Moving from Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
Moving from Philadelphia to Palm Beach County
Most Pennsylvania buyers start in Palm Beach Gardens (if you love the Main Line), Palm Beach (Rittenhouse Square), Jupiter (Avalon and Stone Harbor) or Stuart (New Hope). Pennsylvania’s income tax is a flat 3.07% plus Philadelphia’s wage tax, and its inheritance tax reaches 15%; Florida has neither. American and Frontier fly nonstop to Philadelphia.
Moving from Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
Which Palm Beach County Towns Feel Most Like Philadelphia?
Pennsylvania's income tax is modest; the inheritance tax and Philadelphia's wage tax are what change the math. And if summer has always meant the Shore, Palm Beach County is the Shore that never closes.
For a Philadelphia buyer leaving the Main Line, start with Palm Beach Gardens; leaving Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill, Palm Beach; leaving Avalon and Stone Harbor, Jupiter; leaving New Hope and Bucks County, Stuart. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| The Main Line | Palm Beach Gardens | The Main Line runs on its clubs, and Palm Beach Gardens does too: private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness, and estate homes inside the gate. |
| Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill | Palm Beach | Rittenhouse Square's walkable blocks and Society Hill's historic houses have their match on Palm Beach: an island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops you can walk to. |
| Avalon and Stone Harbor | Jupiter | If summer means the Shore, Jupiter is the version that lasts all year: ocean beaches with a low skyline, the inlet and river for boating, and a beach-town pace. |
| New Hope and Bucks County | Stuart | Lucie River. |
| Chester County horse country | Wellington | Unionville's farms and Devon's horse show have a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and the polo season. |
| Center City | West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach is the part of the county with a real downtown: new towers on the Intracoastal, 1920s historic districts close by, and the Norton and the Kravis within a walk. |
- No inheritance taxPennsylvania taxes inheritances at 4.5% to 15% (spouses exempt); Florida has none.
- No wage taxPhiladelphia residents pay 3.735% on top of the state's 3.07%.
- The Shore, all yearWarm water from October to May, too.
- PHL nonstopAmerican and Frontier.
- Club golf in JanuaryNo closing the course for winter.
Find Your Match: 6 Places to Start
you’ll love Palm Beach Gardens
02If you loveRittenhouse and Society Hillyou’ll love Palm Beach
03If you loveAvalon and Stone Harboryou’ll love Jupiter
04If you loveNew Hope and Bucks Countyyou’ll love Stuart
05If you loveChester County horse countryyou’ll love Wellington
06If you loveCenter Cityyou’ll love West 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 Philadelphia.
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 The Main Line, You’ll Love Palm Beach Gardens
The Main Line runs on its clubs, and Palm Beach Gardens does too: private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness, and estate homes 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
The Main Line and Palm Beach Gardens
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesPolished dining rooms for anniversaries and long dinners.
Seasonal American menus that change through the year.
Neighborhood Italian restaurants with a bar.
Casual local standbys for lunch, dinner and a weeknight drink.
Nightlife
2 matchesLive bands a short drive from home, with dinner and drinks close by.
Local craft breweries with a taproom pouring beer brewed on site.
Coffee
1 matchSmall-batch roasters with a café in the middle of town.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
1 matchWooded preserves with quiet walking trails close to home.
Things to Do
2 matchesBig regional malls with department stores and designer shops.
Outdoor shopping centers with restaurants, boutiques and seasonal events.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| The Main Line | Palm Beach Gardens | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Merion Golf Club area Haverford and Ardmore streets around a historic championship golf club. | PGA National See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Neighborhoods built around well-known golf clubs. |
| Gladwyne Wooded hills with large estate homes set back on big lots. | Old Palm Golf Club See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Estate homes on generous lots, set back and private. |
| Villanova Stone colonials and manicured lawns near the university. | BallenIsles See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Established club setting with mature landscaping. |
| Bryn Mawr village Walkable blocks of shops and cafés around the train station. | Midtown See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Walkable mixed-use streets with shops and dining downstairs. |
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
| The Main Line | Palm Beach Gardens | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| One Ardmore | The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens | New residences close to shops and dining. |
Questions
Questions About Palm Beach Gardens If You Love The Main Line
Is Palm Beach Gardens like The Main Line?
The Main Line runs on its clubs, and Palm Beach Gardens does too: private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness, and estate homes inside the gate.
Where should I eat in Palm Beach Gardens if I love the restaurants in The Main Line?
If you love Savona in Gulph Mills, try Café Chardonnay. If you love White Dog Cafe in Wayne, try Coolinary and The Parched Pig. If you love Teresa's Cafe in Wayne, try Carmine's La Trattoria.
What is the nightlife like in Palm Beach Gardens compared with The Main Line?
If Ardmore Music Hall in Ardmore is your kind of night, try Live music at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens: live bands a short drive from home, with dinner and drinks close by. If Tired Hands Brewing Company in Ardmore is your kind of night, try Twisted Trunk Brewing: local craft breweries with a taproom pouring beer brewed on site.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Palm Beach Gardens compared with The Main Line?
Gryphon Coffee Co. pairs with Subculture Coffee (Gardens). Ridley Creek State Park pairs with Frenchman's Forest Natural Area.
Which Palm Beach Gardens neighborhoods feel like The Main Line?
Merion Golf Club area: look at PGA National (Neighborhoods built around well-known golf clubs). Gladwyne: look at Old Palm Golf Club (Estate homes on generous lots, set back and private). Villanova: look at BallenIsles (Established club setting with mature landscaping). Bryn Mawr village: look at Midtown (Walkable mixed-use streets with shops and dining downstairs). See every one in our Palm Beach Gardens neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in Palm Beach Gardens like The Main Line?
If One Ardmore is on your list, look at The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens: New residences close to shops and dining. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in Palm Beach Gardens compared with The Main Line?
The vibe: Leafy suburbs built around old train-station villages and clubs in The Main Line; A planned city of gated golf communities, shopping and parks, busiest in winter in Palm Beach Gardens. The beaches: The Jersey Shore, about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car in The Main Line; Juno Beach and Jupiter's ocean beaches, about 15 minutes away in Palm Beach Gardens. On the water: Rowing and paddling on the Schuylkill, boating down at the Shore in The Main Line; Marinas on the Intracoastal at PGA Boulevard, with the Jupiter and Palm Beach inlets close by in Palm Beach Gardens. Golf and clubs: Private clubs like Merion Golf Club and Gulph Mills Golf Club in The Main Line; Private clubs like BallenIsles, Old Palm and Frenchman's Creek, plus PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens. Evenings out: Dinner in Wayne or Ardmore, live music at Ardmore Music Hall in The Main Line; Restaurants and weekend live music at Downtown Palm Beach Gardens and along PGA Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. The homes: Stone colonials, Tudors and estates on wooded lots in The Main Line; Club homes and custom estates inside gated golf communities, plus townhomes and condos in Palm Beach Gardens. Getting back to Philadelphia: About 25 to 40 minutes into Center City on the Paoli/Thorndale Line or by car in The Main Line; About 25 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then a nonstop of about 2 hours 45 minutes to Philadelphia in Palm Beach Gardens.
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If You Love Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill, You’ll Love Palm Beach
Rittenhouse Square's walkable blocks and Society Hill's historic houses have their match on Palm Beach: an island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops you can walk to.
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
Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill and Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
3 matchesBusy dining rooms on the main street, where people-watching comes with dinner.
Polished dining rooms for a special-occasion dinner in town.
Modern steakhouses with a lounge feel.
Nightlife
2 matchesLow-lit cocktail rooms where the drinks are the main event.
Long-running local favorites where the bar stays lively after dinner.
Coffee
2 matchesItalian-style counters for espresso and pastries.
Walk-in neighborhood spots for a quick morning stop.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesIn-town green spaces with benches, paths and room to linger.
Waterside paths for walking, running and biking along the water.
Things to Do
2 matchesArt collections and talks in a calm setting.
Historic house museums with restored period rooms open for tours.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill | Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Society Hill Brick colonial rowhouses and hidden gardens on quiet tree-lined streets. | Royal Park Addition See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Older and newer houses on walkable streets close to the shops. |
| Rittenhouse Square Pre-war apartment buildings and townhouses facing the park. | Brazilian Court See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic in-town buildings steps from restaurants and shopping. |
| Fitler Square Quiet townhouse blocks around a small square near the river. | Everglades Island See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Quiet residential streets set apart, still close to town. |
| Society Hill Towers Mid-century high-rise apartments with views over the historic district. | Sloan's Curve See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Buildings with wide views and full-service living. |
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 Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill
Is Palm Beach like Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
Rittenhouse Square's walkable blocks and Society Hill's historic houses have their match on Palm Beach: an island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops you can walk to.
Where should I eat in Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
If you love Parc in Rittenhouse Square, try Ta-boó. If you love Vernick Food & Drink in Rittenhouse Square, try Café L'Europe. If you love Barclay Prime in Rittenhouse Square, try Meat Market Palm Beach.
What is the nightlife like in Palm Beach compared with Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
If The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. in Rittenhouse Square is your kind of night, try HMF at The Breakers: low-lit cocktail rooms where the drinks are the main event. If Monk's Cafe in Rittenhouse Square is your kind of night, try Ta-boó: long-running local favorites where the bar stays lively after dinner.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Palm Beach compared with Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
Di Bruno Bros. Rittenhouse pairs with Sant Ambroeus Palm Beach. La Colombe pairs with Drift Palm Beach. Rittenhouse Square pairs with Lake Drive Park. Schuylkill Banks pairs with The Lake Trail.
Which Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
Society Hill: look at Royal Park Addition (Older and newer houses on walkable streets close to the shops). Rittenhouse Square: look at Brazilian Court (Historic in-town buildings steps from restaurants and shopping). Fitler Square: look at Everglades Island (Quiet residential streets set apart, still close to town). Society Hill Towers: look at Sloan's Curve (Buildings with wide views and full-service living). See every one in our Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Palm Beach compared with Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
The vibe: Historic city blocks around a park square, busy all year in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; A small island town of historic streets and shops, busiest November to April in Palm Beach. The beaches: The Jersey Shore, about 1.5 hours away by car in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; The ocean at the end of Worth Avenue, with a public beach at Midtown Beach in Palm Beach. On the water: The Schuylkill River Trail and the Delaware River waterfront in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; The Lake Trail along Lake Worth Lagoon, with the Atlantic on the other side in Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: City clubs like the Union League; golf clubs out in the suburbs in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; Private clubs like the Everglades Club and the Bath and Tennis Club, and the town's Par 3 course in Palm Beach. Evenings out: Dinner off the square, cocktail bars, jazz at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; Dinner on Worth Avenue, drinks at Ta-boó and HMF at The Breakers in Palm Beach. The homes: Brick rowhouses, Federal townhouses and condos in historic buildings in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; Postwar co-ops and condos, in-town houses and Mediterranean Revival estates in Palm Beach. Getting back to Philadelphia: Already in Center City: walk, take SEPTA or make a short drive in Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill; About 15 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then a nonstop of about 2 hours 45 minutes to Philadelphia in Palm Beach.
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If You Love Avalon and Stone Harbor, You’ll Love Jupiter
If summer means the Shore, Jupiter is the version that lasts all year: ocean beaches with a low skyline, the inlet and river for boating, and a beach-town pace.
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
Avalon and Stone Harbor and Jupiter
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesCasual seafood spots with creative fish dishes.
Dockside spots at a working marina, eaten in flip-flops.
Seafood dinners near the water.
Dressier waterfront dining with views across the water.
Nightlife
2 matchesOpen-air waterfront bars where an afternoon drink runs into the evening.
Bars near the beach where live music comes with the evening drink.
Coffee
2 matchesAfter-beach ice cream, with coffee to go.
Morning coffee and baked goods before the beach.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesBeaches at the inlet, with birds and open sand.
Inlet beaches with jetties and boats passing by.
Things to Do
1 matchHistoric inlet lighthouses with museums, open for visits.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Avalon and Stone Harbor | Jupiter | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Harbor bayfront lagoons Homes on lagoons off the bay with docks out back. | Admirals Cove See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Waterfront homes with docks and quick access to open water. |
| Avalon High Dune Houses on the island's tall wooded dunes, steps to the beach. | The Bluffs See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Neighborhoods running from oceanfront condos to homes west of US 1. |
| Stone Harbor 96th Street Walkable blocks of shops, cafés and ice cream near the beach. | Abacoa See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Walkable town center streets with shops and dining. |
| Avalon bayside Quiet streets on the bay side with boat slips and sunset views. | Jonathan's Landing See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Boating neighborhoods with marinas and docks on the water. |
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 Avalon and Stone Harbor
Is Jupiter like Avalon and Stone Harbor?
If summer means the Shore, Jupiter is the version that lasts all year: ocean beaches with a low skyline, the inlet and river for boating, and a beach-town pace.
Where should I eat in Jupiter if I love the restaurants in Avalon and Stone Harbor?
If you love Quahog's Seafood Shack in Stone Harbor, try Little Moir's Food Shack. If you love Moran's Dockside in Avalon, try Square Grouper Tiki Bar. If you love Summer Salt in Avalon, try Jetty's Waterfront Restaurant.
What is the nightlife like in Jupiter compared with Avalon and Stone Harbor?
If Deauville Inn in Strathmere is your kind of night, try Guanabanas: open-air waterfront bars where an afternoon drink runs into the evening. If Piano Bar at ICONA Windrift in Avalon is your kind of night, try Square Grouper Tiki Bar: bars near the beach where live music comes with the evening drink.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Jupiter compared with Avalon and Stone Harbor?
Springer's Homemade Ice Cream pairs with Pumphouse Coffee Roasters, Cones & Coffee. The Bread and Cheese Cupboard pairs with Subculture Coffee (Jupiter). Stone Harbor Point pairs with Jupiter Beach Park. Avalon beaches at Townsends Inlet pairs with DuBois Park.
Which Jupiter neighborhoods feel like Avalon and Stone Harbor?
Stone Harbor bayfront lagoons: look at Admirals Cove (Waterfront homes with docks and quick access to open water). Avalon High Dune: look at The Bluffs (Neighborhoods running from oceanfront condos to homes west of US 1). Stone Harbor 96th Street: look at Abacoa (Walkable town center streets with shops and dining). Avalon bayside: look at Jonathan's Landing (Boating neighborhoods with marinas and docks on the water). See every one in our Jupiter neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Jupiter compared with Avalon and Stone Harbor?
The vibe: Shore towns busiest Memorial Day to Labor Day, quiet in winter in Avalon and Stone Harbor; A year-round beach town, busiest January to April and open all summer in Jupiter. The beaches: Wide ocean beaches, with the water warmest in July and August in Avalon and Stone Harbor; Ocean beaches with water warm enough to swim most of the year in Jupiter. On the water: The back bays, Townsends Inlet and Hereford Inlet in Avalon and Stone Harbor; The Jupiter Inlet, the Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal, with offshore fishing all year in Jupiter. Golf and clubs: Private clubs like Stone Harbor Golf Club and a few public courses in Avalon and Stone Harbor; Private clubs like The Bear's Club, Admirals Cove and The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter. Evenings out: Dinner on Dune Drive and 96th Street, music on the bay at the Deauville Inn in Avalon and Stone Harbor; Waterfront dinners on the inlet, live music at Square Grouper and Guanabanas in Jupiter. The homes: Beach houses, bayfront homes and new builds on small lots in Avalon and Stone Harbor; Oceanfront condominiums, river and Intracoastal homes, and club estates in Jupiter. Getting back to Philadelphia: About 1.5 to 2 hours by car, longer on summer weekends in Avalon and Stone Harbor; About 30 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then a nonstop of about 2 hours 45 minutes to Philadelphia in Jupiter.
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If You Love New Hope and Bucks County, You’ll Love Stuart
New Hope's river-town charm shows up in Stuart: a walkable riverfront downtown, the Lyric Theatre, marinas and a slower pace on the St. Lucie River.
Stuart grew up around the river, the inlet and the railroad. The waterways that drew the first settlers still shape where its neighborhoods are and how they are built.
Every home for sale in Stuart (opens in a new tab) The Stuart guide 786 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
New Hope and Bucks County and Stuart
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesWaterside dining rooms where tables look right onto the water.
Historic downtown taverns with a long bar and local regulars.
Classic American dinners in a setting with plenty of old-town character.
Main-street bistros for dinner before a show or a stroll.
Nightlife
2 matchesMain-street rooms where a live band is part of most nights out.
Historic small-town stages for a show after dinner downtown.
Coffee
1 matchSmall coffee bars a short walk from the river.
Things to Do
2 matchesRegional museums with art and local stories under one roof.
Restored historic theaters staging shows in a walkable downtown.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| New Hope and Bucks County | Stuart | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| New Hope village Historic river town of galleries, shops and inns on walkable streets. | Downtown Stuart See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Walkable historic downtowns on the river with galleries and dining. |
| River Road Houses along the Delaware with river views and wooded lots. | North River Shores See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Established riverfront streets with mature trees and water views. |
More to explore
More Neighborhoods Worth Noting in Stuart
For boaters
Sailfish Point: 532 acres on Hutchinson Island with an 84-slip marina.
See homes in Sailfish Point (opens in a new tab) 24 for sale now
For golf
Mariner Sands: 771 homes and two courses, golf optional.
See homes in Mariner Sands (opens in a new tab) 31 for sale now
For a walkable downtown
Downtown Stuart: Homes on the old riverfront plats of downtown Stuart, from early houses to recent condominiums.
See homes in Downtown Stuart (opens in a new tab) 17 for sale now
For life on the river
North River Shores: Homes on the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, just north of the City of Stuart in unincorporated Martin County.
See homes in North River Shores (opens in a new tab) 4 for sale now
New construction
New Construction, Side by Side
| New Hope and Bucks County | Stuart | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit Run Creek | Sailfish Cay | Newer townhome-style residences a short drive from downtown. |
Questions
Questions About Stuart If You Love New Hope and Bucks County
Is Stuart like New Hope and Bucks County?
New Hope's river-town charm shows up in Stuart: a walkable riverfront downtown, the Lyric Theatre, marinas and a slower pace on the St. Lucie River.
Where should I eat in Stuart if I love the restaurants in New Hope and Bucks County?
If you love Martine's RiverHouse in New Hope, try Shrimper's Grill & Raw Bar. If you love Logan Inn in New Hope, try The Black Marlin. If you love Washington Crossing Inn in Washington Crossing, try The Gafford.
What is the nightlife like in Stuart compared with New Hope and Bucks County?
If Havana in New Hope is your kind of night, try Terra Fermata: main-street rooms where a live band is part of most nights out. If Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope is your kind of night, try The Lyric Theatre: historic small-town stages for a show after dinner downtown.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Stuart compared with New Hope and Bucks County?
Lambertville Trading Company pairs with Gilbert's Coffee Bar.
Which Stuart neighborhoods feel like New Hope and Bucks County?
New Hope village: look at Downtown Stuart (Walkable historic downtowns on the river with galleries and dining). River Road: look at North River Shores (Established riverfront streets with mature trees and water views). See every one in our Stuart neighborhood guides.
Is there new construction in Stuart like New Hope and Bucks County?
If Rabbit Run Creek is on your list, look at Sailfish Cay: Newer townhome-style residences a short drive from downtown. More in Palm Beach County new developments.
What is different about living in Stuart compared with New Hope and Bucks County?
The vibe: A river town of galleries, shops and inns, busiest on weekends in New Hope and Bucks County; A river town with a historic downtown, galleries and shops, busy all year in Stuart. The beaches: None close by; the Jersey Shore is about 1.5 to 2 hours away in New Hope and Bucks County; Stuart Beach and Bathtub Reef Beach on Hutchinson Island, about 15 minutes away in Stuart. On the water: Tubing and kayaking on the Delaware, walks on the canal towpath in New Hope and Bucks County; The St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie Inlet in Stuart. Golf and clubs: Private clubs like Lookaway Golf Club and public courses across Bucks County in New Hope and Bucks County; Private clubs like Sailfish Point and The Floridian, plus public courses in Stuart. Evenings out: Live music at Havana, shows at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope and Bucks County; Live music at Terra Fermata, concerts and shows at the Lyric Theatre in Stuart. The homes: Stone farmhouses, river homes and historic houses in town in New Hope and Bucks County; River homes, marina communities, older houses near downtown and condos in Stuart. Getting back to Philadelphia: About an hour by car to Center City in New Hope and Bucks County; About 50 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then a nonstop of about 2 hours 45 minutes to Philadelphia in Stuart.
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If You Love Chester County horse country, You’ll Love Wellington
Unionville's farms and Devon's horse show have a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and the polo season.
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
Chester County horse country and Wellington
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
2 matchesGrill-focused dinners with a relaxed, country feel.
Neighborhood restaurants with chef-driven menus.
Nightlife
2 matchesCommunity stages close to home with concerts on the calendar.
Grand prix show jumping in the evening, with food and a crowd at the ring.
Coffee
2 matchesLocal coffee shops for a morning stop before the barn.
Farm-minded cafés with fresh breakfast and good coffee.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
1 matchPreserves with walking trails, open views and plenty of birds.
Things to Do
2 matchesShow-jumping events with international horses and riders.
Equestrian spectator days with picnics, hats and fields of horses.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Chester County horse country | Wellington | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Unionville Rolling horse farms, stone barns and open fields under preservation. | Palm Beach Point See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Equestrian estates on acreage with private barns and paddocks. |
| Radnor Hunt country, Malvern Estate homes and fields around a historic fox-hunting club. | Equestrian Club Estates See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Horse-country homes near riding trails and show grounds. |
| Kennett Square countryside Rural lots with room for horses, gardens and long driveways. | Saddle Trail Park See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Acreage lots with bridle trails and space for horses. |
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 Chester County horse country
Is Wellington like Chester County horse country?
Unionville's farms and Devon's horse show have a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and the polo season.
Where should I eat in Wellington if I love the restaurants in Chester County horse country?
If you love Brandywine Prime in Chadds Ford, try Rancho Argentino. If you love Sovana Bistro in Kennett Square, try Oli's Fashion Cuisine.
What is the nightlife like in Wellington compared with Chester County horse country?
If The Kennett Flash in Kennett Square is your kind of night, try Wellington Amphitheater: community stages close to home with concerts on the calendar. If Devon Horse Show in Devon is your kind of night, try Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International: grand prix show jumping in the evening, with food and a crowd at the ring.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in Wellington compared with Chester County horse country?
Philter Coffee pairs with Foxtail Coffee Co. (Wellington). Talula's Table pairs with Carmela Coffee (Wellington). Stroud Preserve pairs with Peaceful Waters Sanctuary.
Which Wellington neighborhoods feel like Chester County horse country?
Unionville: look at Palm Beach Point (Equestrian estates on acreage with private barns and paddocks). Radnor Hunt country, Malvern: look at Equestrian Club Estates (Horse-country homes near riding trails and show grounds). Kennett Square countryside: look at Saddle Trail Park (Acreage lots with bridle trails and space for horses). See every one in our Wellington neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in Wellington compared with Chester County horse country?
The vibe: Rolling farms, stone walls and hunt country around Unionville in Chester County horse country; Horse farms, riding trails and show grounds, busiest in the winter season in Wellington. The outdoors: Farm country, preserved open land and trail riding in Chester County horse country; Bridle trails and the Wellington Environmental Preserve; ocean beaches about 30 minutes east in Wellington. The horse season: The Devon Horse Show in late May, fall hunts and races in Chester County horse country; The Winter Equestrian Festival, January to March, and polo into spring in Wellington. Golf and clubs: Clubs like Kennett Square Golf & Country Club in Chester County horse country; Clubs like Palm Beach Polo and The Wanderers Club in Wellington. Evenings out: Shows at the Kennett Flash, dinner in Kennett Square in Chester County horse country; Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International, concerts at the Wellington Amphitheater in Wellington. The homes: Horse farms, stone farmhouses and estates on acreage in Chester County horse country; Horse farms, estates and barns in an equestrian district, plus club homes in Wellington. Getting back to Philadelphia: About an hour by car to Center City in Chester County horse country; About 25 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then a nonstop of about 2 hours 45 minutes to Philadelphia in Wellington.
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If You Love Center City, You’ll Love West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach is the part of the county with a real downtown: new towers on the Intracoastal, 1920s historic districts close by, and the Norton and the Kravis within a walk.
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
Center City and West Palm Beach
What to do and see
If You Love It There, Try This Here
Restaurants
4 matchesChef-owned dining rooms where reservations are worth planning ahead.
French bistros in the historic core of downtown.
Retro diners open late, with drinks after dark.
Italian kitchens built around handmade pasta.
Nightlife
2 matchesJazz rooms with a stage, drinks and a full calendar of shows.
Evenings on the waterfront downtown, with music, food and drinks outdoors.
Coffee
2 matchesRoaster-run flagship cafés with plenty of room to linger.
Downtown specialty coffee bars on busy walking streets.
Beaches, Parks and the Water
2 matchesDowntown waterfront parks with events, docks and room to stroll.
Public botanical gardens with trails and plant collections in the city.
Things to Do
2 matchesMajor art museums with broad collections and rotating exhibitions.
Downtown performing arts centers for Broadway tours, orchestras and dance.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods, Side by Side
| Center City | West Palm Beach | What they share |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Square West Historic brick rowhouses on leafy blocks near restaurants. | Flamingo Park See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic district houses on walkable, tree-lined streets. |
| Old City Cobblestone streets, galleries and lofts in historic buildings. | Northwood Village No homes are listed for sale here right now. New listings come up through the year; ask me to watch for one. | Arts-district streets with galleries, restaurants and older buildings. |
| Fairmount Rowhouses near the art museum and the river trail. | Old Northwood See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Historic houses close to the water and a short ride downtown. |
| Logan Square High-rise living along the Parkway, near museums and parks. | One Watermark Place See homes in this community (opens in a new tab) | Downtown towers with views and walkable access to culture. |
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
Questions
Questions About West Palm Beach If You Love Center City
Is West Palm Beach like Center City?
West Palm Beach is the part of the county with a real downtown: new towers on the Intracoastal, 1920s historic districts close by, and the Norton and the Kravis within a walk.
Where should I eat in West Palm Beach if I love the restaurants in Center City?
If you love Zahav in Society Hill, try Kitchen. If you love Forsythia in Old City, try Pistache French Bistro. If you love Silk City Diner in Northern Liberties, try Howley's.
What is the nightlife like in West Palm Beach compared with Center City?
If Chris' Jazz Cafe in Center City is your kind of night, try The Sunset Lounge: jazz rooms with a stage, drinks and a full calendar of shows. If Spruce Street Harbor Park in Penn's Landing is your kind of night, try Clematis by Night: evenings on the waterfront downtown, with music, food and drinks outdoors.
What are the coffee shops, beaches and parks like in West Palm Beach compared with Center City?
La Colombe Fishtown pairs with Pumphouse Coffee Roasters, The Pouratorium. Elixr Coffee pairs with Subculture Coffee (Clematis). Spruce Street Harbor Park pairs with West Palm Beach Waterfront and Lake Pavilion. Bartram's Garden pairs with Mounts Botanical Garden.
Which West Palm Beach neighborhoods feel like Center City?
Washington Square West: look at Flamingo Park (Historic district houses on walkable, tree-lined streets). Old City: look at Northwood Village (Arts-district streets with galleries, restaurants and older buildings). Fairmount: look at Old Northwood (Historic houses close to the water and a short ride downtown). Logan Square: look at One Watermark Place (Downtown towers with views and walkable access to culture). See every one in our West Palm Beach neighborhood guides.
What is different about living in West Palm Beach compared with Center City?
The vibe: A walkable grid of rowhouses, towers and neighborhoods, busy all year in Center City; A walkable downtown of new towers and 1920s neighborhoods, busiest in winter in West Palm Beach. The beaches: The Jersey Shore, about 1.5 hours away by car in Center City; Palm Beach's ocean beaches across the bridge, about 10 minutes away in West Palm Beach. On the water: The Schuylkill Banks and the Delaware River waterfront in Center City; The Intracoastal along Flagler Drive, with a waterfront park and marina downtown in West Palm Beach. Golf and clubs: Public courses in the city, private clubs out in the suburbs in Center City; The city-owned West Palm Beach Golf Course, with private clubs nearby in West Palm Beach. Evenings out: Jazz at Chris' Jazz Cafe, concerts at the Kimmel Center in Center City; Clematis by Night concerts, jazz at the Sunset Lounge, shows at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. The homes: Rowhouses, lofts and high-rise condos in Center City; High-rise condos downtown and 1920s houses in historic districts like Flamingo Park in West Palm Beach. Getting back to Philadelphia: Already in the city: walk, take SEPTA or make a short drive in Center City; About 10 minutes to the West Palm Beach airport, then a nonstop of about 2 hours 45 minutes to Philadelphia in West Palm Beach.
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In their words
What People Ask Before Moving from Philadelphia
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.
Can we see the Phillies?
Phillies are in Clearwater (west coast, about 3.5 hours). Nearby: Cardinals/Marlins in Jupiter, Nationals/Astros in West Palm, Mets in Port St. Lucie.
Which town feels like the Shore without the crowds?
Juno Beach and Singer Island for the beach-town week feel year-round; Stuart for a riverfront downtown.
How easy is it to get back to Philly?
Nonstop flights from the West Palm airport (renamed 2026); Stuart is under an hour from it.
Heard This? Here Is the Fact
“The Phillies are in our backyard for spring training.”
Phillies train in Clearwater on the Gulf side. The east-coast teams near here are Cardinals, Marlins, Nationals, Astros and Mets. (source (opens in a new tab))
The big question
Is It Worth Moving from Philadelphia to Palm Beach County?
For most Pennsylvania buyers who can make Florida their real home, yes. Florida has no income or inheritance tax, where Pennsylvania charges 4.5% to 15% on what passes to heirs, depending on the heir, and Philadelphia adds a 3.735% wage tax. Philadelphia is about two and a half hours nonstop; the trade is a higher insurance bill and a hot summer that is also hurricane season.
962 tax returns moved from Pennsylvania into Palm Beach and Martin counties in the 2022 to 2023 IRS county-to-county migration data, led by Montgomery County (183), Philadelphia (155) and Bucks County (123) (IRS SOI migration data (opens in a new tab)).
| What changes | Philadelphia | Palm Beach County |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Flat 3.07% | None |
| City tax | Philadelphia resident wage tax 3.735% from July 1, 2026 | None |
| Inheritance tax | 0% to a spouse; 4.5% to 15% for other heirs, depending on the heir | None |
| Median effective property tax | 1.26% | Palm Beach County 0.82%; Martin County 0.76% |
| Leaving the tax system | Pennsylvania taxes its residents' income wherever it is earned and their estates on what passes to heirs. | 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 | Philadelphia and Pittsburgh | Nonstop from West Palm Beach, about two and a half hours |
| Home prices | Varies by town | Town by town; see the live medians |
Taxes and costs
How Do Pennsylvania and Florida Taxes Compare?
Florida has no state income tax and no inheritance or estate tax. Pennsylvania charges a flat 3.07%, Philadelphia residents pay a 3.735% wage tax from July 1, 2026, and Pennsylvania’s inheritance tax runs from 4.5% to 15% depending on the heir, with spouses exempt.
The inheritance tax is the part of Pennsylvania tax that Florida removes completely. Run your own figures with your CPA.
| Pennsylvania | Florida | |
|---|---|---|
| State income tax | Flat 3.07% (Pa. Department of Revenue (opens in a new tab)) | None |
| City tax | Philadelphia resident wage tax 3.735% from July 1, 2026 (City of Philadelphia (opens in a new tab)) | None |
| Inheritance tax | 0% to a spouse; 4.5% to children and grandchildren; 12% to siblings; 15% to others (Pa. inheritance tax (opens in a new tab)) | None |
| Median effective property tax | 1.26% (Tax Foundation 2026 (opens in a new tab), 2024 data) | Palm Beach County 0.82%; Martin County 0.76% |
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 Pennsylvania Stop Treating Me as a Resident?
Pennsylvania taxes its residents’ income wherever it is earned and their estates on what passes to heirs, so the move has to be a real change of domicile: your home, your time, your business and the things you treasure. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Philadelphia from Palm Beach?
Nonstop flights from West Palm Beach to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh take about two and a half hours, and the airport is about 30 minutes from Jupiter.
West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) flies nonstop to Philadelphia on American and Frontier, and to Pittsburgh on Allegiant (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
- Philadelphia (PHL): American, Frontier
- Pittsburgh (PIT): Allegiant; Southwest from Feb. 11, 2027 (seasonal)
- Wilmington, DE (ILG): Avelo (seasonal)
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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia: Questions
Where should I live in Palm Beach County if I'm moving from Philadelphia?
Most Pennsylvania buyers start in Palm Beach Gardens (if you love the Main Line), Palm Beach (Rittenhouse Square), Jupiter (Avalon and Stone Harbor) or Stuart (New Hope). Pennsylvania’s income tax is a flat 3.07% plus Philadelphia’s wage tax, and its inheritance tax reaches 15%; Florida has neither. American and Frontier fly nonstop to Philadelphia.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like The Main Line?
Palm Beach Gardens. The Main Line runs on its clubs, and Palm Beach Gardens does too: private golf clubs with dining, tennis and fitness, and estate homes inside the gate.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Rittenhouse Square and Society Hill?
Palm Beach. Rittenhouse Square’s walkable blocks and Society Hill’s historic houses have their match on Palm Beach: an island of historic houses, Mediterranean Revival buildings and shops you can walk to.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Avalon and Stone Harbor?
Jupiter. If summer means the Shore, Jupiter is the version that lasts all year: ocean beaches with a low skyline, the inlet and river for boating, and a beach-town pace.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like New Hope and Bucks County?
Stuart. Lucie River.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Chester County horse country?
Wellington. Unionville’s farms and Devon’s horse show have a winter home in Wellington: barns, riding trails, show grounds and the polo season.
Which Palm Beach County town is most like Center City?
West Palm Beach. West Palm Beach is the part of the county with a real downtown: new towers on the Intracoastal, 1920s historic districts close by, and the Norton and the Kravis within a walk.
Does Florida have an inheritance tax?
No. Pennsylvania taxes inheritances at 4.5% to children and grandchildren, 12% to siblings and 15% to others, with spouses exempt. Florida has no inheritance or estate tax.
Can I fly nonstop to Philadelphia?
Yes, on American and Frontier from West Palm Beach.
Is there a Florida version of the Jersey Shore?
Jupiter and Juno Beach are the closest: ocean beaches without high-rises, the inlet and river for boating, and warm water most of the year.
How do I establish Florida residency if I'm leaving Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia to Palm Beach County?
For most Pennsylvania buyers who can make Florida their real home, yes. Florida has no income or inheritance tax, where Pennsylvania charges 4.5% to 15% on what passes to heirs, depending on the heir, and Philadelphia adds a 3.735% wage tax. Philadelphia is about two and a half hours nonstop; the trade is a higher insurance bill and a hot summer that is also hurricane season.
How many people move from Philadelphia to Palm Beach County?
962 tax returns moved from Pennsylvania into Palm Beach and Martin counties in the 2022 to 2023 IRS migration data, most of them from Montgomery County, Philadelphia and Bucks County.
Is Palm Beach County cheaper than Philadelphia?
On taxes, yes for most buyers: no income, wage or inheritance tax, and a median property tax rate of 0.82% in Palm Beach County against 1.26% in Pennsylvania. 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 Philadelphia to Palm Beach?
About two and a half hours nonstop from the airport in West Palm Beach (DJT, formerly PBI) to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia, the Main Line, Bucks and Chester counties and the Shore towns: community scouting and video before you fly down, then tours when you visit.
Moving from somewhere else?
More Relocation Guides
Your move, handled
Start Your Move from Philadelphia
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: Philadelphia and Florida
The laws and rate tables behind the numbers on this page.
- Pa. Department of Revenue, tax rates (opens in a new tab)
- Pa. inheritance tax (opens in a new tab)
- City of Philadelphia, wage tax (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.
- Publix Corporate Newsroom: Publix opened May 21, 2026 at Avenir Town Center on Northlake Boulevard (opens in a new tab)
- WLRN: Phipps Ocean Park is being rebuilt with restored dunes, 80,000 native plants, a relocated Little Red… (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)
- WFLX: The Nora District enters its third phase with Nora House, an 11-story building of 117 condos;… (opens in a new tab)
- Sports Illustrated: Every MLB team that holds spring training in Florida (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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