Thinking about buying in Boca West Country Club? The lifestyle is impressive, but the numbers and rules can surprise first-time club buyers. You want clarity on costs, membership requirements, and how the villages differ so you can decide with confidence. In this guide, you’ll learn what Boca West offers, what you’ll likely pay, how the membership works, and the key documents to request before you commit. Let’s dive in.
Boca West at a glance
Boca West is a large, member-owned private country-club community in west Boca Raton spanning roughly 1,400 acres with 55 residential villages. A Master Association manages shared infrastructure and village standards, and the Club operates as a separate, member-owned organization. You can review village overviews and layouts on the Master Association’s site for a sense of scale and options. Visit the official village list at the Boca West Master Association.
Signature amenities
Golf takes center stage with four championship 18-hole courses designed by notable architects, a multi-acre practice and short-game area, and a modern driving-suite practice and entertainment experience. See the golf overview on the Boca West golf page.
Beyond golf, the Lifestyle & Racquet Center features a sizable fitness and wellness campus, a multi-pool Aquatics Center, a large spa, 27 Har-Tru tennis courts, and 14 dedicated pickleball courts. Club materials reference more than 400,000 square feet of clubhouse and amenity space along with an active social calendar. Explore highlights of the Lifestyle & Racquet Center.
Recent investments
Boca West publicly outlined a multi-million-dollar expansion of its Lifestyle & Racquet Center, noting the work was funded by joining fees rather than member assessments. The Club also announced a scheduled increase to the membership joining fee effective October 1, 2024. Read the Club’s announcement on the recent capital program and fee update.
Homes and villages
Boca West is organized into 55 named villages that include garden-style mid-rise condos, townhomes, attached and detached villas, patio homes, and custom single-family estates. Some villages have elevator-served buildings, while others are low-rise or single-family enclaves with private pools or golf-cart garages. Proximity to the Club varies by village, so weigh walkability, parking, storage, and views alongside floor plan and renovation level. The Master Association’s village profiles help you compare layouts and key features.
Price ranges today
Recent market reporting for the Boca West Country Club area showed a median sold price of about 425,000 dollars as of June 2025, with wide variation by property type. Use this as a baseline and confirm current comps for your target village and floor plan. See the latest data in the Boca West market snapshot.
Monthly HOA or association dues vary by village and property type. Mid-rise condo fees often run from the low hundreds into the low thousands per month, while freestanding homes and larger villas may have higher monthly or quarterly assessments. Always confirm the exact amounts with the village estoppel during due diligence.
Membership is mandatory for many buyers
Boca West’s recorded Master Declaration includes an amendment that requires many new residential owners to become members of the Country Club. It’s important to verify whether a given unit or lot is governed by that mandatory clause or is an exception. Your title team should review the recorded documents. You can see the recorded amendment in the Master Association documents.
Membership admission is controlled by the Club. The Club states that an applicant typically needs to own a Boca West residence where applicable, be sponsored by a current member, be accepted by the Board, and complete a background and interview process. Policies can change, so contact the Club’s Membership office for the current steps and timelines. Start with the Club’s official site.
What it really costs
One-time at closing
- Joining or initiation fee: Recent Club communications and MLS disclosures reflect a joining fee of 150,000 dollars, with the increase effective October 1, 2024. Confirm the amount that applies to your closing date with the Membership office. See the Club’s note on the fee update.
- Master Association capital contribution: Many recent resale listings cite a one-time BWMA capital contribution commonly shown around 10,000 dollars, collected at closing. Verify your exact amount in the Master Association estoppel.
- Transfer and processing fees: The Club, Master Association, and village HOA may charge transfer or processing fees. Request all estoppels early to surface every line item.
These items are typically paid in cash at closing and are separate from any down payment or loan.
Ongoing yearly costs
- Club dues: Recent disclosures and local writeups show a Social (base) dues line in the low-to-mid 20,000 dollars per year range for a family membership. For example, 22,593 dollars per year equals roughly 1,883 dollars per month. Always confirm the current dues schedule with the Club.
- Golf and other add-ons: Golf access often requires add-on dues or fees, plus items like cart or trail fees and lockers. Amounts vary by category and can change. Review a summary of typical categories at SoFloGolf’s overview, then verify with the Club’s current schedule.
- HOA or village assessments: Monthly or quarterly dues depend on the village and services provided. Confirm the exact figure in the village HOA estoppel, along with any special assessments or planned projects.
- Property taxes: Palm Beach County uses millage to calculate ad valorem taxes. A quick check is assessed value divided by 1,000 multiplied by the total millage for your parcel. Use the county’s property tax calculator or the parcel’s TRIM notice to estimate.
- Homeowners insurance: Florida insurance markets remain volatile. Premiums vary by property type and mitigation features. Recent reporting shows average single-family premiums in the low-to-mid thousands annually, with condos typically lower. Obtain quotes during your inspection window. See a regional trend summary in this South Florida insurance update.
Example first-year budget
Here is an illustrative example for a 400,000 dollar mid-rise condo purchase. Confirm your exact figures with the Club, Master Association, village HOA, county, and insurance carriers.
- One-time at closing: 150,000 dollar Club initiation fee + 10,000 dollar BWMA capital contribution + standard closing costs and taxes.
- Year 1 recurring: Social dues 22,593 dollars per year (about 1,883 dollars per month) + HOA 900 dollars per month (10,800 dollars per year) + estimated property taxes of about 6,800 dollars per year at a 17.0 mill total + homeowners insurance per carrier quotes + utilities and routine maintenance.
The combination of Club dues and HOA alone can make Boca West ownership materially higher than a non-club condo at a similar purchase price. This is why a complete cost stack and written estoppels are essential before you decide.
Boca West vs other Boca clubs
When you compare Boca West to other Boca Raton-area clubs, you’ll notice a few patterns:
- Scale and variety: Boca West is unusually large for the area, with four golf courses and a resort-scale Lifestyle & Racquet Center. That scale supports a wide social calendar and many program options.
- Membership structure: Boca West ties membership to many resales through the Master Declaration. Other clubs may have different initiation and dues structures or optional membership for some neighborhoods. Always compare the one-time buy-in and annual dues against the amenities you plan to use.
- Lifestyle fit: If most of your household’s time is on golf, racquets, fitness, spa, and social events, Boca West’s depth can be a strong match. If you prefer a smaller footprint or a different rhythm, put lifestyle first in your comparison and build your budget around that.
Buyer due-diligence checklist
Request these items in writing during escrow to avoid surprises:
- Club membership schedule and current Membership Agreement detailing initiation fees, transfer rules, refundability terms, categories, annual dues, add-ons, cart or trail fees, and any food and beverage minimums.
- Club estoppel letter showing the current member’s account status, whether a membership is active with the property, and any transfer fees or pending charges.
- Master Association estoppel and recorded Master Declaration to confirm the mandatory membership language and any capital contribution or transfer fees stated in writing. The recorded amendment is available through the Master Association documents.
- Village HOA estoppel with current dues, any special assessments, reserve study, and recent meeting minutes noting planned capital work. Village descriptions are posted on the BWMA villages page.
- Recent Club financial summary if available to prospective buyers, so you can check for planned dues adjustments or capital programs.
- Property-specific items: the latest property tax bill, insurance claim history if obtainable, inspection report, and any contractor estimates for planned renovations.
Key questions to ask the Membership office, BWMA, and the village HOA:
- Is this unit or lot subject to mandatory membership under the Master Declaration, and what exactly must I pay at closing?
- Is any part of the initiation fee refundable, and are there age or residency tiers that affect dues?
- If I do not plan to golf, which membership category best fits, and how does that change both initiation and annual dues?
- What are the rental rules and minimum lease terms for this village, and can membership benefits transfer to tenants?
Is Boca West the right fit?
Boca West delivers a full-scale club lifestyle centered on golf, racquets, fitness, aquatics, spa, and social programming. In return, you should plan for meaningful one-time and ongoing costs. If the amenities align with how you live, the value can be strong. If not, put your lifestyle priorities first and let the numbers guide you to the right village, floor plan, and membership category.
If you want a clear, side-by-side understanding of Boca West alongside other Boca Raton clubs, we can help you compare lifestyle, dues, and resale dynamics in plain language, then preview the best-fit homes. Ready for a private, concierge introduction to the market? Connect with Anne De Marzo to schedule a personal tour and membership overview.
FAQs
Do I have to join the Club to buy in Boca West?
- Many resales are subject to a mandatory membership requirement in the recorded Master Declaration; confirm your unit’s status with the recorded documents and written estoppels.
How much is the Boca West initiation fee right now?
- The Club announced a 150,000 dollar joining fee effective October 1, 2024; always confirm the amount for your closing date with the Membership office.
What are typical annual dues at Boca West?
- Recent disclosures show Social dues commonly in the low-to-mid 20,000 dollars per year, with an example of 22,593 dollars per year; verify the current schedule directly with the Club.
What amenities does Boca West offer members?
- Highlights include four championship golf courses, a large practice complex, and the Lifestyle & Racquet Center with fitness, spa, multiple pools, 27 tennis courts, and 14 pickleball courts.
How do Palm Beach County property taxes work for Boca West homes?
- Taxes are based on millage applied to assessed value; use the county’s property tax calculator and your parcel’s TRIM for an estimate.
