Retiring in Highland Beach: Oceanfront Condo Living Between Boca Raton and Delray Beach

Retiring in Highland Beach puts you on a thin strip of barrier island with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal on the other. The town sits on State Road A1A between Boca Raton to the south and Delray Beach to the north. It is small, quiet and mostly condos. For many retirees that is the whole appeal. Still, older oceanfront buildings come with real costs and rules that newer inland homes do not. This guide covers what the town is like, what to check in a condo, and how storms and insurance fit into the plan.

Key takeaways

• Highland Beach is a tiny town. The 2020 Census counted 4,295 residents, mostly retirees, and the town runs about 3 miles along A1A.
• Most housing is in condo buildings along A1A, so buying here usually means buying into an association.
• Florida's condo safety laws require milestone inspections for buildings three stories or taller and structural reserve studies for many older associations. Read both before you buy.
• The town sits in evacuation Zone B and is a mandatory evacuation zone when a Category 2 or stronger hurricane is expected.
• Shopping, hospitals and most services are a short drive away in Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

What retiring in Highland Beach looks like day to day

Highland Beach is mostly residential. There are no downtown blocks, malls or big shopping centers inside town limits. Instead, life centers on the beach, the building you live in, and quick drives north or south for errands.

That suits a lot of retirees. The 2020 Census counted 4,295 residents, and the Historical Society of Palm Beach County describes the population as mostly retirees. So you will find neighbors at a similar stage of life, and buildings that are used to serving them.

The town also has a few services of its own. It has its own police department, a public library that started in the 1970s as two shelves of books in Town Hall, and its own water utility. In May 2024 it also launched its own fire rescue department, after decades of service from Delray Beach. Local reporting found that the new department kept average response times under 5 minutes in its first year.

A seasonal rhythm

Many owners split the year between Florida and somewhere cooler. The town's own hurricane manual notes that many residents close their condos for the season. As a result, winter is busier, while summer is quieter and many units sit empty. If you plan to live here full time, ask how many owners in a building are year-round. It affects everything from the social life to who sits on the board.

It also helps to visit twice before you buy. Come once in winter, when the buildings are full and the roads are busy. Then come back in late summer, when it is hot, humid and much calmer. If you like both versions of the town, you will likely be happy here all year. If you only like one, a seasonal plan or a rental first may make more sense.

Where retirees live: the condo buildings

Most homes in Highland Beach are condo units in buildings that run along A1A. Some face the ocean directly. Others sit on the Intracoastal side. There are also some single-family homes, but condos make up most of what comes up for sale.

Many of these buildings went up decades ago. That matters, because Florida changed its condo rules after the 2021 Surfside collapse. Older buildings near salt water now face more inspections, stricter reserve rules, and in some cases large repair bills.

Because inventory is limited and buildings differ so much, compare a few buildings side by side. Look at age, past assessments, reserve levels and rules for pets, rentals and renovations. Our Highland Beach area page shows current listings and local context.

Retiring in Highland Beach: the condo safety check

Before you fall for a view, read the paperwork. Florida's 2022 law, SB 4-D, created milestone inspections for condo and co-op buildings three or more habitable stories tall. The first inspection is due by Dec. 31 of the year the building turns 30. Local officials can set an earlier schedule. After that, inspections repeat every 10 years.

The same law limited how associations can waive or skip structural reserves. Then, in 2025, HB 913 set Dec. 31, 2025 as the deadline for older associations to finish a structural integrity reserve study, often called a SIRS. It also let associations fund reserves with special assessments, lines of credit or loans.

Documents to request before you buy

When you buy a resale condo, you have a right to see key documents. Ask your agent to get these early.

• The milestone inspection summary, if one applies to the building.
• The latest structural integrity reserve study, or a statement that none exists.
• The current budget and the most recent financial statement.
• Board meeting minutes from the past year or two, which often mention planned repairs.
• The declaration, bylaws and rules, including pet, rental and guest limits.

Read them with your agent and, if needed, a real estate attorney. A building that has already finished its big repairs may cost more up front but less over time. Meanwhile, a building with thin reserves may look cheap now and send a large bill later.

Monthly costs: HOA dues, reserves and insurance

Oceanfront condo fees tend to run higher than inland fees. The building has to insure against wind and flood, maintain seawalls and pools, and now fully fund structural reserves. Fees vary widely from building to building, so do not assume one unit's dues apply to the next.

Your own costs come on top of that. The association insures the structure, but you will usually need an HO-6 policy for your unit's interior and contents. Flood coverage is also worth pricing, since the town sits between two bodies of water. Ask an insurance agent for quotes before you write an offer, not after.

For a wider look at what retirees spend in this state, see our guide to the most affordable places to retire in Florida. It helps to compare Highland Beach against inland options before you decide.

Hurricanes and evacuation when retiring in Highland Beach

Life on a barrier island means taking storms seriously. The town's 2026 hurricane manual says Highland Beach is in evacuation Zone B. It also says the town is a mandatory evacuation zone when a Category 2 hurricane or stronger is expected.

So plan ahead. Know where you will go, whether that is family inland, a hotel or a county shelter. If you have a pet, note that county pet-friendly shelters require pre-registration. After a storm, workers and caretakers returning to town need identification and the address of the building they are going to.

Snowbirds should also plan for storms while they are away. Many buildings have rules about hurricane shutters, balcony furniture and who checks on empty units. Ask the manager how the building handles it.

Beach access and staying active

The beach in Highland Beach is the main draw, and most oceanfront buildings give owners direct access to the sand. Because the town is so narrow, even Intracoastal-side owners are only a short walk from the ocean. Ask each building how residents reach the beach and whether access is shared with neighboring properties.

For other activities, residents look north and south. Delray Beach has a busy downtown along Atlantic Avenue with restaurants and shops. Boca Raton offers more shopping, golf, medical offices and cultural events. Both are a short drive along A1A or across the bridges to the mainland.

Health care nearby

Proximity to medical care is a big factor for many retirees. Highland Beach has no hospital of its own, so residents rely on hospitals and specialists in nearby cities. Before you buy, map the drive to your doctors and the nearest emergency room.

Is retiring in Highland Beach right for you?

The town tends to fit retirees who want the ocean, quiet streets and a building community, and who do not mind driving for errands. It may not fit someone who wants to walk to shops every day or avoid condo associations altogether.

It also pays to think about your exit. Buyers for older oceanfront condos now look closely at reserves and inspection results. So a building with strong finances should also be easier to sell later. If you already own a home in Boca Raton, Delray Beach or elsewhere in the county, a free home valuation can show what you have to work with.

Frequently asked questions

Is Highland Beach a good place to retire?

For many retirees, yes. It is small, quiet and oceanfront, and most residents are older. The trade-offs are condo costs, storm risk and the need to drive for shopping and health care.

Are most homes in Highland Beach condos?

Yes. Most housing sits in condo buildings along A1A, on both the ocean and Intracoastal sides. Single-family homes exist but come up for sale less often.

What should I check before retiring in Highland Beach in an older condo?

Ask for the milestone inspection summary, the structural integrity reserve study, the budget, recent board minutes and the rules. Also price your own HO-6 and flood coverage before you make an offer.

Do I have to evacuate for hurricanes?

The town is in evacuation Zone B and says it is a mandatory evacuation zone when a Category 2 or stronger storm is expected. Plan where you will go well before the season starts.

Does Highland Beach have its own fire department?

Yes. The town began running its own fire rescue department on May 1, 2024. Before that, Delray Beach Fire-Rescue served the town for many years.

Sources

• Town of Highland Beach, Hurricane Preparation Manual 2026
• Town of Highland Beach, Departments
• The Coastal Star, Highland Beach Fire Rescue first year
• BEBR, University of Florida, Florida Population: Census Summary 2020
• Historical Society of Palm Beach County, Highland Beach
• Florida Senate, SB 4-D (2022)
• Florida Statutes, s. 553.899 milestone inspections
• Florida House, HB 913 (2025) final bill analysis

Selling a house to move to the beach? Pure Equity can price your current home and plan the sale around your move. Get your free home valuation. Ready to compare buildings? Request a curated 55+ community shortlist and we will send Highland Beach condos and nearby options that fit your budget.