Moving from New Jersey
Moving from New Jersey to Palm Beach County
Most New Jersey buyers start in North Palm Beach (if you love Rumson), Juno Beach (Spring Lake and Deal), Palm Beach Gardens (Saddle River and Alpine) or West Palm Beach (Montclair). New Jersey’s median property tax rate is 1.88%, tied with Illinois for the highest in the country; Palm Beach County’s is 0.82%, and Florida has no state income tax. Newark is a nonstop flight away.
Moving from New Jersey
Which Palm Beach County Towns Feel Most Like New Jersey?
Most are trading some of the highest property taxes in the country for none of the winter, and they want the same things they had at home: a river with a yacht club, a quiet shore town, a club down the road. All of that is here.
For a New Jersey buyer leaving Rumson and Fair Haven, start with North Palm Beach; leaving Spring Lake and Deal, Juno Beach; leaving Saddle River and Alpine, Palm Beach Gardens; leaving Montclair, West Palm 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rumson and Fair Haven | North Palm Beach | Rumson's river estates and yacht clubs translate almost one to one to North Palm Beach: homes on deep-water canals, a marina culture, a village golf club and the inlet minutes away. |
| Spring Lake and Deal | Juno Beach | Spring Lake's boardwalk and quiet beach blocks have a counterpart in Juno Beach: a small oceanfront town with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and condominiums along Ocean Drive. |
| Saddle River and Alpine | Palm Beach Gardens | Estate homes sit inside private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness on site. |
| Montclair | West Palm Beach | Montclair's mix of old houses, a real downtown and an arts scene shows up in West Palm Beach's historic districts: 1920s houses on shaded streets, minutes from Clematis Street, the Norton Museum and the Kravis Center. |
| Short Hills and Summit | Jupiter | Jupiter has the things Short Hills is known for, good neighborhoods built around parks and golf, plus the beach about fifteen minutes away and a walkable town center at Abacoa. |
| Far Hills and Peapack | Wellington | Somerset Hills hunt country has a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and polo fields, with the equestrian season running through the coldest months up north. |
- Lower property taxesNew Jersey's median effective rate is 1.88%; Palm Beach County's is 0.82%.
- No state income taxNew Jersey tops out at 10.75%; Florida has none.
- The Shore, all yearWarm water and open beaches twelve months a year.
- Easy trips homeNonstops to Newark, LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia.
- Boating that never stopsNo haul-out, no winter storage.
Find Your Match: 6 Places to Start
you’ll love North Palm Beach
02If you loveSpring Lake and Dealyou’ll love Juno Beach
03If you loveSaddle River and Alpineyou’ll love Palm Beach Gardens
04If you loveMontclairyou’ll love West Palm Beach
05If you loveShort Hills and Summityou’ll love Jupiter
06If you loveFar Hills and Peapackyou’ll love Wellington
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 New Jersey.
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 Rumson and Fair Haven, You’ll Love North Palm Beach
Rumson's river estates and yacht clubs translate almost one to one to North Palm Beach: homes on deep-water canals, a marina culture, a village golf club and the inlet minutes away.
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
Rumson and Fair Haven and North Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesDinner on the water, with boats tied up a few steps away.
Seasonal American cooking in a room meant for a proper evening out.
Long-running local spots where regulars stop in for a casual meal.
Italian dining rooms a short drive from home, with pasta and a full bar.
Nightlife
2 matchesLocal bars with live music most nights of the week.
Waterfront restaurants with a lively bar and a view over the water.
Coffee
2 matchesIndependent local coffee shops with a neighborhood following.
Quick espresso stops on the main road through town.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesProtected barrier-island beaches with dunes, trails and a nature center.
Parks at the water's edge for an easy afternoon by the river.
Things to Do
2 matchesA club close to home with golf, tennis and a pool; one private, one village-run.
Full-service marinas minutes from the inlet to open water.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Rumson and Fair Haven | North Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Rumson Neck River-to-river estates on the peninsula between the Navesink and the Shrewsbury. | Lost Tree Village See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Large estate lots set between two bodies of water. |
| Sea Bright Condominiums and houses on the strip between the ocean and the Shrewsbury River. | Old Port Cove See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Waterfront condominiums with marina slips right outside. |
| Monmouth Beach Small oceanfront borough with homes on the beach and on the river side. | Seminole Landing See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Ocean on one side, a calm waterway with docks on the other. |
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
New construction
New Construction, Side by Side
| Rumson and Fair Haven | North Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Haven at Sea Bright by Toll Brothers | 123 Ocean | New construction on a narrow strip of land near the ocean. |
Questions
Questions About North Palm Beach If You Love Rumson and Fair Haven
Is North Palm Beach like Rumson and Fair Haven?
Rumson's river estates and yacht clubs translate almost one to one to North Palm Beach: homes on deep-water canals, a marina culture, a village golf club and the inlet minutes away.
Where should I eat in North Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in Rumson and Fair Haven?
If you love Salt Creek Grille in Rumson, try Frigates Waterfront Bar & Grill. If you love Victory Park Tavern in Rumson, try Café Chardonnay. If you love Barnacle Bill's in Rumson, try Cod & Capers Seafood.
What is the nightlife like in North Palm Beach compared with Rumson and Fair Haven?
If Jamian's Food and Drink in Red Bank is your kind of night, try The Brewhouse Gallery: local bars with live music most nights of the week. If Drifthouse in Sea Bright is your kind of night, try Frigates Waterfront Bar & Grill: waterfront restaurants with a lively bar and a view over the water.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in North Palm Beach compared with Rumson and Fair Haven?
Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co. pairs with Papa Kwan's. Rook Coffee pairs with The Daily Grind Coffee. Sandy Hook, Gateway National Recreation Area pairs with John D. MacArthur Beach State Park. Hartshorne Woods Park pairs with Anchorage Park.
Which North Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like Rumson and Fair Haven?
Rumson Neck: look at Lost Tree Village (Large estate lots set between two bodies of water). Sea Bright: look at Old Port Cove (Waterfront condominiums with marina slips right outside). Monmouth Beach: look at Seminole Landing (Ocean on one side, a calm waterway with docks on the other). See every one in our North Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in North Palm Beach like Rumson and Fair Haven?
If Haven at Sea Bright by Toll Brothers is on your list, look at 123 Ocean: New construction on a narrow strip of land near the ocean. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in North Palm Beach compared with Rumson and Fair Haven?
The vibe: River towns of estates, yacht clubs and the Shore nearby in Rumson and Fair Haven; A 1950s planned village of canals, marinas and a golf course in North Palm Beach. The beaches: Sea Bright's ocean beaches, over the bridge, mostly a summer thing in Rumson and Fair Haven; John D. MacArthur Beach State Park, a few minutes across the Intracoastal in North Palm Beach. On the water: The Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers, boating mostly May to October in Rumson and Fair Haven; Canals with docks, Safe Harbor Old Port Cove and the Palm Beach Inlet, all year in North Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: Rumson Country Club and the river yacht clubs in Rumson and Fair Haven; The village-owned North Palm Beach Country Club, with private clubs nearby in North Palm Beach. Evenings out: Live music at Jamian's in Red Bank and Drifthouse in Sea Bright in Rumson and Fair Haven; Live music at The Brewhouse Gallery in Lake Park and Frigates on the water in North Palm Beach. The homes: Estates and colonials on the rivers in Rumson and Fair Haven; Canal homes with docks, marina condominiums, and oceanfront homes nearby in North Palm Beach. Getting back to New Jersey: About 45 minutes to Newark airport; the Seastreak ferry to Manhattan from Highlands in Rumson and Fair Haven; About 20 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Newark in North Palm Beach.
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If You Love Spring Lake and Deal, You’ll Love Juno Beach
Spring Lake's boardwalk and quiet beach blocks have a counterpart in Juno Beach: a small oceanfront town with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and condominiums along Ocean Drive.
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
Spring Lake and Deal and Juno Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
3 matchesSeafood restaurants built around the day's fresh fish.
Breakfast and lunch stops on the main road through a small beach town.
Seafood and drinks on the water, timed for sunset.
Nightlife
2 matchesBeach-town music landmarks with live bands on the calendar most weeks.
Big, busy bars near the beach with live bands; Parker House is summer only.
Coffee
2 matchesLaid-back coffee shops a few blocks from the beach.
Early-morning stops for coffee and something fresh before the beach.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesPublic oceanfront parks with lifeguards and room to spread out.
Wooded trails a few minutes inland from the beach.
Things to Do
2 matchesUp-close ocean animals and sea turtles, right by the beach.
A waterfront promenade lined with shops, food and events.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Spring Lake and Deal | Juno Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Lake's lake blocks Older houses on quiet streets around the town's lake and Divine Park. | Juno Isles See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Quiet residential streets arranged around the water. |
| Spring Lake's North End Shingle and Victorian houses a block or two from the boardwalk. | Ocean Royale See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Addresses a few steps from the beach and a long ocean walk. |
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
New construction
New Construction, Side by Side
| Spring Lake and Deal | Juno Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Asbury Ocean Club | Caretta Juno Beach | Recent residences in a shore town. |
Questions
Questions About Juno Beach If You Love Spring Lake and Deal
Is Juno Beach like Spring Lake and Deal?
Spring Lake's boardwalk and quiet beach blocks have a counterpart in Juno Beach: a small oceanfront town with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and condominiums along Ocean Drive.
Where should I eat in Juno Beach if I love the restaurants in Spring Lake and Deal?
If you love Klein's Fish Market & Waterside Café in Belmar, try The Fish House. If you love Tom Bailey's Market in Spring Lake, try Hurricane Cafe. If you love Drifthouse in Sea Bright, try Guanabanas (Jupiter).
What is the nightlife like in Juno Beach compared with Spring Lake and Deal?
If The Stone Pony in Asbury Park is your kind of night, try Square Grouper Tiki Bar: beach-town music landmarks with live bands on the calendar most weeks. If Parker House in Sea Girt is your kind of night, try Guanabanas: big, busy bars near the beach with live bands; parker house is summer only.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Juno Beach compared with Spring Lake and Deal?
Driftwood A Coastal Coffee House pairs with Papa Kwan's. Nick + Sons Bakery pairs with Juno Beach Cafe. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park pairs with Juno Beach Park. Shark River Park pairs with Juno Dunes Natural Area.
Which Juno Beach neighborhoods feel like Spring Lake and Deal?
Spring Lake's lake blocks: look at Juno Isles (Quiet residential streets arranged around the water). Spring Lake's North End: look at Ocean Royale (Addresses a few steps from the beach and a long ocean walk). See every one in our Juno Beach neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in Juno Beach like Spring Lake and Deal?
If Asbury Ocean Club is on your list, look at Caretta Juno Beach: Recent residences in a shore town. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in Juno Beach compared with Spring Lake and Deal?
The vibe: A quiet shore town with a long boardwalk, busiest in summer in Spring Lake and Deal; A small, quiet beach town with a fishing pier and a dune-lined beach in Juno Beach. The beaches: Wide ocean beach, with the swimming season in summer in Spring Lake and Deal; Juno Beach Park and its pier, with water warm enough to swim most of the year in Juno Beach. On the water: The ocean and the Shark River Inlet, a summer boating season in Spring Lake and Deal; The Intracoastal behind town and the Jupiter Inlet about 15 minutes north in Juno Beach. Golf and clubs: Spring Lake Golf Club and the Spring Lake Bath and Tennis Club in Spring Lake and Deal; Club golf a short drive away in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, including PGA National in Juno Beach. Evenings out: Shows at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park and the Parker House in Sea Girt in Spring Lake and Deal; Live music at Square Grouper on the Jupiter Inlet and at Guanabanas in Jupiter in Juno Beach. The homes: Victorian and shingle houses near the beach in Spring Lake and Deal; Oceanfront condominiums and single-family homes in Juno Beach. Getting back to New Jersey: About an hour to Newark airport; NJ Transit trains to Newark and New York in Spring Lake and Deal; About 25 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Newark in Juno Beach.
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If You Love Saddle River and Alpine, You’ll Love Palm Beach Gardens
If you like a gate, a long drive and a club down the road, Palm Beach Gardens is the natural place to start. Estate homes sit inside private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness on site.
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
Saddle River and Alpine and Palm Beach Gardens
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
3 matchesLong-standing dining rooms for anniversaries and big nights out.
Chef-owned restaurants with menus that change with the season.
Dinner with a view of the water.
Nightlife
2 matchesBusy restaurant-bars where a live band is part of the weekend.
Live-music rooms with local bands, tribute nights and even line dancing.
Coffee
2 matchesCafés that roast their own beans and bake on site.
Independent coffee close to the shops.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesWooded nature trails close to home.
Large protected land with long hiking trails.
Things to Do
2 matchesA large indoor mall with department stores and dining.
A walkable center of shops, restaurants and evening events.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Saddle River and Alpine | Palm Beach Gardens | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Saddle River Borough of wooded lots, long driveways and large custom homes. | Old Palm Golf Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Large custom homes on generous lots behind a quiet entrance. |
| Alpine Estates on wooded lots above the Hudson, many set back behind gates. | Frenchman's Creek See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Estate homes on private grounds, some on the water. |
| Alpine Country Club Private golf club in Demarest with homes on the surrounding streets. | BallenIsles See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Club life organized around golf. |
| Upper Saddle River Newer subdivisions of large homes near the borough's open space. | Avenir See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Newer large homes in planned neighborhoods. |
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
Questions
Questions About Palm Beach Gardens If You Love Saddle River and Alpine
Is Palm Beach Gardens like Saddle River and Alpine?
If you like a gate, a long drive and a club down the road, Palm Beach Gardens is the natural place to start. Estate homes sit inside private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness on site.
Where should I eat in Palm Beach Gardens if I love the restaurants in Saddle River and Alpine?
If you love Saddle River Inn in Saddle River, try Café Chardonnay. If you love Café Panache in Ramsey, try Coolinary and The Parched Pig. If you love The River Palm Terrace in Edgewater, try Waterway Cafe.
What is the nightlife like in Palm Beach Gardens compared with Saddle River and Alpine?
If Steel Wheel Tavern in Ridgewood is your kind of night, try Voodoo Bayou: busy restaurant-bars where a live band is part of the weekend. If Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck is your kind of night, try Double Roads Tavern: live-music rooms with local bands, tribute nights and even line dancing.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Palm Beach Gardens compared with Saddle River and Alpine?
American Bulldog Coffee Roasters pairs with Lingonberry Roastery & Bakery. Ridgewood Coffee Company pairs with Subculture Coffee (Gardens). Tenafly Nature Center pairs with Frenchman's Forest Natural Area. Palisades Interstate Park pairs with Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area.
Which Palm Beach Gardens neighborhoods feel like Saddle River and Alpine?
Saddle River: look at Old Palm Golf Club (Large custom homes on generous lots behind a quiet entrance). Alpine: look at Frenchman's Creek (Estate homes on private grounds, some on the water). Alpine Country Club: look at BallenIsles (Club life organized around golf). Upper Saddle River: look at Avenir (Newer large homes in planned neighborhoods). See every one in our Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Palm Beach Gardens compared with Saddle River and Alpine?
The vibe: Gated estates and wooded lots, a short drive to Manhattan in Saddle River and Alpine; A planned city of private golf clubs, each with dining, tennis and fitness in Palm Beach Gardens. The beaches: The Jersey Shore, about 1.5 to 2 hours south, mostly in summer in Saddle River and Alpine; Juno Beach and MacArthur Beach State Park, about 10 to 15 minutes east in Palm Beach Gardens. On the water: Lakes and the Hudson; boating means a trip to the Shore in Saddle River and Alpine; The Intracoastal and canals, with the Jupiter and Palm Beach inlets to open ocean in Palm Beach Gardens. Golf and clubs: Country clubs like Ridgewood and Arcola, a short drive from home in Saddle River and Alpine; Clubs like BallenIsles, Old Palm and Mirasol, often inside the gate in Palm Beach Gardens. Evenings out: Live bands at Steel Wheel Tavern in Ridgewood and Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck in Saddle River and Alpine; Bands on weekends at Voodoo Bayou and nightly at Double Roads Tavern in Jupiter in Palm Beach Gardens. The homes: Large custom homes on wooded lots in Saddle River and Alpine; Custom estates, club homes and villas in Palm Beach Gardens. Getting back to New Jersey: About 30 minutes to Newark airport or the George Washington Bridge in Saddle River and Alpine; About 20 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Newark in Palm Beach Gardens.
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If You Love Montclair, You’ll Love West Palm Beach
Montclair's mix of old houses, a real downtown and an arts scene shows up in West Palm Beach's historic districts: 1920s houses on shaded streets, minutes from Clematis Street, the Norton Museum and the Kravis Center.
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
Montclair and West Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
2 matchesFrench brasserie cooking in a lively downtown dining room.
Diner-style comfort food with breakfast that runs late.
Nightlife
2 matchesDowntown pubs where friends meet, with live music on the calendar.
Local craft breweries with a taproom for an easy night out.
Coffee
2 matchesLocal roasters with their own neighborhood cafés.
Neighborhood morning stops for coffee and something to eat.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesPublic gardens for a quiet walk among plantings.
The big shared green space where weekends and events happen.
Things to Do
2 matchesArt museums with American collections and changing exhibitions.
A downtown stage for concerts and touring shows.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Montclair | West Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Mountain Avenue Historic District Large early-1900s houses on a tree-lined avenue along the ridge. | El Cid See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic houses from the early 1900s on a broad, shaded avenue. |
| Watchung Plaza Older houses on short blocks around a small shopping plaza and train station. | Old Northwood See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic houses steps from a small neighborhood shopping street. |
| Montclair's South End Older houses within walking distance of Bloomfield Avenue's restaurants. | Flamingo Park See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic houses within walking distance of downtown. |
| Upper Montclair Village center of shops ringed by older single-family houses. | Northwood Harbor See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Older single-family houses on quiet, historic streets. |
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
| Montclair | West Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Valley & Bloom | Nora House West Palm Beach | New residences that are part of a revived walkable district. |
Questions
Questions About West Palm Beach If You Love Montclair
Is West Palm Beach like Montclair?
Montclair's mix of old houses, a real downtown and an arts scene shows up in West Palm Beach's historic districts: 1920s houses on shaded streets, minutes from Clematis Street, the Norton Museum and the Kravis Center.
Where should I eat in West Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in Montclair?
If you love Faubourg in Montclair, try Pistache French Bistro. If you love Raymond's in Montclair, try Howley's.
What is the nightlife like in West Palm Beach compared with Montclair?
If Tierney's Tavern in Montclair is your kind of night, try Roxy's Pub: downtown pubs where friends meet, with live music on the calendar. If Montclair Brewery in Montclair is your kind of night, try Steam Horse Brewing: local craft breweries with a taproom for an easy night out.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in West Palm Beach compared with Montclair?
Java Love Coffee Roasting Co. pairs with Pumphouse Coffee Roasters, The Pouratorium. Montclair Bread Company pairs with Celis Juice Bar. Van Vleck House & Gardens pairs with Mounts Botanical Garden. Brookdale Park pairs with West Palm Beach Waterfront and Lake Pavilion.
Which West Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like Montclair?
Upper Mountain Avenue Historic District: look at El Cid (Historic houses from the early 1900s on a broad, shaded avenue). Watchung Plaza: look at Old Northwood (Historic houses steps from a small neighborhood shopping street). Montclair's South End: look at Flamingo Park (Historic houses within walking distance of downtown). Upper Montclair: look at Northwood Harbor (Older single-family houses on quiet, historic streets). See every one in our West Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in West Palm Beach like Montclair?
If Valley & Bloom is on your list, look at Nora House West Palm Beach: New residences that are part of a revived walkable district. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in West Palm Beach compared with Montclair?
The vibe: A walkable downtown, old houses and an arts scene in Montclair; A walkable downtown, historic districts, the Norton Museum and the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The beaches: The Jersey Shore, about an hour south, mostly in summer in Montclair; No beach downtown; Palm Beach's Midtown Beach is about 10 minutes over the bridge in West Palm Beach. On the water: Not much close by; the Hudson and the Shore are a drive in Montclair; The Intracoastal along Flagler Drive, the city docks and Palm Harbor Marina in West Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: Montclair Golf Club and Glen Ridge Country Club in Montclair; The city-owned West Palm Beach Golf Course and the Palm Beach Yacht Club downtown in West Palm Beach. Evenings out: Music at Tierney's Tavern and a beer at Montclair Brewery in Montclair; Live music at Roxy's Pub on Clematis Street and Steam Horse Brewing in West Palm Beach. The homes: Victorian and Tudor houses on shaded streets in Montclair; 1920s Mediterranean and Mission houses near downtown, plus new towers in West Palm Beach. Getting back to New Jersey: About 20 minutes to Newark airport; NJ Transit trains to Manhattan in Montclair; About 10 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Newark in West Palm Beach.
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If You Love Short Hills and Summit, You’ll Love Jupiter
Jupiter has the things Short Hills is known for, good neighborhoods built around parks and golf, plus the beach about fifteen minutes away and a walkable town center at Abacoa.
New: Voloridge Investment Management bought parts of Harbourside Place for $57.6 million and plans a new office building for up to 200 employees. (Commercial Observer (opens in a new tab), 2026-02-20)
People have lived at the Jupiter Inlet for thousands of years. The inlet, the river and the lighthouse shaped the town, and they still shape its neighborhoods today.
Every home for sale in Jupiter (opens in a new tab) The Jupiter guide 563 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
Short Hills and Summit and Jupiter
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesPolished dining rooms for a night out.
Long-running Italian restaurants with a loyal local crowd.
Seafood-focused kitchens with creative fish dishes.
Steaks and seafood for a classic dinner out.
Nightlife
2 matchesLive music outdoors in the town center on weekend evenings.
In-town favorites where the evening starts with a drink at the bar.
Coffee
2 matchesSmall-batch roasters with a café downtown.
A neighborhood stop for coffee and a sweet.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesLarge wooded parks with trails close to home.
Big protected preserves for a full day of hiking.
Things to Do
2 matchesProfessional regional theaters staging musicals and plays each season.
A walkable center of shops, restaurants and street events.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Short Hills and Summit | Jupiter | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Old Short Hills Winding roads of large older houses near the station. | Loxahatchee Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Large homes on winding streets around a golf course. |
| Canoe Brook Country Club area Homes around a private golf club in Summit and Short Hills. | Jonathan's Landing See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Neighborhoods built around a golf club. |
| Baltusrol Golf Club area Houses near a historic championship golf club in Springfield. | The Bear's Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Homes alongside a private golf club with a Jack Nicklaus course. |
| Downtown Summit Older houses and townhomes within walking distance of shops and the train. | Abacoa See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Homes within walking distance of a town center. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Jupiter
For the beach lover
Jupiter Inlet Colony: Its own small town beside Jupiter, with homes on the ocean, the inlet and quiet interior streets.
Ocean Trail: Five oceanfront condominium buildings on A1A.
See homes in Ocean Trail (opens in a new tab) 25 for sale now
For boaters
Jupiter Yacht Club: Intracoastal residences above a 79-slip marina.
See homes in Jupiter Yacht Club (opens in a new tab) 4 for sale now
Pennock Point: An ungated Loxahatchee River peninsula in unincorporated Jupiter, with no HOA and private docks.
See homes in Pennock Point (opens in a new tab) 1 for sale now
For golf and club life
Admirals Cove: 45 holes and a full-service marina in a gated club community.
See homes in Admirals Cove (opens in a new tab) 42 for sale now
The Bear's Club: Estates and villas around a private Jack Nicklaus course, behind a gate.
See homes in The Bear's Club (opens in a new tab) 9 for sale now
For room to spread out
Jupiter Farms: About 15 square miles of unincorporated acreage west of Jupiter, with a county riding park.
See homes in Jupiter Farms (opens in a new tab) 55 for sale now
For something newer
Jupiter Country Club: Toll Brothers homes around a Greg Norman course now being redesigned by Agustín Pizá.
See homes in Jupiter Country Club (opens in a new tab) 15 for sale now
For a walkable town center
Abacoa: A planned community of distinct neighborhoods, a public golf club and Downtown Abacoa.
See homes in Abacoa (opens in a new tab) 56 for sale now
Questions
Questions About Jupiter If You Love Short Hills and Summit
Is Jupiter like Short Hills and Summit?
Jupiter has the things Short Hills is known for, good neighborhoods built around parks and golf, plus the beach about fifteen minutes away and a walkable town center at Abacoa.
Where should I eat in Jupiter if I love the restaurants in Short Hills and Summit?
If you love The Summit House in Summit, try 1000 North. If you love Fiorino Ristorante in Summit, try Buonasera Ristorante. If you love FIN Raw Bar & Kitchen in Summit, try Little Moir's Food Shack.
What is the nightlife like in Jupiter compared with Short Hills and Summit?
If Summit Street Sounds in Downtown Summit is your kind of night, try Harbourside Place: live music outdoors in the town center on weekend evenings. If Huntley Taverne in Summit is your kind of night, try U-Tiki Beach: in-town favorites where the evening starts with a drink at the bar.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Jupiter compared with Short Hills and Summit?
Boxwood Coffee Roasters pairs with Subculture Coffee (Jupiter). BAKE Bakery pairs with Pumphouse Coffee Roasters, Cones & Coffee. South Mountain Reservation pairs with Riverbend Park. Watchung Reservation pairs with Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Which Jupiter neighborhoods feel like Short Hills and Summit?
Old Short Hills: look at Loxahatchee Club (Large homes on winding streets around a golf course). Canoe Brook Country Club area: look at Jonathan's Landing (Neighborhoods built around a golf club). Baltusrol Golf Club area: look at The Bear's Club (Homes alongside a private golf club with a Jack Nicklaus course). Downtown Summit: look at Abacoa (Homes within walking distance of a town center). See every one in our Jupiter neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Jupiter compared with Short Hills and Summit?
The vibe: A leafy suburb with a downtown and a train to the city in Short Hills and Summit; Neighborhoods around parks and golf, with the beach close by and a year-round season in Jupiter. The beaches: The Shore, about an hour south, mostly a summer trip in Short Hills and Summit; Jupiter Beach Park and miles of ocean beach, swimmable most of the year in Jupiter. On the water: Boating means a trip to the Shore in summer in Short Hills and Summit; The Jupiter Inlet, the Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal, with offshore fishing all year in Jupiter. Golf and clubs: Canoe Brook in Summit and Baltusrol in Springfield in Short Hills and Summit; Private clubs like The Bear's Club, Admirals Cove and The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter. Evenings out: Summit Street Sounds downtown and dinner at Huntley Taverne in Short Hills and Summit; Free concerts at Harbourside Place and waterfront drinks at U-Tiki Beach in Jupiter. The homes: Colonials and Tudors on leafy streets in Short Hills and Summit; Club estates, river and Intracoastal homes, and oceanfront condominiums in Jupiter. Getting back to New Jersey: About 20 minutes to Newark airport; Midtown Direct trains to Penn Station in Short Hills and Summit; About 30 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Newark in Jupiter.
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If You Love Far Hills and Peapack, You’ll Love Wellington
Somerset Hills hunt country has a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and polo fields, with the equestrian season running through the coldest months up north.
New: Related Ross bought 32 acres near State Road 7 for Village Landing, planned with a 180-room hotel and 300,000+ square feet of shops, offices and restaurants. (Commercial Observer (opens in a new tab), 2026-09-01)
Wellington is one of the newest towns in the county: a ranch in the 1950s, a planned community in the 1970s and a village since 1995. Horses came with the polo club and never left.
See the Full MatchClose the MatchSide by side, places to eat and do, neighborhoods, new construction and questions
Side by side
Far Hills and Peapack and Wellington
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
3 matchesFine dining for special evenings.
Dining set inside an estate or club setting in horse country.
Relaxed local dinner spots with a hearty menu.
Nightlife
2 matchesNight spots with a stage, where a band plays while you eat.
Local stages for concerts and shows, a short drive from the farms.
Coffee
2 matchesCoffee shops where locals settle in for a while.
A local stop for coffee, small-batch goods and a chat.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesLarge county parks with open land and long walking trails.
Quiet nature walks with plantings and wildlife.
Things to Do
2 matchesHorse sport that brings the whole area out each year.
Historic equestrian grounds tied to international horse sport.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Far Hills and Peapack | Wellington | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Mosle Road Estate lane of horse farms, fields and stone walls in Far Hills and Peapack. | Palm Beach Point See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Horse farms on acreage in a rural setting. |
| Pottersville Hamlet of barns and small horse properties along the Lamington River. | Saddle Trail Park See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Small horse properties on a few acres each. |
| Hamilton Farm, Gladstone Former estate grounds now home to equestrian team headquarters and a golf club. | Grand Prix Village No homes are listed for sale here right now. New listings come up through the year; ask me to watch for one. | Horse farms beside major equestrian show grounds. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Wellington
For room to ride
Palm Beach Point: Farm parcels in Wellington’s equestrian district.
See homes in Palm Beach Point (opens in a new tab) 7 for sale now
Saddle Trail Park: Acreage lots in the equestrian district.
See homes in Saddle Trail Park (opens in a new tab) 11 for sale now
Next to the show grounds
Grand Prix Village: Horse farms near the Wellington International show grounds.
No homes are listed for sale here right now. New listings come up through the year; ask me to watch for one.
For polo
Southfields: Horse properties and estate homes near Palm Beach Polo Golf & Country Club.
See homes in Southfields (opens in a new tab) 5 for sale now
For golf
Binks Forest: Homes around Wellington National, a Johnny Miller course.
See homes in Binks Forest (opens in a new tab) 16 for sale now
Questions
Questions About Wellington If You Love Far Hills and Peapack
Is Wellington like Far Hills and Peapack?
Somerset Hills hunt country has a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and polo fields, with the equestrian season running through the coldest months up north.
Where should I eat in Wellington if I love the restaurants in Far Hills and Peapack?
If you love Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster, try Oli's Fashion Cuisine. If you love Ninety Acres in Peapack-Gladstone, try Stallion Restaurant. If you love Gladstone Tavern in Gladstone, try Rancho Argentino.
What is the nightlife like in Wellington compared with Far Hills and Peapack?
If The Bernie at Red Horse by David Burke in Bernardsville is your kind of night, try Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen: night spots with a stage, where a band plays while you eat. If Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown is your kind of night, try Wellington Amphitheater: local stages for concerts and shows, a short drive from the farms.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Wellington compared with Far Hills and Peapack?
Barrister Coffee House pairs with Foxtail Coffee Co. (Wellington). Branch Home Shop pairs with Carmela Coffee (Wellington). Natirar pairs with Okeeheelee Park. Leonard J. Buck Garden pairs with Peaceful Waters Sanctuary.
Which Wellington neighborhoods feel like Far Hills and Peapack?
Mosle Road: look at Palm Beach Point (Horse farms on acreage in a rural setting). Pottersville: look at Saddle Trail Park (Small horse properties on a few acres each). Hamilton Farm, Gladstone: look at Grand Prix Village (Horse farms beside major equestrian show grounds). See every one in our Wellington neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Wellington compared with Far Hills and Peapack?
The vibe: Hunt country, home of the Far Hills Race Meeting in Far Hills and Peapack; Horse country: barns, riding trails, show grounds and polo fields in Wellington. The outdoors: Riding country, Natirar park and the Raritan and Lamington rivers in Far Hills and Peapack; Riding trails, Peaceful Waters Sanctuary and Okeeheelee Park; the ocean is about 30 minutes east in Wellington. On the water: Rivers and ponds; boating means a trip to the Shore in Far Hills and Peapack; Lakes and canals in the village; the Intracoastal and ocean are about 30 minutes east in Wellington. Golf and clubs: Somerset Hills Country Club and the Essex Fox Hounds in Far Hills and Peapack; The Wanderers Club, Wellington International's winter season and polo at the National Polo Center in Wellington. Evenings out: Music and comedy at The Bernie and shows at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Far Hills and Peapack; Live bands at Copper Blues and weekend concerts at the Wellington Amphitheater in Wellington. The homes: Farms and estates on rolling acreage in Far Hills and Peapack; Farms from a few acres to ten and more, in an equestrian zoning district in Wellington. Getting back to New Jersey: About 40 minutes to Newark airport; NJ Transit trains from Far Hills in Far Hills and Peapack; About 25 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then about 3 hours nonstop to Newark in Wellington.
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In their words
What People Ask Before Moving from New Jersey
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.
“I have myself in a tizzy”
City-Data forum, NY/NJ to Palm Beach Gardens thread (a City-Data user) (opens in a new tab), 2008
Will I find Paramus-level shopping and a real diner?
The Gardens Mall on PGA Blvd and Downtown Palm Beach Gardens next to it; Palm Beach Gardens is where Jupiter and Tequesta shop. Diners are thinner on the ground; local breakfast spots such as Hurricane Cafe in Juno Beach fill the gap.
Can I avoid a strict HOA and still get land?
Jupiter Farms, parts of Hobe Sound and Palm City have larger lots with few or no HOAs; master-planned communities carry fees. Forum advice: no-HOA narrows choices.
Can I put a deposit down from up north?
We can do video tours and you can keep an inspection contingency, but we recommend seeing the home in person before you close.
How much warning do you get, where do you go?
Storms usually come with days of warning. Look up your evacuation zone by address (Palm Beach County and Martin County Know Your Zone), and ask your agent about wind-mitigation credits, which can lower premiums on newer construction.
Heard This? Here Is the Fact
“Insurance only goes up in Florida.”
Citizens' 2026 rates cut the statewide average 8.7%; about 26,000 Palm Beach County homes average an 11.9% reduction, starting at renewal in spring 2026. (source (opens in a new tab))
The big question
Is It Worth Moving from New Jersey to Palm Beach County?
For most New Jersey buyers who can make Florida their real home, yes. Florida has no state income or inheritance tax, Palm Beach County's median property tax rate is less than half of New Jersey's, and Newark is about three hours nonstop; the trade is a higher insurance bill and a hot summer that is also hurricane season.
New Jersey sends Palm Beach and Martin counties more households than any state but New York: 2,549 tax returns in the 2022 to 2023 IRS county-to-county migration data, led by Bergen County (416), Monmouth County (377) and Ocean County (242) (IRS SOI migration data (opens in a new tab)).
| What changes | New Jersey | Palm Beach County |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax, top rate | 10.75% on income of $1,000,000 and over; 8.97% from $500,000 | None |
| Estate tax | None for deaths since January 1, 2018 | None |
| Inheritance tax | None for the closest heirs; 11% to 16% for others | None |
| Median effective property tax | 1.88%, tied with Illinois for highest of any state; Bergen County 1.89% | Palm Beach County 0.82%; Martin County 0.76% |
| Leaving the tax system | If New Jersey stays your domicile, it can still tax you as a resident. | 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 | Newark, LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia | 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 New Jersey and Florida Taxes Compare?
Florida has no state income tax and no estate or inheritance tax. For many New Jersey owners the bigger change is property tax: New Jersey’s median effective rate is 1.88%, tied with Illinois for the highest of any state, against 0.82% in Palm Beach County. New Jersey’s top income tax rate is 10.75%.
New Jersey’s property tax is usually the number New Jersey buyers feel first. Figures are each state’s published rates; run your own with your CPA.
| New Jersey | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax, top rate | 10.75% on income of $1,000,000 and over; 8.97% from $500,000 (NJ Division of Taxation (opens in a new tab)) | None |
| Estate tax | None for deaths since January 1, 2018 | None |
| Inheritance tax | None for spouses, children and grandchildren; 11% to 16% for siblings and others (NJ inheritance tax (opens in a new tab)) | None |
| Median effective property tax | 1.88%, tied with Illinois for highest of any state; Bergen County 1.89% (Tax Foundation 2026 (opens in a new tab), 2024 data) | Palm Beach County 0.82%; Martin County 0.76% |
| Primary home protections | ANCHOR property tax relief (household income up to $250,000) | Homestead exemption on the first $25,000 plus a second, inflation-indexed $25,000 of assessed value; Save Our Homes 3% cap |
Rates as published for 2025-2026, 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 New Jersey Stop Treating Me as a Resident?
If New Jersey stays your domicile, it can still tax you as a resident. A New Jersey domiciliary is treated as a nonresident only with no permanent home in New Jersey, a permanent home elsewhere, and 30 days or fewer in the state. Someone domiciled elsewhere who keeps a permanent home in New Jersey and spends more than 183 days there is a resident too (NJ GIT-6 (opens in a new tab)). The Florida steps below help 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.
Selling the New Jersey house? Ask your attorney about the seller’s residency forms at closing, and line the sale up with your Florida purchase so the January 1 homestead date works. We coordinate dates with your attorney and CPA.
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 New Jersey from Palm Beach?
Nonstop flights from West Palm Beach to Newark, LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia take about three hours, and the airport is about 30 minutes from Jupiter.
President Donald J. Trump International Airport in West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) flies nonstop to Newark on JetBlue and United, and Breeze adds Atlantic City from December 17, 2026 (airport nonstop list (opens in a new tab), October 2026). LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia are nonstop too.
From Jupiter the airport is about 30 minutes without traffic.
From Jupiter the airport is about 30 minutes without traffic.
Nonstop from DJT, October 2026
- Newark (EWR): JetBlue, United
- Atlantic City (ACY): Breeze, from Dec. 17, 2026
- Philadelphia (PHL): American, Frontier
- LaGuardia (LGA): American, Delta, JetBlue
- JFK: Delta, 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 New Jersey to Palm Beach County?
My team and I scout first: we walk the communities, read the association documents and club rules, and send you video and notes before you fly down. We coordinate with your New Jersey attorney and CPA on closing dates, line up insurance quotes and inspections during the inspection period, and stay with you through closing and the homestead filing.
Questions we hear
Moving from New Jersey: Questions
Where should I live in Palm Beach County if I'm moving from New Jersey?
Most New Jersey buyers start in North Palm Beach (if you love Rumson), Juno Beach (Spring Lake and Deal), Palm Beach Gardens (Saddle River and Alpine) or West Palm Beach (Montclair). New Jersey’s median property tax rate is 1.88%, tied with Illinois for the highest in the country; Palm Beach County’s is 0.82%, and Florida has no state income tax. Newark is a nonstop flight away.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Rumson and Fair Haven?
North Palm Beach. Rumson’s river estates and yacht clubs translate almost one to one to North Palm Beach: homes on deep-water canals, a marina culture, a village golf club and the inlet minutes away.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Spring Lake and Deal?
Juno Beach. Spring Lake’s boardwalk and quiet beach blocks have a counterpart in Juno Beach: a small oceanfront town with a fishing pier, dune-lined beach and condominiums along Ocean Drive.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Saddle River and Alpine?
Palm Beach Gardens. Estate homes sit inside private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness on site.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Montclair?
West Palm Beach. Montclair’s mix of old houses, a real downtown and an arts scene shows up in West Palm Beach’s historic districts: 1920s houses on shaded streets, minutes from Clematis Street, the Norton Museum and the Kravis Center.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Short Hills and Summit?
Jupiter. Jupiter has the things Short Hills is known for, good neighborhoods built around parks and golf, plus the beach about fifteen minutes away and a walkable town center at Abacoa.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Far Hills and Peapack?
Wellington. Somerset Hills hunt country has a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and polo fields, with the equestrian season running through the coldest months up north.
Will my property taxes go down if I move from New Jersey to Florida?
Usually. New Jersey’s median effective property tax rate is 1.88%, tied with Illinois for the highest of any state; Palm Beach County’s is 0.82%, and a Florida homestead adds an exemption and a 3% cap on yearly assessment increases. Your bill depends on the home’s assessed value and the local millage.
Does New Jersey have an estate or inheritance tax?
New Jersey has had no estate tax since 2018 but still has an inheritance tax on some heirs, such as siblings, nieces and nephews. Spouses, children and grandchildren are exempt. Florida has neither.
When does New Jersey stop treating me as a resident?
If New Jersey is still your domicile, only when you keep no permanent home there, have one elsewhere and spend 30 days or fewer in the state. Changing your domicile to Florida is the cleaner path. Work through it with your CPA.
Which town feels most like the Jersey Shore?
Juno Beach, for small oceanfront living with a pier and oceanfront condominiums; North Palm Beach and Jupiter if boating matters as much as the beach.
Can I fly nonstop to Newark?
Yes. JetBlue and United fly nonstop between West Palm Beach and Newark, and LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia are nonstop as well.
How do I establish Florida residency if I'm leaving New Jersey?
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 New Jersey to Palm Beach County?
For most New Jersey buyers who can make Florida their real home, yes. Florida has no state income or inheritance tax, Palm Beach County's median property tax rate is less than half of New Jersey's, and Newark 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 New Jersey to Palm Beach County?
More than any state but New York: 2,549 tax returns moved from New Jersey into Palm Beach and Martin counties in the 2022 to 2023 IRS migration data, led by Bergen, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
Is Palm Beach County cheaper than New Jersey?
On taxes, yes for most buyers: no state income or inheritance tax, and a median property tax rate of 0.82% in Palm Beach County against 1.88% in New Jersey. 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 New Jersey to Palm Beach?
About three hours nonstop from the airport in West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) to Newark, LaGuardia, JFK and Philadelphia.
Who helps people relocating from New Jersey 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 Rumson and Monmouth County, the Jersey Shore, Bergen County, Montclair and Short Hills: community scouting and video before you fly down, then tours when you visit.
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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: New Jersey and Florida
The laws and rate tables behind the numbers on this page.
- NJ Division of Taxation, tax rate schedules (opens in a new tab)
- NJ inheritance and estate tax rates (opens in a new tab)
- NJ GIT-6, part-year residents (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.
- 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)
- 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)
- WFLX: The Nora District enters its third phase with Nora House, an 11-story building of 117 condos;… (opens in a new tab)
- Commercial Observer: Voloridge Investment Management bought parts of Harbourside Place for $57.6 million and plans a new… (opens in a new tab)
- Commercial Observer: Related Ross bought 32 acres near State Road 7 for Village Landing, planned with a 180-room hotel and… (opens in a new tab)
- City-Data forum: Moving from NY and NJ to Palm Beach Gardens (opens in a new tab)
- Florida Governor's Office: Insurance rate relief from Florida reforms (opens in a new tab)
Wellington photo: Pantagruel68, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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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