Looking for a Family Friendly Atmosphere, any advice? (Miami, Pembroke Pines: foreclosure, apartments)

[Torrential_Downpours]

I've lived in Davie now for 20 years but this area is getting a little questionable. I'm looking for a nice neighborhood somewhere in west Broward but I really don't know what's a good choice for a family (I don't care about school districts, my son isn't old enough and this is temporary).

We've been considering Weston, West Miramar, Sunrise, Plantation, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Coconut Creek, Davie, Pompano & even Lighthouse Point. We are so confused I don't know what areas I should stay away from.

I just want a quieter, safer neighborhood where my car doesn't get broken into or keyed and I'm not afraid to take my son out in a stroller for a jog by myself.

[compelled to reply]

What part of Davie are you in? Most of Davie is nice but parts of it suck. You definitely don't want Pompano (unless you like armed robbery) or Tamarac (too old). You probably don't want Sunrise (crappy middle and high schools) or Plantation (same reason) or Coconut Creek (same reason).

You probably want to be looking at Cooper city, Weston, west Pines (especially north of Pines Blvd in the new West Broward High district) or Parkland. Davie is nice too, the parts that are zoned for Western High. West Miramar is OK and presents good value for the money, just kind of bland to me, but it will look better in a few years when all of the trees start growing in. Many (not all) parts of Coral Springs are holding up nicely as well.

If you have lots of money, you will love Lighthouse Point above all of those options.

[MisterNY]

You may want to give Pembroke Pines or West Miramar a look. You still get to enjoy great schools by Florida standards, day care centers, easy access to I-75 (minus traffic), decent amount of shopping (if that's important to you), good parks (Miramar Pkwy and SW 172nd, Pines Rec Center etc), your choice of 2 movie theatres (Regal and Muvico), and other amenities you may like.

About car break-ins and keying, it happens in the best neighborhoods, so that's something, sometimes beyond your control. Just use common sense, and not expose valuables where thieves will or can see them. I honestly think you may get more for your money here, versus Weston. Some will disagree, but drive around and see what works for you.

[compelled to reply]

I think you get about the same for your money in Pines vs Weston, but Miramar is a bit cheaper (probably because of high foreclosure rate even in comparison to other areas). I like Cooper City for the money better than west Miramar and the uncrowded schools blow the schools in that area out of the water.

I had my car burglarized in two promised lands, Lawrenceville, GA and Huntersville, NC. It happens anywhere. By luck, it has never happened to me here, but that doesn't mean it isn't happening right now or it never will happen to me here.

Also, I don't know if you are racist, but a lot of the posters who post on here are. If you are too, you probably want to avoid Miramar and Pines. They are among the most diverse "suburban" type areas I have seen.

Also, if you can afford Lighthouse Point, consider SW Ranches if you like land, don't particularly like rules and regulations and don't want to be near the beach...

[Torrential_Downpours]

I'm living at the end of Nova Drive & Davie Rd. I know bad things happen regardless, but I count at least once ever 6 months bad. They've broken itno my car so many times the keyhole in the door is stripped.

Plus it is really LOUD here, lots of baby mama's and there 12 children, people fighting in the parking lot and parties that go till 3 am...

I am not racist, but my husband is very 'touchy' on the subject (long story short, he almost died from gunshot wounds while being robbed) but i can't blame him and I understand his reasons for not wanting to live in any area thats "diverse".

[compelled to reply]

Yuck, get out of there and head west of University! That whole neighborhood along Davie Rd, north of Griffin= bad news.

But price range is really going to make all the difference...

[crisp444]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Yuck, get out of there and head west of University!

But price range is really going to make all the difference...

LOL 90% of Miami-Dade sounds nicer than that! Wow. To the OP: where are you and your husband's jobs located? Compelled knows Broward like the back of his hand and he can refer you to nice places if you give a little more information like maximum commute time, price range, etc.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by crisp444

LOL 90% of Miami-Dade sounds nicer than that!

No me gusta lardones!

[Torrential_Downpours]

He works litterally right off of Hallandale Beach BLVD and I95. Thats the only reason we LIKED where we were, it took him 15 minutes to get to work.

We honestly are trying to save to move to Colorado, and we need something under $1300 to be able to leave in a year. My husband is hellbent on having a townhome / villa, honestly I don't care if it is an apartment/condo.

[compelled to reply]

Try Cooper City for that price, anywhere in CC but the further east the better commute wise. There honestly isn't one bad area in the whole city limits except this tiny strip of "apartments" that aren't really all that bad. Helps that you are even closer to work too. No reason you shouldn't be able to find something in Pine Island Ridge for that price either, which is a much quieter part of Davie just a couple exits west on 595. Weston is getting a little too far west and so are the parts of Pines/Miramar you want to be in. Plantation might have some potential, basically anything west of University that isn't RIGHT on a major street.