Is Riviera Beach a Good Place to Live? Neighborhoods, Waterfront and Value
October 1, 2026 · 8 min read · By Onias Derilus, Broker
An honest look at Riviera Beach: Singer Island condos versus mainland homes, the $566 million Marina Village plan, Peanut Island, prices, insurance and flood zones.
Living in Riviera Beach means choosing between two very different settings inside one city. On one side is Singer Island, with high-rise condos on the Atlantic. On the other is the mainland, with older single-family homes, the working Port of Palm Beach and a city marina that is about to change. Riviera Beach sits just north of West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County. It often costs less than nearby coastal towns, but it comes with trade-offs worth knowing. This guide gives an honest look at the neighborhoods, the waterfront, prices, insurance and flood zones.
Key takeaways
- Riviera Beach covers both the mainland and much of Singer Island, so prices and housing types vary widely within one city.
- In May 2026, the city picked Forest Development for a $566 million plan to remake 12 acres at Marina Village, according to Stet News.
- Peanut Island, an 80-acre county park, sits in the Intracoastal near the city and the Port of Palm Beach.
- Flood zones and wind insurance can shift your monthly cost a lot. Check the FEMA map and get quotes before you write an offer.
- Palm Beach County's median single-family price was $650,000 in August 2026, with condos and townhouses at $300,000.
Where Riviera Beach is and how it is laid out
Riviera Beach is on the east side of Palm Beach County, between West Palm Beach to the south and North Palm Beach and Lake Park to the north. The Intracoastal Waterway, here called Lake Worth Lagoon, splits the city into two parts.
The mainland holds most of the city's homes, its schools, its city hall and the Port of Palm Beach. Interstate 95 and U.S. 1 run through it, so getting to West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens and the airport is fairly quick. Singer Island, across the Blue Heron Boulevard bridge, faces the ocean. Part of the island belongs to Riviera Beach, while the town of Palm Beach Shores holds the southern tip.
That split shapes almost every part of life here, from home prices to insurance to daily routines.
Living in Riviera Beach on Singer Island
Singer Island is the side most people picture. Much of the Riviera Beach section is lined with condo towers and resort hotels along the beach. There are also some single-family streets and townhomes, often close to the Intracoastal.
Daily life here centers on the beach and the water. John D. MacArthur Beach State Park sits near the north end of the island, with beach, trails and kayaking on the lagoon. Many condo buildings have pools, gyms and beach access for owners.
The trade-offs are the usual ones for oceanfront condos. Monthly fees can be high, and older buildings may face large special assessments for repairs and safety work. Wind and flood insurance also cost more near the water. Our guide on whether Singer Island is a good place to live goes deeper on the island itself.
Living in Riviera Beach on the mainland
The mainland offers a mix of housing. You will find older concrete block ranch homes, some newer infill homes, townhouses and small condo buildings. Some streets near the Intracoastal have waterfront lots with docks. Others sit farther west, closer to I-95.
Prices on the mainland are often lower than in Palm Beach Gardens or North Palm Beach. That makes Riviera Beach a common search for first-time buyers and investors who want to stay near the coast. However, condition varies a lot from home to home. Roof age, windows, electrical and plumbing all affect both insurance and resale value.
As with any city, conditions differ block by block. So visit at different times of day, drive the commute you would make, and look at recent sales on the exact street. Our Riviera Beach page has current listings and local data.
Marina Village and what the redevelopment means
The biggest change coming to living in Riviera Beach is the plan for Marina Village. This is the city marina area just north of the Port of Palm Beach. The Riviera Beach Community Redevelopment Agency asked developers in 2025 for proposals to remake about 12 acres of waterfront land there.
According to Stet News, city leaders picked Forest Development in May 2026 for a $566 million project. The plan it reported includes a hotel, a convention center, 164 condos, waterfront restaurants, a dry boat storage building and an expanded Bicentennial Park. Stet News also reported that the first restaurants and shops are targeted to open in about three years, with the hotel later.
Large projects like this can take longer than planned, and details can change. Still, it is worth watching if you are buying near the marina. New dining and public waterfront space could make the area more attractive over time. On the other hand, construction brings traffic and noise for a while.
The waterfront: boating, Peanut Island and the inlet
Riviera Beach sits near the Lake Worth Inlet, one of the main ocean inlets in Palm Beach County. That makes it a practical base for boaters. The city marina, private docks and nearby ramps give quick access to the ocean.
Peanut Island is a short boat ride away. Palm Beach County describes it as an 80-acre park in the Intracoastal near the Lake Worth Inlet, close to Phil Foster Park, the City of Riviera Beach and the Port of Palm Beach. The park has swimming beaches, a snorkeling lagoon, camping and boat docks. If you do not own a boat, the county lists water taxi services that run visitors to the island.
If waterfront living is your goal, read our guide on questions to ask when buying waterfront property before you tour.
Cost of living in Riviera Beach: prices, insurance and flood zones
Price is one reason buyers look here. For the county as a whole, Miami Realtors reported a median single-family price of $650,000 in August 2026, with a median of 40 days to contract. Condos and townhouses had a median price of $300,000 and took 69 days. Riviera Beach prices range widely around those county figures, from older mainland homes to oceanfront condos on Singer Island.
Insurance
Homeowners insurance in coastal Florida depends heavily on the roof, the windows, the age of the home and the distance to the water. A newer roof and impact windows can lower premiums. For condos, the building's master policy and reserves also matter. Get real quotes during your inspection period rather than relying on averages.
Flood zones
Some parts of Riviera Beach, both on the island and the mainland, sit in FEMA flood zones. If a home is in a high-risk zone and you use a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is usually required. Even outside those zones, many owners choose to carry it. Look up any address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and read our guide to Florida flood insurance.
Pros and cons of living in Riviera Beach
Here is a short summary to help you decide.
What residents tend to like
- Ocean and Intracoastal access, with Singer Island beaches and Peanut Island close by.
- Prices that are often lower than in nearby coastal cities, especially on the mainland.
- A central spot with fast access to I-95, West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens.
- A major marina redevelopment that could add dining and public waterfront.
What to weigh before you buy
- Home condition and street character vary widely, so research each block.
- Condo fees on Singer Island can be high, and older buildings may face assessments.
- Flood and wind insurance cost more near the water.
- Port activity and future construction can add truck traffic in some areas.
Who living in Riviera Beach suits best
Riviera Beach tends to fit a few kinds of buyers well. Boaters like the quick run to the Lake Worth Inlet. Beach lovers who want a condo with an ocean view often start on Singer Island. Buyers on a tighter budget who still want to live near the coast look at mainland homes, especially when nearby cities feel out of reach.
It can also suit people who work in West Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens. The drive to either is short, and Palm Beach International Airport is a reasonable trip down I-95. Investors also watch the city, since the Marina Village plan could change demand near the water over the next several years.
By contrast, buyers who want a quiet, uniform suburb with newer homes may prefer places farther west. Likewise, buyers who want a low-fee condo may find older oceanfront buildings carry costs they did not expect. In short, the right fit comes down to which side of the city you choose and how much homework you do on the specific property.
Tips for touring homes in Riviera Beach
A little prep goes a long way here. Before your first tour, list your must-haves, such as beach access, a dock, a garage or a short commute. Then use these steps:
- Pull the FEMA flood zone for each address on your list.
- Ask for the roof age and the wind mitigation report, since both affect insurance.
- For condos, request the budget, reserve study and any recent assessment notices.
- Drive by at night and on a weekend to get a feel for the street.
- Compare recent sales on the same street, not just the city average.
Frequently asked questions
Is living in Riviera Beach a good choice for retirees?
Many retirees like Singer Island condos for the beach and building amenities. Check condo fees, reserves and any planned assessments before you buy.
Is Singer Island part of Riviera Beach?
Much of it is. The town of Palm Beach Shores occupies the southern tip of the island, so check the address before you assume which city a property is in.
What is happening at Marina Village?
According to Stet News, the city picked Forest Development in May 2026 for a $566 million redevelopment of about 12 acres. The plan includes a hotel, condos, restaurants and park upgrades.
Do I need flood insurance when living in Riviera Beach?
It depends on the flood zone and your loan. High-risk zones usually require it with a federally backed mortgage. Check the FEMA map for the exact address.
How do I get to Peanut Island without a boat?
Palm Beach County lists water taxi services that shuttle visitors to the island for a fee.
Sources
- Stet News, Riviera Beach picks Forest Development for Marina Village
- WFLX, Riviera Beach searching for developers for Marina Village
- Palm Beach County Parks, Peanut Island
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center
- Miami Realtors, Palm Beach County August 2026 market report
Own a home in Riviera Beach? Find out what it could sell for in the current market. Get your home value or book a listing consultation. Thinking of moving here? Request a free relocation consultation for Riviera Beach.
