Moving from Boston and Massachusetts
Moving from Boston to Palm Beach County
Most Massachusetts buyers start in Palm Beach (if you love Beacon Hill and Back Bay), West Palm Beach (the Seaport), Jupiter Island (Nantucket) or Juno Beach (the Cape). Massachusetts taxes estates above $2 million and adds a 4% surtax on income over $1,107,750; Florida has neither. JetBlue, Delta and American fly nonstop to Logan.
Moving from Boston and Massachusetts
Which Palm Beach County Towns Feel Most Like Boston?
The estate tax is often the deciding factor: Massachusetts taxes estates over $2 million, and that threshold is not indexed to inflation. Here is where the places you love at home show up here.
For a Boston buyer leaving Beacon Hill and Back Bay, start with Palm Beach; leaving the Seaport, West Palm Beach; leaving Nantucket, Jupiter Island; leaving Cape Cod, Juno Beach. To weigh every town at once by water, clubs, downtowns, commute and live prices, see Where to Live in Palm Beach County: The Towns Compared.
| If you are leaving | Start with | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Beacon Hill and Back Bay | Palm Beach | Beacon Hill's brick sidewalks and Back Bay's Newbury Street have their warm-weather counterpart in Palm Beach: a walkable island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops, with Worth Avenue in place of Newbury. |
| The Seaport | West Palm Beach | The Seaport's new towers on the harbor have a match in West Palm Beach, where new buildings line the Intracoastal and downtown keeps adding offices and restaurants. |
| Nantucket | Jupiter Island | Nantucket's preserved land and quiet roads have a mainland-bridged cousin in Jupiter Island: estate homes, conservation land, the Jupiter Island Club and no commercial strip. |
| Cape Cod | Juno Beach | If the Cape means a small beach town and the same walk every morning, Juno Beach is that, with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and sea turtles nesting every summer. |
| Wellesley and Weston | Palm Beach Gardens | Weston's big lots and Wellesley's clubs point to Palm Beach Gardens, where private golf clubs and estate homes sit together inside the gate. |
| Marblehead | North Palm Beach | Marblehead is a harbor town first, and so is North Palm Beach: canal homes with docks, marinas and a village golf club, minutes from the Palm Beach Inlet. |
- No estate taxMassachusetts taxes estates above $2,000,000; Florida does not.
- No 4% surtaxMassachusetts adds 4% on income above $1,107,750 (2026); Florida has no income tax.
- Real winters offAbout 66 degrees in January, on average.
- Logan nonstopJetBlue, Delta and American.
- Boating all yearNo haul-out in October.
Find Your Match: 6 Places to Start
you’ll love Palm Beach
02If you loveThe Seaportyou’ll love West Palm Beach
03If you loveNantucketyou’ll love Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound
04If you loveCape Codyou’ll love Juno Beach
05If you loveWellesley and Westonyou’ll love Palm Beach Gardens
06If you loveMarbleheadyou’ll love North Palm Beach
Where Your Matches Are
Tap a pin to jump to that match. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Client reviews
What Out-of-State Clients Say About Working With Monika
Verbatim reviews from Zillow and Google, from clients who bought, sold or rented here while living somewhere else.
Buying from out of state
We Are Your Eyes and Ears Down Here
Most of our relocation clients start from a distance. Before you fly down, my team and I walk the communities, video the homes, read the documents and the club rules, and send you notes.
When you visit, the days are planned around what is left to decide. After the offer, we line up the inspections and insurance quotes and stay on top of every step to closing, whether you are here or in Boston.
Reviews are verbatim from Zillow and Google; some predate Monika’s move to Douglas Elliman.
“We were buying from out of state and she went to potential homes to video apartments we saw online… we finally decided to move from NY to Florida.”
“Moved from out of state and had constant communication before I arrived for a site visit… She is a great local resource!!”
“We were from out of state and only had 2 days to look at homes. Monika was able to orient us to the area very quickly.”
“We were moving from the Northeast to the Jupiter area and needed knowledgeable help to guide us through the process since we were not on the ground.”
“Monika single-handedly made my move to Florida possible, that is not an exaggeration!!”
“She took the lead and we were able to follow, even from quite a distance away. She made everything smooth and easy.”
“What truly set her apart was the level of care and support she provided while I was out of state.”
“Monika made it very easy for us by being our eyes and ears at the site… without us having to make any trips to the area.”
“I accepted a job in West Palm Beach and had 3 weeks to find an apartment and move down from NY… I can't thank Monika enough.”
“I also really appreciated how well informed she kept me- despite me being out of state during this process.”
“I sold my property in Florida whilst living overseas with Monika's help!!”
Selected verbatim reviews from Zillow and Google, October 2026; some predate Monika’s move to Douglas Elliman. No reviewer was paid. Individual experiences; results vary.
If You Love Beacon Hill and Back Bay, You’ll Love Palm Beach
Beacon Hill's brick sidewalks and Back Bay's Newbury Street have their warm-weather counterpart in Palm Beach: a walkable island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops, with Worth Avenue in place of Newbury.
New: Phipps Ocean Park is being rebuilt with restored dunes, 80,000 native plants, a relocated Little Red Schoolhouse and new beach pavilions (WLRN, November 2025). (WLRN (opens in a new tab), 2025-11-18)
Palm Beach grew from a pioneer settlement on the lake into a resort town in a single generation. The railroad, the hotels and the bridges set the shape of the island, and the Town still guards it today.
Every home for sale in Palm Beach (opens in a new tab) The Palm Beach guide 246 for sale now (live from BeachesMLS; changes through the day)
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
Beacon Hill and Back Bay and Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesSeafood rooms with oysters on the half shell and classic fish dishes for a dinner out.
Long-running French and European dining rooms for anniversaries and long dinners.
Italian dining tucked into a historic shopping street, steps from the boutiques.
Classic American steakhouses with prime steaks and a serious wine list.
Nightlife
2 matchesBars inside landmark hotels, for cocktails and small plates before or after dinner.
Well-known bar-restaurants on a main street, busy with locals and visitors from lunch on.
Coffee
2 matchesPastry cases and espresso bars on a shopping street, busy from breakfast on.
Independent neighborhood cafés for coffee and a quick bite.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesQuiet planted gardens in the middle of town, open for a walk.
Waterside paths for a morning walk or run along the water.
Things to Do
2 matchesGilded Age showplaces, now museums, with period rooms and their founders' collections.
In-season concerts, lectures and performances close to the center of town.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Beacon Hill and Back Bay | Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Beacon Hill Gas-lit brick lanes of 19th-century row houses below the State House. | Royal Park Addition See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic houses on walkable streets within a few blocks of the main shopping street. |
| Newbury Street, Back Bay Apartments above shops and galleries along a brownstone shopping street. | Via Mizner No homes are listed for sale here right now. New listings come up through the year; ask me to watch for one. | Homes above shops and courtyards, set right on the shopping street. |
| Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay Victorian brownstones, many divided into condominiums, along a tree-lined mall. | The Brazilian Court See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Residences inside a historic in-town building, a few steps from shops and dining. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Palm Beach
For the beach lover
Sloan's Curve: Gated oceanfront condominiums on South Ocean Boulevard.
See homes in Sloan's Curve (opens in a new tab) 8 for sale now
Two North Breakers Row: Oceanfront residences on The Breakers grounds.
See homes in Two North Breakers Row (opens in a new tab) 3 for sale now
For walking everywhere
Palm Beach Towers: An in-town condominium on Cocoanut Row, near Royal Poinciana Way.
See homes in Palm Beach Towers (opens in a new tab) 6 for sale now
Royal Park Addition: Houses and apartments on the avenues between Royal Palm Way and Worth Avenue.
See homes in Royal Park Addition (opens in a new tab) 27 for sale now
For ocean-to-lake estates
Primavera Estates: Estate lots on Clarke, Barton and Primavera Avenues, in lake front, middle and ocean sections.
See homes in Primavera Estates (opens in a new tab) 4 for sale now
For life on the lagoon
Ibis Isle: Houses and condominiums on an island in the Lake Worth Lagoon.
See homes in Ibis Isle (opens in a new tab) 7 for sale now
Questions
Questions About Palm Beach If You Love Beacon Hill and Back Bay
Is Palm Beach like Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
Beacon Hill's brick sidewalks and Back Bay's Newbury Street have their warm-weather counterpart in Palm Beach: a walkable island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops, with Worth Avenue in place of Newbury.
Where should I eat in Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
If you love Atlantic Fish Co. in Back Bay, try The Seafood Bar at The Breakers. If you love Mistral in South End, try Café L'Europe. If you love Toscano in Beacon Hill, try Renato's.
What is the nightlife like in Palm Beach compared with Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
If OAK Long Bar + Kitchen in Back Bay (Fairmont Copley Plaza) is your kind of night, try HMF at The Breakers: bars inside landmark hotels, for cocktails and small plates before or after dinner. If Cheers Beacon Hill in Beacon Hill (84 Beacon Street) is your kind of night, try Ta-boó: well-known bar-restaurants on a main street, busy with locals and visitors from lunch on.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Palm Beach compared with Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
Tatte Bakery & Café pairs with Sant Ambroeus Palm Beach. Pavement Coffeehouse pairs with Drift Palm Beach. Boston Public Garden pairs with Pan's Garden. Charles River Esplanade pairs with Lake Drive Park and the Lake Trail.
Which Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
Beacon Hill: look at Royal Park Addition (Historic houses on walkable streets within a few blocks of the main shopping street). Newbury Street, Back Bay: look at Via Mizner (Homes above shops and courtyards, set right on the shopping street). Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay: look at The Brazilian Court (Residences inside a historic in-town building, a few steps from shops and dining). See every one in our Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Palm Beach compared with Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
The vibe: Brick sidewalks, gas lamps and the shops of Newbury Street in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; A walkable island town of Mediterranean Revival buildings and the shops of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. The beaches: Harbor beaches in the city; ocean beaches are a drive north or south in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; Ocean beaches along the island, including Midtown Beach in the middle of town in Palm Beach. On the water: The Charles River Esplanade and sailing on the river in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; The Lake Trail along the Intracoastal on one side, the Atlantic on the other in Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: Private clubs like The Country Club in Brookline in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; Private clubs like the Everglades Club, the Bath and Tennis Club and Palm Beach Country Club in Palm Beach. Evenings out: Dinner on Charles Street, drinks at OAK Long Bar in the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; Dinner around Worth Avenue, drinks at Ta-boó or HMF in The Breakers in Palm Beach. The homes: Brownstones, brick row houses and condominium conversions in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; Postwar co-ops and condominiums, in-town houses and Mediterranean Revival estates in Palm Beach. Getting back to Boston: You are already there; Logan Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes by car in Beacon Hill and Back Bay; About 15 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Boston Logan in Palm Beach.
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If You Love The Seaport, You’ll Love West Palm Beach
The Seaport's new towers on the harbor have a match in West Palm Beach, where new buildings line the Intracoastal and downtown keeps adding offices and restaurants.
New: The Nora District enters its third phase with Nora House, an 11-story building of 117 condos; groundbreaking expected 2027, completion 2029. (WFLX (opens in a new tab), 2026-04-10)
West Palm Beach began as Henry Flagler’s town across the lake from his Palm Beach hotels. The railroad, the boom and the bust, and the arts that came later shaped the neighborhoods buyers look at today.
Every home for sale in West Palm Beach (opens in a new tab) The West Palm Beach guide 1,670 for sale now (live from BeachesMLS; changes through the day)
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
The Seaport and West Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesChef-driven dining rooms a short walk from the water.
Lively Mexican rooms with long tequila lists.
Big steakhouse dinners with prime cuts and a full bar.
Large restaurants near the water with outdoor seating.
Nightlife
3 matchesHotel rooftop bars with water views, cocktails and a crowd at sunset.
Live music outdoors on the waterfront, a short walk from downtown restaurants.
Brewery taprooms in a busy neighborhood for a pint with friends after work.
Coffee
2 matchesBakery cafés with pastries, sandwiches and coffee near the downtown offices.
Local roasters pouring their own beans in their own cafés.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
1 matchA public promenade along the water, steps from the new towers.
Things to Do
1 matchArt museums with contemporary galleries a short walk from the waterfront.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| The Seaport | West Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Seaport District Glass condominium towers along the harbor and Fan Pier. | One Watermark Place See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | A waterfront residential tower with its own marina. |
| Fort Point Brick warehouse lofts by the channel, with studios and galleries. | Northwood Village No homes are listed for sale here right now. New listings come up through the year; ask me to watch for one. | Older buildings, galleries and small shops in a walkable arts district. |
| City Point, South Boston Older houses on grid streets close to the harbor beaches. | El Cid See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic houses on a street grid a block or two from the water. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in West Palm Beach
For something new
The Bristol: A 25-story tower on South Flagler Drive, completed 2019.
See homes in The Bristol (opens in a new tab) 4 for sale now
La Clara: 83 residences on South Flagler, closings from 2023.
See homes in La Clara (opens in a new tab) 3 for sale now
Forté on Flagler: A 25-story tower on South Flagler, with closings since July 2025.
See homes in Forté on Flagler (opens in a new tab) 5 for sale now
For boaters
One Watermark Place: Large residences above a 22-slip marina.
See homes in One Watermark Place (opens in a new tab) 1 for sale now
For old Florida charm
El Cid: A historic district of 1920s and postwar homes along South Flagler Drive.
See homes in El Cid (opens in a new tab) 9 for sale now
Flamingo Park: A 1920s historic district just south of downtown.
See homes in Flamingo Park (opens in a new tab) 9 for sale now
Old Northwood: A 1920s land-boom historic district north of downtown.
See homes in Old Northwood (opens in a new tab) 9 for sale now
For a newer single-family home
Banyan Cay: Single-family homes inside Banyan Cay Resort, on the former President Country Club land.
See homes in Banyan Cay (opens in a new tab) 22 for sale now
New construction
New Construction, Side by Side
| The Seaport | West Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Echelon Seaport | The Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach | Full-service condominium towers on the water with Ritz-Carlton or hotel-style service; the West Palm Beach tower is under construction for 2028. |
Questions
Questions About West Palm Beach If You Love The Seaport
Is West Palm Beach like The Seaport?
The Seaport's new towers on the harbor have a match in West Palm Beach, where new buildings line the Intracoastal and downtown keeps adding offices and restaurants.
Where should I eat in West Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in The Seaport?
If you love Woods Hill Pier 4 in Seaport, try Pistache French Bistro. If you love Lolita Cocina & Tequila Bar in Fort Point, try Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar, West Palm Beach. If you love Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Seaport, try Okeechobee Steakhouse.
What is the nightlife like in West Palm Beach compared with The Seaport?
If Rooftop at The Envoy in Seaport (The Envoy Hotel) is your kind of night, try Spruzzo, the rooftop bar at The Ben: hotel rooftop bars with water views, cocktails and a crowd at sunset. If Leader Bank Pavilion in Seaport (Northern Avenue) is your kind of night, try Clematis by Night: live music outdoors on the waterfront, a short walk from downtown restaurants. If Cisco Brewers Seaport in Seaport is your kind of night, try Steam Horse Brewing: brewery taprooms in a busy neighborhood for a pint with friends after work.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in West Palm Beach compared with The Seaport?
Flour Bakery + Café pairs with Johan's Joe. George Howell Coffee pairs with Pumphouse Coffee Roasters, The Pouratorium. Boston Harborwalk pairs with West Palm Beach Waterfront and Lake Pavilion.
Which West Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like The Seaport?
Seaport District: look at One Watermark Place (A waterfront residential tower with its own marina). Fort Point: look at Northwood Village (Older buildings, galleries and small shops in a walkable arts district). City Point, South Boston: look at El Cid (Historic houses on a street grid a block or two from the water). See every one in our West Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in West Palm Beach like The Seaport?
If Echelon Seaport is on your list, look at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach: Full-service condominium towers on the water with Ritz-Carlton or hotel-style service; the West Palm Beach tower is under construction for 2028. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in West Palm Beach compared with The Seaport?
The vibe: New towers, offices and restaurants on the harbor in The Seaport; New towers on the Intracoastal, offices and restaurants downtown, historic neighborhoods beside it in West Palm Beach. The beaches: Carson Beach and the harbor beaches of South Boston in The Seaport; Ocean beaches across the bridge in Palm Beach, about 10 minutes away in West Palm Beach. On the water: Boston Harbor, the Harborwalk and ferries to the Harbor Islands in The Seaport; The Intracoastal along Flagler Drive, with marinas downtown in West Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: Private and public courses a drive out of the city in The Seaport; Private clubs a short drive away in Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens in West Palm Beach. Evenings out: Rooftop drinks at The Envoy, concerts at Leader Bank Pavilion in The Seaport; Rooftop drinks at Spruzzo, Thursday concerts at Clematis by Night on the waterfront in West Palm Beach. The homes: Condominium towers and converted warehouse lofts in The Seaport; Condominium towers on Flagler Drive and 1920s houses in historic districts in West Palm Beach. Getting back to Boston: You are already there; Logan is about 10 minutes away through the tunnel in The Seaport; About 10 to 15 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Boston Logan in West Palm Beach.
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If You Love Nantucket, You’ll Love Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound
Nantucket's preserved land and quiet roads have a mainland-bridged cousin in Jupiter Island: estate homes, conservation land, the Jupiter Island Club and no commercial strip.
New: A mixed-use project is proposed at 9025 SE Bridge Road in downtown Hobe Sound: about 4,399 sq ft of restaurant and retail space, three apartments and six townhouses (Martin County applications, February 2026). (TreasureCoast.com (opens in a new tab), 2026-02)
Jupiter Island was a Spanish land grant, a pineapple venture and a winter resort before it became a town. The club, the preserves and the beach program that shape it today date from the 1930s to the 1980s.
Every home for sale in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound (opens in a new tab) 18 for sale now (live from BeachesMLS; changes through the day)
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
Nantucket and Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Nightlife
2 matchesCasual, well-known bars where people go to hear live bands.
Local craft breweries where people gather over a pint, with events through the year.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesPublic beaches with lifeguards at the end of a short drive from town.
Conservation land with walking trails near the open ocean.
Things to Do
1 matchProtected, undeveloped barrier beaches with dunes and nesting wildlife.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Nantucket | Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Wauwinet and Squam Large shingled houses set among conservation land at the quiet north end. | Jupiter Island Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Estate homes and preserved land around one private club on a largely residential island. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound
For quiet and privacy
Jupiter Island Club: A 1944 club at the center of a 2.7-square-mile town.
See homes in Jupiter Island Club (opens in a new tab) 13 for sale now
For boaters
Loblolly: In Hobe Sound across the Intracoastal from Jupiter Island: homes on the Intracoastal with a private marina and club.
See homes in Loblolly (opens in a new tab) 6 for sale now
Questions
Questions About Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound If You Love Nantucket
Is Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound like Nantucket?
Nantucket's preserved land and quiet roads have a mainland-bridged cousin in Jupiter Island: estate homes, conservation land, the Jupiter Island Club and no commercial strip.
What is the nightlife like in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound compared with Nantucket?
If The Chicken Box in Nantucket is your kind of night, try Square Grouper Tiki Bar: casual, well-known bars where people go to hear live bands. If Cisco Brewers in Nantucket (5 Bartlett Farm Road) is your kind of night, try Civil Society Brewing: local craft breweries where people gather over a pint, with events through the year.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound compared with Nantucket?
Jetties Beach pairs with Hobe Sound Beach. Sanford Farm pairs with Blowing Rocks Preserve.
Which Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound neighborhoods feel like Nantucket?
Wauwinet and Squam: look at Jupiter Island Club (Estate homes and preserved land around one private club on a largely residential island). See every one in our Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound compared with Nantucket?
The vibe: An island of gray-shingled houses, preserved land and quiet roads in Nantucket; A quiet residential island of estate homes and preserved land, with no shopping district in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound. The beaches: Ocean and harbor beaches; the water is warmest in August in Nantucket; Ocean beaches on the east side, and the rock shoreline at Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound. On the water: Nantucket Harbor, sailing and the ferries to Hyannis in Nantucket; The Intracoastal on the west side with private docks; the Jupiter Inlet just south in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound. Golf and clubs: Private clubs like Sankaty Head and the Nantucket Golf Club in Nantucket; The Jupiter Island Club, with more clubs nearby in Hobe Sound and Jupiter in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound. Evenings out: Live bands at The Chicken Box, a pint at Cisco Brewers in Nantucket; Quiet evenings on the island; live music at Square Grouper on the Jupiter Inlet in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound. The homes: Shingle-style houses, historic houses in town and estates by the water in Nantucket; Estate homes on large lots between the ocean and the Intracoastal in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound. Getting back to Boston: About 1 hour by fast ferry to Hyannis, then about 1.5 hours by car; or a short flight in Nantucket; About 45 to 55 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Boston Logan in Jupiter Island and Hobe Sound.
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If You Love Cape Cod, You’ll Love Juno Beach
If the Cape means a small beach town and the same walk every morning, Juno Beach is that, with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and sea turtles nesting every summer.
New: Refurbishment of the Juno Beach Pier began June 1, 2026, phased to avoid a full closure; work resumed October 5, 2026 after offsite panel construction. (Loggerhead Marinelife Center (opens in a new tab), 2026-09-29)
Juno Beach shares its name with Juno, the 1890s county seat at the head of Lake Worth and the end of the Celestial Railroad. Condominiums along Ocean Drive came later and shape the town today.
Every home for sale in Juno Beach (opens in a new tab) The Juno Beach guide 184 for sale now (live from BeachesMLS; changes through the day)
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
Cape Cod and Juno Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
2 matchesSeafood spots on the main highway with fried seafood and fresh fish.
Busy all-day cafes where locals meet for breakfast.
Nightlife
2 matchesCasual local bars with seafood, cold drinks and live music.
Open-air stages where touring and local bands play on warm nights.
Coffee
2 matchesIndependent coffee shops with a beach-town pace.
Local morning stops for coffee and breakfast.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesPublic ocean beaches for the same walk every morning.
Coastal nature trails through scrub, marsh and shoreline.
Things to Do
1 matchHands-on nature centers about the coast and the animals that live there.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Cape Cod | Juno Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Falmouth Heights Houses and condominiums on a hill facing the beach and the Sound. | Ocean Royale See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Oceanfront living a short walk from the town beach. |
| Craigville Beach, Centerville Beach cottages and condominiums a short walk from the sand. | Juno Ocean Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Oceanfront residences close to a long public beach. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Juno Beach
For the beach lover
Ocean Royale: Oceanfront condominium residences near the Juno Beach Pier.
See homes in Ocean Royale (opens in a new tab) 1 for sale now
Juno Ocean Club: Condominium residences on Ocean Drive in Juno Beach.
See homes in Juno Ocean Club (opens in a new tab) 1 for sale now
For boaters
Juno Isles: 1960s homes on canals in unincorporated Palm Beach County next to Juno Beach, with docks and a boat lift out to the Intracoastal.
See homes in Juno Isles (opens in a new tab) 3 for sale now
Questions
Questions About Juno Beach If You Love Cape Cod
Is Juno Beach like Cape Cod?
If the Cape means a small beach town and the same walk every morning, Juno Beach is that, with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and sea turtles nesting every summer.
Where should I eat in Juno Beach if I love the restaurants in Cape Cod?
If you love Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar in Eastham, try The Fish House. If you love Pain D'Avignon in Hyannis, try Hurricane Cafe.
What is the nightlife like in Juno Beach compared with Cape Cod?
If The Beachcomber in Wellfleet is your kind of night, try Thirsty Turtle Seagrill: casual local bars with seafood, cold drinks and live music. If Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis is your kind of night, try Guanabanas: open-air stages where touring and local bands play on warm nights.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Juno Beach compared with Cape Cod?
Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters pairs with Papa Kwan's. Cape Cod Coffee pairs with Juno Beach Cafe. Cape Cod National Seashore pairs with Juno Beach Park. Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary pairs with Juno Dunes Natural Area.
Which Juno Beach neighborhoods feel like Cape Cod?
Falmouth Heights: look at Ocean Royale (Oceanfront living a short walk from the town beach). Craigville Beach, Centerville: look at Juno Ocean Club (Oceanfront residences close to a long public beach). See every one in our Juno Beach neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Juno Beach compared with Cape Cod?
The vibe: Small beach towns that fill up in summer and quiet down after in Cape Cod; A small beach town along Ocean Drive, busiest in the winter months in Juno Beach. The beaches: Bay and ocean beaches; the water is cold most of the year in Cape Cod; A dune-lined ocean beach with water warm enough to swim most of the year in Juno Beach. On the water: Harbors, ponds and the Cape Cod National Seashore in Cape Cod; The Juno Beach Pier for fishing, with the Intracoastal and Jupiter Inlet minutes away in Juno Beach. Golf and clubs: Public and private courses across the Cape in Cape Cod; Clubs a few minutes inland in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter in Juno Beach. Evenings out: Live music at The Beachcomber above Cahoon Hollow Beach, concerts at the Melody Tent in Cape Cod; Live music at Thirsty Turtle in town and at Guanabanas in Jupiter in Juno Beach. The homes: Cape houses, shingled cottages and summer homes in Cape Cod; Oceanfront condominiums and single-family homes in Juno Beach. Getting back to Boston: About 1.5 to 2.5 hours by car, longer on summer weekends in Cape Cod; About 30 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Boston Logan in Juno Beach.
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If You Love Wellesley and Weston, You’ll Love Palm Beach Gardens
Weston's big lots and Wellesley's clubs point to Palm Beach Gardens, where private golf clubs and estate homes sit together inside the gate.
New: Publix opened May 21, 2026 at Avenir Town Center on Northlake Boulevard. (Publix Corporate Newsroom (opens in a new tab), 2026-05-21)
Palm Beach Gardens was a plan on paper before it was a place. One landowner’s idea of a garden city, and the golf that followed, shaped the neighborhoods buyers choose between today.
Every home for sale in Palm Beach Gardens (opens in a new tab) The Palm Beach Gardens guide 603 for sale now (live from BeachesMLS; changes through the day)
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
Wellesley and Weston and Palm Beach Gardens
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesSeasonal American restaurants that locals keep coming back to.
Steakhouse dinners with prime cuts and seafood.
Lively spots for tacos, shared plates and cocktails.
Casual restaurants with an easy weeknight menu.
Nightlife
2 matchesLocal brewery taprooms a few minutes from home for a pint and a bite.
Close-to-home stages for an evening concert without driving into the city.
Coffee
1 matchLocal bakeries with bread, pastries and coffee.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
1 matchWooded conservation land with marked trails, minutes from the clubs.
Things to Do
2 matchesA big annual sporting event that draws crowds every year.
Open-air shopping centers with restaurants, a cinema and events.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Wellesley and Weston | Palm Beach Gardens | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Weston's south side Large houses on wooded lots of an acre or more along winding roads. | Old Palm Golf Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Large homes in a low-density golf community. |
| Weston Golf Club area Houses around a private golf club near the town center. | Frenchman's Creek See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Homes built around a private golf club. |
| Wellesley Farms Colonials on curving streets near the commuter rail stop. | Evergrene See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Houses on curving streets around lakes and walking paths. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Palm Beach Gardens
For golf and club life
BallenIsles: Three courses and an equity club.
See homes in BallenIsles (opens in a new tab) 28 for sale now
Old Palm: About 300 homes on 650 acres around one private course.
See homes in Old Palm (opens in a new tab) 5 for sale now
Mirasol: Two courses and 23 neighborhoods.
See homes in Mirasol (opens in a new tab) 10 for sale now
For boaters
Frenchman's Creek: Deep-water lots, 36 holes and a beach club.
See homes in Frenchman's Creek (opens in a new tab) 17 for sale now
For golf without a required membership
PGA National: Four championship courses plus a par-3, thousands of homes, with club membership optional.
See homes in PGA National (opens in a new tab) 102 for sale now
For no club at all
Evergrene: Homes around Lake Dorothy, with no club equity.
See homes in Evergrene (opens in a new tab) 22 for sale now
New construction
New Construction, Side by Side
| Wellesley and Weston | Palm Beach Gardens | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| The Albion | The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens | New condominium buildings with one-level living close to shops and dining. |
Questions
Questions About Palm Beach Gardens If You Love Wellesley and Weston
Is Palm Beach Gardens like Wellesley and Weston?
Weston's big lots and Wellesley's clubs point to Palm Beach Gardens, where private golf clubs and estate homes sit together inside the gate.
Where should I eat in Palm Beach Gardens if I love the restaurants in Wellesley and Weston?
If you love Juniper in Wellesley, try Coolinary and The Parched Pig. If you love Black & Blue Steak and Crab in Wellesley, try The Butcher's Club at PGA National. If you love Lockheart in Wellesley, try Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar, Palm Beach Gardens.
What is the nightlife like in Palm Beach Gardens compared with Wellesley and Weston?
If Mighty Squirrel Taproom & Kitchen in Waltham is your kind of night, try Twisted Trunk Brewing: local brewery taprooms a few minutes from home for a pint and a bite. If The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) in Natick is your kind of night, try Harbourside Place amphitheater: close-to-home stages for an evening concert without driving into the city.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Palm Beach Gardens compared with Wellesley and Weston?
Which Palm Beach Gardens neighborhoods feel like Wellesley and Weston?
Weston's south side: look at Old Palm Golf Club (Large homes in a low-density golf community). Weston Golf Club area: look at Frenchman's Creek (Homes built around a private golf club). Wellesley Farms: look at Evergrene (Houses on curving streets around lakes and walking paths). See every one in our Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in Palm Beach Gardens like Wellesley and Weston?
If The Albion is on your list, look at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens: New condominium buildings with one-level living close to shops and dining. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in Palm Beach Gardens compared with Wellesley and Weston?
The vibe: Leafy suburbs of big lots, town centers and private clubs in Wellesley and Weston; A planned city of gated club communities, with shopping on PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. The beaches: A drive to the North Shore or the South Shore in summer in Wellesley and Weston; Juno Beach and Singer Island about 10 to 15 minutes away in Palm Beach Gardens. On the water: Lake Waban, the Charles River and town ponds in Wellesley and Weston; The Intracoastal on the city's east side, with marinas off PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. Golf and clubs: Private clubs like Wellesley Country Club and Weston Golf Club, April to October in Wellesley and Weston; Clubs like PGA National, BallenIsles and Old Palm, played all year in Palm Beach Gardens. Evenings out: Dinner in Wellesley Square, a pint at Mighty Squirrel in Waltham in Wellesley and Weston; Dinner on PGA Boulevard, a pint at Twisted Trunk Brewing in Palm Beach Gardens. The homes: Colonials and estates on big lots in Wellesley and Weston; Club homes and custom estates inside gated communities in Palm Beach Gardens. Getting back to Boston: About 25 to 40 minutes into the city by car or commuter rail in Wellesley and Weston; About 20 to 25 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Boston Logan in Palm Beach Gardens.
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If You Love Marblehead, You’ll Love North Palm Beach
Marblehead is a harbor town first, and so is North Palm Beach: canal homes with docks, marinas and a village golf club, minutes from the Palm Beach Inlet.
New: Village Place, the proposed redevelopment of the old Twin City Mall site at US-1 and Northlake Boulevard (hotel, residences, retail, civic space), is on hold pending the developer's lawsuit with the village over building heights. (Stet News (opens in a new tab), 2026-08-24)
North Palm Beach is a planned village of the 1950s, laid out on land that changed hands several times before it was dredged into canals. The golf course, the waterfront and the postwar plan still shape its neighborhoods today.
Every home for sale in North Palm Beach (opens in a new tab) The North Palm Beach guide 261 for sale now (live from BeachesMLS; changes through the day)
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
Marblehead and North Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
2 matchesCasual seafood on the water with harbor views.
Waterfront-town fish markets selling the day's catch and prepared seafood.
Nightlife
2 matchesBars on the water with cocktails, seafood and a view of the boats.
Dinner and live music in one evening, without a long drive.
Coffee
1 matchLocal stops for a morning coffee.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesProtected coastal land with trails and birding a few minutes from home.
Small town parks on the water for watching boats come and go.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Marblehead | North Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Marblehead Neck Large houses on a rocky peninsula between the harbor and the ocean. | Lost Tree Village See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Estates on land that runs from the ocean to the Intracoastal, behind a gated entrance. |
| Peach's Point A private point of houses with docks and harbor views. | Seminole Landing See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | A small enclave of waterfront homes behind its own entrance. |
| Front Street, Old Town Historic houses facing the harbor near the yacht clubs and town landing. | Old Port Cove See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Condominiums steps from the boats, with marina slips and water views. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in North Palm Beach
For golf and club life
Lost Tree: Gated homes from ocean to Intracoastal around a private club.
See homes in Lost Tree (opens in a new tab) 17 for sale now
For boaters
Old Port Cove: Condominiums around a marina with slips to 200 feet.
See homes in Old Port Cove (opens in a new tab) 29 for sale now
Harbour Isles: Single-family homes built in the early 2000s.
See homes in Harbour Isles (opens in a new tab) 5 for sale now
For the beach lover
Seminole Landing: Gated homes by the ocean with a private beach.
See homes in Seminole Landing (opens in a new tab) 1 for sale now
Questions
Questions About North Palm Beach If You Love Marblehead
Is North Palm Beach like Marblehead?
Marblehead is a harbor town first, and so is North Palm Beach: canal homes with docks, marinas and a village golf club, minutes from the Palm Beach Inlet.
Where should I eat in North Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in Marblehead?
If you love The Barnacle in Marblehead, try Frigates Waterfront Bar & Grill. If you love Little Harbor Lobster Company in Marblehead, try Cod & Capers Seafood.
What is the nightlife like in North Palm Beach compared with Marblehead?
If The Landing in Marblehead (81 Front Street, on the harbor) is your kind of night, try Frigate's Waterfront Bar & Grill: bars on the water with cocktails, seafood and a view of the boats. If The Beacon Restaurant and Bar in Marblehead (123 Pleasant Street) is your kind of night, try Harbourside Place amphitheater: dinner and live music in one evening, without a long drive.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in North Palm Beach compared with Marblehead?
Shubie's Marketplace pairs with The Daily Grind Coffee. Marblehead Neck Wildlife Sanctuary pairs with John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Crocker Park pairs with Anchorage Park.
Which North Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like Marblehead?
Marblehead Neck: look at Lost Tree Village (Estates on land that runs from the ocean to the Intracoastal, behind a gated entrance). Peach's Point: look at Seminole Landing (A small enclave of waterfront homes behind its own entrance). Front Street, Old Town: look at Old Port Cove (Condominiums steps from the boats, with marina slips and water views). See every one in our North Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in North Palm Beach compared with Marblehead?
The vibe: A historic harbor town of narrow streets and yacht clubs in Marblehead; A canal village of docks and marinas, with a village golf club in North Palm Beach. The beaches: Devereux Beach and small harbor beaches in Marblehead; Ocean beaches minutes away in Juno Beach and at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach. On the water: Marblehead Harbor, with the sailing season in summer in Marblehead; The Intracoastal and the Palm Beach Inlet, with boating all year in North Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: Yacht clubs like the Eastern and the Corinthian, and Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead; The village-owned North Palm Beach Country Club, with private clubs next door in Palm Beach Gardens in North Palm Beach. Evenings out: Dinner at The Landing on the harbor, live music at The Beacon in Marblehead; Drinks on the dock at Frigate's, dinner on the water at the Waterway Cafe in North Palm Beach. The homes: Historic harbor houses and shingled homes by the water in Marblehead; Canal homes with docks and marina condominiums in North Palm Beach. Getting back to Boston: About 40 minutes to an hour into the city by car in Marblehead; About 25 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Boston Logan in North Palm Beach.
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In their words
What People Ask Before Moving from Boston
Questions and worries that come up again and again in forums and news coverage, with our answers. Quotes are from public posts and articles, linked to the source.
Will I miss fall? Is summer as bad as people say?
June to September is hot and wet; October to May is the reward. Locals mark the year by boating, fishing and turtle-nesting seasons instead of leaves.
Does moving actually stop the 4% surtax and the $2M estate tax?
Only with a real change of domicile. Massachusetts treats you as a resident if you keep a home there and spend more than 183 days in the state. Talk to a Massachusetts tax adviser before you move.
Can I still see the Sox in spring?
Red Sox train in Fort Myers (west coast). Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter is the Cardinals and Marlins; visiting teams rotate through.
Is there a Cape-like town with a real main street?
Downtown Stuart, Tequesta and Hobe Sound read most like a New England village; Jupiter Island for the quiet end.
How bad is season?
Thanksgiving to Easter is busier on A1A, Indiantown Rd and PGA Blvd; plan errands and dinner times.
Heard This? Here Is the Fact
“The Red Sox train in Jupiter.”
Red Sox spring training is in Fort Myers. Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter hosts the Cardinals and Marlins. (source (opens in a new tab))
The big question
Is It Worth Moving from Boston to Palm Beach County?
For most Massachusetts buyers who can make Florida their real home, yes, and the estate tax is often the reason: Massachusetts taxes estates above $2,000,000 and Florida has no estate or income tax. Logan is about three hours nonstop; the trade is a higher insurance bill and a hot summer that is also hurricane season.
1,225 tax returns moved from Massachusetts into Palm Beach and Martin counties in the 2022 to 2023 IRS county-to-county migration data, led by Middlesex County (295), Essex County (177) and Suffolk County (171) (IRS SOI migration data (opens in a new tab)).
| What changes | Boston | Palm Beach County |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 5%, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1,107,750 in 2026 | None |
| Estate tax | Estates above $2,000,000; the threshold is not indexed | None. Federal exemption $15,000,000 per person in 2026 |
| Median effective property tax | 1.00%; Middlesex County 1.01% | Palm Beach County 0.82%; Martin County 0.76% |
| Leaving the tax system | Massachusetts can treat you as a resident if you keep a home there and spend more than 183 days in the state, and part of a day counts. | Driver license within 30 days, Declaration of Domicile, homestead by March 1 |
| Home insurance | Usually the smaller bill | Usually the larger bill; wind and flood are priced house by house |
| Flights between the two | Boston Logan, Providence and Hartford | Nonstop from West Palm Beach, about three hours |
| Home prices | Varies by town | Town by town; see the live medians |
Taxes and costs
How Do Massachusetts and Florida Taxes Compare?
Florida has no state income or estate tax. Massachusetts charges 5% on income plus a 4% surtax above $1,107,750 in 2026, and taxes estates above $2,000,000, a threshold that is not indexed to inflation. Massachusetts keeps those taxes until you have truly changed your domicile, so the residency steps below matter.
The estate tax is the number most Massachusetts buyers ask about first. Run your own figures with your CPA.
| Massachusetts | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | 5%, plus a 4% surtax on income above $1,107,750 in 2026 (Mass. DOR (opens in a new tab)) | None |
| Estate tax | Estates above $2,000,000; the threshold is not indexed (Mass. DOR (opens in a new tab)) | None. Federal exemption $15,000,000 per person in 2026 |
| Median effective property tax | 1.00%; Middlesex County 1.01% (Tax Foundation 2026 (opens in a new tab), 2024 data) | Palm Beach County 0.82%; Martin County 0.76% |
| Primary home protections | Residential exemption in cities and towns that adopt it | Homestead exemption on the first $25,000 plus a second, inflation-indexed $25,000 of assessed value; Save Our Homes 3% cap |
Accessed October 2026. General information, not tax advice.
Florida’s constitution bars a state tax on the income of residents (Fla. Const. Art. VII, s.5 (opens in a new tab)). A home you own and live in as of January 1 can carry the homestead exemption: the first $25,000 of assessed value off all taxes and a second $25,000 (indexed to inflation) off non-school taxes on value above $50,000 (s.196.031 (opens in a new tab)). After the first year, Save Our Homes holds the yearly rise in assessed value to 3% or inflation, whichever is lower (s.193.155 (opens in a new tab)). A second home or rental gets no homestead; its non-school assessment increase is capped at 10% a year (s.193.1554 (opens in a new tab)).
On the November 3, 2026 ballot: Amendment 3 (opens in a new tab) would raise the non-school homestead exemption sharply from 2027 and lower the non-homestead cap from 10% to 5%. As passed by the Legislature, people who are not Florida residents on December 31, 2026 would get the current exemption for their first four years of homestead and the larger one from the fifth year, to the extent the U.S. Constitution allows. If it passes, we will update this page; if timing matters to you, talk to your tax advisor before you close.
Published rates as of October 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your result depends on your income and filing; confirm with your CPA.
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Making Florida home
When Does Massachusetts Stop Treating Me as a Resident?
Massachusetts can treat you as a resident if you keep a home there and spend more than 183 days in the state, and part of a day counts (Mass. DOR letter ruling (opens in a new tab)). If you keep the Cape house, the calendar matters. The Florida filings below build the record.
- Close on a home you will live inHomestead turns on owning and living in the home as your permanent residence on January 1.
- Florida driver license within 30 daysFlorida asks new residents to switch their license within 30 days of establishing residency (FLHSMV (opens in a new tab)).
- Insure, title and register your carFlorida insurance from a Florida-licensed agent, then title and registration within 10 days of establishing residency. A vehicle titled in another state needs a VIN verification.
- Register to vote at the new addressOnline, at the tax collector or at a driver license office (Florida Division of Elections (opens in a new tab)). The address should match the homestead.
- File a Declaration of DomicileA sworn statement recorded with the Clerk of the Circuit Court in your county (s.222.17 (opens in a new tab)): Palm Beach County Clerk (opens in a new tab) or Martin County Clerk (opens in a new tab).
- Apply for homestead by March 1With the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser (opens in a new tab) or the Martin County Property Appraiser (opens in a new tab). Miss March 1 and the exemption waits a year.
We coordinate closing dates with your attorney and CPA so the January 1 homestead date and your Massachusetts records line up.
Florida filings show intent but do not by themselves end residency in your current state. That state decides under its own rules, so get advice from a tax professional there before you rely on it.
Getting back
How Do I Get Back to Boston from Palm Beach?
Nonstop flights from West Palm Beach to Boston Logan, Providence and Hartford take about three hours, and the airport is about 30 minutes from Jupiter.
West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) flies nonstop to Boston Logan on JetBlue, Delta and American (seasonal), and to Providence and Hartford (airport nonstop list (opens in a new tab), October 2026).
From Jupiter the airport is about 30 minutes without traffic.
Nonstop from DJT, October 2026
- Boston (BOS): JetBlue, Delta; American (seasonal)
- Providence (PVD): JetBlue; Southwest (seasonal)
- Hartford (BDL): JetBlue
Airlines change routes often; check with the airline before you plan around one.
Before you make an offer
What Should I Know About Insurance and Flood Zones Before I Make an Offer?
Insurance is one of the costs new arrivals most often underestimate, and it turns as much on the house as on the town: roof age and shape, opening protection, elevation and distance to the water all move the premium. We ask for quotes during the inspection period, not after it.
Look up the flood zone for the specific home: FEMA Flood Map Service Center (opens in a new tab), Palm Beach County flood maps (opens in a new tab) (new maps took effect December 20, 2024) or Martin County flood zones (opens in a new tab). A National Flood Insurance Program policy usually starts 30 days after purchase, unless it is bought with the mortgage (FloodSmart (opens in a new tab)).
Citizens Property Insurance is the state’s insurer of last resort. A primary home qualifies only when private offers run more than 20% above Citizens, and Citizens policies now require flood coverage, phased in by home value through January 1, 2027 (s.627.351 (opens in a new tab)).
Ask for these before you commit
- A four-point and a wind mitigation inspection (insurers price the roof, openings and wiring)
- The roof’s age and permit history
- An elevation certificate if the home is in a flood zone
- The seller’s current premium and carrier
- For a condominium: the association’s master policy, reserves and milestone inspection status
Wind-mitigation features earn premium credits by law (s.627.0629 (opens in a new tab)). Homesteaded owners may qualify for a free inspection through My Safe Florida Home (opens in a new tab).
Not insurance advice. Eligibility, coverage and premiums are set by each carrier and by Citizens. Get quotes from a Florida-licensed agent and confirm the flood zone for the specific address.
Renting first
Should I Rent Before I Buy in Palm Beach County?
Many of our buyers rent first: a winter season, or a year, to learn the drive to the beach in March traffic, what August feels like, and which clubhouse they actually want to walk into. Many winter leases run January through April, and furnished homes for the season are often reserved months ahead.
We arrange the rental, and when the right home comes up we are already looking with you. How seasonal and annual rentals work here.
Search what is open now
Every luxury seasonal rental in Palm Beach County, furnished and priced by the month, live from the MLS. By town: Palm Beach · Jupiter · Palm Beach Gardens · Singer Island · West Palm Beach · Juno Beach.
A home can be committed for part of the season and still show as active, so send us your dates and we check each one with the listing agent. Leases of six months or less carry Florida sales tax and the county’s 6% tourist development tax.
Many condominiums and homeowner associations set a minimum lease term and limit how often a home can be leased each year, and some towns restrict short stays. Check the association and town rules for the specific home before you sign.
West Palm Beach averages about 66°F in January and 83°F in July, with about 62 inches of rain a year, most of it May through October (NOAA 1991-2020 normals (opens in a new tab)). Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30 (National Hurricane Center (opens in a new tab)).
How we help
Who Helps With a Move from Boston to Palm Beach County?
My team and I scout first and send you video, notes and documents before you fly. We coordinate with your attorney and CPA on timing, line up insurance quotes and inspections, and stay with you through closing and the homestead filing.
Questions we hear
Moving from Boston: Questions
Where should I live in Palm Beach County if I'm moving from Boston?
Most Massachusetts buyers start in Palm Beach (if you love Beacon Hill and Back Bay), West Palm Beach (the Seaport), Jupiter Island (Nantucket) or Juno Beach (the Cape). Massachusetts taxes estates above $2 million and adds a 4% surtax on income over $1,107,750; Florida has neither. JetBlue, Delta and American fly nonstop to Logan.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Beacon Hill and Back Bay?
Palm Beach. Beacon Hill’s brick sidewalks and Back Bay’s Newbury Street have their warm-weather counterpart in Palm Beach: a walkable island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops, with Worth Avenue in place of Newbury.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like The Seaport?
West Palm Beach. The Seaport’s new towers on the harbor have a match in West Palm Beach, where new buildings line the Intracoastal and downtown keeps adding offices and restaurants.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Nantucket?
Jupiter Island. Nantucket’s preserved land and quiet roads have a mainland-bridged cousin in Jupiter Island: estate homes, conservation land, the Jupiter Island Club and no commercial strip.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Cape Cod?
Juno Beach. If the Cape means a small beach town and the same walk every morning, Juno Beach is that, with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and sea turtles nesting every summer.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Wellesley and Weston?
Palm Beach Gardens. Weston’s big lots and Wellesley’s clubs point to Palm Beach Gardens, where private golf clubs and estate homes sit together inside the gate.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Marblehead?
North Palm Beach. Marblehead is a harbor town first, and so is North Palm Beach: canal homes with docks, marinas and a village golf club, minutes from the Palm Beach Inlet.
Does Florida have an estate tax?
No. Massachusetts taxes estates above $2,000,000, a threshold that is not indexed to inflation. Florida has no estate or inheritance tax.
Can I fly nonstop to Boston?
Yes. JetBlue and Delta fly nonstop from West Palm Beach to Logan, with seasonal American service.
Can I keep my house on the Cape?
Yes, but Massachusetts can treat you as a resident if you keep a home there and spend more than 183 days in the state. Plan the calendar with your CPA.
How do I establish Florida residency if I'm leaving Boston?
Get a Florida driver license within 30 days, insure, title and register your car, register to vote at your new address, record a Declaration of Domicile with the county clerk, and file for homestead by March 1.
When is hurricane season, and how does it affect insurance?
June 1 to November 30. Insurers price wind risk by the house: roof age, opening protection and elevation. Ask for quotes and a wind mitigation inspection during the inspection period.
Is it worth moving from Boston to Palm Beach County?
For most Massachusetts buyers who can make Florida their real home, yes, and the estate tax is often the reason: Massachusetts taxes estates above $2,000,000 and Florida has no estate or income tax. Logan is about three hours nonstop; the trade is a higher insurance bill and a hot summer that is also hurricane season.
How many people move from Boston to Palm Beach County?
1,225 tax returns moved from Massachusetts into Palm Beach and Martin counties in the 2022 to 2023 IRS migration data, most of them from Middlesex, Essex and Suffolk counties.
Is Palm Beach County cheaper than Boston?
On taxes, yes for most buyers: no income or estate tax, where Massachusetts charges 5% plus a 4% surtax at the top and taxes estates above $2,000,000. Home insurance usually costs more here, and home prices vary widely by town; the towns compared shows each town's live median.
How long is the flight from Boston to Palm Beach?
About three hours nonstop from the airport in West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) to Boston Logan, Providence and Hartford.
Do I need a car in Palm Beach County?
For most errands, yes. Downtown West Palm Beach and Palm Beach are walkable, and Brightline runs from West Palm Beach to Miami and Orlando, but most of the towns buyers choose here are built around driving.
Who helps people relocating from Boston to Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens?
Monika Phillips of Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Jupiter, licensed in Florida since 2009, works with buyers moving from Boston, the North Shore, the MetroWest suburbs, Cape Cod and Nantucket: community scouting and video before you fly down, then tours when you visit.
Moving from somewhere else?
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Your move, handled
Start Your Move from Boston
Tell us the places you love at home and how you want to live here. We will send a short list of towns and communities to start from.
Monika Phillips, Sales Associate, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Resources
Resources and Sources
Every outside link we used to build this guide, plus the official sites you will need once you get here. Links open in a new tab.
Settling in: official Florida links
License, voting, homestead, schools and getting around.
- Florida driver license and tag for new residents (FLHSMV) (opens in a new tab)
- Register to vote in Florida (opens in a new tab)
- Homestead exemption, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser (opens in a new tab)
- Homestead exemption, Martin County Property Appraiser (opens in a new tab)
- Declaration of domicile, Palm Beach County Clerk (opens in a new tab)
- Recording, Martin County Clerk (opens in a new tab)
- School District of Palm Beach County (opens in a new tab)
- Martin County School District (opens in a new tab)
- FPL, electric service (opens in a new tab)
- Palm Beach International (DJT) nonstop routes (opens in a new tab)
- Brightline, train to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando (opens in a new tab)
Insurance, flood and storms
Check these before you make an offer.
- Citizens Property Insurance (opens in a new tab)
- My Safe Florida Home (inspections and hardening grants) (opens in a new tab)
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center (opens in a new tab)
- FloodSmart, the National Flood Insurance Program (opens in a new tab)
- Palm Beach County flood maps (opens in a new tab)
- Martin County flood zones (opens in a new tab)
- Palm Beach County Emergency Management (opens in a new tab)
- National Hurricane Center, climatology (opens in a new tab)
Taxes and residency: Boston and Florida
The laws and rate tables behind the numbers on this page.
- Mass. DOR, tax rates (opens in a new tab)
- Mass. DOR, estate tax FAQ (opens in a new tab)
- Mass. DOR, residency letter ruling (opens in a new tab)
- Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Constitution, Art. VII (opens in a new tab)
- Fla. Stat. s.196.031, homestead exemption (opens in a new tab)
- Fla. Stat. s.193.155, Save Our Homes and portability (opens in a new tab)
- Fla. Stat. s.193.1554, non-homestead cap (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Division of Elections, Amendment 3 (HJR 1F) (opens in a new tab)
- Fla. Stat. s.222.17, declaration of domicile (opens in a new tab)
- Fla. Stat. s.627.351, Citizens eligibility and flood requirement (opens in a new tab)
- FloodSmart (NFIP), policy terms (opens in a new tab)
- NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals, West Palm Beach (opens in a new tab)
News and data cited on this page
Reporting and public data behind the stories and "New" notes above.
- WLRN: Phipps Ocean Park is being rebuilt with restored dunes, 80,000 native plants, a relocated Little Red… (opens in a new tab)
- WFLX: The Nora District enters its third phase with Nora House, an 11-story building of 117 condos;… (opens in a new tab)
- TreasureCoast.com: A mixed-use project is proposed at 9025 SE Bridge Road in downtown Hobe Sound: about 4,399 sq ft of… (opens in a new tab)
- Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Refurbishment of the Juno Beach Pier began June 1, 2026, phased to avoid a full closure; work resumed… (opens in a new tab)
- Publix Corporate Newsroom: Publix opened May 21, 2026 at Avenir Town Center on Northlake Boulevard (opens in a new tab)
- Stet News: Village Place, the proposed redevelopment of the old Twin City Mall site at US-1 and Northlake Boulevard… (opens in a new tab)
- Sports Illustrated: Every MLB team that holds spring training in Florida (opens in a new tab)
Tax, residency, insurance and legal information on this page is general, current as of October 2026, and is not tax, legal, insurance or financial advice. Laws and rates change. Before acting, confirm with a licensed CPA, an attorney licensed in Florida and in your current state, and a Florida-licensed insurance agent. Links to outside sites are for convenience; we do not control or endorse them. Restaurant, club and brand names belong to their owners and imply no affiliation. Listing counts are live from BeachesMLS, change throughout the day, include only listings available for internet display, and are deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All material presented herein is intended for information purposes only. While this information is believed to be correct; it is represented subject to errors, omission, changes, or withdrawal without notice. All property information, including, but not limited to square footage, room count, number of bedrooms and the school district in property listings are deemed reliable, but should be verified by the Agent’s own attorney, architect, or zoning expert. Monika Phillips, Sales Associate, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 400 South US Highway 1, Suite C1, Jupiter, FL 33477. © 2026 Douglas Elliman Real Estate. All material presented herein is intended for information purposes only. While this information is believed to be correct, it is represented subject to errors, omissions, changes or withdrawal without notice. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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