Looking for a Family Friendly Atmosphere, any advice? (Miami, University: foreclosed, rentals)

[crisp444]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

No me gusta lardones!

No me gustan tampoco, and I am often surprised to hear about how crappy certain areas of Broward are. I'm sure you guys are just as surprised to hear about how NICE some areas of Hialeah Gardens, Tamiami, West Miami, and Palm Springs North are. Anyways, that doesn't matter because for the original poster I would recommend Hollywood, Cooper City, or one of the nicer areas of Fort Lauderdale closer to the beach.

[compelled to reply]

Crappy areas are crappy areas, doesn't matter where it is, they are everywhere. Just a different kind of crappy.

I disagree with Hollywood, only because finding something in a nice part is going to be too expensive. That neighborhood the OP lives in is basically a spillover of the many worn out parts of Hollywood.

Believe it or not Mr. Crispy, you do see the occasional pastel colored, burglar barred home in the iffy parts of Hollywood now amongst the general brown and "Broward" looking areas! It's quite pretty looking in comparison because the rest of it looks like it could be in Tampa (no offense to Tampa)!

[crisp444]

I have a feeling everyone is going to shout "NO!!!" at this suggestion, but Aventura is very nice, has very good schools and is very close to where your husband works. You could get a nice 2 bedroom apartment there for $1300.

[compelled to reply]

Can you really? I actually would have suggested it but I thought it would be too expensive. Not quite sure if it has a "family friendly atmosphere" either.

[crisp444]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Can you really? I actually would have suggested it but I thought it would be too expensive. Not quite sure if it has a "family friendly atmosphere" either.

Yup. My friend just saw one for $1250 in an older, but nice building right on Country Club Circle. Aventura City of Excellence (Charter) Elementary School had a 10 rating on greatschools.net the last time I checked (which was probably 6 months ago). Highland Oaks Elementary is well-regarded as well. There are a lot of families there but less (proportionately) than in Davie. Once you get on I-95, it's smooth sailing to anywhere you want to go in (eastern) Broward. If you want a house, Aventura is not advisable because the homes tend to sell/rent high; however, the older condo buildings often offer tennis and a pool and are really good values.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Can you really? I actually would have suggested it but I thought it would be too expensive. Not quite sure if it has a "family friendly atmosphere" either.

Friends of ours live in townhouse development off of 34th Ave (can't remember the name). TONS of kids roaming around when I've been there before/after dinner.

My parents are ina tower closer to the water, tons of kids in the pool on the weekends too. (But a lot of them are just "visiting" to swim or down on vacation visiting Grandma/pa).

Aventura is certainly not everybodies cup-of-tea, but it at least should be on their "list."

[GinaGina]

My husband just got a job in the area of Hialeah. But we want to live in ft Lauderdale, because our son studies in Nova and works in Pompano.. The realtor recommended PINE ISLAND RIDGE SECTION EIGHT 109-43 B LOT 50-C TRACT; ARROWHEAD GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB PHASE II PB 101-31 B etc. Totally clueless, also Plantation=JACARANDA PAR 253 119-24 B COMM AT SE COR OF SAID ??????? Please advise.

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by GinaGina

My husband just got a job in the area of Hialeah. But we want to live in ft Lauderdale, because our son studies in Nova and works in Pompano.. The realtor recommended PINE ISLAND RIDGE SECTION EIGHT 109-43 B LOT 50-C TRACT; ARROWHEAD GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB PHASE II PB 101-31 B etc. Totally clueless, also Plantation=JACARANDA PAR 253 119-24 B COMM AT SE COR OF SAID ??????? Please advise.

Assuming your DH is taking 75 south to Hialeah and these are your only 2 choices, I would easily choose Jacaranda.
I lived near there and went to Nova (a million years ago), it's not that much worse a commute than PI Ridge would be and a slightly nicer area.

Just my 2cents -- good luck.

[GinaGina]

Originally Posted by planetsurf

Assuming your DH is taking 75 south to Hialeah and these are your only 2 choices, I would easily choose Jacaranda.
I lived near there and went to Nova (a million years ago), it's not that much worse a commute than PI Ridge would be and a slightly nicer area.

Just my 2cents -- good luck.

Thanks Planetsurf. Your 2 cents are gold to me.

[ezveedub]

Originally Posted by GinaGina

My husband just got a job in the area of Hialeah. But we want to live in ft Lauderdale, because our son studies in Nova and works in Pompano.. The realtor recommended PINE ISLAND RIDGE SECTION EIGHT 109-43 B LOT 50-C TRACT; ARROWHEAD GOLF AND TENNIS CLUB PHASE II PB 101-31 B etc. Totally clueless, also Plantation=JACARANDA PAR 253 119-24 B COMM AT SE COR OF SAID ??????? Please advise.

Those areas are great. I live east of those areas right next to Nova. The area has plenty to offer. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing a home is to find out the year built and what the insurance rate is on the home. Most houses built after say 93-94 have Miami-Dade hurricane building code, which drops your insurance a LOT. Also make sure it has storm shutters. Almost all newer homes have them. If it has them, then your fine. I had my 95 built home with Class A accordion shutters installed inspected for insurance coverage. The premium was discounted 50%, so keep this in mind. The accordion style are super fast to secure, about 15 minutes on a 2 story home.