Florida's Palm Beach County contains the cities of West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, which make up a metropolitan area. This section of Florida is also the northernmost part of the greater South Florida metro area, which spans down to Miami. Becoming a West Palm Beach mover means nearby beaches, warm weather, and an urban environment.
Economy:
The number one industry in Palm Beach County is tourism, with recreation and dining to suit all tastes. The economy has a positive outlook with West Palm Beach-Boca Raton being one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. Other industries, which are influential to the economy, include retail, communication, computer technology, pharmaceuticals, aerospace and engineering, and food processing.
Tourism:
The area has long attracted northerners in search of respite from cold winter temperatures. West Palm offers beaches, museums, art centers, museums, and outdoor recreation. The area boasts having some of the top restaurants and bars in the world. Boca Raton has outdoor movie events throughout the year, and West Palm hosts various outdoor concerts regularly. Popular venues for entertainment include the Meyer Amphitheatre, the Palm Beach County Convention Center, and the Respectable Street Café.
History:
Henry Flagler is largely viewed as the founder of South Florida, having brought the railroad down to the area. Although the railroad was eventually extended to Miami, he initially intended to have Palm Beach as the end of the line. Flagler bought a great amount of land in the area and established West Palm Beach as a servants' community for resorts on nearby Palm Beach. Eventually, West Palm grew into a prominent location of its own. The area experienced a boom in the 1920's with a large volume of property sales and development..
In the 1960's, companies such as IBM and RCA were established in West Palm Beach. During this period of time, racial tensions grew and the area experienced an increase in crime. Still, businesses continued to flourish in the area. In the 70's, residents rediscovered the Palm Beach County's historic districts, and the area experienced a renaissance. Today, although it still battles its crime problem, the area continues to grow as a major metropolitan area.
The "Gold Coast" spreads up to Palm Beach County, a strip along South Florida's coast known for affluence. It is named for the profits made from it as Floridians would salvage goods from shipwrecks on the offshore reefs. Today, it refers to the affluence of the area.