In an often divisive state like Florida, it’s refreshing that there’s consensus on Wellington, which consistently ranks among the best American cities. Located in western Palm Beach County, Wellington treats residents to a laidback lifestyle, flawless weather, and proximity to metropolises Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Besides those generalities, you probably want to know more about what it’s like to live in Wellington permanently. Here are eight things to know if you’re considering moving to Wellington, FL.
1. Internationally recognized equestrian scene
When you think of southern Florida, it’s unlikely that horses spring to mind. But yes, Wellington is celebrated for its equestrian community. Over the years, the city has acquired the designation “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” As a spectator, you have several months to check out the Winter Equestrian Festival, which runs from January to April. Events include show jumping, hunting (similar to jumping), dressage (similar to hunting), and polo, the ancient Iranian mallet sport. The epicenter of Wellington polo is the International Polo Club, which is notable because the main stadium — at a capacity of 1,640 — is the largest of its kind in the U.S. If you have children who are into horses, bring them to a match as a culture break from screen time.
2. Excellent schools in Wellington
Speaking of kids — if you're bringing any to Wellington, you won't have to worry much about their education. The city is served by the School District of Palm Beach County and is home to some of the best schools in Florida.
The elementary schools in Wellington, Fla., include:
- Binks Forest Elementary School, grades Pre-K–5
- Elbridge Gale Elementary School, grades Pre-K–5
- Equestrian Trails Elementary School, grades Pre-K–5
- Wellington Elementary School, grades K–5
- New Horizons Elementary School, grades K–7
Wellington is home to three middle schools:
- Polo Park Middle School, grades 6–8
- Emerald Cove Middle School, grades 6–8
- Wellington Landings Middle School, grades 6–8
There are two high schools in the city:
- Palm Beach Central High School, grades 9–12
- Wellington High School, grades 9–12
The School District of Palm Beach County maintains an active online presence, which is increasingly common yet rare for a public school system. The Florida Department of Education recently released a batch of test scores showing that Wellington students improved significantly in math, algebra, and geometry. Between that and high scores in English language arts, it’s clear that children are learning at Wellington public schools.
As for post-secondary education — although there aren't any universities or colleges in Wellington, Fla., you won't have to go too far to find them. Notable universities and colleges close to Wellington include:
- Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale, 50-minute drive
- Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, 40-minute drive
- Lynn University, Boca Raton, 40-minute drive
- Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, 30-minute drive
- Palm Beach State College, West Palm Beach, 30-minute drive
3. Central location
The advantage of Wellington’s location extends beyond its closeness to schools of all levels. The city occupies 45 square miles and is less than an hour’s drive from the following notable towns.
- West Palm Beach and access to the Atlantic Ocean are just east of Wellington.
- Lake Worth is also east of Wellington, just south of West Palm Beach.
- Palm Beach Gardens is northeast of Wellington
What’s more, for jet-setters, snowbirds, or your guests, air travel is a highly convenient way to get to Wellington. Palm Beach International Airport is less than 15 miles from the center of Wellington. No need to rent a car — finding an Uber or Lyft to your destination is easy.
If you have a car, know that Wellington motorists often take Florida’s Turnpike to Miami-Dade and Broward counties. And regardless of where you live in Wellington, I-95 (the interstate of the Atlantic that goes through Orlando, Jacksonville, Charleston, and beyond) is less than 30 easy minutes away.
4. Heavenly weather in Wellington
Like most of southern Florida, Wellington enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year. If you love sunshine, you’re in luck. You can count on 230 sunny days per year, more than the national average. Although it gets pretty hot in the summer (June to September) with average high temperatures of at least 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the heat is bearable once you add air conditioning to the equation.
In the Atlantic climate of Wellington, the summer months are also the wet season. Even with the heat, it rains almost every other day from June to September. At times, it rains all day; on other days, it rains for just an hour or so. It’s drier in Wellington’s cool season, which runs from mid-December to late February. That span overlaps with Wellington’s equestrian season, meaning the horses, riders, and fans can count on mild conditions. Between those competitors and vacationers (or owners of second homes), Wellington’s population swells during winter, but not to the point where there are traffic jams everywhere.
5. Sound economy and high standard of living
Wellington is primarily known for its family-oriented community, laidback lifestyle, and sparse suburban feel. It’s also one of the most affluent cities in Florida. Indeed, Wellington's workforce has an excellent variety of well-paying jobs. The biggest employers in the city are:
- The Bainbridge Companies (real estate, about 300 employees)
- Wellington Regional Medical Center (hospital, more than 500 employees)
- The Addington at Wellington Green (senior living, more than 500 employees)
- Palm Beach County School District (education, more than 20,000 employees)
Lower taxes are another driver of prosperity and population growth in Wellington. The income tax rate is nil — hard to beat.
6. Valuable real estate
Wellington’s population density is about 1,400 people per square mile. On any given day, several hundred properties are for sale. Most are single-family homes, but you won’t have to look hard for patio homes, condos, villas, townhouses, equestrian farms, multi-family residences, and luxury homes.Variety goes beyond the types of homes in Wellington. There also are gated and guard-gated communities. Some residential neighborhoods have HOAs. Also present are active adult (age 55+) communities and all-age communities. If you're moving to the city and are interested in finding Wellington homes for sale, the city's go-to realtor, Darlene Streit, can help you find your dream home.
With such communities in place, you might be surprised to learn Wellington's property market is relatively new. The first home in the city was built in the 1950s, but major construction only started in 1971. Today the property market is quite competitive, thanks mainly to the growing population. Homes for sale stay on the market for an average of 21 days in Wellington.
When considering moving to Wellington, the top neighborhoods you may want to live in include:
- Greenview Shores
- Sugar Pond Manor
- Binks Pointe
- Black Diamond
- Meadowland Cove
- Arissa Place
7. Quality shopping and fine dining
Shoppers visit The Mall at Wellington Green for most of their retail needs. It's the city's premier shopping spot. You will find more than 1.3 million square feet of department stores and food courts here. Other big-box stores throughout Wellington include Trader Joe’s and Publix. Some locals make day trips to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale for the most glamorous shopping.
Regarding food, Wellington boasts a broad array of restaurants that will satisfy most culinary tastes. Whether it's a date night with your significant other or a night out with your kids, you'll always find a spot that suits you. The best part is that you don't need to leave town or travel too far from your home to find a cozy restaurant.
Early birds love Keke’s Breakfast Cafe for its French toast and eggs portabella. Locals lunch on prime rib, pork chops, and fried octopus at Kaluz Restaurant, which also has a kids menu. For modern Indian dishes and other global fare, go to Raja Restaurant & Bar and “enjoy the real taste.” More hidden culinary gems await you upon moving to Wellington.
Summing up: Should you move to Wellington, FL?
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life but still be within range of major urban areas, Wellington, Florida, is an excellent place to live. Thanks to its suburban feel, high living standards, excellent infrastructure, and high education standards, it's no surprise that Wellington is often ranked among the best American cities.If you're ready to make the move to Wellington, Florida, contact Darlene Streit. Ranked as one of the top realtors in the nation, she deals with various properties, from luxury homes to condos. She can help you find a property that's perfect for your family. You can reach Darlene at (561) 531-2727 or by email at [email protected].
