I have been to Florida a couple of times.
I did not mind it but never thought of the possibility of relocating there until after learning more about the pros and cons of living in Jupiter, Florida.
Contents
Pros of Living in Jupiter, Florida
1. Sunny Weather
It is not often ever below 60 degrees F in Jupiter.
Except in January (low of about 58).
The average temperature ranges from about 73-75 degrees.
Its highs fluctuate between approximately 85 to 90 degrees F, and lows only decline to about 60-65 degrees.
It is rarely below 45 degrees in Jupiter, Florida – ever.
2. No Snow or Ice
Imagine going to a place in January and enjoying 60-degree weather with almost no chance of snow or ice appearing.
Unlike other locations in the world, you can sit outside with a light jacket and have a picnic at this time of year.
You can also play golf, walk on trails or even camp this time of year.
The Florida State Parks website has information about the places you can go camping 365 days a year.
3. Beaches (One for Dogs Too)
Jupiter has more than three miles of coastal land.
Beaches with free parking include DuBois, Carlin, and Ocean Cay Beaches.
Free spots are also at Juno and Jupiter (Juno Beach Park and Jupiter Beach Parks).
There’s even a beach that allows dogs, too.
Bring your beloved canine companion to Jupiter Beach, where you can enjoy each other’s company.
The dog-friendly area is designated markers #26 and #57 on this beach’s map.
4. A Multitude of Activities
You can stay outside all day long swimming, hiking, kayaking, or whatever you want.
If the heat becomes unbearable for you, you can stay indoors at museums, cinemas or theaters, creative galleries, and more.
Fishing, boating, tennis, and other sports also take place here.
Aside from the parks where you would find some of the largest beaches, you can also enjoy India Creek or Carlin Parks.
The Burt Reynolds and Lighthouse Parks are also nearby.
5. High Quality of Life
Many people in Jupiter, Florida say that they are satisfied with their health and fitness levels.
If you are looking for a place that promotes well-being, you would like it here.
Places, where you can explore and take leisurely walks, include the following:
- Jupiter Ridge Natural Area
- Delaware Scrub Trail
- Limestone Creek Natural Area
- Riverbend Park
Those only include a fraction of the nature centers found in Jupiter, FL.
You should not have far to travel living here or visiting for extended periods if you want to “get away without getting away.”
Another aspect of well-being involves eating nutritious foods.
You have access to fresh fruits and vegetables when living here.
Some places to find wholesome foods include Jupiter, JoJo’s, Jupiter Green & Artisan Markets.
6. A Welcoming Community
Jupiter has its own beach access. However, you will find a more relaxed atmosphere here.
People will also probably welcome you more than at the more crowded locations such as Tampa, Orlando, or Miami.
If you’re looking to settle in Florida for a long period, this place is also less of a tourist trap.
It is an excellent place to retire, but it is also a place recommended to families.
7. Proximity to Bigger Cities
Jupiter does have its share of shopping centers.
For instance, this town has its West Plaza and Harborside Place.
However, you also have the opportunity to commute to Miami or Orlando for items you may not find near you.
Perhaps you also need a temporary change of environment but do enjoy a vibrant nightlife scene.
Clubs, restaurants, and music venues welcome you from only two hours 30 minutes north (Orlando) and one hour 30 minutes south (Miami).
You are also only a half-hour drive north of West Palm Beach, a popular beach gathering area.
Of course, you’d like Jupiter if you’re a sports fan.
You will live short drives from where pro teams, such as the Miami Heat or Dolphins and Orlando Majic or Knights, play.
8. Fairly Reasonable Cost of Living
Florida in general is not necessarily the cheapest state to live in, but I assumed it would cost more than it does.
For a city with as much shore as it has, I consider the expense of living in Jupiter, FL on a modest income possible.
I personally would only have to make about 4% more than what I would need to live comfortably where I am from now – Wisconsin.
What is more, the cost of living is much lower in Jupiter than in some west or east coast locations, such as California, Hawaii, New York or Massachusetts.
9. Lower-than-Average Crime Rate
Jupiter has a crime rate of 16.7 per 100, which is lower than the United States national average of 22.7.
This calculation comes from data reported between the years 2000 and 2019.
It would be nice if no violent crimes occurred at all, but there were only 3 murders per 100,000 people in 2019.
Cons of Living in Jupiter, Florida
1. Congested Traffic
“Traffic is a nightmare during rush hour in Jupiter, Florida.” Derek Macy, Think Real Estate–
If you stay in Jupiter long enough, you might begin to have a love-hate relationship with its closeness to Orlando and Miami.
If you are used to leaving at the last minute to make it to your destination, you may have to change that habit when living in Jupiter.
Otherwise, you might be late everywhere you go.
You might want to check out the latest interactive traffic congestion reports before you arrive or commute.
They are offered by the ABC 25 station and websites such as LocalConditions.com.
2. Noisy Districts
Along with more traffic comes more noise.
You might hear people impatiently yelling or honking their horns, for instance.
The sound of motorists navigating up and down I-95 to the west could keep you awake if you stay or live near the highway.
3. Expensive Living (Not The Worst Though)
Everyone who has the means seems to want to take advantage of the warm climate.
That is why living in Florida costs so much.
It is not the most expensive though.
Housing, grocery, and other expenses are much higher in Hawaii, New York, and California.
Still, if you come from a small rural midwestern location where rent or mortgages are half the amount, it may seem expensive.
4. Hurricanes
Hurricanes do not happen often in Jupiter.
However, brushing the area about once every three years may seem like quite a bit if you come from a location where you never witnessed hurricanes at all.
Years between hurricanes that hit within 40 miles that affect the area happen about once every 8.31 years.
These storms may not always cause serious damage, but some of them have catastrophic results.
Hurricane Jeanne, a storm with 120mph winds, hit about 25 miles north of Jupiter.
Hurricane Jeanne caused countless outages that did not get resolved for days.
A second storm occurred from western winds not even three weeks later.
I had never lived in a place that has hurricanes.
That is one reason I’d be reluctant to live in Jupiter permanently.
I would not mind visiting here for extended periods though.
5. Potential for Heat Exhaustion
It is nice to have all those sunny days.
However, it is not the “dry heat” that you would experience in Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, or other states that have desert climate regions.
In fact, Florida has the second-highest Relative Humidity level after Alaska.
Jupiter probably does not have as high of RH as Orlando or Jacksonville though.
I have only been in Florida for about two days my entire life before going to the Bahamas and felt like I sometimes couldn’t breathe easy there.
It is more challenging to breathe and not suffer heat exhaustion in humid climates.
That is why.
I would remedy this by drinking plenty of water if I stayed in Jupiter a while though.
Maybe I would even wear a water canteen like I did when I went to Mexico.
6. Too Many Tourists (Sometimes)
Jupiter has a more local feel than Miami, Orlando, West Palm Beach, or other large tourist locations.
However, it is not totally farfetched to think that this area may succumb to tourism once in a while.
On the other hand, the tourists that do might visit this town to escape the more crowded beach destinations.
7. Moderately High Theft Rate
Jupiter does come in as safer than about two-thirds of other U.S. cities.
However, it does have high rates of theft or other crimes, such as vandalism on certain streets near the highway by the North Palm Beach County General Aviation Airport.
A section northwest of Paradise Port also experiences high miscellaneous crime rates.
Pros and Cons of Living in Jupiter, Florida – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Jupiter, Florida | Cons of Living in Jupiter, Florida |
|---|---|
| 1. Sunny Weather | 1. Congested Traffic |
| 2. No Snow or Ice | 2. Noisy Districts |
| 3. Beaches (One for Dogs Too) | 3. Expensive Living (Not The Worst Though) |
| 4. A Multitude of Activities | 4. Hurricanes |
| 5. High Quality of Life | 5. Potential for Heat Exhaustion |
| 6. A Welcoming Community | 6. Too Many Tourists (Sometimes) |
| 7. Proximity to Bigger Cities | 7. Moderately High Theft Rate |
| 8. Fairly Reasonable Cost of Living | |
| 9. Lower-than-Average Crime Rate |
Jupiter Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Jupiter Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most interesting thing about Jupiter, Florida?
Its most significant landmark, the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, opened in the 1860s.
It sits above a massive, 120-acre natural area and provides a view of four bodies of water.
You can see the Atlantic Ocean, Jupiter Inlet, Loxahatchee River, and Indian River from it.
This Lighthouse is one beacon that still operates. It’s also one of 13 remaining, active First-Order Fresnel Lenses.
What are some notable Jupiter, FL landmarks?
Besides the Lighthouse, you may want to check out the Civic Center, Roger Dean Stadium, and the Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park.
Harbourside Place and the Palm Beach International Raceway also may interest you.
What neighborhoods should you avoid in Jupiter?
I suggest you do not go near the streets between Old Dixie Highway and the Jupiter Ridge Natural Area alone at night.
This includes west of the natural areas and east of the highway but north of Admirals Cove Boulevard and Commodore Drive.
Those areas are high in miscellaneous and misdemeanor crimes, such as petty theft.
Violent Areas to Stay Away From
Compared to the majority of nearby metro cities, Jupiter is safe.
Still, you should take caution near Delta, an area northeast of the West Palm Beach Airport.
Delta seems to have a high violence rate.
I would check your crime reports and interactive maps out before you arrive.
Do not come here by yourself at night if you do not have a reason to.
Is Jupiter, Florida safe?
Jupiter, Fl has a safety index that’s higher than about 70-75 percent of other U.S. locations.
It also has theft and property crimes lower than the national average.
So, I would say it’s pretty safe.
Just watch where you decide to stay or live.
I live in Jupiter, one and a half blocks from the dog beach. Too many people come here from out of town and bring their dogs and don’t pick up after them. They kick sand over dog feces and they let the dogs run on to other peoples blankets. There is no respect any more. If you happen to go to the beach at night, you will experience rats scrambling through the trash cans eating all the waste that the people leave during the day. It used to be beautiful here.
After learning about the pros and cons of living in Jupiter, Florida, I am intrigued by the sunny weather, multitude of activities, high quality of life, and proximity to bigger cities; however, I have concerns about congested traffic during rush hour, noisy districts with increased traffic noise levels near highways like I-95.