Moving to Ft. Lauderdale. (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood: extended stay, rent, how much)

[SCbrun89]

Hi everyone.

I've been lurking your forums for a few weeks ever since my current employer ask me if I was interested in a job in Boca Raton.

There have been quite a few posts with people in like situations, and this is what I've gathered:

1. It's always greener on the other side. (Many of you, wisely I might add, have brought up the point that moving to sunny S. Florida is not a panacea to your life and it can be a very costly mistake if you're not careful.)
2. It's expensive
3. It's really expensive
4. Make sure you already have a job.

Luckily, unlike a lot of college grads, when I come out I'll have a good job and a good amount of money. (The firm I work for will pitch in too.)

I suppose my only question is: Where do the young party people live in the Ft. Lauderdale area? I've seen Las Olas thrown out there; Lauderdale by the Sea as well, but so far nothing concrete.

Your suggestions are appreciated!

[rusty78]

You really need to visit the area before you make any choices...and if you are going to work in Boca...do you really want to commute to and from Fort Lauderdale 5 days a week...I would be looking for an extended stay type hotel in and around Boca...and once there begin my quest for a more permanent residence...you might also want to contact the Human Resourses Department in Boca and ask for some referrals/ideas...as far as the move...if you don't like where you are now...go for it...the grass may not be any greener...but ya got no ocean in Arizona...

[Nolefan34]

We need to know more about you first before giving you sound advice. First, I assume you live in Tempe Arizona. Is that correct? Second, how much money is a lot? Third, what is expensive? People coming from NYC and Cali think South FL is cheap, and people coming from just about everywhere else thinks its expensive. I am not too familiar with cost of living in AZ, so not sure how to advise. Just off the top of my head, if you make $50,000+ and you're a young, single person in your 20's, you'll do fine here in Fort Lauderdale. If you make under $40,000 then forget about it.

Boca Raton is a bit cheaper to live in than Fort Lauderdale, but also more boring. Most of the nightlife is in Fort Lauderdale and that is the coolest place to live. Las Olas is expensive to live in, so you may want to live on the beach or in a suburb.

Nightlife- I'll list them in order starting with the best:
1. Las Olas- best area for nightlife, good mix of bars, lounges, and small clubs. More people go out here than anywhere else.
2. Fort Lauderdale beach strip- Not what it used to be years ago, but still some decent places. Not much selection, but maybe a handful of bars and clubs.
3. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino- Lots of bigger clubs, but is pricey. The clubs charge at least $20 cover for guys and sometimes require a group of guys buy bottles. There are also some bars here.
4. Downtown Hollywood- Decent area of small bars and clubs.
5. Downtown Delray Beach- off Atlantic Avenue- Lots of bars for a smaller suburb. Downside is it is hit or miss. Downtown Delray can be dead some nights and good others.
6. Mizner Park- Downtown Boca Raton- Good amount of small bars and lounges, with some small clubs. The downside is that the scene is dominated by rich, older men.
7. Clematis Street- Downtown West Palm Beach- A bit far away outside of the area, but has some good big bars and clubs.

Of course I am not including South Beach which is about 35-45 minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale at night.

[SCbrun89]

Originally Posted by Nolefan34

Excellent and informative post.

Thank you NoLefan. To answer your questions.

1. Yes I do currently live in Tempe. I have also lived in Scottsdale AZ. I also was in the Military for 4 years and I lived in San Diego and I'm originally from New Jersey. So I think Tempe AZ is a relatively cheap place to live.

2. Financially, I'll be moving out there in January with around 15k. I'll be making in the neighborhood of 50-70k my first year. I also plan on moonlighting in a bar the first year I'm out there just to meet people.

I've heard good things about Los Olas. But anywhere where there's young professionals is always a plus.

Thanks again.

[JSnFla]

you'd be better off in scottsdale or san diego...lauderdale is just way to shady and sketchy, cant trust anyone. party scene is all about being a non intellectual thug in lauderdale, waste of time

[vsmoove]

If you grew up in Jersey, you'll be fine... the people that complain about S Florida are just not used to big city etiquette that a lot of Northeasterners bring down with them... party scene is good for singles; good looking women and you can party cheaply. You'll be fine with your cash.

I think Las Olas would work great for you but don't rule out downtown Hollywood... living on the beach would also be a good look for you.

Originally Posted by SCbrun89

Thank you NoLefan. To answer your questions.

1. Yes I do currently live in Tempe. I have also lived in Scottsdale AZ. I also was in the Military for 4 years and I lived in San Diego and I'm originally from New Jersey. So I think Tempe AZ is a relatively cheap place to live.

2. Financially, I'll be moving out there in January with around 15k. I'll be making in the neighborhood of 50-70k my first year. I also plan on moonlighting in a bar the first year I'm out there just to meet people.

I've heard good things about Los Olas. But anywhere where there's young professionals is always a plus.

Thanks again.

[Nolefan34]

$50K-70K will be plenty. You'll be able to afford it here. Las Olas is the best area to live for your purposes, but is also the most expensive. You can rent a 1BR in a downtown luxury building for $1600/mo in the least expensive nice one. Just make sure you don't get in over your head with rent. You can find some less expensive places that are not quite as nice and not right off Las Olas, but have lower rents as well.

[matt5951]

To add to the party piece, NoleFan has it, though I'd add 2nd street (Himarshee) as a pretty good party spot too. That's right by Las Olas, so not sure if that area is included with that.

As for Hard Rock, you can get by the covers if you look at the young professional and Meet Up clubs online. They will sometimes have "meet ups" at these places where you can get in free if you say that you're with them or print out an ad.

[Nolefan34]

Originally Posted by matt5951

To add to the party piece, NoleFan has it, though I'd add 2nd street (Himarshee) as a pretty good party spot too. That's right by Las Olas, so not sure if that area is included with that.

As for Hard Rock, you can get by the covers if you look at the young professional and Meet Up clubs online. They will sometimes have "meet ups" at these places where you can get in free if you say that you're with them or print out an ad.

I was including Himarshee in the Las Olas area. My friends and I just always call that area Las Olas, not Himarshee. I actually never heard anyone call it Himarshee. I think that's an old school thing, but not sure. Sometimes we just call it Riverfront.

I always think of Las Olas as sort of divided into 2 main areas you can walk back and forth between. There's the older Las Olas section where all of the artsy shops, restaurants, Cheesecake factor, Yolo, Vibe, etc. area located. Then there's the Riverfront/Himershee area where the 2nd Street bars you mentioned are located. The 2nd Street area is better in terms of overall options, and is geared more towards a younger demographic. Drinks are also cheaper in the 2nd Street area. The older section, including Yolo/Vibe, is more expensive and is more geared towards a slightly older crowd. Although Yolo and Vibe are more of a young professional crowd, there are lots of Cougars there if you know what I mean.

[retiree1]

The jaded advice that you are getting in some replies can be said about anywhere. Do not take them too seriously. Ft Lauderdale has a lot to offer. The beach is beautiful. For large parts of the year, the weather is beautiful. Lots of good restaurants. Having lived in San Diego beach towns for a few years, I can assure you that it is much cheaper (especially housing) and just as lively. Of course, no place is perfect, but there is a lot to like here.