Living in The Acreage

Families who choose to live in The Acreage, also incorrectly called "Loxahatchee' in places due to ZIP code/community name confusion, are happy with a 1.15-acre or larger lot size, a lot of privacy, a country lifestyle and an opportunity to own animals, especially horses. The Acreage is located north of Okeechobee Blvd. and north and west of Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves.

In 2006 there were about 60,000 people calling The Acreage their home, Medium family income is about $65,000 and most of the residents are young and middle aged couples with children.

Most of the schools are new or almost new. Residents shop mostly in Wellington, or Royal Palm Beach, though there are three strip shopping areas one with a Publix Supermarket, complete with gas pumps. A new Walgreens is across the street. These centers also feature a number of small merchants and businesses - even and bank and Burger King. And though residents are mostly against more commercial property being built, you can bet that it will come.

Buyers will find 1.15-acre lots or larger priced from less than $50,000 to more than $100,000, depending upon location, whether the road is paved or not, and closeness to shopping, schools and other amenities. These lots sold for up to $200,000 and even more several years ago.

One has to be very careful selecting a lot. One that looks high and dry one day can have a good deal of flooding, retaining a lot of water after a good rainstorm. Also one is safest buying a home next to another nice home of equal or higher value. There are virtually no restrictions in size or cost of new homes, so you could build a $500,000 home and wind up with a $175,000 home next door with a bunch of swamp buggies on the front lawn.

Just keep in mind that you will be living in the country, not in Wellington, so be sure that you will enjoy the country lifestyle.

Acreage History and Government

The Indian Trail Improvement District was created by the Florida Legislature in 1957 to oversee the needs of the 17,000 developed lots encompassing a 110-plus-square-mile area, along with citrus grove and sugar cane production. The ITID serves more than 40,000 residents. As a special taxing district,€� it provides drainage, road grading and improvements, plus a neighborhood park system.

The ITID is run by an elected, seven-member board which meets monthly or more frequently in the district offices located at 13476 61st Street North. Departments include Parks, Maintenance & Operations, and Administration.