T
he COVID-19 pandemic sparked a historic influx of wealth to Palm Beach County, transforming the area's style, landscape, and fortunes. This migration is bringing changes and challenges, as some communities are becoming increasingly similar to the affluent town of Palm Beach. The Palm Beaching Project, a multi-part series by the Palm Beach Post, explores this phenomenon.

    For Dora Ferreira and her family, the pandemic brought unexpected news: their rented townhouse in Boca Raton was being sold for $400,000. They were given until August to leave, but finding an affordable three-bedroom space to rent is no easy task in a county where prices are rising rapidly. When the pandemic hit, wealthy transplants from the north flocked to South Florida, driving up housing costs and sparking bidding wars.

    Real estate agent Deniz Kilic remembers 2020 as a particularly frenzied time, with New Yorkers eager to buy homes and houses selling within 24 hours. While interest rates have increased since then, Boca Raton remains one of the county's wealthiest cities, with an average household income of $88,820. The city's population has grown by 2.76% in the past three years, and its business center experiences large daytime population increases.

    As housing prices rise, so do rents in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. Dora Ferreira's search for a new home has been hindered by high deposits and monthly fees, including a $40 fee for a Ring security camera. With current rent rates, she would need to pay around $10,000 just to secure a property. Ferreira wants to stay in Boca Raton for her daughter's sake, but the family is unsure about their future.

    The influx of wealth has brought both opportunities and challenges to Palm Beach County. As the area continues to evolve, residents like Dora Ferreira are facing difficult decisions about where to live and how to afford it.