Orange County families who move to Palm Beach County tend to want the same things they had in Newport Beach, Corona del Mar, or Laguna: life on the water, good schools, safe neighborhoods, and a polished but relaxed coastal culture. North Palm Beach County delivers most of that list, with no state income tax and a lot more room on the sandbar on a Saturday.
Here's how the move compares, from taxes to harbor life.
California taxes income at rates up to 13.3%, and Florida has no state income tax. For business owners, physicians, and households with investment income, that's often the starting point of the conversation.
Property tax is the line item that surprises Californians. Your Prop 13 basis stays in California, so your first Florida property tax bill is based on what you pay for the house. Florida's homestead rules are also changing. Voters approved Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026, raising the non-school homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, on top of the $25,000 school exemption. Buyers who don't have a permanent Florida residence on December 31, 2026 receive a $50,000 non-school exemption until their fifth year of residency, and the Legislature is setting the details in its 2027 session. Save Our Homes still caps annual increases in assessed value at 3% or inflation, whichever is lower. File for homestead with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser by March 1 of the year after you move in, and use its property tax and Amendment 3 calculators to model a specific price. Our Amendment 3 guide for people moving to Florida and Florida tax guide for new residents go deeper.
Boating is the clearest overlap between Orange County and north county. Jupiter sits at the meeting point of the Loxahatchee River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the Jupiter Inlet, so homeowners can be in the Atlantic in minutes and the Bahamas in a day. The Gulf Stream runs close to shore here, which is why Jupiter is known for sailfish and offshore fishing. Families who loved Newport Harbor often focus on deep-water homes in Jonathan's Landing, Admirals Cove, Tequesta, and North Palm Beach.
The water is warmer than the Pacific, so paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming happen most of the year. Surfers find smaller waves than Trestles, with the best sessions at Juno Beach and around the inlet when swells come through in fall and winter.
Irvine and Ladera Ranch buyers already understand HOAs, amenity centers, and village-style planning. Palm Beach Gardens has several communities built on that model. Avenir and Alton offer newer construction, clubhouses, pools, and trail systems. In Jupiter, Abacoa mixes single-family neighborhoods with a walkable town center and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, where the Cardinals and Marlins hold spring training.
Public school assignment in Palm Beach County follows your address, and choice programs at several high schools accept applications from across their zones. Families in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens also look at The Benjamin School, Jupiter Christian School, and The King's Academy. Apply to private schools early, since many have waitlists. Our family neighborhoods guide compares options across the county.
Many OC homeowners have dealt with non-renewals or the California FAIR Plan. Florida's insurance market has its own reputation, and it has stabilized since the 2022 and 2023 legislative reforms; Citizens and several private carriers filed rate decreases for 2026. Quotes depend on roof age, impact glass, the wind mitigation inspection, elevation, and flood zone. Ask for a quote during inspection. More detail in our Florida homeowners insurance guide.
JetBlue has offered seasonal nonstop service between PBI and LAX. There's no nonstop to John Wayne Airport, so most trips home connect through a hub or leave from Fort Lauderdale or Miami for more options. Brightline's West Palm Beach station connects to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Orlando by train.
Summers are humid, and afternoon storms roll in most days from June to September. Winter is the best season of the year, and the beaches stay calm and uncrowded. Dining centers on Harbourside Place and the Jupiter waterfront, Downtown at the Gardens, and West Palm Beach. Golf is everywhere, with PGA National and dozens of private clubs within a short drive.
Our Orange County clients usually start with a shortlist of three or four communities built around water access and schools, then fly in for two focused days. We'll handle the video tours, flood-zone checks, and HOA document reviews before you land.
The Meyer Lucas Team serves buyers, sellers, relocators, and investors throughout Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Tequesta, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and Martin County.
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Mon - Fri, 9 am - 6 pm 1515 South Cypress Dr Jupiter FL 33469
