Living in Delray Beach vs Fort Lauderdale as a single mom?

I'm a single mom (31) currently living on the border of West Palm Beach/Lake Worth. I'm looking to get away from some toxic situations/people in my life and create a fresh start for myself and my kids. Delray doesn't completely feel like a "fresh start" because it's still in Palm Beach County, but I feel like it's far ENOUGH to be able to start new and away from negativity that I'm currently dealing with. I don't want to be super far away though, because my kids have a handful of family members that they are very close to, and I want them to still be close enough to plan visits every now and then.

I've done a lot of research and I can't decide where else in Florida I want to live. Right now I think the areas I like the best are Delray and Fort Lauderdale. I'm also open to anything in between if it's a good area. Miami is too crowded for me to live (although I love visiting) and I wouldn't feel as safe being a single mom alone in Miami (I'm constantly hearing crazy stories about Miami, and the drivers alone make me feel like I'm going to have an aneurysm). I don't like anything north of West Palm to live. Too slow paced for me. I'm looking for more of a "medium paced" lifestyle. Not hectic, but also not slow....a nice happy medium.

I'd like an area where there are still lots of activities to do without it being an overcrowded mess like Miami. I love the beach, so close to the beach is a big plus, but not a requirement. Good schools are a big priority for me. Both of my kids are currently in a great elementary school and both are doing well in school, so if I'm going to move, I'd like to keep up that good school experience for them. I'm willing to drive a little if there's a good lottery/magnet school option in the area.

Please don't say Boca....I don't like Boca 😆 that's the only area in between Delray and Fort Lauderdale that I'm not open to lol. I always get so bored there and I just don't see the appeal, besides some really nice parks I take my kids to. I'm a licensed esthetician, so I'm assuming going further down south will bring more opportunities? Safety is, of course, also important. I'm not looking to date, so I don't care about a dating scene. I just want a fun and safe town/city where me and my kids can start over and have a good life 🙂

Would you suggest either Delray or Fort Lauderdale with these requirements, or are there any other suggestions you have? Thanks in advance!