You don't need
the city.
You need the right suburb.
Parkland. Boca Raton. Delray Beach. Highland Beach.
These aren't consolation prizes. They're the destination.
I didn't study this market from the outside.
I moved here from the inside.
My wife Carolyn and I have moved nine times across states, outside the country, and eventually into South Florida. We did our first Boca move sight unseen from Denver and learned every lesson the hard way. Wrong house. Wrong fit. No pool in a place where a pool isn't optional. We figured it out the way most families do by living it, adjusting, and doing it again.
Now we're choosing Parkland deliberately. Not because it's my market. Because after four years in Boca and nine moves between us, it's where we want our kids to grow up. The schools, the sports infrastructure, the community. It's plug and play for families in a way most places pretend to be and aren't.
That's the lens I bring to every relocation conversation. I'm not guessing at what you're about to go through. I've been there. So has my wife. We'll help you get it right the first time.
"We moved from Denver sight unseen. Bought without a pool. Figured out the suburbs the hard way across nine moves and two countries. Parkland is where we landed on purpose. That's the whole resume."
Four places worth knowing
Parkland
My primary market. Family-first. Full stop.
- Consistently ranked top school district in Broward County
- Heron Bay · Parkland Golf & CC · Parkland Isles · Watercrest · Cascata
- Low density, quiet streets, equestrian lots available
- 30 min to Boca, 45 min to Fort Lauderdale
- Exceptional equity growth: 40–70% gains for 2016–2021 buyers
Boca Raton
Where I've lived for four years. I know what the brochure doesn't say.
- East Boca and west Boca are two different cities. Knowing which fits your life matters.
- The school quality varies more by zone than most agents will tell you
- Mizner Park, Royal Palm, downtown Delray all within 20 minutes
- Private beach clubs exist but public beach access is genuinely good
- West Boca is still where the value play lives; waterfront is where appreciation history is strongest
Delray Beach
Walkable, artsy, alive.
- Atlantic Avenue is real. Not manufactured, not fading, actually getting better.
- East of Swinton is a different market than west. Price, feel, and buyer profile all shift.
- Short-term rental upside exists in specific zones, not everywhere. Get the zoning right first.
- The arts and food scene draws a buyer who doesn't want HOA rules and a gate
- Fastest-moving inventory of the four markets when priced correctly
Highland Beach
Quiet oceanfront. Understated prestige.
- 1.5 miles of residential oceanfront. No hotels, no retail, no noise.
- Sits between Boca and Delray, which sounds like a compromise and isn't
- Inventory is structurally low because the town has nowhere left to build
- The buyer here is done proving something. This is a privacy purchase, not a status purchase.
- Direct beach access for most units is the norm, not the exception
Why families move to Parkland
and why they stay.
The Schools
Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Westglades Middle, Heron Heights, Park Trails, consistently among the best-performing schools in all of Florida. Families don't need to choose between public school and a real education.
The Communities
Heron Bay is the anchor: 2,000+ homes, multiple villages, resort-style amenities. Parkland Golf & CC is the lifestyle upgrade. Parkland Isles and Watercrest are the sweet spot for families in the $700K–$1.2M range.
The Equity Story
Anyone who bought in Parkland between 2016 and 2021 is sitting on 40–70% equity gains. The move-up cycle within Parkland is real. Zone 1 buyers become Zone 2 buyers. I track this market closely.
The Community Identity
Parkland is one of the tightest-knit communities in South Florida. Once you're in, through the youth sports leagues, the HOA networks, the school parent groups, you're in for life. I'll help you get there.
The real reasons people leave New York, Boston, and California
No state income tax
Florida's tax structure can represent $40K–$200K+ in annual savings for high earners. That's not a footnote. It changes your math entirely.
More space, less money
What buys a 2BR condo in Manhattan or a starter home in the Bay Area buys a 4BR with a pool and a three-car garage here. The comparison is almost unfair.
Schools that perform
Palm Beach and Broward County schools consistently rank among the best in Florida. Families don't have to choose between private school tuition and a decent education.
Outdoor life, year-round
Running, cycling, tennis, paddleboarding, surfing, golf, not just in summer. The lifestyle people move here for is not a vacation. It's Tuesday.
A real food scene
Boca and Delray have quietly become serious dining destinations. James Beard proximity isn't the flex it used to be. South Florida chefs are building something here.
Homestead protection
Florida's Homestead Exemption caps property tax increases at 3% per year for primary residents. It's one of the best buyer protections in the country.
A relocation isn't a transaction. Here's my approach.
A real conversation first
Before I show you a single listing, I want to understand your timeline, your family's priorities, your work situation, and what you're honestly willing to trade. No pitch deck. Just a conversation.
Neighborhood-level education
I'll walk you through each market: what the streets feel like, which HOAs are worth it, where the best schools feed, and what the drive to work looks like on a Wednesday morning.
A curated shortlist
Not 40 listings. Maybe 6. Homes that actually match what you told me matters. Every one I show you, I can defend.
Negotiation that protects you
South Florida is competitive and sellers know it. I go into every negotiation having already tracked the comps, talked to the listing agent, and figured out what the seller actually needs, which is rarely just the highest number. I use that to structure offers that win without overpaying. You'll know exactly why we're offering what we're offering before we submit anything.
Ready to understand
what's possible here?
No pressure, no pipeline. Just a 20-minute call where I'll give you an honest picture of these markets and whether they're the right fit for what you're looking for.
Jason Oberg is a licensed real estate agent in the State of Florida with ONE Sotheby's International Realty. All market data is approximate and based on current MLS conditions. This page is for informational purposes only.