Moving to Palm Beach Gardens? Use this simple, first‑90‑days checklist to get settled fast. It covers utilities, licenses, schools, safety, and local life. Follow it week by week, and you will feel at home quickly.
This guide is for homeowners, renters, families, and investors. Start with the “First Week” list, then work through “First Month,” and keep the “Ongoing” items handy. Save the links. They point to official city and county pages, so the info stays current.
Quick snapshot: What to expect as a newcomer
Palm Beach Gardens blends gated communities, golf neighborhoods, family suburbs, and condo living near shops and parks. Newcomers often ask about schools, commute times, HOA rules, and where to get everyday services.
Common priorities include utilities, school enrollment, car and voter registration, and hurricane prep. Recreation is a big draw: parks, golf, tennis, and easy shopping at The Gardens Mall.
Local know‑how can shorten your learning curve. A trusted real estate team can help you compare neighborhoods, HOA rules, and resale potential while you line up utilities and services.
First week checklist — urgent tasks to handle right away
- Turn on utilities and trash service.
- Electric: Start or transfer power with Florida Power & Light. Use the FPL customer page to start service and report outages here.
- Water and sewer: Much of the city uses Palm Beach County Water Utilities. Open or transfer your account and confirm your address provider here.
- Trash, recycling and bulk pickup: Palm Beach Gardens uses Waste Management through the city. Check pickup days, setout rules, and contact info here.
- Internet and TV: Check address‑level availability with major providers like Xfinity here. Fiber or wireless options vary by street.
Tips: Take photos of meter numbers. Save account and confirmation numbers. Ask about deposits and connection fees.
- Verify home safety and insurance.
- Change exterior locks and garage codes. Test smoke detectors and GFCI outlets. Find your main water shutoff and electrical panel.
- Review homeowners or renters insurance and ask your agent about wind and flood coverage. The county’s zone lookup is a good start for flood risk here.
- Set up mail and local contacts.
- Forward mail with USPS. Add your HOA or property manager to your phone. Introduce yourself to neighbors and note HOA gate or amenity rules.
- Start hurricane readiness.
- Hurricane season is June 1 to November 30. Review the city’s readiness guide and supply list here. Register for county alerts with AlertPBC and find your evacuation zone using the county lookup above.
First month checklist — settling into routines and local systems
- Vehicle and license.
- Register your vehicle and handle driver license services at the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s North County Service Center in Palm Beach Gardens. Appointments and details are posted here. Florida rules apply to new residents, so do not delay.
- Voter registration.
- Update or register with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. The deadline is 29 days before an election. Start the registration process with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections.
- School enrollment and routines.
- School assignments are address‑based. Review local schools and district links from the city page here. Gather immunization forms, birth certificates, and proof of address. Set up pickups, bus routes, or after‑care.
- Healthcare setup.
- Choose a nearby ER and urgent care. Jupiter Medical Center has an urgent care on PGA Blvd. See details and locations here. Confirm accepted insurance. Transfer medical, dental, and pediatric records.
- Daily essentials.
- Get a library card at the Gardens Branch here. Map your closest grocery, pharmacy, and pet supplies. Note park and recreation options through the city’s Community Services.
- Budget and bills.
- The combined sales tax in Palm Beach County is generally 7.0 percent. See the county rate overview here. Set autopay for utilities and insurance. Track deposits and one‑time setup fees.
Housing decisions: renting, buying or investing — practical next steps
Should you rent first or buy now? Use this quick guide.
- Renting first: Pros include flexibility, time to learn neighborhoods, and less upfront cost. Cons include moving twice and exposure to rising rents.
- Buying now: Pros include building equity and locking a rate. Cons include learning curve and HOA or renovation limits if you choose fast.
What to evaluate:
- Neighborhood match: commute, schools, parks, golf, and retail.
- HOA rules and fees: leasing rules, pet limits, exterior changes, and reserves.
- Resale potential: school zones, area improvements, and flood risk.
Timeline basics:
- Lease: ID, income docs, background check, deposit, renter’s insurance.
- Purchase: pre‑approval or proof of funds, HOA application if required, inspection periods, insurance quotes, and title.
Before you renovate: verify permits and association approvals. Keep an inspection checklist, review permits and past work, and price upgrades that add value. For off‑market or value‑add deals, a founder‑led team with investing experience can surface opportunities and help you plan the scope, budget, and exit.
Local services and utilities: essential contacts and setup checklist
- Electric: Start with FPL here.
- Water & sewer: Open account or find your provider here.
- Trash & recycling: Palm Beach Gardens service info here.
- Internet & TV: Check address availability and plans here.
- Natural gas: Availability varies by address. Check first with Florida City Gas here.
Insurance checklist: homeowners or renters, auto, wind, and flood. Look up your evacuation and flood zones early. Set online accounts, paperless billing, and autopay. When hiring vendors, ask for licenses, insurance, and 2 to 3 recent local references.
Schools, childcare and family resources
- Enrollment: Use the city’s school page for local schools and district tools here. Gather proof of residency, immunization forms, birth certificates, and prior transcripts.
- Options: Explore public, magnet, charter, private, and preschools. Schedule tours early.
- Enrichment: After‑school programs, tutoring, and youth sports fill fast. The library’s Gardens Branch offers programs and study help here.
- Parent networks: Join school PTO, local Facebook groups, and community sports leagues to plug in quickly.
Transportation, commute and parking
Plan your daily routes to work hubs in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, and Jupiter. Learn HOA or building parking rules, guest parking, and towing policies.
Public transit: Palm Tran serves the area, with connections to Tri‑Rail stations in West Palm Beach and Mangonia Park. See bus service info and trip planning.
Rideshare is widely available. Keep an eye on peak‑hour traffic near PGA Boulevard and I‑95. Test your commute at your usual travel times.
Local lifestyle & amenities — quick orientation
Scout neighborhoods by the amenities you value most.
- Parks and recreation: Explore city parks, greenways, and sports facilities through Community Services.
- Golf and clubs: The area is known for courses and club communities. Trial visits help you compare.
- Dining and retail: Start with The Gardens Mall and nearby PGA Boulevard corridors for shopping, groceries, and daily needs. Learn more about The Gardens Mall here.
- Try before you commit: Take short day trips, try class passes, attend community events, and test memberships. Keep notes on drive times and noise levels at different hours.
Safety, local regulations, permits and HOA basics
- Permits and zoning: Call the city to confirm permit needs before you start any project. Public Services and Public Works contact info is posted here.
- HOA basics: Expect welcome packets, online portals, and compliance reminders for landscaping, exterior paint, and vehicles.
- Police and fire: Save the city’s non‑emergency numbers and use 911 for emergencies. Community resources are listed here.
Money and tax notes you should not miss
- Homestead Exemption: If the home is your primary residence, apply by March 1. Details and eligibility are explained by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser here. Important tax calendar dates are posted here.
- Property tax bills: Mailed in November by the Tax Collector. Early‑payment discounts may apply.
- Sales tax: The combined rate is generally 7.0 percent in Palm Beach County. See the county rate overview here.
Hurricane readiness essentials
- Season runs June 1 to November 30. Review the city’s hurricane guide and checklists here.
- Look up your evacuation and flood zones and register for alerts with the county tool here.
- Quick supply list: water, shelf‑stable food, medications, batteries, flashlights, power bank, cash, pet supplies, and copies of IDs and insurance.
Pets and local rules
- Pet licensing: Dogs and cats 6 months or older must be licensed within 30 days of moving into Palm Beach County. Fees and documents are listed by Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control and PetData.
How The Kotelsky Group helps newcomers
You want a smooth landing and smart decisions. We help you do both. Our founder‑led team blends luxury brokerage with active investing know‑how. That means practical guidance on neighborhoods, HOA rules, flood and insurance issues, and improvement plans that boost value.
What we offer:
- Concierge tours, off‑market sourcing, and neighborhood intelligence.
- Investor‑grade advice on inspections, scopes, and ROI.
- Vetted vendor network for loan pros, inspectors, insurance, and contractors.
- Fast, data‑backed pricing. Need to understand your equity now? Get a Free Home Valuation Today.
Conclusion & next steps
Your first 90 days are simple when you follow a plan: activate utilities, confirm schools and healthcare, register vehicles and to vote, and prepare for storms. Then decide your housing path and build local routines.
Next steps:
- Finish the first‑week tasks above.
- Choose rent or buy and set your timeline.
- Have questions or need a local partner? Contact The Kotelsky Group for tailored guidance.
FAQs
Q: When is the Homestead Exemption due? A: File by March 1 for the current tax year. See details from the Property Appraiser here.
Q: Who handles my water service in Palm Beach Gardens? A: Many addresses use Palm Beach County Water Utilities. Confirm and open an account.
Q: What is the county sales tax rate? A: The combined Palm Beach County rate is generally 7.0 percent. See the overview here.
Q: Where do I register my car and update my driver license? A: Use the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s North County Service Center in Palm Beach Gardens. Info and appointments are posted.
Q: How do I prepare for hurricanes as a new resident? A: Review the city’s hurricane guide here, register for AlertPBC, and look up your evacuation and flood zones here.
Q: Do I need to license my dog or cat? A: Yes. Dogs and cats 6 months or older must be licensed within 30 days of moving into Palm Beach County. Learn how to license your pet.
