Wellington Green - Wellington, FL

Wellington has become one of the most successful city developments in South Florida. Founded by Charles Oliver Wellington in 1951, the area began as frequently flooded swamp land. With the enactment of the Acme Drainage District, the land transformed into lush farmland, and strawberries were among its most popular crops. In December of 1995, a group of residents established Wellington as an independent municipality. Wellington has become well known as one of the top equestrian locations in the world.

Wellington's rich recreational history can be found at the Museum of Polo Hall of Fame and the Panther Ridge Conservation Center. More traditional museums, such as the Flagler Museum, are located in downtown West Palm Beach. The Wellington Art Society also hosts the annual Artfest on the Green at the Wellington Amphitheater each January.

Wellington Green features some of the best local dining in South Florida. Keke's Breakfast Cafe blows your mind with its decadent breakfast options, but try the banana nut and caramel stuffed French toast if you can only try one thing. Bring friends if you want to sample several plates between yourselves, including the cheese steak omelette and the banana split waffle.

Cha Cha takes you to sushi heaven. The reasonably priced rolls coupled with the ramen choices and toppings make this a staple of locals. Try the tonkotsu cha-cha men if you're a fan of spicy but flavorful noodle-based dishes. The Mall at Wellington Green also hosts several chain restaurants, including Lotus Express, Nordstrom House, and Red Robin.

Night life in Wellington Green can be subdued at times due to it's highly residential makeup. Locals frequent bars such as Jojo's Raw Bar and Grill and Kontiki Wine and Raw Bar. During polo season, the area becomes flooded with equestrian and polo fans who make the International Polo Club of Palm Beach their playground.

Palm Beach County provides public bus transportation that services Wellington Green. Taxi service can be hailed easily via telephone or app, with a majority or transport centering around the Mall at Wellington Green. The majority of residents prefer personal vehicles, but bicycle and walking paths line most neighborhoods and major roadways. Uber services the area, but due to the proximity to downtown West Palm Beach, it requires a bit of a wait. Public parking is available nearest the community hubs and mall, with most parking being free or street parking within the neighborhoods.

Wellington Green residents have lengthy commutes east long Southern Boulevard to access both Florida's Turnpike and Interstate 95, the arteries that provide access to the rest of South Florida.

Discover many parks and outdoor facilities at your disposal near Wellington Green. The city lists 27 neighborhood parks within the city of Wellington. Wellington Green Park and Village Park provide useful amenities, whether you enjoy recreational leagues, aquatic facilities or simply picnicking on a lazy afternoon.

Entry to the parks doesn't require a fee, but you can pay to rent pavilions for half- or full-day events. Special rates and registration of events apply for holidays. Village Park contains two gymnasiums, five soccer fields, four football fields, two hockey rinks, four softball fields, three pavilions, game rooms, five concession/restroom buildings and heart and tot trails. Wellington Green Park takes up less space than Village Park, but provides practice fields for outdoor sports and paths for exercise.

Located within Greenbrier Park, Wellington Dog Park provides your furry friends with plenty of space to run around. It also features walking paths, pavilions for shade and wash and water stations, making it the perfect place to commune with nature while spending time with your pooch.

The cost of living in Wellington Green runs approximately 20.8 percent higher than the national average. Traveling to downtown West Palm Beach costs $2 for a one-way fare via the public bus system. Taxi and Uber service run upwards of $30 per ride due to the distance of more than 15 miles from the city along heavily traveled thoroughfares.

The median cost of a one-bedroom rental unit sits at $1,260 per month. The typical cost for a pint of beer at a local bar or restaurant sets you back around $6. Polo events and country club pricing will be higher, with prices reaching into the $10 range during polo matches.

The cost of gas hovers 14.6 percent above the national average. Location and the seasonality of the area contribute to the inflated gas prices.

Shopping in Wellington Green is dominated by the Mall at Wellington Green, which houses lots of major national retailers, such as Macy's, American Apparel, Express and Forever 21. This mall also hosts many smaller boutique shops reside within the mall due to its high foot traffic. For example, Posch Boutique provides luxury women's clothing, including the latest fashions, designer garments and accessories.

For a smaller boutique experience, locals frequent Camicissima Milano for custom-made shirts and ties. The fabrics are exquisite and the service is worth the premium you pay for a finely made article of clothing.

The health-savvy residents of Wellington Green head to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Markets for a wide array of fresh, organic produce, and they pick up grocery staples at Publix Supermarket. The Wellington Green Market, a local farm to table market, opens daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.