A reader sent us a photo of an alligator taken out of one of the lakes in the Lakes at Boca Raton development, just north of Yamato off of Cain Blvd.
The red oval on the map below shows the location, near the basketball courts and the clubhouse.
We’ve also pasted an interactive map from Google, below.
While it looks large to us, full grown alligators can reach 13 feet or longer.
The reader submitted the photo to us via our West Boca News Facebook page.
Update: Another reader posted photos of the gator swimming in the lake some time before this incident.
Category: Neighborhoods
Don't Be Scared of Sandalfoot
A reader moving into one of the neighborhoods near West Sandalfoot (aka the Sandalfoot Trailers or Watergate Estates) asked about the perceived crime problem. Here are some excerpts of our conversation, with reader in italics.
I really like the area from what I’ve seen but today a co-worker of mine has told me that there is a lot of crime close by in Sandalfoot. I did a search on Sandalfoot crime and I have read a few articles that you recently posted. Is it safe to move a family into the [omitted] community off of 441? I am starting to second guess my decision. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for asking. Sandalfoot would not discourage me from living nearby.
While there is higher crime in Sandalfoot, not much of it affects nearby communities. A lot of it is domestic violence (i.e. stays in Sandalfoot) and drug possession (again stays in Sandalfoot).
Our zip code (we also live in 33428) does have an overall higher crime rate than the rest of West Boca, but it’s still lower than at least one part of East Boca and much lower than the county average.
You might want to read our two articles about the crime rate here:
https://westbocanews.com/2014/05/12/how-bad-is-crime-in-west-boca
https://westbocanews.com/2014/05/21/9-zip-codes-crime-rates-in-boca-raton/4878
Being off 441 is convenient with a lot of restaurants and shopping nearby. My favorite plaza is right by Sandalfoot:
https://westbocanews.com/2013/12/28/northwest-sandalfoot-plaza
The elementary school is A-rated. I drive through Sandalfoot all the time. I’ve shopped at their Publix (and donated blood there), and I go to the plazas there including Sandalfoot Square. I’ve never had a bad moment there.
Thank you for the summary and the links that you sent over. I feel better about my decision to purchase. Hopefully Sandalfoot will eventually weed out all the wrong-doers over time.
One more question, is the bad area of Sandalfoot east or west of 441 or a little bit of both?
A little of both. West of 441 is a community called Watergate Estates, commonly referred to as the Sandalfoot trailer park. Also west of 441, but further south, is an apartment complex near SW 18th where we’ve seen some arrests as well.
East of 441 is a large area called Sandalfoot Cove (from Palmetto to the county line and from 441 to the Turnpike).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandalfoot_Cove,_Florida
There’s variety within Sandalfoot Cove, with senior condos and one or two nice gated communities. There are also a bunch of apartments, townhouses and other lower end housing and we’ve seen some crime in there.
Of course, we’ve seen people arrested from the expensive communities all over Boca as well.
While there are some problems in Sandalfoot, a lot of those families move there so they can get their kids into our schools. That’s a good thing. It’s why we moved here too.
Palm Beach County has less crime than Broward or Miami-Dade. From our own statistics within Palm Beach County, Boca has less crime than most of the rest of the county, and West Boca has less crime than East Boca.
Home Sales in 33434
The following are selected homes that sold in June 2014 in the 33434 zip code. The 33434 zip code includes homes between 441 and St. Andrews Blvd, North of Glades Road to Yamato Road. Neighborhoods in this area include Boca West Country Club, Hampton at Boca Raton, Woodfield Hunt Club and Santa Barbara.
This beautiful home at 20685 NW 26th Ct sold for $635,000. Located in the gated community of Santa Barbara, with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths, it has all new impact windows and 20 ft. ceilings. Also, there is an in-ground pool. The total square footage of the home is 2971 sq. feet. Students attend Omni Middle School and Spanish River Community High School. Its original purchase price, in 1993, was for $326,500.
This single family home located at 2885 NW 29th Drive sold for $525,000. Homes in the New Floresta community typically sit on 1/4 to 1/2 acre properties. Built in 1990, this home has 2,779 sq. feet of living space on .28 acres. There are 4 bedrooms and 4 full baths in the house and a screened patio and pool.
This ranch home at 3005 Saint James Drive in Woodfield Country Club sold for $633,500. Located near the community’s tot lot, it has 4 bedrooms, 3 full bath and 3,202 sq. feet of living space. This home has a built in custom office and a large covered outdoor patio area.
9750 Richmond Circle in the Southwinds neighborhood sold for $250,000. This 3 bedroom, 2 full bath home has beautiful lake views and 1497 sq. ft of living space. Originally built in 1980, it has a double sided stone fireplace and vaulted ceilings.
This Boca West Country Club condo, located at 21156 Clubside Dr, Apt B, sold for $265,000. This second floor condominium has 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bath with a large wrap around glassed-in balcony. A mandatory membership in the Country Club of $70,000 is required. Built in 1988, it has 2500 sq. ft of living space. This property was purchased in 1995 for $365,000.
This ranch, located at 4101 NW 26th Avenue, sold for $390,000. Built in 1984, it has 2 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Part of the Colonnade development, it is close to a city-owned park and has a 2 car garage. There are Pergo floors throughout the home and an updated kitchen and master bath.
Attention real estate agents: We are working with agents by zip code. Our geographic area focused on five zips – 33428, 33498, 33496, 33434 and 33433. We now have a sponsor for our homes sales articles for zip code 33496. The other four are available for now. If you advertise to homeowners for potential listings, we are far more cost-effective than mailers or other methods. This is an opportunity that will not last long. Once we have an advertiser for a zip code, we intend to keep them and that opportunity will be gone.
Fire in Whisper Walk
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue reports a structure fire in Whisper Walk. Tyrone Terrace is northeast of the intersection of Yamato and Lyons Road.
Please use extra caution if you’re driving on Whisper Walk Boulevard or Cherborg Drive.
Recent Home Sales in 33498
The following homes sold in late May/early June in the 33498 zip code.
This area encompasses homes west of US-441 and north of Glades Road. As we’ve previously reported, 33498 has one of the lowest crime rates in West Boca and Palm Beach County.
Neighborhoods in the zip code include Mission Bay, Island Lakes, Boca Isles, Boca Greens, Saturnia, Lakes of Boca Raton, Boca Chase, Stonebridge and a few others.
20422 San Rafael Ct, located in The Isles of Mission Bay, sold for $475,000. This single family home has four bedrooms, three full baths and a screened-in pool. The home is 2,505 square feet.
A single family home at 10339 Islander Drive, near the intersection of Yamato Road and Cain Blvd, sold for $300,000. The property in Amber Bay originally sold for $143,300 in 1987. This three bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house has 2,046 square feet.
19281 Cloister Lake Ln in Boca Isles North sold for $525,000 on June 5, 2014. Located on .38 acres, this 5 bedroom home has 3 full bathrooms. Built in 1994, it has 2,805 square feet. Originally purchased for $229,00, it was again sold in 2003 for $430,000.
Over in Boca Isles South, 20058 Ocean Key Drive sold for $604,000 on May 30, 2014. The Grand Cayman V model has 4 bedrooms plus a den and 3 full bathrooms. The 2,805 square foot home was built in 1995 and purchase for $296,000. It also boasts beautiful lake views and a resort style pool and spa with a built in outdoor kitchen.
10146 Fresh Meadow Lane, located in Boca Greens, sold for $439,000 on June 11, 2014. This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home overlooks the pool and golf course. It has a two car garage and 2,657 square feet.
Located in Island Lakes in Loggers Run, 11348 Island Lakes Lane sold for $475,000. This 4 bedroom ranch home has 3 full bathrooms and an in-ground pool with a waterfall. The home is 2,726 square feet.
Lastly, 10586 Stonebridge Blvd in the gated community Stonebridge sold for $350,000. This courtyard pool home has 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and an upgraded kitchen. It was originally purchased in 1995 for $444,500.