Abacoa - Jupiter, FL

Abacoa consisted of vacant land owned by a local Florida businessman until 1993, when he conceived the notion of a mixed-use development where residents could live, shop, dine and work all in the same community. From this idea Abacoa was launched, and construction began in 1997.

The idea caught on very quickly, and houses in Abacoa were bought up as rapidly as they were erected. Sales and construction temporarily slowed to a halt during the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009, but its recovery in the years since has been robust.

Abacoa provides numerous annual events and festivals for its residents, including live fireworks every Independence Day and the annual Guatemalan Fiesta Maya each February. Art lovers will want to visit the Hibel Museum of Art, located right in the Town Center.

Abacoa Town Center houses a mix of restaurants serving Italian, Cuban, Japanese, and American cuisine. Because of its central location within such a walkable community, residents have little need to burn gas or call a cab when they want to take in a nice meal.

Locals rave about Costello's Trattoria, an Italian kitchen and pizzeria offering a diverse array of lunch and dinner options at very reasonable prices. A subdued yet friendly ambiance and a smiling, amiable staff await diners at this family-owned establishment in the heart of Abacoa. The most popular menu items include the Costello's Chicken, a pecan-encrusted chicken breast topped with bourbon cream sauce, and the linguine with either white or red clam sauce. Pizza lovers can choose between a regular, gourmet, or Sicilian crust, along with dozens of toppings such as goat cheese, salami, and caramelized onion.

Develop a taste for scrumptious Cuban and Pan-Latin dishes at Copacabana Cuban Cuisine. A family establishment whose local owner was born and raised in Varadero, Cuba, Copacabana serves Cuban and Caribbean cuisine and drinks prepared with an authenticity that is difficult to duplicate at other establishments, even in South Florida. Locals love the bistec empanizado, a round steak with Cuban spices fried golden brown and covered with onions. Sip one of the restaurant's signature Mojitos while your food is being prepared, and be sure to save room for dessert; the guava cheesecake ranks as a crowd favorite. Bring your dancing shoes on Friday and Saturday nights, and prepare to salsa while live music plays.

Don't catch a baseball game at Roger Dean Stadium without a pre-game meal at JJ Muggs Stadium Grill. This all-American sports bar and grill sits so close to the stadium that you may need to strap on your glove and field a foul ball. Burgers and wings remain the most popular menu selections, but the dolphin sandwich and the mushroom burger are available for those who want to branch out. JJ Muggs runs specials seven days per week, including buy-one-get-one burgers all day on Tuesdays and free meals for kids on Fridays.

Abacoa's nightlife is low-key, but that doesn't mean you'll be bored. Visit Jumby Bay Island Grill on a Wednesday night for "Flip Night." The bartender flips a coin, and those who guess it correctly in the air get a free drink. For the ladies, Jumby Bay serves free beer, wine and house cocktails on Thursday's "Ladies Night."

Also, Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach requires only a 15-minute drive down Interstate 95 for those weekends that call for a more action-packed nightlife setting.

Abacoa proudly ranks as one of the most conducive communities in South Florida for walking and biking. The close proximity of residential areas in Abacoa to dining, retail, grocery shopping and even employment obviates the need for a car for many day-to-day tasks.

For those who prefer to drive, Abacoa provides an abundance of free parking. Easy access to Interstate 95 makes a quick trip south to West Palm Beach a breeze, and you can even ride it on down to Fort Lauderdale or Miami if the need arises.

Other transportation options include the public Palm Tran bus, traditional taxi companies and Uber. Cabs rarely drive around Abacoa unless summoned there, so you likely will have to call for a ride instead of hailing one.

Abacoa serves as home to the South Jupiter Community Park. This popular destination for adults and children alike provides multiple tennis courts, racquetball courts, hockey rinks and a skate park. Daily admission runs $5, but the venue does provide free parking. Regular visitors may purchase monthly or annual passes, a much better value than paying by the day.

Residents enjoy the outdoors for free on Abacoa's miles of greenways and walking trails, all of which allow pets.

Abacoa's calendar of events for residents remains full at all times. Enjoy regular "Movies on the Green" with neighbors, and look out for Abacoa's monthly "Food Truck Invasion," where you can expand your palate with offerings from an eclectic mix of local chefs.

Residents who choose Abacoa pay a bit of a premium for the mix of luxury living and the convenience of having numerous dining and entertainment options within walking distance. The average rental rate of $1,375 comes in higher than the city average. A bus ticket to downtown West Palm Beach costs two dollars, and a beer at most Abacoa bars runs $3.75. Area gas prices hover at 6 percent higher than the national average.

Abacoa provides numerous boutiques and specialty shops all in a centralized location, the Abacoa Town Center. Two giant side-by-side shopping destinations, the Gardens Mall and Downtown at the Gardens, sit just one exit south on Interstate 95 at PGA Boulevard. A multitude of big box retailers and high-end stores exists between these two complexes.

Churchills Cigars in Abacoa Town Center serves as a prime destination not only for cigar aficionados but for anyone seeking premium whiskeys or wines. Puff on a stogie in the walk-in humidor, or sip on a beverage with friends in a comfortable atmosphere. Also a fantastic supplier of men's gifts, Churchills should be visited if you have a hard-to-shop-for guy in your life.

Florida didn't earn its "Sunshine State" moniker for nothing, so protect your eyes with a stylish pair of shades from the Sunglass Shoppe in Abacoa Town Center. The store's staff has a reputation for being helpful and knowledgeable, and the selection of eyewear is expansive.

Publix serves as the largest grocery store for the Abacoa community, and it can be accessed on foot or by bicycle from any of the residential pods. The Jupiter Green and Artisan Market sits a short drive north on US-1, and its vast selection of natural and organic groceries make it worth the easy drive.