Broward- Best middle schools in areas we can afford (Jacksonville: rental, HOA fees)

[djack1]

Hi All,
I've been reading threads on this forum for a few weeks now and noticed that for the most part you all give some great advice and additional insight. So its time to hear from you. My husband is transferring to the area sometime in the next few months. We are looking for a rental for a year and then would like to buy something. We have 2 middle school age boys. Our price range for a rental is no more then $2500 a month. The priorities are a safe neighborhood and no more then a 1 hour commute to Miami Lakes. We would like to be in an area with the best schools for the money which I've heard Weston provides but is also almost out of our price range when we decide to buy. If possible we would like to stay in the same schools after that year time frame, so it would be great if we picked the rental in the same area where we would buy. Buying price range would be under $415,000.
If we were living in a gated community can we assume that its safe?
Can't wait to hear your responses.

[ruski]

You can still rent a nice townhouse in Weston in your price range. Likewise, you can buy a nice townhouse in Weston in your price range. Right across the street from Falcon Cove Middle / Cypress Bay High.

[ruski]

Or look in Cooper City.

[BNBR]

Cooper City is probably the best bet in that price range. You can get a great house for well under $400k along with some of the better schools in the area.

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by djack1

The priorities are a safe neighborhood and no more then a 1 hour commute to Miami Lakes.

Let me also point out that you don't want a 1 Hour commute each way...I know people from other cities are used to commuting or those that drove a long way from the suburbs to the city, but the drivers here are very bad and even out West, the commute can drive you mad.

Keep your commute at 35-40 minutes max so you have some quality of life and don't come home stressed/irritated each day or have to survive near-miss accidents on a daily basis.

West is an excellent neighborhood and a lot of it is pricey. I'm not overly impressed with the value of home you get for the price. You pay a lot for the school district.

There are some good schools near Plantation (not Weston-caliber but close).

Don't assume a gated neighborhood makes you safe. Plus, guard gate is different from the card-only gates you see around West Miramar..anyone can follow someone in there.
And a Guard Gated community will have higher HOA fees per quarter/month. Some will include lawn service as well, just depends on the community.

[Whereitwent]

Beware, the public schools are terrible down here. The "Top of the line" public schools here are really "Average" compared to even public schools in northern Florida, such as Pensacola, or Jacksonville.

If you want an excellent quality education for your kids down here, private school becomes a necessity. Be prepared to shell out $10,000+ in tuition per child per year, though!!!

[ruski]

Originally Posted by Whereitwent

Beware, the public schools are terrible down here. The "Top of the line" public schools here are really "Average" compared to even public schools in northern Florida, such as Pensacola, or Jacksonville.

If you want an excellent quality education for your kids down here, private school becomes a necessity. Be prepared to shell out $10,000+ in tuition per child per year, though!!!

So how can you explain that Cypress Bay High graduates get accepted to many prestigious colleges and universities around the country?

[Whereitwent]

Originally Posted by ruski

So how can you explain that Cypress Bay High graduates get accepted to many prestigious colleges and universities around the country?

Anyone who has half a brain and actually went to university knows that getting into college is the easiest part of the process. Actually graduating with a degree is the difficult part, and over 45% of kids nationwide don't make it before dropping out, with that percentage going up every year.

Congrats, your school has great college acceptance rates. Who cares? The real problem question is, how many students are graduating with degrees?

[ruski]

Originally Posted by Whereitwent

Anyone who has half a brain and actually went to university knows that getting into college is the easiest part of the process. Actually graduating with a degree is the difficult part, and over 45% of kids nationwide don't make it before dropping out, with that percentage going up every year.

Congrats, your school has great college acceptance rates. Who cares? The real problem question is, how many students are graduating with degrees?

But what do your 45% nationwide statistics have to do specifically with Cypress Bay High? Not for nothing but you really like to defecate on my posts.

[Whereitwent]

Originally Posted by ruski

Not for nothing but you really like to defecate on my posts.

At least you posted one correct fact in the entirety of this thread.