Conveniently located midway between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale is the breathtakingly beautiful community of Delray Beach. As one of Florida's best-kept secrets, Delray Beach, or simply "Delray," as the locals refer to it, is known for its understated elegance and sophistication.
Of course, everything iconic about Florida living invariably seems to connect to the state's fabulous sunrises or sunsets. When it comes to Delray, the town's two-mile stretch of pristine, sugar-white sand regularly delivers magnificent sunrise views for the area's early risers. Beyond its superb Atlantic coastline, Delray easily matches nearby locales in terms of luxury abodes and a long list of things to do without the boisterousness that frequently comes with larger cities.
1. The extensive and diverse options for food and entertainment
Seniors who retire to the region quickly discover the area will likely exceed their expectations regarding features and amenities. The stunning array of upmarket estates surrounded by lush tropical beauty, fantastic restaurants, interesting galleries, fascinating museums, and eclectic boutiques work synergistically to create the perfect environment to live, play, and relax.
Restaurants
Delray is known for its diverse collection of bars, restaurants, and bistros. Collectively representing almost every type of cuisine imaginable, many of these intriguing dining establishments reside along Atlantic Avenue, the town's main east-west thoroughfare. Elisabetta's Ristorante and Bar offers a fabulous menu for both lunch and dinner. When cruising Delray's intracoastal waterway, Deck 84 is a local favorite for waterfront dining and entertainment.
Art galleries
Delray Beach is an art lover's dream. Indeed, it isn't easy to name all the galleries and art-related events that take place throughout the year. Notables include the Heart of Delray Gallery and the First Friday Art Walk, an aptly named self-guided art tour held on the first Friday of every month. The Pineapple Grove Arts District is a beautiful place to take an afternoon stroll to view working artists in their studios. The Arts Garage is a cultural center, a theater, and a performing arts academy. In addition to offering art classes to the public, the Arts Garage provides opportunities for local volunteering.
Museums
Located about 20 minutes west of Delray is the renowned Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. This lovely venue offers rotating exhibits of Japanese art and artifacts, in addition to 16 acres of traditional Japanese gardens. When the grandchildren visit, a family-friendly adventure awaits at the Sandoway Discovery Center. Located in a historic home, the Sandoway Discovery Center offers educational exhibits for young people and special events throughout the year. A must-see is the 15,000-gallon saltwater pool featuring the center's very own nurse shark.
Events
The city of Delray sponsors a range of events throughout the year for residents and visitors. Activities include an annual craft festival, occasional sunset concerts, a farmer's market, the Art Jazz on the Avenue outdoor event, and various special lecture series at Florida Atlantic University.
Sports and fitness activities
The Seagate Country Club is the epitome of a five-star sports center. Tennis, pickleball courts, a first-rate fitness center, racquetball, a pool, and, of course, a world-class golf course await the fitness-minded senior at the club. Lake Ida West Park is home to a 190-acre park, including almost 10,000 feet of lakefront. Lake Ida is ideal for walking, bicycling, kayaking, and canoeing. Additionally, pet lovers are encouraged to bring their furry friends for an afternoon of exercise.
Shopping
Beyond its reputation as a focal point for terrific restaurants, Atlantic Avenue has a stellar reputation as a hub for high-end shopping. Upscale shops and funky boutiques are scattered among the local restaurants and art galleries. Notable shops include Tommy Bahama, Kokonuts, and Mare Blu Resort for women's fashion. There's also Czar Interiors for upscale furnishings and Spice for interior decor. The Unique Boutique, also located on Atlantic Avenue, specializes in hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind jewelry.
Water activities
All the phenomenal water activities for which Florida is so well known are available in Delray. Parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing charters, and more await sun- and water-loving retirees.
A Delray yacht cruise is a relaxing way to see the sights from the waterway. Delray Yacht Cruises are available year-round for two-hour, narrated public cruises. Private charters are available as well. Guests can relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the Intracoastal waters, including the splendid waterside mansions.
2. Accessible, high-quality medical care
Delray may be a smaller city compared to its Palm Beach counterparts. However, it does boast its own full-service hospital, the Delray Medical Center. The region is also home to various other medical centers, including at least one that makes house calls. There's also a Dedicated Senior Medical Center offering an impressive selection of eight providers.
3. The availability of luxury real estate in Delray Beach
The luxury houses for sale in Delray are genuinely remarkable. The understated sophistication and elegance for which the city is known also pervades the residences within the district. From the classic, colorful architecture that is quintessentially Florida to the serene, soft white luxury estates, each residence can readily be considered a work of art.
The Delray Beach villas for sale are ideal for those who want the full experience of living next to the ocean. Others may want a more subtle waterside experience and will select a property on the Intracoastal Waterway, which extends the entire length of the city. Some people may prefer to live near a local inland lake or have city amenities, such as shopping, restaurants, recreational parks, country clubs, etc. This latter group may opt for one of the easy-care condos for sale in Delray Beach, Florida.
As mentioned, the real estate in the district is truly remarkable. Upscale properties are available throughout the region, with some boasting magnificent ocean views, the Intracoastal Waterway, or an equally superb pool. Some ocean-side estates embrace the beauty of the area's renowned white sand and natural seaside vegetation. Other homes offer well-manicured lawns filled with magnificent palm trees and lush foliage.
The interiors of South Florida properties are magnificent as well. Many houses offer at least six bedrooms and a generous number of bathrooms. Each home is tastefully decorated, with many designed in such a way as to almost seamlessly include the outdoors so residents can enjoy the total setting of their surroundings.
Work with an experienced agent when looking for houses for sale in Delray Beach
Both the Wall Street Journal and REAL Trends agree that Gregory C. Frank is a highly accomplished, award-winning real estate agent. As one of the region's top-notch agents, Gregory will use his professional real estate expertise and extensive local knowledge to help guide you to the perfect forever home.
When you're ready to view some of the exquisite estates in Delray or one of its surrounding neighborhoods, reach out to Gregory.
