Going to Nova University (Sunrise, Plantation: apartment complex, rentals, condominium)

[lindsayANDadam]

Hi-

My boyfriend and I are moving to the fort lauderdale area at the end of the summer and need some advice about where to move. This move is a definite, so please don't reply telling me not to move. We are in our 20s and looking for a one or two bedroom apartment within 30-45 minutes of Nova. Being in a SAFE area is our #1 priority. We are looking to spend between $800-$1200 a month. Thanks in advance for all your advice. Also if there are any specific complexes/condos/townhouses that you would recommend that would also be very helpful.

Thanks again

[compelled to reply]

RUDE PEOPLE, RUDE PEOPLE, RUDE PEOPLE, DON'T MOVE HERE

No but really, you can live right next to Nova, in Davie. Make sure it's west of Davie Rd and north of Griffin and 100 bucks says it's fine and you have an abundance of rentals to choose from. Just stay out of the condo conversion/apartment complexes for various reasons ranging from horrible landlords to crappy units. You might be able to pull off a 2 bedroom, and a 1 bedroom you would get for that price would be pretty nice. That section of Davie has a lot of car burglars (as typical of college areas), but the general safety level there is high. It is mostly small and quiet condominium/villa buildings around there. Just don't leave valuables in plain sight in your car.

If you want quieter, you can head further west in Davie, or north in Plantation, and still have a short commute. You just won't be able to walk.

[fauve]

I live in this area and went to Nova for a Master's, and I actually would differ from Compelled's recommendation. There are a lot of sketchy apt complexes on Stirling, so definitely stay north of here. I would either follow the recommendations of student housing - there are plenty of apts within walking distance of Nova that are filled with college students because there are FIVE universities whose campuses all back up to one another - so you would have lots of social opportunities, however I would not describe the housing as luxury units, although they should be safe enough.

If you want to get away from students and want more sophisticated housing, I would recommend you look North of 595 around Pine Island Dr. (about 10 minutes away). Mororola and American Express are headquartered here and there are lots luxury rental units in the immediate area and are filled with young professionals. In fact, there's one that's about to open behind the shopping center where Pei Wei (PF Chang spin-off - great inexpensive Asian food) is that looks *gorgeous* - there's a Publix right here too. I wish I knew the name - I just know that it's right off Pine Island Drive, north of Broward Blvd and south of Sunrise (Google Pei Wei, get the address and you'll have a closer idea. There's also good shopping in this area. On University north of Sunrise is the Fashion Mall with Bloomingdales's and Saks and further south is the Broward Mall which has a Macy's and a Sears. Of course, Barnes & Noble, Target, all the chain restaurants etc., are all around here too. If I were in your shoes, this is the area I would look into.

[compelled to reply]

Yeah I made a typo, important one too lol. I meant to say NORTH, not south and edited. However, there is no Saks or Bloomingdales in Fashion Mall. Fashion Mall is boarded up and never had a Saks or a Bloomingdales. It used to have Macys and Lord and Taylor.

[fauve]

Compelled, it may be boarded up, been awhile since I was there (obviously!), but I KNOW it had a Bloomingdale's and a Saks along with Lord & Taylor and Macy's, because I used to buy a specific brand of make-up at the Bloomingdale's and I bought my first suit *ever* at the Saks!

[compelled to reply]

Are you sure you aren't confusing it with the Galleria Mall though? I could swear that Fashion Mall was built with only two anchors. If not, then I guess I haven't lived here long enough...

[fauve]

Yeah, I'm old - LOL. I wonder if the Bonefish Grill here is closed too? I was only there like a year ago, and it was brand, spanking new!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by fauve

Yeah, I'm old - LOL. I wonder if the Bonefish Grill here is closed too? I was only there like a year ago, and it was brand, spanking new!

I'm going to reply in the chat thread.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by lindsayANDadam

Hi-

My boyfriend and I are moving to the fort lauderdale area at the end of the summer and need some advice about where to move. This move is a definite, so please don't reply telling me not to move. We are in our 20s and looking for a one or two bedroom apartment within 30-45 minutes of Nova. Being in a SAFE area is our #1 priority. We are looking to spend between $800-$1200 a month. Thanks in advance for all your advice. Also if there are any specific complexes/condos/townhouses that you would recommend that would also be very helpful.

Thanks again

I was just in the process of looking for a place to stay a year ago. I work at one of the universities in that area (Nova, FAU, BCC). For your budget you should be able to find something close buy. You have two complexes directly across the street from Nova. If you go up University Dr. headed north you will find St. Tropez which is REALLY nice and I think you can pull off a one bedroom for that price range. There is also Camden which just west of St. Tropez on (dag, im drawing a blank). I can't think of that road but its just west of Nobhill, and they come with garages too. If you want to head a little south, just off of I-75 on pembroke rd you will find another Camden apartment complex with garage too and there is another apartment complex across the street (cant think of the name). Lastly there are about two or three apartment complexes just north of St. Tropez on University drive, and they are do able on your budget. St. Tropez and everything I named is in the Plantation area and I would stick with that area if you can. Its safe and you have the ability to get to almost anything you need in 10 to 15 minutes.

[jhlcomp]

The Fashion Mall used to have a Macy's and a Lord and Taylor. When Hurricane Wilma hit that was the last straw for a floundering mall. The area just behind it is, however, flourishing and with new condos/apartments new Publish and eateries. fauve was right on that.

You really have no end of options. I lvie in Weston, and I used to teach at Nova as did my husband - the morning commute can be a killer unless you know what roads to take.