Golden Lakes - West Palm Beach, FL

The community of Golden Lakes is a section of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, a village with humble beginnings as a hunting area for the Seminole Indian tribe. Royal Palm Beach was officially incorporated in 1959, following the purchase of 65,000 acres of land by grocery store financiers Sam and Hattie Friedland. The Friedlands eventually sold their portion of land to real estate developers who continued to expand the village with waterways, a road system and the construction of homes and hotels.

In 1990, Royal Palm Beach was denominated as an official Tree City followed by the opening of the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center in 1993. While there are no museums within the immediate community, the Palm Beach Cultural Center hosts multiple art and cultural events throughout the year that include musical performances, live theater and holiday celebrations.

When it comes to dining out and nightlife, Golden Lakes residents don't have to travel far, as many popular establishments are conveniently located along Okeechobee Boulevard and Wellington Edge Boulevard.

When local residents have a taste for Indian food, they take a short trip to Taste of India on Okeechobee Boulevard. With vegetarian-friendly options as well as savory meat and lamb dishes, Taste of India's authentic cuisine rates high among the Golden Lakes crowd. Taste of India also serves a daily lunch buffet, allowing patrons a little taste of everything. In addition to the lunch buffet, Taste of India regulars highly recommend the chicken tikka, a tasty concoction of boneless chicken marinated with authentic India spices and yogurt, served over white rice and lentils.

For affordable dining in a family-friendly environment, check out Butterfield's Southern Cafe on Royal Palm Beach Boulevard just off of Okeechobee. With comfort food favorites such as homemade chili and grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato and bacon at your disposal, you'll feel right at home in this cozy family restaurant. If you have a taste for breakfast, locals recommend the Farmer's omelet — a whole egg omelet filled with ham, onions, peppers and home-fried potatoes topped with cheese sauce.

If your taste buds have a craving for pizza or pasta, Agliolo on Forest Hill Boulevard off Wellington Terrace can fix you right up. Locals can't get enough of Agliolo's signature angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic, and its white pizza with spinach, garlic and creamy Alfredo sauce has customers lining up for more. Agliolo also features an extensive wine list and starter menu sure to make your taste buds burst with joy.

For an exciting evening of country dancing and some of the best comfort food in the state of Florida, head on down to Renegades on Village Boulevard. With free line dancing lessons, a full bar, live country music and signature entrees such as rib-eye steak served with homemade mashed potatoes, Renegades will definitely make you come back for more.

Due to the Golden Lakes community's close proximity to the beaches, residents often ride bikes on the bike paths and take long walks along the beach. Cyclists also have access to over 45 miles of marked bike lanes throughout South Florida. Non-cab services such as Uber and Lyft are banned throughout the state of Florida, and residents do not typically hail cabs as a means of transportation.

When in need of alternative transportation services, residents and visitors can reserve rides through Admiral Cab and Yellow Cab of Palm Beach and catch Palm Beach Transit (Palm Tran) buses on Benoist Farms Road and Windorah Way. Residents and visitors have the option of free parking on residential streets but must adhere to the specific times listed on the neighborhood's parking enforcement signs.

Outside of the neighborhood in areas such as downtown Palm Beach, drivers can also utilize metered street parking. Residents also live within minutes of the Florida Turnpike and Interstate 95 freeway, which allows for easy access to the freeways and convenient travel outside of the neighborhood.

While there aren't any parks in the immediate community of Golden Lakes, the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department provides several parks with multiple amenities throughout Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.

Families enjoy Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach because it features a large playground, a water park, baseball fields and a picnic pavilion. Fitness enthusiasts and dog owners often travel to Okeeheelee Park just west of Palm Beach due to its dog-friendly environment and exercise course. Okeeheelee Park also features a BMX bike track and a nature center.

The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department hosts multiple events through the year that include an annual 4th of July celebration at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater, featuring live music, fireworks and refreshments. The Dark Sky Festival, a family event, features evening stargazing, guided nature walking tours and multiple vendors.

The cost of living in the Golden Lakes community exceeds the Palm Beach average by approximately 39 percent with an average rental rate of $870 for a one-bedroom residence. Bus fare into the city via public transportation ranges between $1 and $2 with free rides for children 8 years of age and under.

Golden Lakes residents commonly pay between $3 and $9 for a domestic or an imported pub beer; however, prices can vary depending on the specific establishment. Gas prices in the Wellington/Royal Palm Beach area exceed the national average by approximately 8 percent.

Residents of the Golden Lakes community live within minutes of several retailers and specialty shops with many popular merchants located off of Southern Boulevard. Popular discount retailers in the area specializing in clothing, accessories and home decor items include Stein Mart and Marshalls. For groceries and household items, local shoppers recommend Walmart Supercenter on Belvedere Road as well as Publix on Royal Palm Beach Boulevard. For fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods and craft items, locals shop at Farmers Emporium on Okeechobee Boulevard - open Sundays from 7 to 7. For high-end merchandise, locals often travel into West Palm Beach and visit Worth Avenue, an upscale shopping area that spans four blocks starting at Lake Worth and ending at the Atlantic Ocean. High-value shops in the area include Tiffany & Co, specializing in exclusive jewelry and accessories, Brooks Brothers men's fashions, and Giorgio Armani, specializing in upscale couture.