Living in Fort Lauderdale

Are you moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL? Here are ten things to know about living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

Are you considering a move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Found along Florida's southeastern coast lies the beautiful city of Fort Lauderdale. Nicknamed "The Venice of Florida" due to its intricate and extensive canal system, it finds canals and waterways that connect to the Intracoastal throughout the city. A true boaters paradise, Fort Lauderdale is known for its picturesque beaches, fantastic food, beautiful real estate, and prized art and cultural scene. Due to a booming economy and affordable housing, the city is experiencing an influx of people moving to the area and the state of Florida.

The city is even home to multiple celebrities, including actors Catherine Hickland and David Winters. If you are looking for a quiet and more relaxing place to call home, Fort Lauderdale may be the place for you. In this moving guide, find out all that you need to know about moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and learn why it is such a great place to live in Florida. 

Here are 10 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Cost of Living 

While the city may have a cost of living 22% higher than the national average and may be considered the seventh most expensive city in Florida, Fort Lauderdale is no more expensive than other South Florida cities. While the cost of living can get a little high in certain areas, Fort Lauderdale is 7.4% less expensive than living in Miami. Housing costs are also 4.8% less expensive than living in Miami. Although housing costs are high, finding neighborhoods and houses to meet your budget is still possible. Before buying a home, it is important to consider how much you are willing to spend.

On the other hand, with no state income tax in Florida, living here is not expensive, considering how nice of an area it is. For example, If you are making an average annual income of $80,000, expect to live comfortably. With fantastic healthcare systems that cost about 5% less than other cities in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale can be affordable if you track your spending and budget out your money.

*Data Sourced from PayScale. 

Real Estate 

The housing market in Fort Lauderdale is not very competitive, but there are plenty of beautiful and safe neighborhoods to choose from. With a median list price of $2,608,639, Fort Lauderdale is not one of the cheapest places to live in Florida. Most homes in Fort Lauderdale sell after spending an average of 102 days on the market. 

Active Community 

Do you love working out and eating healthy? Then you are in luck. The residents in Fort Lauderdale are known to live an active and healthy lifestyle. Since a healthy lifestyle is associated with successful aging, now is the time to get active.

With many parks and recreational activities available, spending the day outdoors in the nice weather is a great motivational tool to keep residents moving. No matter how much you love to work out, the city encourages everyone to get outside. Choose to go for a swim, jog, run, hike, walk the dog, skateboard, kayak, paddleboard, inline skate, or ride your bike.

Living in Fort Lauderdale is the perfect place to try something new. There are even a variety of gyms to check out for all types of fitness levels, including a CrossFit gym and an OrangeTheory. Plus, with notoriously friendly neighbors, you can easily find a community workout buddy to help track your progress.

Check out some of these local parks and recreation centers in Fort Lauderdale:

• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park: Found on East Sunset Boulevard and near the Intracoastal Waterway, this park is the best place to bike, run, and walk. A quiet and peaceful atmosphere, enjoy nature, and spot wildlife. 
• Fort Lauderdale Beach Park: Featuring volleyball and basketball courts, playgrounds, and picnic areas. While parking may get pricey, this is a beautiful beach to walk around and watch the sunrise or sunset. 
• Colee Hammock Park: A park full of green spaces and picnic areas. This is a great place to go fishing and enjoy nice water views. 
• Esplanade Park: Part of the Riverwalk Park walking route, come to an outdoor event at this waterfront garden and amphitheater. 
• Secret Woods Nature Center: This 57-acre park features walking trails, a butterfly garden, and a habitat dedicated to reptiles. It is a great place to spend the day with the family.

Family-Friendly 

If you are moving to Florida with your family, look no further. While Fort Lauderdale may have an older demographic with many retirees, families are also finding their place in the city. Located near the waterfront and with many activities that both parents and children will enjoy, more and more families are deciding to settle down in the area.

It is a relatively safe place to live, find your fair share of family-friendly neighborhoods and homes and a highly ranked public school system. Full of museums, historical sites, art galleries, libraries, and many popular attractions, your kids will love their new home just as much as you.

Great Location 

Located only 25 miles North of Miami, Fort Lauderdale is the largest city in Broward County in southeastern Florida. Sitting directly on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Fort Lauderdale is home to Port Everglades, a major seaport from which multiple cruise lines depart. Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruises, Holland America, and Princess Cruise Lines are some of the many cruise lines that leave from Fort Lauderdale. Also a part of the Intracoastal Waterway, the city has over 500 miles of waterways that can be traveled by boat. Follow the Intracoastal to Texas or Massachusetts.

Only about a one-hour drive to Palm Beach, a two-hour drive to Naples, a three-hour drive to Orlando, and a four-hour drive to Key West, living in Fort Lauderdale means it is easy to travel to and from nearby cities. Take a day trip to Disney World or Universal Orlando. The Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood International Airport is also one of the three airports that serve the Miami metropolitan area. Providing more domestic flights and lower-cost airlines, this airport is a huge convenience to residents.

Picturesque Beaches 

Stretching for 23 miles just outside the city lies some of the most beautiful beaches in southeastern Florida. White fine sand and stunning blue water attract residents and tourists. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, look for shells, jet ski, or lay in the sun, the beaches in Fort Lauderdale are worth the visit. The city's main beach in Fort Lauderdale Beach is Blue Wave, which stretches for up to four miles on the coastline.

With shallow and calm waters, Blue Wave is the safest and most kid-friendly beach in town. Be prepared to spot some dolphins, and make sure to stick around for some gorgeous sunset views. Or, if you are looking for adventure, learn how to deep dive with experience to get up close and personal with a shark.

Make sure to check out these local favorite beaches in the Fort Lauderdale area: 

• Fort Lauderdale Beach: This seven-mile stretch of white sand is lined with big palm trees and features amazing shopping and dining. 
• Lauderdale-By-The-Sea: This quiet beach town is only five miles from the city and is great for fishing and free diving.
• Anglin's Fishing Pier is one of the most popular destinations on the beach. 
• Hollywood Beach: Found 14 miles south of Fort Lauderdale lies this gem of silky white sand and pretty blue skies. A great place to spend the day, this beach is also dog-friendly. 
• Dania Beach: Do not forget to wear sunscreen! Away from crowds, this beach is quieter and more low-key than Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Dania Beach Fishing Pier, only six miles south of the city, is a big draw for anglers. 
• Pompano Beach: 10 miles North of Fort Lauderdale, the warm weather and array of marine life make this beach a must-see.

Amazing Employment Opportunities

Are you moving and actively looking for a job? With increased employment opportunities in Fort Lauderdale, you will not be looking for long. The job market has seen a 1.9% increase over the past year in the area. Over the next ten years, experts predict a 37.9% increase in job growth, 4.4% more than the United States average.

With a low unemployment rate, finding a job is easy and will offset any higher living costs. With the tourism industry spearheading the local economy, find a job appealing to your interests and qualifications. The top employers with headquarters in the area include companies such as AutoNation, Citrix Systems, SmartWater CSI, SFN Group, and Broward County Public Schools.

Warm Weather 

The amazing weather is one of the many driving factors for people moving to the area. Known to have a tropical climate, expect long, hot, wet, and humid summers alongside short, clear, windy, and cloudy winters. With moderate levels of precipitation, experience up to 134 days of rain in a year.

When it does rain, the rainy season lasts from May to October, with the rainiest month being September. On the bright side, you can leave your snow shovel behind. For those moving from cold climates, Fort Lauderdale never gets snow. With average temperatures ranging from 61 to 89 degrees, we never have to deal with cold winters again.

Restaurants 

Famous for its classic Floridian seafood dishes and mixture of international cuisine, dine on some of the best flavors and dishes South Florida offers. Enjoy fish tacos, grouper, scallops, and fresh-caught lobster and crab. Thanks to many new restaurants all over the city, you can choose fusion eateries, trendy cafes, steak houses, and casual taverns. Have your fair share of traditional Cuban and Mexican food blended with American fare. Plus, with more and more vegan and vegetarian dining options being added to menus, the food in Fort Lauderdale will appeal to any palate.

When dining out, check out some of these local favorite restaurants in Fort Lauderdale:

• Coconuts: Watch boats and yachts sail by at this oceanside eatery while dining on locally caught seafood. Famous for its Sunday Brunch, this relaxing hangout is a great date destination. 
• The Foxy Brown: Another great brunch spot, stop by the American Bistro for amazing food at a great price. Do not forget to get a milkshake.
• El Camino Fort Lauderdale: Serving margaritas, tacos, and other authentic Mexican favorites in a bright, airy setting. 
• Kousine Fort Lauderdale: Get your fix of Peruvian food and vegetarian dishes in this lively cafe. 
• Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill: The best burger place.

Art and Culture 

Prized for its art and cultural scene, Fort Lauderdale has an art scene equivalent to Miami. From art walks to events featuring live music and local crafts, residents love to celebrate the local artists in the city. Flagler Village in Fort Lauderdale is the main art district located North of Las Olas Boulevard. Once an industrial warehouse, Flager Village is now home to multiple art galleries.

The MASS District, which stands for the Music and Arts South of Sunrise, and the FAT Village Arts District, which stands for Flagler Arts and Technology, are found in Flagler Village. Come and buy handmade jewelry, clothing, fine art, and sculptures. The NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, local craft breweries, music venues, and small boutiques also call this art district home.

Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Lauderdale 

Pros: 

• Beautiful real estate 
• Safe neighborhoods 
• Warm weather 
• Family-friendly 
• Great job opportunities 
• Active community 
• Vibrant culture 

Cons: 

• High cost of living 
• High humidity 
• Traffic 

FAQs 

Is it worth moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL? 

As one of the best places to live in South Florida, Fort Lauderdale is best known for its distinctive neighborhoods, various housing options, and highly-rated amenities. 

Is Fort Lauderdale affordable to live in? 

With a cost of living 22% higher than the national average, Fort Lauderdale is not considered a very affordable place to live. 

Is it cheaper to live in Fort Lauderdale or Miami? 

Located an hour south of Fort Lauderdale, Miami is generally more expensive than Fort Lauderdale. 

Moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL - The Bottom Line

From the amazing beaches to the abundance of recreation and entertainment options, it is no surprise why many people are deciding to move to the eccentric city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While the area has its fair share of pros and cons, with the help of our awesome Realty Specialists, buying a home in Fort Lauderdale will be easy and stress-free.

Before packing up your belongings, contact us to aid and guide you through the home-buying process. By keeping safety and affordability in mind, our realty team will help you find the best area to live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for you and your family. Get in touch with us today.

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