Looking for waterfront (Miami, Hollywood, Miami Beach: oceanfront, real estate, condo)

[operafan]

I'm thinking of moving to FTL from NJ. I may be working at NSU in either N. Miami Beach or Davie, but don't like either neighborhood, so am looking in Pointsettia Heights or Wilton Manors for something on the water. Can you recommend a nice location with waterfront property (home, not condo).

I also have a condo in Delray on the Intracoastal, but Delray is too far to commute to NMB or Davie, and I hate I-95. Florida drivers don't seem to care about speed limits or use of turn signals, not to mention your lanes disappear at exits. (sorry)

[compelled to reply]

By waterfront, do you mean oceanfront? Or can it be a canal or lake? Neither one of those neighborhoods you mentioned are coastal so that's why I ask. If you are looking for canalfront (or riverfront), look at ANYTHING along "the river" in Wilton Manors, literally anything. Very upscale, somewhat convenient (you still have to use 95 to get to NMB however, but hey at least the traffic generally moves). One thing to consider- that area is "gayberhood". Only West Hollywood has more gay men. Make sure that doesn't bother you. That wouldn't restrain me from living there as a straight male, but just want to make sure you know before you go.

If you are looking for canalfront there are even some nice areas in Plantation, right across 595 from NSU with ocean access canals, nice new custom houses and older well maintained non "cookie cutter" homes in tree lined neighborhoods at a more reasonable price. Look into "Plantation Isles". That would be an ultra convenient commute to NSU Davie and you could take the less stressful turnpike to the Golden Glades for NMB. Just try to avoid one of the homes that back up directly to I-595.

If you are looking for oceanfront, that all changes...

[operafan]

canals are fine--the wider the better, of course. I saw some properties in an area called the Landings (I think it's Pompano or Northern FTL) and did like Poinsettia Heights. I'd like to be in a gay friendly area, but more importantly an upscale area, but not a snobby one.....one where (if possible in this day and age) the property might actually increase in value.

What about beach access? One thing I like about Delray is that I can drive to beach, usually (with some patience)and find metered beach parking for a few hours. I don't want to wind up with a beautiful home in FTL and find out that I have to pay parking lot fees every time I want to go to the beach.

[compelled to reply]

Wilton Manors along the river and Poinsetta Heights are far from "snobby" despite being upscale and should hold their value a helluva lot better than the other area I mentioned. There are xenophobes everywhere but generally speaking, nobody here will care about your orientation in most areas.

As for parking, here is a link. Hollywood Beach also has predominately metered spots and IMO the beach there is nicer. I usually can find a metered spot at Ft. Lauderdale.
Parking Services - Parking Garages/Lots/On-Street Parking

[operafan]

thanks!

[operafan]

I didn't process it fast enough, but Hollywood is a long drive to the beach from Pointsettia Heights, don't you think? Would it be better going north toward Pompano=----

also, the parking link you send, most of these areas have very few meters, don't you think? Which of them are near Oakland Park area?

thanks again.

[lshoupe]

Interested in waterfront also. So what other safe/nice areas can one live on the waterfront with access to the ocean. How long would it take on a jet ski, lets say, to get from a plantation canal to the ocean and where does that feed into? Are there alligators in the canals, or just the lakes? These lakes that so many houses are on, do they allow jet skis, or is it just too dangerous because of the alligators?

[AbbeRoad]

The amount you want to spend will help you determine where to be. What are you looking to spend?

[lshoupe]

I think I'll rent first to get acquainted with the area. I'd spend somewhere between $1300-$2000 (depend on what I get for the price). When I buy, I'll go as high as 450000.

[runswithscissors]

Originally Posted by lshoupe

Interested in waterfront also. So what other safe/nice areas can one live on the waterfront with access to the ocean. How long would it take on a jet ski, lets say, to get from a plantation canal to the ocean and where does that feed into? Are there alligators in the canals, or just the lakes? These lakes that so many houses are on, do they allow jet skis, or is it just too dangerous because of the alligators?

These "lakes" that are advertised as "waterfront" in the new developments are usually small man made water containment basins that the developers put there, not a real lake in the sense that a person moving here would think. Not like a real lake with a name such as Lake Okeechobee.

Here's a link with what I'd consider real lakes.

Flordia Lake Information -Flordia Lake Vacation information rentals cabins

Here's what some developers have the nerve to call a lake and waterfront LOL:

6500 Oxford Cr #104, Woodfield Vero Beach, FL | Florida Real Estate - Property Listing - ML Executive Realty, Inc.

Woodfield in Vero Beach

And a real photo of one of the actual so called LAKES (which at the moment is almost dry from lack of rain):

6470 Oxford Cr. #104 Woodfield Vero Beach, FL | Florida Real Estate - Property Listing - ML Executive Realty, Inc.

All the listings in Ft Lauderdale will/should tell you which canals have access to the ocean, that would be for a boat I dont even know if it's legal to jet ski to the ocean but I would not attempt it. Perhaps some do, but I doubt it.

Ft L has loads of canals that will meet your needs in town. The only reason I didnt rent something there was the lack of screened porches.

Here's an example of a place with boat access on the ICW that I considered (condo, though)..a cute old school florida type condo imo.
go online to see MLS F838886. at 2700 yacht club bl in 33304. It's down by Sunrise by Galleria. It's an example of the canal/boat/icw deal you can see the photos.