South Florida is vibrant because of warm to hot weather year-round, palm trees, sandy beaches, and ocean breezes. Head north from Miami, past Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, and you'll find yourself in Jupiter. While it sounds like you've left the planet, you've only traveled 84 miles and are still in the Miami Metropolitan area. 

Jupiter is named after the Roman God in a roundabout way. The area was once the home of the Hobe Indian tribe and named Hobe, but then someone wrote the name Jove in a record book. Mapmakers interpreted this to mean Jupiter, the Roman God, and that's the name that stuck. 

Jupiter takes up 21 square miles of Palm Beach County, and just over 61,000 residents call Jupiter home. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and Interstate Highway 95, the biggest draw to Jupiter is the water. There are beaches, inlets, tropical trees, and lush landscaping.

If you are thinking of moving to Jupiter, FL, let’s take a look at the best the area has to offer.

Homes

If your goal is living in Jupiter, FL, you’ll find an excellent selection of amazing homes.  Homes in Jupiter range from homes on the golf course to homes on the water. There are single-family homes as well as condominiums. There are homes in gated communities that start at around and waterfront estates.

There are three main districts in Jupiter. The first is to the north and west. Some of these homes are on the Loxahatchee River. The area's neighborhood includes Jupiter Country Club, Juniper River Estates, Pine Gardens, Botanica, Loxahatchee Club, and Indian Creek.

The second district is south between Interstate 95 and the Old Dixie Highway. The south side borders Palm Beach Gardens. Neighborhoods include Egret Landing, Mallory Creek, Tuscany, the Islands at Albacoa, Canterbury Place, and Admirals Cove Golf Village.

The third district stretches along the coast from the Old Dixie Highway to the Atlantic Ocean. Neighborhoods include Olympus, Bluffs Ridge, Ocean Dunes, and Riverside.

Schools

Families can enroll their families in public schools serviced by the school district of Palm County. There are several elementary and middle schools and two high schools – the William T. Dwyer Highschool in Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter Community High School in Jupiter. Jupiter Christian School is a private school alternative.

Florida Atlantic University's John D. MacArthur campus and Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College offer continuing education close to home. Of course, the renowned University of Miami is just down the road.

Economy & Jobs

While the kids are at school, the adults can seek employment at one of several companies based in Jupiter, including G4S Secure Solutions, Town Sports International Holdings, Holtec International, and the Babylon Bee (a satire news company). Suppose you must leave town for a business meeting or a family vacation. In that case, the William P. Gwinn Airport is in Jupiter, the Palm Beach International Airport is 28 miles south, and the Miami International Airport is about 1 ½ hours' drive.

Two other notable businesses are

• Scripps Research is a premiere medical research facility where hundreds of scientists study biomedical sciences. Currently run by the University of Florida, the Jupiter campus provides many graduate students the opportunity to research and study.
  
  
• Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience – Max Planck was a German physicist who won the Nobel Prize for his energy study. In his honor, several institutions are set up to study different sciences. The one in Jupiter studies neuroscience or science related to the brain and its pathways.

Shopping

While Palm Beach is known for its high-end shops, Jupiter has a few markets worth checking out:

• Harborside Place has restaurants, entertainment, and boating on the intercoastal waterway. There are 16 retail shops and a waterfront amphitheater where you can take a yoga class or a show – there are two days of live music each week.
  
  
• Abacoa Town Center has shops, restaurants, and festivals, plus it's close to Roger Dean Stadium – catch a spring training game or minor league play. In addition, Downtown Abacoa has office space for rent for your small business venture.
  
  
• Palm Beach Gardens Mall has high-end shops like Chanel Fragrance & Beauty Boutique, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo, as well as mid-level brands such as Forever 21 and Michael Kors.

Restaurants

Whatever you are hungry for, Jupiter has an eatery that will cater to your cravings, but you'd be remiss if you didn't check out local seafood.

• Jumby Bay Island Grill is located in Downtown Abacoa.  Enjoy seafood, steak, and pasta with a full bar and live music. Keep your eyes open, as many celebrities and athletes also frequent this spot. 
  
  
• Ke'e Grill is located on the beach and is rated "Excellent" by Zagat. They offer grilled lamb chops, steaks, pork chops, and local fish, including Yellowtail Snapper and Florida Black Grouper.
  
  
• A local favorite is the Food Shack. Enjoy the daily catch, veal short ribs, seafood pasta, a seafood stew, and daily specials. The same group owns a few other dining experiences, including Hibiscus Streatery, where you can also purchase fresh seafood by the pound.
  
  
• Dune Dog Café is a low-key open-air café that serves seafood, ribs, burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.
  
  
• Coolinary Cafe has salads, soups, burgers, chicken & waffles, seafood, and veggie dishes with a unique twist. Check out their menu for their creative flair.

Points of Interest

Jupiter has so much packed into a bit of space. Every weekend can be a vacation within a short distance of your home.

The Beaches and Parks

Jupiter's focus is water. If you love the ocean and warm beaches, Jupiter has you covered.

• Jupiter Beach Park has 5 acres of beach with parking, picnic shelters, and a 990-foot pier where saltwater fishing is allowed. It's a popular place for surfing or swimming at the 300-foot guarded beachfront.
  
  
• Carlin Park is a popular place for beach volleyball, tennis, softball, or bocce ball games. There's also an exercise course, an amphitheater, and a cafe.
  
  
• Ocean Cay Park has a beach tucked down below the dunes and a large grassy area for picnics or grilling.
  
  
• DuBois Park is close to the mouth of the Jupiter Inlet and has excellent views of the Juniper Lighthouse. Launch your canoe or kayak here and paddle up the Loxahatchee River.
  
  
• Ladder 38 is a dog beach where you can let your pups frolic in the waves.

Golf Courses

South Florida is a great place to golf with its sunny, warm weather. Jupiter has several courses – private and public. Here are just a few:

• Jupiter Country Club is a gated community with beautiful homes surrounding a golf course.
  
  
• Loxahatchee Club is a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course with 285 homes, 71 acres of freshwater lakes, and 40 acres of green space. There is also an Activities Center and dining facilities.
  
  
• Jonathan's Landing has three courses available to members, a wellness center spa and salon, and tennis courts.
  
  
• Jupiter Hills Club is a private course that is one of the top courses in all of Florida. Bob Hope founded the golf training facility. 
  
  
• Trump National Golf Club has a Jack Nicklaus-designed course, pro shop, spa, and clubhouse available for weddings and events.

Other Attractions

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse towers 108 feet up in the sky on top of a 48-foot dune. Built in 1860, it used to guide travelers coming into the Jupiter Inlet and onto the intercoastal waterways. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse for a bird's eye view of the coast. Check out the lighthouse museum for some history of the area.

If you are a baseball fan, Jupiter is the place for you. The Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals hold spring training in Jupiter. Two minor league teams are based in Jupiter – the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals. They all play at the Roger Dean Stadium in Downtown Abacoa.

If auto-racing is more your style, head to the Palm Beach International Raceway for a full lineup of IHRA and NHRA races.

Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a great way to see native Florida flora and fauna. There are pine flatwoods, cypress wetlands, oak hammocks, and native animals. Take a hike through the 6-acre grounds, enjoy a wildlife encounter in the amphitheater, and let the kids learn at the discovery center.

The Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park and Riverbend Park commemorate battles in the Second Seminole War. There are guided tours and reenactments. There are hiking and biking trails, canoeing on the river (you can start here and paddle to the ocean), wildlife viewing, and space for picnics.

Moving to Jupiter, FL

Jupiter, FL, is a great place to check out if you are planning on moving to the South Florida area. With beaches, golf courses, shopping centers, and great neighborhoods, you are sure to find your dream home. You can choose from a home on the Intercoastal Waterways, on the golf course fairway, along the beach, or inland in a suburban setting. Miami and Palm Beach are close for nightlife, but you'll find most of what you need right in Jupiter.

Jeff Tricoli is a specialist, who works hard to make the home selling and buying processes as smooth as possible. He fights every day to help his clients meet their real estate goals and do what is best for their families. Whether you’re looking to sell a house, an office building, or hundreds of acres, he would love the opportunity to talk with you about putting his best-in-class marketing solutions and services to work for you.