Considering Weston, Coral Springs or Boca Raton for family (Pembroke Pines: appointed, short sale)

[gypsy80]

We need assistance in selecting a city. Maybe YOU can help us. Seems odd to ask strangers, but being out of state, I have no choice

Budget for rent 1400 to 1500 for 3 bedroom
Budget if we buy 200K

We have 2 small children, safety and kid friendly important/
good public or good private under 6k a year are crucial

we can handle the "drive" to the beach

We are an active family, always out doing "something"

Don't suggest anything remotely "ghetto" to me please

So, Weston, CS or Boca? Please advise any specific areas. This is much appreciated

[StilltheSame]

Seriously? Suggestion - review the gagillion threads on this topic - narrow down your questions to those that are more specific and then post those.

[season10]

This is easy, Boca if you can afford it. Try to stay at least as far north as that and Palm Beach County or even further north. The traffic further south and over crowding is horrendous. Also, the further south, the more you'll have a need for Spanish as your primary language.

[rusty78]

Since you have small children...I would take the time to visit the schools in the area you are looking to move...especially the high schools...for if you cannot imagine your children going to the school that covers your area and you cannot afford private school...why would you even consider looking for a house covered by that school......

Do yourself a favor and pickup a book on relocating...for the first 3 most important things they will tell you is Location - Location - Location and one of the most important "Locations" is the schools...

[gypsy80]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

Seriously? Suggestion - review the gagillion threads on this topic - narrow down your questions to those that are more specific and then post those.

seriously

[Mattie]

Out of the three towns I think Weston is best for families. The regional park has loads of activities, and a YMCA with additional programs. Schools are good. No matter where you live in town, you aren't more than 10 minutes from any other spot. My concern would be your budget. Rentals might be available in your price range, but purchasing at 200k won't be easy in any of the areas you mention.

[Swimmom32]

We live in Central Boca and have 2 kids and love it...I can tell you that Boca Pointe you can find a townhome 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in your price range for RENT....the Elem school is one of the Best Around Which is Del Prado...However 200k in Boca to buy will be a bit difficult....Boca Pointe is a country club however you dont have to have membership to use the pool and such From my understanding as dh and I are were looking in there as well I do know memebership is not required...they are one of the only clubs here that dont require it....Younger People are starting to move into Boca Pointe I dont think you would be disappointed...

[ruski]

+1 for Weston

but it may be more $ than what you posted. Unless you find a foreclosed home or short sale.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by gypsy80

We need assistance in selecting a city. Maybe YOU can help us. Seems odd to ask strangers, but being out of state, I have no choice

Budget for rent 1400 to 1500 for 3 bedroom
Budget if we buy 200K

We have 2 small children, safety and kid friendly important/
good public or good private under 6k a year are crucial

we can handle the "drive" to the beach

We are an active family, always out doing "something"

Don't suggest anything remotely "ghetto" to me please

So, Weston, CS or Boca? Please advise any specific areas. This is much appreciated

Weston and Boca are both good choices, just depends on commute. 200k might be a little tight and 1500/month could be too. I probably would scratch Coral Springs off the list because the areas with 200 thousand dollar homes can be really dodgy and the whole city seems to be in a sort of downward trend except for in the most upscale areas. The same seems to hold true with the schools. There are still plenty of good areas and it might not be a bad place to rent for a few years, but I'm not so sure about the long-term stability of the areas in Coral Springs with 200 thousand dollar/under homes. Pembroke Pines seems to be holding up better than Coral Springs; I would consider west Pembroke Pines if you can find a better price than Weston or Boca, depending on commute, and there are a lot of more affordable areas there which are holding up nicely.

[gypsy80]

Helpful Input!
Lots of votes for Weston, (not surprised) there are only a handful of places to buy in my price range which I am checking out today. We really don't like renting, but we may do so anyhow. We are checking purchasing options first since the prices/rates are so low.
CS: not looking very popular as Westonon this forum. Lots of places in my price range. WE checked out a house in gated community in zipcode 33067, north of Sample, on a canal between Turtle Run Blvd & Turtle Creek Dr. The area and neighbors SEEMED good. Any knowledge of this zip code?There were areas of CS I did not like. The few Boca homes in my price range I saw are not at all what i am looking for, but I am still not giving up.