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These 27 Southeast Florida towns are in the most urbanized region of the state. The biggest city is Miami and its surrounding suburbs. Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach are also major cities.

This region includes the Florida Keys.

The Southeast Florida counties are Broward, Dade, Martin, Monroe, and Palm Beach.

Clicking through to the individual town pages will give you information about the town's history, what it's like today, real estate, things to do, local government, lodging and restaurants.

Boca Raton

Known for its upscale lifestyle and pristine beaches, Boca Raton offers a blend of luxury and outdoor recreation. With cultural institutions like the Boca Raton Museum of Art and Mizner Park's shopping district, the town provides residents and visitors with a sophisticated yet relaxed coastal experience.

Boynton Beach

Situated along the Intracoastal Waterway, Boynton Beach combines coastal living with urban amenities. Its bustling Ocean Avenue and waterfront parks attract families and retirees alike, fostering a diverse community vibe that embraces both relaxation and entertainment.

Briny Breezes

An oceanfront community comprised of mobile homes, Briny Breezes boasts a laid-back atmosphere and a unique waterfront lifestyle. Residents enjoy direct beach access and a close-knit environment in this charming enclave known for its simplicity and coastal charm.

Coconut Grove

Nestled in Miami, Coconut Grove embodies a bohemian spirit with art galleries, leafy streets, and the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. This eclectic neighborhood offers a mix of upscale shopping, outdoor cafes, and a sense of artistic creativity that appeals to both locals and tourists.

Coral Gables

Characterized by its Mediterranean Revival architecture, Coral Gables offers an elegant atmosphere with tree-lined streets and historic landmarks. Home to the University of Miami and upscale shopping at the Village of Merrick Park, the city exudes sophistication and cultural richness.

Deerfield Beach

Flaunting its Blue Wave Beach designation, Deerfield Beach is a family-friendly destination with a fishing pier and lively waterfront. The town's vibrant events, watersports opportunities, and coastal charm make it a sought-after location for residents who value a relaxed yet active lifestyle.

Delray Beach

Known for its artsy vibe and lively downtown scene, Delray Beach offers a mix of galleries, boutiques, and a renowned dining district. The Pineapple Grove Arts District and Atlantic Avenue's entertainment options contribute to the town's dynamic cultural and social landscape.

Fort Lauderdale

Dubbed the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale boasts an extensive canal system and a thriving boating culture. Its world-class beaches, upscale shopping on Las Olas Boulevard, and cultural attractions like the NSU Art Museum create a sophisticated coastal ambiance.

Hialeah

As one of Florida's largest cities, Hialeah is known for its diverse Hispanic culture and tight-knit community. The city's vibrant markets, colorful murals, and annual events celebrate its heritage, making it a cultural hub within the Miami metropolitan area.

Hillsboro Inlet

Home to the historic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, this coastal community offers a picturesque seaside escape. With its serene beaches and proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway, the area is a haven for boaters, anglers, and those seeking a tranquil retreat.

Hollywood

Combining its historic charm with modern entertainment, Hollywood features a scenic boardwalk, ArtsPark at Young Circle, and a lively downtown district. The town's diverse neighborhoods, pristine beaches, and cultural events contribute to a dynamic and inclusive living experience.

Homestead

Positioned near the entrance to the Florida Keys, Homestead is an agricultural hub and a gateway to outdoor adventures. The town's proximity to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park offers residents and visitors opportunities for exploration and nature appreciation.

Indiantown

Embracing a rural lifestyle, Indiantown features farmlands, equestrian activities, and access to Lake Okeechobee. The town's annual Indiantown Rodeo, as well as its relaxed atmosphere and natural surroundings, contribute to a strong sense of community and traditional Florida living.

Juno Beach

Known for its nesting sea turtles, Juno Beach offers a tranquil coastal environment and a commitment to wildlife conservation. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center and pristine beaches attract nature enthusiasts and those seeking a serene seaside haven.

Jupiter

With its stunning waterfront, Jupiter exudes a maritime charm and outdoor recreational opportunities. The town's iconic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, scenic Riverwalk, and proximity to Jonathan Dickinson State Park create a seamless blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences.

Key Biscayne

A tropical paradise nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne offers beachfront luxury and a relaxed atmosphere. Crandon Park's natural beauty, the historic Cape Florida Lighthouse, and a strong sense of community create an exclusive yet welcoming island retreat.

Key Largo

As the northernmost island of the Florida Keys, Key Largo offers a mix of marine adventures and lush landscapes. The town's proximity to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the African Queen Canal Cruise make it a haven for divers, anglers, and nature enthusiasts.

Key West

A vibrant island city at the southernmost point of the continental U.S., Key West boasts a colorful arts scene, historic architecture, and vibrant nightlife on Duval Street. Its laid-back ambiance, eclectic culture, and Conch Republic heritage attract tourists and residents seeking a unique island lifestyle.

Lauderdale By-The-Sea

An idyllic beachside village, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea features a charming pier, dive-friendly reefs, and a pedestrian-friendly downtown. The town's focus on beachfront living, seaside dining, and a community-oriented atmosphere creates a tranquil and inviting coastal escape.

Lighthouse Point

Named after its iconic Hillsboro Inlet Lighthouse, Lighthouse Point offers waterfront living and a strong boating culture. With its yacht clubs, golf courses, and lush parks, the town fosters a maritime lifestyle and a close connection to nature and water-based activities.

Long Key

Positioned in the Florida Keys, Long Key offers a peaceful retreat with pristine beaches and clear blue waters. The Long Key State Park's natural beauty and water-based recreation attract those seeking a serene getaway amidst a tropical paradise.

Miami

A global metropolis known for its cultural diversity, Miami offers an energetic blend of arts, nightlife, and international cuisine. The city's iconic South Beach, Art Deco Historic District, and thriving art scene create a dynamic urban environment that reflects its multicultural identity.

Palm Beach

An upscale enclave synonymous with luxury, Palm Beach features opulent estates, upscale shopping on Worth Avenue, and pristine beaches. The town's exclusive atmosphere, historic landmarks, and lavish lifestyle attract affluent residents and visitors seeking elegance and sophistication.

Port Salerno

A fishing village with maritime heritage, Port Salerno offers a laid-back ambiance and access to the Indian River Lagoon. The town's waterfront restaurants, art galleries, and annual seafood festivals capture its coastal character and strong ties to the sea.

Stuart

Positioned along the St. Lucie River, Stuart is known as the "Sailfish Capital of the World." The town's historic downtown district, arts scene, and riverfront parks create a charming environment that celebrates both its maritime culture and artistic community.

Surfside

A tranquil oceanfront community, Surfside offers a relaxing beach experience with a family-friendly focus. The town's boutique hotels, oceanfront parks, and Art Deco architecture contribute to its serene atmosphere, making it a hidden gem for both residents and visitors.

West Palm Beach

Serving as the cultural heart of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach boasts Clematis Street's entertainment district, Norton Museum of Art, and waterfront events at the Meyer Amphitheatre. The city's cultural diversity and urban vitality create a vibrant cityscape that appeals to a range of lifestyles.

Southeast Florida Day Trips and Scenic Drives

Did you know that one of the last decade's most quietly dominant pop stars is coming to South Florida? She's so quiet, in fact, that she's been sighted among fans recently in the most random locations: At a 7-Eleven on the Jersey Shore, walking through a Vegas casino, working (yes, working) at a Waffle House in Alabama.

Of course, I'm talking about Lana Del Rey, and she's about to make an appearance in West Palm Beach in just over a month. She'll be playing iThink Financial Amphitheatre on Saturday, September 23, as part of a tour behind her latest album, Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. The show marks her first appearance in South Florida since her 2018 show at the BB&T Center (now FLA Live Arena) during the LA to the Moon Tour. Interestingly, for this tour, she's mainly playing cities in the South, plus Pittsburgh — those Waffle House work schedules must be strict.

When she's not manning the griddle, dating ex-cops and white-boy rappers, or wearing a white dress to Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley's wedding, the upstate New York native-born Elizabeth Grant is busy being, according to Pitchfork, "one of America's greatest living songwriters." Lana gained early acclaim (and derision) for her distinctively deep, crooning voice, confounding stage presence, and early hits such as "Young & Beautiful" and "Summertime Sadness" that were morose, cinematic, and against nearly every current of contemporary pop. That song's title could serve as a microcosm of her entire persona: depressed amid the California sunshine, obsessed with Hollywood glamour and the malaise lying beneath its surface, channeling decadent pop spanning influences from Nancy Sinatra and Lou Reed to Julee Cruise and Britney Spears. Her vision of the American dream isn't quite a Lynchian nightmare, but nor is it a peaceful slumber.

Lana's Jack Antonoff-produced 2019 album Norman Fucking Rockwell!, which added '70s soft rock to her palate of midcentury iconography, made the 2020 version of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Considered her crowning achievement, it received Grammy nominations for Album and Song of the Year (for the title track) and debuted atop the UK Albums Chart, one of six times she's achieved the feat in the United Kingdom. She recently reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100 with the Taylor Swift collaboration "Snow on the Beach" (also produced by Antonoff).

Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday, August 25, at 10 a.m. via livenation.com. Find all the tour dates below:

September 14 - Franklin, TN - FirstBank Amphitheater September 17 - Austin, TX - Germania Insurance Amphitheater September 19 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion September 21 - Huntsville, AL - Orion Amphitheater September 23 - West Palm Beach, FL - iThink Financial Amphitheatre September 25 - Tampa, FL - MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre September 27 - Brandon, MS - Brandon Amphitheater September 29 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion October 1 - Columbia, MA - Merriweather Post Pavilion (All Things Go Music Festival) October 3 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Pavilion at Star Lake October 5 - Charleston, WV - Charleston Coliseum

Lana Del Rey. 8 p.m. Saturday, September 23, at iThink Financial Amphitheatre, 601-7 Sainsburys Way, West Palm Beach; 561-795-8883; livenation.com. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, August 25 via livenation.com.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Three South Florida counties ranked in the top 10 in the state where financing a home is the most expensive, according to a study by SmartAsset.

The study used median home values and estimated interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage to calculate the total cost of financing a home.

Miam-Dade was ranked seventh with Martin County eighth and Palm Beach County 10th behind No. 1 Monroe County, which includes Florida's Keys, including a median home price of $957,819. Among the 67 counties in the state, Broward was 13th, St. Lucie 14th, Indian River 19th, Okeechobee 52nd.

The study adjusted the Freddie Mac national average interest rate by county using average credit score and debt-to-income ratio.

The overall loan payments were a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at a 20% down payment. Loans were around 7%.

"For most buyers, the cost of purchasing a home goes beyond the price one pays at closing -- interest rates will have a significant impact on the final cost of the purchase," SmartAsset wrote in a news release.

Copyright 2023 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

The tables have turned in South Florida’s vexing real estate market, making it better to buy than rent, but just barely and there are caveats, according to a new study from Florida Atlantic University.

Despite sustained high home sale prices that in Palm Beach County reached record extremes this summer, housing economists at FAU and Florida International University said a continued influx of residents and a nagging lack of inventory means housing costs have likely stabilized and have the potential to grow.

Ken H. Johnson, FAU's lead author on the study, said until recently it was slightly better to rent than buy in the Miami-metro area, which includes Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

This is the first time since the universities began generating the study in late 2022 that they are favoring buying a home over renting.

“It was a close call, and it’s a close call today, but I’m changing the call,” Johnson said. “From an investment standpoint, this is one of the better returns in the country right now. It’s not a great position to be in, but it’s a good position to be in.”

The latest report, released Aug. 16, uses June data in a traditional price-to-rent ratio where the average home price is divided by the average annual rent.

For example, a home that cost $400,000 to purchase and is renting for $20,000 annually would have a price-to-rent ratio of 20-to-1, meaning for every $20 in purchase price, you pay $1 in rent.

Real estate eye candy:Top 5 priciest home sales last month in Palm Beach County's luxury real estate market

The report then looks at a seven-year average to get an idea of how much of a swing is occurring either way and ranks each housing market.

In the Miami-metro market of southeast Florida, the historic price-to-rent average is $12.52-to-$1. However, the current price-to-rent is $13.47-to-$1. The difference between the two is a premium of about 7%.

That's low enough that researchers say now is an OK time to buy, but there are conditions.

While buying a home for the long term makes sense, buying a home to quickly flip in an effort to make a big profit is likely a losing proposition.

“This isn’t a case of ‘Oh my gosh, you should buy now because you are going to make a ton of money,’” Johnson said. “This is a case of it’s OK to buy because you aren’t going to take a hit.”

Unlike the housing market crash of 2008, which was driven by bad loans and a glut of homes for sale, today's housing prices are a reflection of low supply and high demand, Johnson said.

"There is no reason to suspect that prices will fall significantly," he said.

The study includes a review of the nation’s top 100 housing markets' price-to-rent ratios. Areas with higher ratios are more likely to face future price fluctuations or declines. Areas with lower ratios are more likely to see stable prices or growth.

For example, several cities in California have some of the highest ratios in the nation, including San Jose ($35.24), San Francisco ($29.52), Los Angeles ($24.95) and San Diego ($23.07).

Seattle’s ratio is also high at $26 with Portland, Oregon following at $24.40.

Rolling the real estate dice:West Palm Beach developers build spec homes under specter of recession

In Florida, areas with higher ratios than the Miami metro include Jacksonville ($16.17), Orlando ($15.36) and Tampa ($14.52).

Despite South Florida’s lower ratio, it doesn’t mean home prices are cheap.

In June, the median price to buy an existing single-family home was $625,000, which set a record by topping May’s price by $3,000. The average price was $1.06 million.

The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in West Palm Beach is $1,667, according to Apartment List. A two-bedroom costs about $2,077 a month.

Realtor Lyn Miller, of Continental Properties, specializes in the Boynton Beach area. He said there are homes available in lower price ranges, but the buyer may have to put up with some imperfections.

“When you walk in you may find a dark blue kitchen or a bright pink living room and they don’t want it,” Miller said about some homebuyers. “You can’t be super choosy, but some sweat equity can really bring up the value.”

In June, about 90 single-family homes and 530 townhomes or condominiums in Palm Beach County sold for under $300,000.

“If people want to go to Nebraska or Kansas or Arkansas, they can get cheaper, but it’s not Florida, it’s not paradise,” Miller said.

Johnson said the only thing that may ding home values in South Florida would be a return to record-low interest rates in the 3% range, something he doesn't foresee happening. As of Aug. 17, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage interest rate was 7.09%, according to Freddie Mac.

He also noted the increasing population in Florida.

According to the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economics and Business Research, Palm Beach County’s population is expected to increase 17% by 2045 in a “medium” growth scenario. That’s an increase of 258,750 people. The “high” growth scenario shows a 37% population gain by 2045, or an increase of 569,650.

Also, a July 11 population report from the state's Demographic Estimating Conference said Florida's growth was "slightly stronger than expected" between April 1, 2022, and April 1 of this year because of a higher net migration of people coming into the state.

While deaths in Florida continue to outpace births, an average increase of 298,191 net new residents is expected each year through mid-2028. That's 817 people per day, or equivalent to adding a city slightly smaller than Orlando but larger than St. Petersburg, every year.

"The demographics are all in favor right now of buying," Johnson said. "I don't see any Florida cities as being at risk."

Kimberly Miller is a veteran journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate and how growth affects South Florida's environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to [email protected]. Help support our local journalism, subscribe today.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The city of West Palm Beach is exploring development beyond a new marina on its waterfront.

Emails, which WPTV received from a public records request, show Mayor Keith James asked to begin discussions about projects along the waterfront targeting the Banyan Street parking garage and the great lawn on Clematis Street.

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Diane Papadakos, who is the director of communications for the city of West Palm Beach, said the city is working on a plan to understand people's perspective on amenities along the waterfront in an email.

“[The] mayor is forming a committee to discuss how to activate the waterfront," she wrote. "They are working on a plan now."

Papadakos said the only idea she remembered hearing was a children's playground area. She didn't comment if plans for those projects were affected after the council ended negotiations with a marina developer in July.

The great lawn, which is located at 100 Clematis St., is a green space area for the public to use for a wide arrange of activities. It also has become a place where homeless people seek shelter. According to the city of West Palm Beach, the Banyan Street parking garage has more than 100 spots near shops and restaurants on Clematis Street.

Diana and Freddy Naranjo, who spent their Sunday afternoon watching their three children play on the great lawn, said they enjoy watching their kids use the green space. Both said they hope the city finds a project to allow more people to use the space and keeps it open to the public.

"A green area like this to be wasted on a building or a facility to build a club or a bar, how does that make any sense?" Freddy Naranjo said.

The public space along the waterfront also allows people like Telly Jones to host events like a proposal. He said he wanted to bring together family and friends when he asked the question, but it was difficult to find an affordable space.

"I've been planning a proposal for like five, six months," Jones said. "And everywhere I went, it was very expensive — $1,800 for four hours, $800 for two hours."

Jones said the public waterfront worked perfectly because it was public and the first location he told his fiancee he loved her.