Boca Arts and Culture

Boca Raton is known for its affluent social community and high income demographic. Boca Raton has a large Jewish and South American population. Boca Raton's South American population includes a large demographic from Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela.

Boca Raton is home to the Caldwell Theatre Company, the longest-running professional theater in South Florida, celebrating its 34th season in the recently inaugurated Count de Hoernle Theatre on South Federal Highway.[20]

Boca Raton is blessed with nice beaches along its eastern shore, notably Red Reef Park[21], where snorkeling from the shore can bring a visitor to a living reef without the expense of renting a boat. Also located at the 20 acre park is Gumbo Limbo, an Environmental Education Center. A small fee is required to enter the park.

Boca Raton Museum of Art
501 Plaza Real
Boca Raton, FL 33432 Map
Phone: (561) 392-2500
Phone 2: (561) 392-2503
Fax: (561) 391-6410

Children's Museum
498 Crawford Blvd
Boca Raton, FL 33432 Map
Phone: (561) 368-6875
Fax: (561) 395-7764

Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
71 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33432 Map
Phone: 561-395-6766
Fax: 561-395-4049

Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia
2285 Potomac Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33431 Map
Toll Free: 1-888-426-5577
Phone: 561-376-3848
thebocasymphonia@bellsouth.net

Caldwell Theatre Company
in the Count de Hoernle Theatre
7901 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487 Map
BOX OFFICE: 561-241-7432
& 877-245-7432

Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park
433 Plaza Real, Suite 339
Boca Raton, FL 33432 Map
Phone: (561) 368-8445

Cost of Living

The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment.

Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition areas, that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living.

Our cost of living indices are based on a US average of 100. An amount below 100 means Boca Raton, FL is cheaper than the US average. A cost of living index above 100 means Boca Raton, FL is more expensive.
Overall, Boca Raton, FL cost of living is 154.74.

Cost of living indexing explanation
A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example:
Boise Idaho is ranked at a 99
Boston Mass is rated at 240
San Francisco at 217
Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 90 and up.
One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements
For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate 1s 110) to Melbourne fl, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows
Take the destination index, in this case Melbourne-92.72 and divide by Portland’s index-110, then multiply by a salary of $50,000.
This will give you a figure of $42,145.00 which would be required to make in Melbourne to have the same quality of life.

See comparable Florida statewide

2008-09 stats Source C2ER formerly accra-col index and http://www.bestplaces.net/

Boca Raton-154.74
Cape Coral-Ft Myers-99.6
Ft Lauderdale-137.0
Destin-145.61
Jacksonville metro-97.1
Big Pine Key fl-132.46
Key Largo-146.9
Key West-167.97
Marathon fl-162.06
Miami metro-137.41
Melbourne-92.72
Naples Fl-250.59
Orlando metro-101
Palm Bay-84.56
Palm Coast-Flagler-125.01
Panama City-86.35
Pensacola metro-82.0
Sarasota-107.2
Tampa 97.3
St Pete-Clearwater-95.6
Vero-Beach Indian River-122.87
West Palm Beach metro-112.05
(Population Weighted-State Average=100
See national comparisons
Cost of living (100 = nationwide average)

* New York, NY -164.50
* Long Beach, CA -135.71
* Palo Alto, CA -234.42
* Boston, MA -127.60
* Malibu, CA -492.80
* San Francisco, -187.23
* Greenwich, CT 215
* Chicago, IL -126.45
* Dallas Tx -92,94
* Atlanta Ga -112.21
For more information about cost of living go to either Sperlings best Places http://www.bestplaces.net/
or Accra's site at http://www.coli.org/

In conclusion, Boca Raton is a great place to live.

Health

Part of living well is living healthy, a lifestyle exemplified in Boca Raton, through its healthy, active communities. Whether it is joining a gym, running along the beach or just breathing in the fresh air at the park, Boca Raton provides an atmosphere for living well and feeling healthy.

Boca Raton Community Hospital
800 Meadows Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.395.7100

Serving the community since 1967, Boca Raton Community Hospital (www.brch.com) has 400 beds and more than 700 primary and specialty physicians with privileges.

The Christine E. Lynn Heart Institute opened in 2006, eliminating the need for patients to travel potentially life-threatening distances for comprehensive cardiac care and marking the first time in 20 years that a new open-heart surgery program started in Palm Beach County .

The Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Community Hospital has been in operation for 28 years and has developed into of the largest comprehensive cancer centers in Florida. A new $75 million, 98,000 square-foot cancer center facility, called the Harvey and Phyllis Sandler Pavillion, is planned to open in 2008.

Boca Raton Community Hospital is part of a program alliance to become the teaching hospital for the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine at Florida Atlantic University and Florida Atlantic University (FAU). As part of the agreement, the hospital will lease 38 acres of FAU land – located on the southeast corner of the campus - for the development and operation of a community-university affiliated teaching hospital. The new 530 private-bed teaching hospital, scheduled to open in 2011, is designed to become one of the safest teaching hospitals in America .

Delray Medical Center
5352 Linton Blvd.
Delray Beach, Florida 33484
561.498.4440
http://www.tenethealth.com/Delray

Since opening in 1982, Delray Medical Center has become a major provider of specialized cardiac services including open heart surgery while also providing a broad range of medical, surgical and 24-hour emergency/ trauma services for the community. Since May of 1991, more than 7,000 patients have been treated here as south Palm Beach County's state-designated level II trauma center. Delray Medical Center, accredited with commendation twice in succession by the JCAHO and distinguished as one of the 100 top orthopedic hospitals in the country by HCI, is a 343-bed, acute-care facility with more than 500 physicians on staff. For physician referral, call 800.897.9789.
North Broward Medical Center
201 E. Sample Road
Pompano Beach, Florida 33064
954.786.6400

North Broward Medical Center is a comprehensive, 409-bed healthcare facility conveniently located at Interstate 95 and Sample Road in Broward County. More than 650 physicians and 1,500 employees contribute to the high quality of patient care provided at the tax-assisted medical center.
Designated as an Adult Level II Trauma Center, the Emergency Department is open around the clock to serve residents of Broward and nearby southern Palm Beach County. In addition to treating everything from minor ills to major injuries, the department is now a designated Chest Pain Center where rapid assessment of chest pain is focused on saving lives and reducing damage to the heart. More than 50,000 people are treated in the ED each year and they receive approximately 650 trauma patients annually.
North Broward Medical Center plays an active role in the community, participating in an assortment of programs. NBMC volunteers work with students through Broward County's Partners in Education program. The Senior Research Center, classrooms and 250-seat conference center house monthly lectures, meetings, support groups and screenings.
North Ridge Medical Center
5757 N. Dixie Highway
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334
954.776.6000

In central Broward County, North Ridge Medical Center is a 391-bed facility and is the largest open heart surgery provider in both Broward and Palm Beach counties. North Ridge is recognized for its extensive cardiac and neuroscience services at the North Ridge Cardiac and Vascular Institute and the North Ridge NeuroScience Center. Other hospital specialties include the Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Center, Maternity Center, Breast Center, Transitional Rehabilitation Unit and the North Ridge Outpatient Center. Additional services include wellness center, 24-hour emergency, Tenet home health and a variety of educational wellness opportunities for the community. A part of Tenet South Florida HealthSystem, North Ridge is a fully accredited facility with more than 600 physicians on staff. For a free physician referral, call 800.879.8796.
West Boca Medical Center
21644 State Road 7
Boca Raton, Florida 33428
Phone: 561.488.8000
Fax: 561.488.8105

A part of Tenet South Florida HealthSystems, West Boca Medical Center is a 185-bed, fully accredited acute care facility on State Road 7 between Palmetto Park and Glades roads. The hospital offers a wide range of services that include a 24-hour emergency room, Chest Pain Center, Critical Care, Diabetes Outpatient Education Program, Guest Relations Program, Outpatient Surgery Facility, Physical Therapy, Senior Outreach Center and Women's Health Services, in addition to a continuum of care of maternity and pediatric patients. Health professionals include more than 500 affiliated physicians in more than 45 specialties. Specialized services for women, infants and children are offered in the BirthCare Pavilion, Pediatric Pavilion, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Emergency Services and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (the highest level designated by the state). West Boca Medical Center is an active member of more than 40 managed care health plans throughout the United States. For a physician referral or information on support groups, programs and birth care classes, please call 1-888-TENET-4U.
Boca Raton Sleep Disorders Center
899 Meadows Road, Suite 101
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.750.9881

This is the only sleep disorder center in Palm Beach and Broward counties accredited by the American Sleep Disorders Association. The Boca Raton Sleep Disorder Center provides non-invasive overnight sleep monitoring in a home-like setting. Medical Director Natalio J. Chediak M.D. is board certified in neurology and sleep medicine. Evaluation of all sleep disorders is provided, including insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness. Treatments are offered on an individual basis.
The Center for Breast Care
Debbie-Rand Pavilion
690 Meadows Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.362.5000

This state-of-the-art facility offers total breast care including screening, diagnostics, consultation and research. Using a team approach, staff professionals on-hand from all related disciplines include radiologists, oncologists, surgeons, nurses, technologists, pathologists and psychologists. Among its many services, the center also offers a second opinion service and a risk-assessment service.
Community Blood Center of South Florida
8903 Glades Road, Bay A-12
Boca Raton, Florida 33434
561.451.4389

Community Blood Centers of South Florida, a nonprofit agency, operates three division. Palm Beach Community Blood Center in Boca Raton provides 100,000 pints of blood annually to 18 South Florida hospitals and many dialysis and home health care centers. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 100 pounds. For more information, call 561.451.4389 or 800.357.GIVE.
Habilitation Center for the Handicapped
22313 Boca Rio Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33433
561.483.4200

This private, not-for-profit agency was founded in 1978 to serve adults with physical and mental disabilities in Palm Beach and Broward counties. It offers a broad spectrum of comprehensive educational and vocational training, therapeutic and support services. The Sheltered Workshop provides manufacturing services and the Plant Nursery provides bedding plants to area businesses.
Mae Volen Senior Center
1515 W. Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.395.8920

Intergenerational programs, home delivered and congregate meals, house-keeping and adult day health care are just a few of the services offered here. In addition, the facility provides Social Security and Medicare counseling, support for the visually impaired, sign language, exercise for the physically impaired and a senior sharing support group. Transportation is also available, along with emergency alert/response, personal care, recreation, lectures, nutrition programs and tax aid.
Hospice By the Sea
1531 W. Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.395.5031

Hospice by the Sea has provided a special kind of caring for almost two decades to those whom cure is no longer possible. An interdisciplinary team of nurses, social workers, clergy, therapists and specially trained volunteers work with patients' physicians to develop a plan of care. The team controls symptoms of illness and supports emotional well-being. The center's goal is to help its patients stay at home, but the staff also works with the patient and family in its 32-bed private care center, at nursing homes and in adult congregate living facilities. Admission is based on need only; the facility receives reimbursement from Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, grants and donations. On-call emergency care is available 24 hours a day. Trudi Webb is president/CEO.
Lynn Regional Cancer Center
800 Meadows Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.393.4111
16313 S. Military Trail
Delray Beach, Florida 33484
561.637.7200

Accredited by the American College of Surgeons, the Lynn Regional Cancer Center of Boca Raton Community Hospital is a comprehensive cancer program with locations within the main hospital and a satellite facility in Delray Beach. This nationally renowned cancer center provides surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, educational programs and support groups.
Care Center of Boca Raton Community Hospital
(Adjacent to Emergency Room)
800 Meadows Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.362.5002

The Care Center at the Boca Community Hospital provides care for the bruises, cuts, earaches, flu symptoms and other minor medical emergencies. The center is open 8:00 a.m.- midnight seven days a week, so appointments are unnecessary. Patients are seen in the order in which they arrive. Pediatricians complement emergency room physicians weeknights, and all day on weekends and holidays. The center provides care for all ages, from newborns to seniors.
Nursing Homes

Avante at Boca Raton
1130 N.W. 15th Street
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561.394.6282
Administrator: Dan Benson

Pompano Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
51 W. Sample Road
Pompano Beach, Florida 33064
954.942.5530
Administrator: Gary Krulewitz

45th Street Mental Health Center Palm Beach Palm Beach
A G Holley State Hospital Palm Beach Palm Beach
Bethesda Memorial Hospital Palm Beach Delray Beach
Boca Raton Community Hospital Palm Beach Delray Beach
Columbia Hospital Palm Beach Riviera Beach
Delray Community Hospital Palm Beach Delray Beach
Delray Medical Center Palm Beach University Park
Doctors Hospital of Lake Worth Palm Beach Palm Beach
Everglades Regional Medical Center Palm Beach Pahokee
Fair Oaks Hospital at Boca/Delray Palm Beach Delray Beach
Fair Oaks Pavillion at Delray Medical Center Palm Beach Delray Beach
Glades General Hospital Palm Beach Belle Glade
Good Samaritan Hospital Palm Beach Palm Beach
Humana Hospital Palm Beaches Palm Beach Palm Beach
John F Kennedy Medical Center Palm Beach Palm Beach
Jupiter Medical Center Palm Beach Jupiter
Lake Hospital of the Palm Beaches Palm Beach Palm Beach
Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches Palm Beach Riviera Beach
Palm Beach Gardens Community Hospital Palm Beach Loxahatchee NW
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center Palm Beach Riviera Beach
Palms West Hospital Palm Beach Loxahatchee
Pinecrest Rehabilitation Center Palm Beach University Park
Saint Marys Hospital Palm Beach Palm Beach
Saint Marys Medical Center Palm Beach Riviera Beach
The Hospital Palm Beach Port Everglades
Wellington Regional Medical Center Palm Beach Palm Beach Farms
West Boca Medical Center Palm Beach West Dixie Bend
West Palm Beach Veterans Administration Palm Beach Riviera Beach

Schools

For a complete list see http://florida.hometownlocator.com/features/cultural,class,School,scfips,
12099.cfm

Public education is provided and managed by The School District of Palm Beach County. Boca Raton is also home to several notable private and religious schools.

As of 2007, Boca Raton is served by four public high schools. Within the city's limits, Boca Raton Community High School serves the eastern part of the city. Spanish River Community High School serves the west-central part of the city limits and parts of unincorporated Boca Raton. Olympic Heights Community High School serves the western unincorporated areas. Finally, West Boca Raton Community High School serves the far-west unincorporated areas. Spanish River, Olympic Heights, and West Boca Raton also serve students from Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.[28]

The area is served by five public middle schools:

* Boca Raton Community Middle School,
* Don Estridge High Tech Middle School, a technology magnet school named for Don Estridge, the leader of a small group of engineers who developed the IBM Personal Computer in Boca Raton.
* Eagles Landing Middle School
* Loggers' Run Community Middle School
* Omni Middle School

The area is served by twelve public elementary schools:

* Addison Mizner Elementary (Founded in 1968. It is named after Addison Mizner, a famous architect who shaped and had enormous influence on Boca's architecture.)
* Boca Raton Elementary
* Calusa Elementary
* Coral Sunset Elementary
* Del Prado Elementary
* Hammock Pointe Elementary
* J.C. Mitchell Elementary
* Sandpiper Shores Elementary
* Sunrise Park Elementary
* Verde Elementary
* Waters Edge Elementary
* Whispering Pines Elementary

The following is a list of Boca Raton Charter Schools: 

Academy School of Florida 
23078 Sandalfoot Plaza Boulevard
Boca Raton, Florida 33486
561/470-9744
Year Opened: 2000
Offers smaller classes and individualized cirriculum to 285 middle-school students.
Cambridge Educational Academy Charter School
7887 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
561/251-0024
Year Opened: 2002
Small class size using Core Knowledge Curriculum.

An alternative to the Palm Beach County Public Schools in Boca Raton is the Alexander D. Henderson University School is located on the Florida Atlantic University campus. A. D. Henderson University School (ADHUS) is organized as a unique and separate school district; it is not part of the Palm Beach County School System. Henderson School is recognized as Florida Atlantic University School District #72, under the College of Education’s administrative oversight.

University schools in Florida are authorized to provide instruction for grades K-12 and university students, support university research efforts, and test educational reforms for Florida schools. ADHUS is a public school and thus does not charge tuition. It is open to children who reside in Palm Beach County or Broward County and admission is by lottery. Student characteristics of gender, race, family income and student ability are used to match the student population profile to that of the state.[29]
[edit] Private schools
Pope John Paul II High School is a Catholic school located in Boca Raton near Florida Atlantic University and Lynn University.

* Hillel Day School of Boca Raton
* Boca Raton Christian School
* Pine Crest School, based in Fort Lauderdale, has a campus in Boca Raton.
* Saint Jude Catholic School and Parish Saint Jude School and Parish is a Elementary and Middle School founded in 1985. The Parish also has a Preschool founded in 1995.
* Saint Andrew's School
* Pope John Paul II High School
* Grandview Preparatory School is an independent college preparatory, nonsectarian, coeducational day school founded in 1997. Student enrollment is offered for Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12.[30]
* Donna Klein Jewish Academy
* Boca Prep International School
* Saint Joan of Arc Catholic School and Church
* Weinbaum Yeshiva High School
* Summit Private School, a Montessori school[31]
* Spanish River Christian
* Saint Paul Lutheran School
* Advent Lutheran School
* Claremont Montessori School
* American Heritage School

Higher education

* Florida Atlantic University, founded in 1961, held its first classes in Boca Raton in 1964. FAU is a member of the State University System of Florida and the largest university in Boca Raton. It has over 26,000 students, 3,000 of which are residential students, and a Division I athletics program.
* Palm Beach State College has had a Boca Raton campus, adjacent to Florida Atlantic University, since 1971.
* Lynn University (originally founded as Marymount College, then renamed the College of Boca Raton in 1974, and finally Lynn University in 1991) is a four year co-educational institution re-named to honor the Lynn (Eugene & Christine) family who continue to be generous benefactors of the university.
* Digital Media Arts College, founded in 2001, offers bachelor's and master's degrees in computer animation and graphic design.
* Everglades University

Weather

Beautiful weather year round, and great shopping. Perfect place for a retired person/couple to live.

min F max F avg F avg prcp
Jan 56.2 74.6 65.4 2.80
Feb 56.9 75.7 66.3 2.69
Mar 61.4 78.9 70.2 3.66
Apr 65.0 82.3 73.6 2.91
May 69.9 85.6 77.7 6.13
Jun 73.2 88.2 80.7 8.09
Jul 74.6 90.0 82.3 6.14
Aug 75.1 90.1 82.6 6.02
Sep 74.4 88.5 81.4 8.53
Oct 70.5 84.8 77.7 6.60
Nov 64.3 79.9 72.1 4.69
Dec 58.9 76.1 67.5 2.49
Average 66.7 82.9 74.8 60.76

More Info and observations:

Despite four devastating hurricanes in 2004, the number of Florida visitors rose 7% to an all-time high of 79.8 million last year and is on target to hit 80 million this year. Florida tourism generates about $57 billion annually and employs 912,700.
If you live on the coast you stand the greatest chance of having one affect you. Some areas of Florida have gone fifty years plus without one but you never know.
As a resident having lived in the Keys and now in central Florida I’ve been through them.
In my opinion, the best thing you can do is buy a home that was built after Andrew-August 92 that was built to stricter building codes. Have window protection and a backup generator and make sure your insurance is up to date. If they ask you to leave, do it!
Realize-If you live in an older home that was not built up to the stricter building codes (After Hurricane Andrew-August 1992) or you live in a mobile home you stand the best chance of having major structural damage.
Living on the beach in a mobile home is asking for it. Although, you may never have a problem, you’re still definitely taking your chances. Barrier islands and open-water beaches are the most prone to damage.
Having lived in California, I prefer the threat of a hurricane however as opposed to an earthquake. At least you have a warning.
For current information about hurricanes go to http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://www.coaps.fsu.edu/climate_center/LCD/2005LCD.html
For current weather forecasts by cities go to http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/fl/fl.html
*Living in a waterfront home typically means that you will pay a higher Insurance premium. The insurance is higher due to flood and wind concerns.
Part of this is also because the pricing on these homes is higher so there is more value to insure against.
Having said all this, I can’t imagine living elsewhere. It is really great to wake up and it’s sunny out.

We spend over half our lives indoors…so when you do go outside, wouldn’t it be nice if it was warm and sunny?