Boca Raton FL Moving Companies

Boca Raton, Florida

Boca Raton is found in the Miami metropolitan area of southern Florida, but that does not mean it is not an important city in its own right. Although boasting only a modest population of 86,396 within the city limits, the surrounding area’s population tops 200,000. The addition of tourists and other visitors means that the greater Boca Raton area averages a population of 350,000 on any given day. The city is a major draw in southern Palm Beach County, boasting both beaches and corporate headquarters.Those moving to Boca Raton will soon discover an exciting area to call home.

Economy:
Although tourism dominates the economy of Boca Raton, Florida it is far from the only industry present in the city. On the contrary, many companies in a variety of industries have their headquarters in there. Such companies include the GEO Group (which operates prisons), the Bluegreen Corporation (a timeshare and real estate development company), Office Depot and Hollander Home Fashions. Since 1967, a major presence in Boca Raton has been IBM. Originally chosen as the site for southern operations and computer manufacturing, Boca Raton later became a research and corporate center for the company. While IBM sold their facilities to T-REX Management Consortium in 1996, the company returned to Boca Raton in 2001 to open a software development laboratory.

History:
The Tequesta Indians were the original inhabitants of the Boca Raton area, with settlements along the coast until the 18th century. European settlers did not arrive until much later, with the earliest coming in 1895. A small agricultural community marked the early years of Boca Raton, focused mainly on the growing of pineapples. An early community made up of Japanese immigrants was established at this time along what is now called Yamato Road. That land would eventually be seized by the government during World War II. Boca Raton became a city in 1925, amidst the Florida land boom. Within only a few years, the architect Addison Mizner had designed a luxury hotel (originally called the Cloister Inn and now the Boca Raton Resort & Club) and the Old Town Hall in a distinctive Spanish-Moorish building style. The small population (only 723 in 1940) was inundated with newcomers during World War II when as many as 30,000 servicemen arrived at the new Army Air Corps base. A population boom in the 1960s led to permanent population growth (30,000 permanent residents by 1970) and the expansion of the city westward into farming areas and the Everglades. Today, numerous people choose Boca Raton moving companies to relocate to the area.

Tourism:
Warm weather and sandy beaches are a major draw for tourists visiting Boca Raton, but there are plenty of other activities and attractions. Museums in the city include the Boca Raton Historical Museum, the Children’s Museum and the Boca Raton Museum of Art. For those who prefer the performance arts, organizations like the Caldwell Theater (home of southern Florida’s oldest theater company), the Boca Ballet, the Sol Children’s Theatre Troupe and the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia all offer performances throughout the year. High-end shopping is available throughout the city, with the main area of Mizner Park offering an outdoor venue for cultural events as well. To reach Boca Raton by air, the closest airport is the Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach. Once on the ground, you can get around on the Palm Tran buses or on the Tri-Rail commuter rail.

Colleges/Universities:

• Florida Atlantic University
• Palm Beach State College
• Lynn University
• Digital Media Arts College
• Everglades University

Interesting Facts:

• Among the many movies filmed on location in Boca Raton are "Caddyshack," "Caddyshack II," "Paper Moon" and "Stella."
• Workers at the IBM plant in Boca Raton developed the first IBM personal computer there in 1981.
• The name of Boca Raton, often translated from the Spanish as “Rat’s Mouth,” more likely derives from a navigational term for “rocky or jagged inlet” used on 18th-century Spanish maps.

Helpful Links:

• City of Boca Raton
• Palm Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Boca Raton Moving Guide