Bat boy lives! The two headed woman is having a baby! Ridiculous headlines like these once blared from the cover of the National Enquirer, which had publishing headquarters in Lantana, Florida. So if you ever want to blame somebody for the tabloid downfall of America, maybe you can point your finger at Lantana --or maybe not, since the magazine hasn't been published for years.
When you think of moving to South Florida, the first thing you probably think about is the great weather you've heard about. The good news is that everything you've heard is really true. To get an idea of how important the weather is down here, Lantana's population of 10,423 (2010 census) increases by 4,000 during the winter, when part-time residents called snowbirds migrate south and hide out until the rest of the country warms up again. Lantana is more than just a winter nest, however. It was the corporate headquarters for the National Enquirer until the late 1980's, and the town still has a corporate presence, with large-scale companies such as gaming manufacturer Benchmark Games. Essentially, however, you don't get the feel of corporate America here, but rather of Vacationland USA. This tiny town (it's only 2.25 square miles long) may have an energetic vibe, but underneath there's a relaxing, casual undercurrent that makes you feel like you've landed in the middle of a cool vacation movie, complete with palm trees, beaches, great bars and friendly people who are happy to live here.
Thanks to its location along Florida's tourist belt, Lantana is brimming with attractive house rentals and apartments for rent. Property rentals are in demand here, however, so if you find something you like, it's a good idea to grab it while you can. You may not be able to luck into all-utilities-paid units down here, however, but the good news is that you won't have to worry about heating bills in sunny Florida during the winter. Likewise, many Florida properties are equipped with ceiling fans to help lower your air conditioning bill.
Before you make your move, try to schedule a scouting trip to Lantana so you can scope out the neighborhoods. Fortunately, it's so small that everything is virtually within walking distance, so no matter where you choose to live, you simply can't go wrong. Because of the winter tourism, you'll find more rental properties available during the spring and summer months, as many prime locations are snapped up during the winter by folks who prefer to rent their seasonal second home. During the off-season, however, you might be able to snap up a bargain, especially if you find a landlord who wants to rent to long-term residents rather than short-term vacationers.
Even if you find a bargain, it won't come cheap, so be prepared to pay first and last month's rent, as well as a security deposit. If you're lucky, your landlord might waive the last month's rent down payment, especially if you can give assurances that you plan to stay for more than a few months.
Lantana is home to a number of lovely residential neighborhoods. If you're looking for rental housing in Lantana, here are a few of the most popular places to begin your search:
Lantana Heights: Located just south of Lantana Road, Lantana Heights is a popular residential area with a large number of homes of every size, from small bungalows to large multi-levels, available for sale or rent. This bike / pedestrian friendly area also boasts apartment complexes, as well as a variety of condos and townhouses. This neighborhood is conveniently close to the commercial district on Lantana Road, where you'll find banks, pharmacists and stores such as Costco, CVS and Office Depot.
Lantana Heights West: Lantana Heights West is an attractive residential area where you'll find a number of houses both for sale and rent. This bike / scooter friendly area is especially popular not only for its landscaped lawns, but also for its convenient proximity to the commercial district on Lantana Road, where you'll find plenty of stores and service providers.
Ocean Walk: If you're looking for a condo, Ocean Walk is a great place to start. This lovely bike / pedestrian friendly neighborhood features lovely contemporary condo complexes that offer amenities such as gym facilities and boat marinas. You'll also find homes for sale and rent, many of them offering rent-to-own options. Ocean Walk is centrally located in the town and is within minutes of the major commercial district on Lantana Road.
Sea Pines: Close to area stores and amenities, Sea Pines is a bike / pedestrian friendly neighborhood where you'll find plenty of beautiful rental homes available, many with beautifully landscaped, palm tree-studded yards and spacious garages.
Ocean Breeze: South of Lantana Road, the Ocean Breeze neighborhood features a large number of homes for sale and rent at a wide variety of price points. In addition, there are a number of apartment and condo rentals in the area, all close to the commercial district on Lantana Road, where you'll find bakeries, banks and most of your favorite chain stores and pharmacies.
Lantana Pines: This area is rich in condos and townhouses, many with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms. In addition, you'll find homes for sale or rent, as well as beautiful apartment complexes, many with swimming pools, gyms and landscaped grounds. Located just six minutes outside of town in Lake Worth, Lantana Pines is a bike-friendly area that's centrally located near several commercial districts, including Lantana Road.
Lantana has summer highs that hover around the low 90's, but things can heat up quickly if there's a warm front. On the flip side, winter highs are in the mid to upper 70's, and once you move here, you don't ever need to worry about snow again. You can expect around 61 inches of rain a year, which is just enough to help you cool off during those hot, sunny days.
As for transportation, the Palm Tran bus service will take you anywhere you need to go throughout the region. Plus, Lantana is exceptionally biker friendly, and you'll find plenty of locals who prefer owning a motorcycle or scooter to a car.
Lantana can proudly boast a number of spectacular outdoor amenities, including eight-acre Lantana Beach, a pristine public beach with a shallow reef and 745 feet of ocean frontage. If you're into diving and snorkeling, then you'll become a regular at Calypso Dive Charters, where you can rent a boat and crew for a few hours and dive among the dolphins. For more water adventures, head over to Bar Jack Fishing, where you can rent a boat and crew for an awesome fishing expedition. Be sure to keep an eye open for kingfish and bonita, which are especially abundant in these waters.
If you prefer golf clubs to fishing rods, you'll want to stop by the Lantana Golf Course, which features a beautifully landscaped, 18-hole championship course dotted with lush rolling hills. Hope you like hilltop views, because the Park Ridge Golf Course offers one of the highest elevations of any course in Florida.
In addition, Lantana has several parks, including the Santaluces Athletic and Aquatic Complex, where you'll find playing fields, a fitness center, a pedestrian bridge, a bike path, fishing piers and a swimming pool. Just outside of town in Hypoluxo, there's also a beautiful nature conservancy, Hypoluxo Scrub Natural Area, where you'll find 98 acres of natural open space that includes a lush hiking / biking trail.
In any popular resort town, it's a given that you'll find top-notch restaurants, and Lantana doesn't disappoint. The Old Key Lime House claims to be the oldest restaurant in Florida, and while we can't vouch for whether that's true, we can tell you the food is fabulous. In addition to its specialty key lime pie, you can enjoy fresh shrimp and seafood dishes, a fabulous view from the tiki bar and live music on weekends. Over at Dune Deck Cafe, you can enjoy a spectacular oceanfront view while you feast on conch fritters, coconut shrimp, Florida stone crabs and filet mignon brochette. For even more yummy seafood, check out Riggin's Crabhouse (607 Ridge Rd), which specializes in steamed blue crabs, shrimp, wings, burgers and a fantastic raw bar. For great all-you-can-eat specials, there's also Jack's Grumpy Grouper, which offers an all-day, all-you-can-eat fish fry every day of the week. You're in one of the best places in the country for fresh seafood, so eat up!
When you're ready to wash all that down, head over to Lantana Ale and Sports Bar for great drink specials and plenty of screens for whichever big game is on at the moment. Another local favorite is Atlantis Grill and Bar, where you can get great happy hour specials every day, in addition to fantastic baby back ribs.
With plenty of sunshine, palm trees and waterfront property, Lantana is a dream of a hometown, especially when viewed from the cold, gray perspective of a winter's day in an urban metropolis up north. Fortunately, as you'll soon learn, Lantana lives up to all the fabulous hype, and then some.
