Relocating from Chicago to south Fl

[ruski]

Originally Posted by TreeZoo

For walkable neighborhoods, look at Lauderdale by the Sea, the Coral Ridge area or the Las Olas area. As far as skools, if you are serious about good education and opportunity, stay well away from public schools in Broward County. There are lots of private and parochial schools to choose from and the sacrifice is well worth it.

Did you intentionally spell schools like that?

Amyway, Weston, Parkland, and Cooper City have excellent schools.

[chicagochuck23]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Most of the time I do IT support from home, but occasionally have to go into our Fort Lauderdale and Miami offices. I fly to other locations about 1 week a month.

I'm not sure about our exact budget - possibly $400k. I know there's no income tax in Florida, but then it's made up with other taxes.

One side question - I'm not a big fan of the Mc Mansion look a lot of the houses seem to have (big arch at the front door etc). Is there a reason why you don't see a lot of bungalows down there?

[ruski]

Originally Posted by chicagochuck23

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Most of the time I do IT support from home, but occasionally have to go into our Fort Lauderdale and Miami offices. I fly to other locations about 1 week a month.

I'm not sure about our exact budget - possibly $400k. I know there's no income tax in Florida, but then it's made up with other taxes.

One side question - I'm not a big fan of the Mc Mansion look a lot of the houses seem to have (big arch at the front door etc). Is there a reason why you don't see a lot of bungalows down there?

No particular reason, just how the cookie crumbled.

Weston is 15 minutes away from Fort Lauderdale International via I-595, BTW.

[TreeZoo]

Did you intentionally spell schools like that?


Hmmm, what do you think?

I'm not a big fan of the Mc Mansion look a lot of the houses seem to have (big arch at the front door etc). Is there a reason why you don't see a lot of bungalows down there?

If you want homes with a little individuality, look at the east side of town. That means no Weston, Parkland or Coral Springs.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by TreeZoo

If you want homes with a little individuality, look at the east side of town. That means no Weston, Parkland or Coral Springs.

This is a good point

[ruski]

Well, when you move to South Florida, you will need to choose what's more important to you. Good schools or homes with individuality.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by ruski

Well, when you move to South Florida, you will need to choose what's more important to you. Good schools or homes with individuality.

You also have to consider what kind of people you want to surround yourself with as far as neighbors.


Did you grow up in Chicago OP or?

[BNBR]

Plenty of houses with character in west Davie, a block from Weston. Also Cooper City, etc. You can certainly get good schools and custom homes with individuality out west.

For example: https://www.google.com/maps/@26.0856...7i13312!8i6656

Keep in mind that the "McMansion" style has a lot to do with building codes as well since 2001 update. Concrete block, stucco, etc. is a practical way to build in a hurricane zone.

[TreeZoo]

Originally Posted by BNBR

Plenty of houses with character in west Davie, a block from Weston. Also Cooper City, etc. You can certainly get good schools and custom homes with individuality out west.

For example: https://www.google.com/maps/@26.0856...7i13312!8i6656

Keep in mind that the "McMansion" style has a lot to do with building codes as well since 2001 update. Concrete block, stucco, etc. is a practical way to build in a hurricane zone.

Good point about the Davie neighborhood. The point is that planned communities by a single developer turns out to be repetitive design.

But brick colonials and tudor styles really don't lend themselves well to South Florida climate or style.

The building code does create certain repetitive designs that work but it does not dictate ugly convoluted roof lines and phony styrofoam glue-ons.