police Department.  Highland Beach is regarded as one of the safest cities in South Florida.