Moving to Cooper City / Pembroke Pines (Miami, Miramar: gated, work, housing)

[Rolian]

Possibly moving to the Cooper City / Pembroke Pines area, any tips? schools, crime, housing, etc...
My employers is near Miami International Airport, what do I have to calculate on commute time ?

[vigil]

Originally Posted by Rolian

Possibly moving to the Cooper City / Pembroke Pines area, any tips? schools, crime, housing, etc...
My employers is near Miami International Airport, what do I have to calculate on commute time ?

Depends entirely on where you live and what time you leave home for work. From Cooper City, you will probably need to take I-75 (~15m, OK congestion) and SR-826 (~5m, bad congestion). I would estimate around 45 min during rush hour. Leaving early or later than rush hour would reduce this commute. Still, not too bad -- Ft. Lauderdale Airport would probably be worse because of I-595 and I-95.

[moderator CUT]

West Miramar is in a great location w/r/t highways. You would get on SR-826 on 67th Ave and exit on NW 36th St, which is about 25-30 min during rush hour (even though it's less than 10 miles). You can also take the Turnpike (toll road) or I-75 easily.

[VIKING J.J.]

I currently live in Cooper City (18 years) and can recommend it for a family with children. The public schools are good, crime low, property values are high and lots of youth programs. As for commuting to MIA from Cooper City, it depends on when your going. Before 6 AM 25 minutes, Between 6-7 AM its about 30-40 minutes, 7-8 50-60 minutes, 8-9 40 minutes. Afternoon 3-4 PM 30 minutes 4-5 PM 50-60 minutes, 5-6 PM 50 minutes, after 6 PM 30 minutes.
Embassy Lakes is gated and is nice. Rock Creek is also nice but doesn't have a security gate, don't really need it. No real bad areas in the city but there are older areas that could look better.
Pembroke Pines is growing out of control, so is Miramar. Be careful looking there. Weston is high dollar. Don't even bother to look in Dade County, it's a Banana Republic down there.
Good luck!

[Rolian]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. We received an offer for a house in the Walnut Creek community in Pembroke Pines. Is this community and school district comparable to Embassy Lakes in Cooper City ?