Your Guide to Living in South Florida
From Boca Raton's upscale charm to Jupiter's natural beauty, South Florida offers a lifestyle that's hard to beat. Curated by Scott Selleck, a dual-licensed NJ and FL real estate advisor who specializes in helping Northeast residents make the move south.
Last updated: June 2026
The NJ-to-FL Move
No state income tax, year-round sunshine, and a lower cost of living in many categories. Here's why so many Northeasterners are making the move to Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
No State Income Tax
Florida has zero state income tax, which can save NJ transplants thousands annually compared to New Jersey's graduated rates up to 10.75%.
Year-Round Sunshine
Over 248 sunny days per year. Average winter temperatures in the mid-70s. No snow shovels, no ice scrapers, no cabin fever.
Homestead Exemption
Florida's $50,000 homestead exemption on primary residences reduces your taxable property value and locks in assessment caps against rising values.
Beach Lifestyle
World-class beaches, outdoor dining, boating, golf, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. The South Florida lifestyle is genuinely different from anything in the Northeast.
Find Your South Florida Neighborhood
Each city in Palm Beach and Broward Counties has its own personality. From Boca Raton's upscale sophistication to Jupiter's outdoor paradise.
Boca Raton
Where luxury meets coastal living
Boca Raton is the crown jewel of southern Palm Beach County, known for its Mediterranean-inspired architecture, world-class resorts, upscale shopping at Mizner Park, and pristine beaches. A top destination for residents and professionals relocating from the Northeast.
Deerfield Beach
Laid-back beach town with small-city energy
Deerfield Beach offers a more relaxed, affordable alternative to its upscale neighbors. The award-winning beach, fishing pier, and growing craft beer and dining scene make it a favorite among first-time buyers and relocating households who want coastal living without the premium price tag.
Boynton Beach
Growing fast, living well
Boynton Beach sits at the intersection of affordability and convenience in Palm Beach County. A rapidly growing city with new developments, excellent fishing and boating access, and a revitalized downtown district. Popular with a wide range of homebuyers.
Pompano Beach
The comeback kid of South Florida
Pompano Beach has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a small fishing village into a vibrant coastal community with a redeveloped beachfront, the Isle Casino, and a growing arts and dining scene. Great value for Broward County.
Jupiter
Natural beauty meets waterfront living
Jupiter is a nature lover's paradise, surrounded by the Loxahatchee River, Jupiter Inlet, and Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Known for its outdoor lifestyle, excellent restaurants, the iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, and a strong sense of community.
Davie
Equestrian heritage meets residential sophistication
Davie is Broward County's unique equestrian-inspired town, known for its western heritage, Flamingo Gardens botanical sanctuary, Tree Tops Park, and spacious neighborhoods. A rare blend of rural character and residential convenience.
Pembroke Pines
Community-focused living in Broward County
Pembroke Pines is a city with master-planned communities, the largest municipally operated charter school system in Florida, C.B. Smith Park, and a strong sense of community. One of Broward County's most popular destinations for relocating residents.
Coral Springs
Master-planned perfection in western Broward
Coral Springs is a meticulously planned community with 49 parks, its own police department, rated schools, and easy access to the Everglades. Known for its well-maintained neighborhoods and community-focused atmosphere.
Plantation
Tree-lined suburban living in the heart of Broward
An established suburban city with over 40 parks, tree-lined streets, strong schools, and a central Broward location near Sawgrass Mills. More affordable than Boca with excellent community infrastructure.
Sunrise
Big-city amenities with suburban comfort
Home to Sawgrass Mills and the Florida Panthers, Sunrise offers major retail, entertainment, and Markham Park's 666 acres of outdoor recreation. One of Broward's most affordable entry points.
Weston
Master-planned living at Broward's western edge
Broward's premier master-planned community with top-rated schools, gated neighborhoods, 245+ acres of parks, and a strong family-oriented culture. Consistently ranked among Florida's best cities.
Margate
Affordable living in central Broward
An affordable, centrally located city with easy I-95 and Turnpike access, a strong sports complex, and improving neighborhoods. Solid value in central Broward County.
Coconut Creek
Planned living with parks and green spaces
A planned city known for its green spaces, the Promenade lifestyle center, and proximity to Seminole Coconut Creek Casino. Balanced living with moderate pricing.
Tamarac
Affordable central Broward with growing appeal
An affordable city known for active adult communities like Kings Point, accessible price points, and a central location. One of Broward's most budget-friendly options.
Lauderdale Lakes
Affordable central Broward living
A small, diverse city with some of the most affordable housing in Broward County, easy I-95 access, and a central location equidistant from Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
Lauderhill
Diverse and growing in central Broward
One of Broward's most multicultural cities with a strong Caribbean community, affordable housing, central location, and growing cultural infrastructure including the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center.
North Lauderdale
Affordable, growing, and family-oriented
A small but growing city with newer developments, family-oriented neighborhoods, and accessible pricing between Tamarac and Coconut Creek.
Oakland Park
Revitalizing between Fort Lauderdale and Pompano
One of Broward's most exciting revitalization stories, with a craft brewery scene on NW 33rd Street, growing dining culture, and affordable pricing near Fort Lauderdale.
Wilton Manors
Walkable, vibrant, and unmistakably unique
Broward's most walkable city with a thriving dining scene on Wilton Drive, strong LGBTQ+ community, mangrove preserves, and genuine character unlike any other South Florida community.
Hallandale Beach
Beaches, racing, and coastal affordability
A coastal city between Fort Lauderdale and Miami with Gulfstream Park, oceanfront parks, and accessible coastal pricing. Good transit access via Tri-Rail and Brightline.
Dania Beach
Small-town beach charm near FLL airport
Broward's oldest city with a fishing pier, 310-acre state park, and strong development momentum. Beach living with small-town character adjacent to FLL airport.
Lighthouse Point
Quiet waterfront luxury north of Deerfield Beach
An affluent waterfront city with canal access, private docks, boating culture, and a quiet, low-key atmosphere. Premium pricing for genuine waterfront living.
Hillsboro Beach
Luxury barrier island on Millionaires' Mile
A narrow 3.2-mile barrier island famous for Millionaires' Mile luxury estates, the historic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, and exclusive oceanfront living.
Sea Ranch Lakes
A tiny, gated barrier island village
One of Florida's most exclusive municipalities — a guard-gated village of ~530 residents with a private beach club, 24-hour security, and barrier island luxury.
Parkland
Master-planned family living near the Everglades
One of Broward's most desirable master-planned communities with consistently top-rated schools, newer construction, gated communities, and family-focused culture.
Southwest Ranches
Equestrian estates and rural character
A unique rural municipality with equestrian properties, 2.5-to-10-acre lots, horse farms, and a genuine country lifestyle unlike anywhere else in Broward County.
Miramar
Large, diverse, and affordable in southern Broward
One of Broward's largest cities with 40+ parks, diverse dining, newer master-planned communities, and pricing below neighboring Pembroke Pines.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Old Florida charm on the coast
A quiet, walkable beach town with low-rise character, snorkeling reefs 100 yards offshore, a rebuilt fishing pier, and genuine Old Florida atmosphere.
Palm Beach Gardens
Golf capital meets resort-style living
Palm Beach Gardens is the home of PGA National Resort and the PGA of America headquarters. Known for world-class golf, luxury country clubs like BallenIsles and Frenchman's Creek, and local schools.
West Palm Beach
The cultural heart of Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach is the county seat and cultural capital, anchored by Clematis Street, the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, and the Norton Museum of Art. Vibrant downtown, distinct neighborhoods, and Brightline high-speed rail access.
Delray Beach
Vibrant arts, beaches, and Atlantic Avenue
Delray Beach is Palm Beach County's vibrant arts and dining hub, known for its award-winning walkable downtown on Atlantic Avenue, thriving galleries, and beautiful beaches. One of the most desirable communities in South Florida.
Royal Palm Beach
Master-planned suburban living
A well-maintained, master-planned suburban village with an extensive park system, family-size homes, and community-oriented atmosphere. More affordable than coastal communities with excellent residential quality.
Wellington
The Winter Equestrian Capital of the World
Known worldwide for the Winter Equestrian Festival, Wellington offers large-lot homes, strong schools, and a unique equestrian lifestyle in western Palm Beach County.
Lake Worth Beach
Artsy, eclectic, and authentically South Florida
An artsy, eclectic beachside community with a historic downtown, vibrant creative culture, and the famous Street Painting Festival. Affordable coastal living with character.
Riviera Beach
Waterfront revitalization meets coastal affordability
A waterfront city with a marina district, Singer Island, and Peanut Island access. Undergoing significant revitalization with more affordable coastal entry points.
Greenacres
Affordable suburban living in central Palm Beach County
One of the most affordable cities in Palm Beach County with a central location, easy I-95 access, and accessible housing options in a suburban setting.
North Palm Beach
Waterfront village living with marina access
A waterfront village known for its marina culture, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, and established residential neighborhoods near Jupiter.
Lantana
Small coastal town with historic character
A small, historic coastal town with Intracoastal access, a quiet residential character, and affordable coastal living near Boynton Beach.
Tequesta
Upscale village where the river meets the Intracoastal
An upscale village where the Loxahatchee River meets the Intracoastal Waterway, offering waterfront properties and genuine small-town charm near Jupiter.
Highland Beach
Exclusive barrier island between Boca and Delray
A narrow barrier island with luxury condos, waterfront estates, and a quiet, exclusively residential atmosphere between Boca Raton and Delray Beach.
Palm Beach
The crown jewel of American luxury living
America's most prestigious barrier island, known for Worth Avenue, historic Gilded Age estates, world-class dining, and the highest property values in Palm Beach County.
Belle Glade
Agricultural heart of Palm Beach County
The agricultural center of Palm Beach County on Lake Okeechobee, known for sugarcane farming, affordable living, and freshwater fishing.
Pahokee
Affordable lakeside living on Lake Okeechobee
A small city on Lake Okeechobee with agricultural heritage, affordable housing, and world-class freshwater fishing on Florida's largest lake.
South Bay
Rural agricultural city near Lake Okeechobee
A small agricultural city at the intersection of US-27 and SR-80, offering some of the most affordable housing in Palm Beach County.
Hypoluxo
Quiet coastal living on the Intracoastal
A tiny, quiet coastal town on the Intracoastal Waterway between Lantana and Manalapan, offering peaceful residential living at accessible prices.
Ocean Ridge
Quiet coastal exclusivity south of Boynton Beach
A small, exclusive residential town on a barrier island with luxury estates, low-density zoning, and no commercial development.
Gulf Stream
Ultra-exclusive estate living on the barrier island
One of the most affluent communities in Palm Beach County, with estate properties, the Gulf Stream Golf Club, and ultra-luxury waterfront living.
Briny Breezes
Affordable beach community on the barrier island
A tiny, affordable beach community with ocean access, a marina, and barrier island living at a fraction of the cost of neighboring towns.
South Palm Beach
Quiet barrier island between Palm Beach and Lantana
A small, quiet barrier island town with residential beachside living, condos, and single-family homes at more accessible prices than Palm Beach.
Palm Springs
Affordable central Palm Beach County living
A village in central Palm Beach County with accessible housing, a mix of condos and homes, and proximity to both coastal amenities and county services.
Lake Clarke Shores
Quiet lakeside village near West Palm Beach
A small, quiet village centered on Lake Clarke with waterfront homes, boat docks, and a peaceful bedroom-community atmosphere near West Palm Beach.
Lake Park
Developing waterfront downtown with character
A small city with a developing downtown arts district and waterfront harbor, undergoing significant revitalization with the Nautilus 220 project.
Mangonia Park
Affordable living with Tri-Rail access
A small city with affordable housing and direct Tri-Rail commuter rail access — the northernmost stop on the system — near West Palm Beach.
Atlantis
Exclusive gated community with golf course living
A fully gated, prestigious municipality with the Atlantis Country Club, championship golf, and a secure, resort-like residential environment.
Westlake
Modern master-planned living
A rapidly growing master-planned city by Minto Communities with modern homes, resort-style amenities, and an emerging Town Center.
Haverhill
Small-town charm near West Palm Beach
A small residential town close to West Palm Beach and the airport, offering quiet living at accessible price points.
Everything You Need to Know Before You Move
FL vs NJ Cost of Living
No state income tax, lower property taxes, but higher insurance. A real breakdown of what your budget looks like in South Florida.
The Moving Process
A step-by-step timeline for relocating from New Jersey to Florida, from planning to settling in.
School Districts
Palm Beach and Broward County schools rated and compared, including magnet programs and charter schools.
Retirement Considerations
55+ communities, healthcare access, estate planning differences, and why South Florida is a popular retirement destination.
Search South Florida Properties
Browse active listings across Palm Beach and Broward Counties. Updated in real time with the latest homes, condos, and waterfront properties on the market.
Start SearchingThinking About the Move to Florida?
I specialize in helping New Jersey residents transition to South Florida. Dual-licensed in both states, I can guide you through the entire process from your first question to closing day.
Planning Your Move to Florida?
Scott Selleck is a dual-licensed NJ and FL real estate advisor with 32+ years of experience helping New Jersey residents make a smooth transition to South Florida. Book a free consultation to discuss your move.