Jupiter Farms is the location of the former Burt Reynolds Ranch, a 152-acre estate complete with its own landing strip that the actor used to privately fly in his Hollywood buddies during the height of his fame in the 1980s. The property also is rumored to have been a gangster hideout during the 1920s.
Jupiter Farms, or simply "The Farms" as it's affectionately called by the 12,000 or so residents of this unique and sprightly rural community, is a 15-square-mile residential area west of the town of Jupiter, Florida. Each housing lot on The Farms is no smaller than half an acre, providing residents with plenty of space to do their own thing. And if there's one thing people in The Farms like, and are well known for, it's doing their own thing. Today, The Farms has managed to retain its country roots, even with real estate developers literally knocking on residents' doors, sometimes offering large sums of cash in exchange for the homeowners' land! But the collective residents of Jupiter Farms, at least for the time being, continue to fend off their offers and incentives of financial fortunes.
Moving to The Farms
Many issues about moving to The Farms are unique to life here. First, many of the roads are not paved, and others don't run uniform in width. The dirt roads here are different. They're made from ground-up seashell rock, and most likely the roads have not been smoothed over since the last torrential rainfall, leaving ripples in the shell rock; this makes driving over them a slow, bumpy experience. Be sure to take your time and start packing at least a couple of weeks in advance of your move date to make sure your belongings are secure during the move.
Second, don't forget Jupiter Farms lies at the northern tip of The Everglades. There are countless canals that run throughout The Farms, and many wild animals -- yes, that means alligators! -- call these waterways home. One of those canals is likely to run behind, or at least close-by, your home. Be wary of letting children play near canals, and don't let the family pets (especially small dogs) wander off near waterways. It's gruesome to think about, but your dog may become dinner for some hungry 'gator.
Nearly all of the homes for rent in Jupiter Farms are single-family houses. There are very few apartments or duplexes for rent. Many homeowners rent out rooms in their house, as well. Since they are open to sharing space with strangers, owners tend to conduct extensive background and credit checks, and they will request solid references -- personal, professional, and from previous landlords -- and for you to have a full-time job. Typically, first and last month's rent is required, as well as a security deposit equal to one month's rent. Make sure you give yourself at least one month to find rental homes or rooms in Jupiter Farms.
The Main Roads of Jupiter Farms
People frequently identify where they live in Jupiter Farms by referencing one of four main roads. The east section of The Farms contains Jupiter Farms Road, a local landmark of sorts that people who don't live here use to identify a location (as in, "How close are you to Jupiter Farms Road?). The north side runs along Indiantown Road, the only way in and out of The Farms. To the west is 130th Ave. North and to the south Sandy Run Road. Jupiter Farms proper doesn't have many definable neighborhoods, although there are two close by.
Caloosa: This area just to the west of Jupiter Farms is full of single-family homes. There are a few rentals available from time to time, but mostly Caloosa's residents own and live in their own homes.
Palm Beach Park of Commerce: Right next to Caloosa, and just behind the west end of Jupiter Farms, resides the Palm Beach Park of Commerce. This is home to several small businesses, from interior designers and electronics suppliers to automotive repair and heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies.
Living in Jupiter Farms
The Farms is a very tight-knit community -- the type of place where it seems everybody knows everybody. Often, change is met with local resistance, usually spearheaded by a group of homeowners organized in the early 1990s called Jupiter Farms Residents, Inc (JFR).
These days, The Farms, known for its wide-open spaces, expansive views of the stars, and general peaceful vibe attracts many artistic types, such as musicians and writers, painters, sculptors and ceramic artists, and television producers and photographers. There also is a large equestrian community here -- it's not unusual to see people riding horseback right off the side of the road.
One thing about living in Jupiter Farms is you're going to have to commute to work. Many residents take the hike south down I-95 to jobs somewhere in Palm Beach County, while others head north into Martin County, or straight down Indiantown Road into Jupiter.
Jupiter Farms has one shopping center, Jupiter Farms Village, anchored by a Publix grocery store (development of this, too, was fought by JFR, even though at the time driving to the nearest supermarket meant a one-hour round trip). Jupiter Farms Village is a strip mall that includes several locally-owned businesses and restaurants, including a small healthcare cluster with a mental health center, a combination veterinarian's office, kennel and dog groomer, a dentist, a yoga studio, and a fitness center.
Jupiter Farms Village has one of the most unique McDonald's restaurant's you've ever seen. The building itself is shaped like an old barn; it's painted grey and tucked away in the trees, not visible at all from Indiantown Road -- supposedly the only McDonald's of its kind, according to local legend.
Jupiter Farms Village also is home to Jupiter Farms End Zone Sports Grille. This place has changed themes and owners several times over the years, but it remains a favorite tavern and after-work gathering spot of locals.
