Boca Raton is widely considered one of the most beautiful and luxurious places in Florida. It’s a beautiful place full of friendly people. Often simply called “Boca” by locals, the city was an important part of the 1920’s nouveau-riche architecture boom in Florida. As a result, much of the downtown area has distinctive bright colors in a more traditional Old Spanish-style theme, making Boca a distinctive and unique seaside community with beautiful views of the Atlantic as far as the eye can see.
A Look at Boca Raton's History
Before its modern-day founding, the area that is now Boca Raton was inhabited by the Tequesta Indians, who lived in the area until the 18th century. The first modern-day settlement of the area came with the construction of the Florida East Coast Canal and the Florida East Coast Railway, which made the area more accessible to pioneers. Although it started as a small agricultural community, Boca quickly became an extremely popular destination for vacation, tourism, and retirees, and it remains so to this day. It's also home to many businesses, a vibrant arts and culture scene, and a small, but thriving LGBTQ community. Boca has so much to offer to all who decide to call it home!
A Few Fun Facts About Boca Raton
Read more fun facts about Boca Raton here.
Boca Raton’s LGBTQ Community
Boca Raton is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
The Pride Center at Equality Park
The Pride Center at Equality Park, formerly the Gay and Lesbian Center of South Florida is a community-based organization committed to serving the LGBTQ community in the greater Boca Raton and South Florida area. The mission of the Center is to provide a welcoming and safe space and an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates, empowers, and encourages the LGBTQ community and its allies in South Florida.
What's the Weather Like in Boca Raton?
Those who live in Boca Raton can expect plenty of sunshine and warm weather year-round. Highs in July usually reach around 90ºF, while lows in January typically only drop to around 58ºF. Boca receives 60 inches of rain, on average, per year – which is significantly more than the national average of 38 inches – and no snow.
Can’t-Miss Events in Boca Raton
The annual Palm Beach Pride Market held in nearby Palm Beach is a very popular annual pride celebration of the LGBTQ community in the greater Boca Raton area. Typically taking place in Bryant Park each year, the celebration includes parades, parties, plenty of vendors, and lots of fun. It's a great way to celebrate and connect to the community. You'll definitely want to put this event on your calendar each year.
The annual Boca Bash is one of the most popular weekends in the city each year for those who love being out on the water. During this weekend each spring, thousands of boaters gather on Lake Boca for swimming, celebrating, and fun in the sun.
The Best Neighborhoods in Boca Raton
Boca Raton is a beautiful place to live, but with that stunning beauty comes an often expensive price tag. In fact, Boca Raton is known to have some of the most expensive gated communities in the entire country. There are also some more affordable homes, however – and a qualified LGBTQ realtor who knows and loves the community can help you find one that will meet your budget and your needs.
Unlike some larger towns that have one primarily gay neighborhood, Boca Raton’s LGBTQ community tends to be a bit more spread out across the city. This isn’t a bad thing though – it simply means that there are many wonderful and friendly areas of town to choose from. Truly, every home in Boca Raton is a little piece of paradise!
As of May 2021, the median listing home price in Boca Raton, FL was $469K, and the median listing home price per square foot was $254. The median sold home price was $455K.
Arts and Entertainment
The Wick is an excellent regional theatre that presents wonderful classic musicals and also houses an impressive museum full of iconic Broadway costumes. The museum has more than 1.2 million costume pieces, estimated at a value of $21 million.
Centrally located in beautiful Mizner Park, the Boca Raton Museum of Art is a beautiful facility featuring nearly 5,000 works of art from a variety of genres and time periods. It is well-known for its stunning photography collection that includes more than 1,500 images, and it is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon being educated and inspired.
Parks and Recreation
The Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is a beautiful education center with many tanks, trails, and even a butterfly garden, and is also a working research facility run by Florida Atlantic University students who are studying marine life. It’s a beautiful place to spend a gorgeous Boca afternoon!
Mizner Park is a Boca Raton landmark, characterized by its beautiful Mediterranean architecture, stunning natural beauty, and all that it offers to see and do. Visitors to this centrally located park can enjoy a visit to the Boca Raton Museum of Art, a show at the outdoor amphitheater, an indoor show at the local movie theater complex, or shopping and dining at any number of high-end stores, eateries, and boutiques.
Boca Raton Nightlife
H.G. Rooster’s, located in nearby West Palm Beach, has been one of the most popular LGBTQ bars in the area for more than 34 years, making it one of the longest-running gay bars in Florida. It is well known for its excellent drag shows, “Lip Sync Battle” competitions, and other theme nights, as well as offering excellent live music.
Though not specifically an LGBTQ nightspot, Biergarten Boca is a very popular, friendly restaurant and gathering place for residents and visitors alike. It’s well-known for its authentic German and American beer garden, and its bar features at least 50 different craft and bottled beers, so there’s something for every taste here.
Contact a Boca Raton Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Boca Raton, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Boca Raton, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Boca Raton gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
