9 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL

Living in Fort Lauderdale, FL 

Are you moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL? Here are 9 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, find 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, 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 in general.

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, then Fort Lauderdale may be just 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. 

Without further ado, here are the 9 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida!

South Florida low cost of living. 

While the city may have a cost of living that is 16% higher than the national average and may be considered the seventh most expensive city in the state of Florida, Fort Lauderdale is actually no more expensive than other south Florida cities. While the cost of living can get a little high in certain areas, Fort Lauderdale is actually 4.2% less expensive than living in Miami. Not to mention, housing costs are 4.8% less expensive than living in Miami. Although housing costs are definitely on the pricey side, it is still possible to find neighborhoods and houses to meet your budget. Before buying a home, it is first 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 that expensive overall considering how nice of an area it is. For example, If you are making an average annual income of $80,000 then expect to live very comfortably. With fantastic health care systems that cost about 2% less than other cities in South Florida and the cost of food averaging at about $39 per day per person, as long as you track your spending and budget out your money, living in Fort Lauderdale can be affordable.

It is an 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 tons of 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 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, easily find a workout buddy in the community to help keep track of 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, 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 to enjoy nice views of the water. 
• Esplanade Park: Part of the Riverwalk Park walking route, come out 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. A great place to spend the day with the family.

Fort Lauderdale is family-friendly

If you are moving with your family then look no further. While Fort Lauderdale may have an older demographic with lots of 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. A relatively safe place to live, find your fair share of family-friendly neighborhoods and homes as well as 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 centralized 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 which is 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 that 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.

The picturesque beaches.

Stretching for 23 miles just outside of the city lies some of the most beautiful beaches in southeastern Florida. White fine sand and stunning blue water are what attract residents and tourists alike to the area. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, look for shells, jet ski, or layout in the sun, the beaches in Fort Lauderdale are worth the visit. The cities main beach is called Blue Wave in Fort Lauderdale Beach 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 some adventure, learn how to deep dive with SeaExperience to get up close and personal to 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: Only five miles from the city, this quiet beach town 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. Only six miles south of the city, the Dania Beach Fishing Pier is a big draw for anglers. 
• Pompano Beach: 10 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, the warm weather and array of marine life makes this beach a must-see.

Amazing employment opportunities.

Are you moving and actively looking for a job? With a rise in employment opportunities in Fort Lauderdale, you will not be looking for long. In fact, the job market has seen a 1.9% increase over the past year in the area. Over the next ten years, experts are predicting a 37.9% increase in job growth which is 4.4% more than the United States average. With a low unemployment rate, finding a job is super easy and will offset any higher costs of living. With the tourism industry spearheading the local economy, find a job that will appeal 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.

The fabulous 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 degrees to 89 degrees, never have to deal with super cold winters again.

A superb dining scene.

Famous for its classic Floridian seafood dishes and mixture of international cuisine, dine on some of the best flavors and dishes that south Florida has to offer. Enjoy fish tacos, grouper, scallops, and fresh-caught lobster and crab. Thanks to many new restaurants popping up all over the city have your choice of 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 and 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 place to get a burger in town.

Celebrate 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 now acts as the 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. Walk around 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.

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 definitely has its fair share of pros and cons, with the help of our awesome Realty Specialists, buying a home in Fort Lauderdale will be both easy and stress-free.

Before packing up all of your belongings, make sure to 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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