Community Spotlight: Abacoa

Abacoa is a live-play-work master-planned community in Jupiter about a mile from I-95 and 3.5 miles from the beach. Construction began in 1997, with plans for 6,000 homes—nearly all of which have been built. Located on what used to be farmland along Donald Ross Boulevard, Abacoa is now a thriving community with an active downtown. Residents can easily walk to local businesses and attractions.

Abacoa is notable for two large research facilities. The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience is a 100,000-square-foot research facility built on six acres of Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter campus and Scripps Research is a pioneering biomedical research facility.

Buying a Home in Abacoa

If you’re looking to buy a home in Abacoa, you have many choices—although finding new construction may be difficult since the community is nearly built-out. Abacoa features a wide range of single-family and multi-family homes with housing options for residents aged 55 and older and for families with children.

Current prices range from the mid $100s to $1.7 million, with a median sales price of in the high $300s, according to Neighborhoods.com. Homeowners association fees for the multi-family dwellings range from $106 to $2,258 monthly, and yearly taxes range from $1,827 to $7,229. The single-family homes usually have quarterly homeowner association fees ranging from $106 to $2,258 and yearly property taxes ranging from $4,183 to $21,704.

Abacoa has 20 neighborhoods within its boundaries, each with own identity and homeowners association. For example, Cambridge consists of 77 single-family homes and 132 townhomes, with a community clubhouse and natural preserves with walking trails. Tuscany consists of townhomes and single-family homes located near the middle school.

Downtown Abacoa

Although it took many years to develop, many residents consider Downtown Abacoa central to what makes living here special. Designed with old Main Street charm, and within walking distance of most residents, it’s where people dine, shop, and socialize.

Copacabana is a family-owned and -operated restaurant that features authentic Cuban cuisine and live music Thursday through Saturday. Thursdays feature jazz and blues while Fridays and Saturdays are Latin music.

If you’re looking more for a sports bar vibe, then JJ Muggs Stadium Grill might be a better option. Opened in 2001, it’s a popular destination before and after baseball games.

If you’re more in the mood for Italian food, then Costello’s is a reasonably priced option that’s suitable for the whole family.

Attending events held Downtown is another way neighbors keep in touch. For example, Food Truck Fridays are held on the second Friday of every month from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to food trucks, the event features a DJ performing at the Abacoa Amphitheater. A Holiday Block Party will be held Nov. 24 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with Santa Claus, a kids activities zone, live music, shopping, and a corn hole tournament.

Roger Dean Stadium

One of Abacoa’s unique entertainment offerings can be found at Roger Dean Stadium. It’s the only stadium in the country to host four minor league teams: the Jupiter Hammerheads and the Palm Beach Cardinals, of the Class A-Advanced Baseball Florida State League, as well as the Gulf Coast Marlins and the Gulf Coast Cardinals, of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

It’s also one of only two stadiums in Florida to host two Major League Baseball teams annually for Spring Training: the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. It also hosts special events, such as the Headfirst Baseball Camp and Under Armour Memorial Day Classic.

While tickets to Spring Training games can be costly, tickets to a minor league game only cost $9 for adults and $7 for children. At just under 7,000 seats in the stadium, it’s impossible to get a bad seat.

Abacoa Golf Club

Abacoa Golf Club is considered among the finest public golf courses in South Florida, and it attracts golfers of all skill levels. It was designed by golf course architect Joe Lee and features scenic views with 14 of the 18 holes surrounded by water. Its clubhouse can be rented out for special events.