In West Palm Beach, we enjoy over 230 days of sunshine a year. If you’re considering a move to our slice of paradise, we are here to make sure you find a perfect fit–whether you are joining us for a season or moving here for good.
A move to paradise should be a dream come true, not a logistical nightmare. And even though our sunshine is often reason enough to move, we know that you have questions.
Think of us as your local guide, ready to help you check all the right boxes before you commit to a new community – which is why we have created this handy guide to help make your move seamless.
When you are considering a big move and joining a private club, the first question you may be wondering is: buy first, or join first?
Should I Buy First or Join a Club First?
There is no right or wrong answer, just the answer that is best for your lifestyle.
Consider buying first if:
- You want certainty about your location. Buying a home first ensures you are in your preferred neighborhood and close to the things that matter to you, whether that's shops, restaurants, school districts, or medical facilities.
- You want a clear financial picture before adding a club membership. You may want to know how much all the things that go along with buying a house will affect your finances, from your mortgage, HOA fees, property taxes, and maintenance
- You want to feel the paces of life in Florida first. Live in your home while you assess how often you go out to eat, use fitness facilities, golf, or travel.
Consider joining a club first if:
- You want to build community right away. You get to meet other members, join events, and talk to people who already live in the area, and determine the best location for you.
- You want to experience club life before investing in a home. Maybe you know that golf will be a large part of your Florida experience. Joining first will allow you to experience the golf culture, pace of play, amenities, and the staff and service style firsthand before purchasing.
- You are unsure about where to buy. Joining a club will allow you to take your time exploring the benefits of each area.
In short, buying first is a great option if you are familiar with the area and you know where you want to set down roots. If you decide to join first, you will have the flexibility to “test-drive” different communities and determine which is best for you.
Where Should I Live?
There are a couple of important questions to consider when you are deciding where to live:
- Do you prefer an HOA-managed gated community? Gated communities are very popular throughout South Florida, but they aren’t for everyone.
- HOA-managed gated communities have enhanced security with controlled access, well-maintained homes and landscapes, quiet streets and few outside visitors. However, they also have monthly or quarterly HOA dues, regulations on pets, parking, and landscaping, and less flexibility for sub-rental options.
- If privacy, safety, and amenities are a priority for you, a gated community may be a great choice. If you prefer fewer rules and more independence, a non-gated community will be the better choice.
- Are you going to live here seasonally or full-time? Whether you decide to live here seasonally or full-time, West Palm Beach offers you some great options.
- Seasonal living gives you flexibility to maintain connections elsewhere, and a chance to escape winter and enjoy peak South Florida weather. But you’ll need to plan for property care while you are away, and travel costs can add up.
- Full-time residency makes it easier to establish Florida residency and tax benefits, and you won’t need to maintain multiple homes and travel logistics. But you’ll experience the totality of the Florida weather, and you may have higher utility bills in the warmer, summer months.
All of these considerations have their own benefits, and luckily, within 15 minutes of The Preserve, we have options for each lifestyle:
- Ironhorse – A beautiful, gated community with water and preserve views, right in West Palm Beach. Houses range from $700,000 up to $1.5M.
- Alton – A modern, master-planned community in Palm Beach Gardens with walkable streets, vibrant town center amenities, and resort-style living. Features shops, restaurants, and The Club at Alton with pools, fitness, and social events. Houses range from $400,000 to over $1M.
- Abacoa – A charming, pedestrian-friendly community in Jupiter built on New Urbanism principles. Features Downtown Abacoa with dining, entertainment, Roger Dean Stadium, top-rated schools, and parks. Houses range from mid-$600Ks with options across 17+ diverse neighborhoods.
- Singer Island – A beautiful barrier island offering relaxed beachfront living just minutes from West Palm Beach. Seven miles of pristine beaches, boating at Sailfish Marina, and oceanfront views. Primarily luxury condos and high-rise properties ranging from $500,000 to several million.
- Avenir – An innovative, upscale master-planned community in western Palm Beach Gardens spanning 4,752 acres. Features Panther National Golf, resort-style clubhouses, preserves, and planned town center. New construction homes range from $600,000 to luxury estates over $2M.
What Should I Expect When Moving to Florida?
From our perspective, we think Florida is pretty great! Between our flexible play, an active social scene, and plenty of sunshine, our members enjoy a lifestyle that is relaxed and welcoming.
And we hope that becoming a resident of Florida is just as relaxed and welcoming. After just six months and one day (181 days) of living in the state, you can establish residency.
Step 1 – Establish Florida Domicile
- Get a Florida Driver’s License
- Register your vehicle in Florida
- File a Declaration of Domicile (not required but encouraged)
- Apply for the Homestead Exemption (if you own a Florida home)
- Register to Vote
- Update your legal and financial documents (bank accounts, mailing address, Social Security Records, etc.)
Step 2 – Cut ties with your old state
- Stop claiming homestead or property tax credits in your old state (most states don’t allow two claims)
- Move your primary care doctor, dentist, accountant, and services to a Florida provider
- Move your important possessions to Florida (car, boat, pets, and other items of sentimental value)
- Change your mailing address on bills, insurance, and bank accounts
Step 3 – Track Your Time
If your 181 days aren’t consecutive, that’s no problem! Keep simple records of your time, whether it is toll records, airplane tickets, or in-state receipts.
What About The Club?
Want to play a round of golf in the afternoon and enjoy dinner downtown afterward? No problem. We’re located near the Beeline Highway, which can get you wherever you need to go.
At The Preserve, we don’t sacrifice peace and beauty. We are uniquely located beside the 20,000-acre Grassy Waters Preserve, so our members enjoy nature, quiet, and wildlife views without the traffic noise you might expect.
Members can simply show up, enjoy the beauty, and play a round. Making us an excellent choice for the casual golfer and the seasoned vet who wants flexibility.
The Final Pre-Move Checklist
There are many factors to consider before making a move, and we hope to be a valuable resource. Here are a few questions to help you guide your decision:
- Are you planning to live in Florida full-time or seasonally?
- Are golf and a social community priorities?
- Are you planning to purchase it in the next 6 months?
- Do you need time to explore different areas and neighborhoods?
We hope this guide makes your move a little easier. Our team can help you navigate this transition a little bit easier. We’d love to have you stop by, take a tour, and talk through neighborhoods, lifestyle, and membership options, and we would love to share some local insights.
We look forward to meeting you, and we hope to talk soon!