Any houses NOT in developments, but still in a "hip" area? (Miami: for sale, real estate)

[goofynick6]

Hey,
Looking to move down to the Ft. Lauderdale area in the next few months and will be working in Pompano Beach area. I am in my late 20's and married. I am looking to buy a home in an area that isn't just a mundane row of 1000's of houses that are on top of each other and all look the same.
I also would like to be in an area where there are amenities nearby, like a nice grocery store, maybe a 'hip' downtown area or an open/walking shopping district. Living previously in Orlando and Atlanta has shown me that in and around big cities these places exist, but are sometimes hard to locate at first.

Are there any younger crowds in these areas? or is it all that 'old Florida' feel?

Thank you for your time and any info!

Nick

[fauve]

Check out downtown Delray Beach in Palm Beach County and downtown Hollywood Beach, altho I believe Delray is an easier commute to Pompano.

[JProg305]

Hey Goofynick6, you should seriously consider downtown Hollywood, Hollywood beach (or the area in between, east of US1 off of Hollywood boulevard), or downtown Fort Lauderdale around Las Olas. Downtown Hollywood has seen enormous revitalization in the last decade or so and boasts great ethnic food (Peruvian, Thai, Middle Eastern, Greek, Romanian, Colombian, Japanese, Russian bakeries, etc.), some good pubs, live music venues, and other amenities (like martial arts schools-I'm really into Aikido so I'm biased) in a tight, walkable, urban core. Also, it's centrally located between Pompano Beach/Fort Lauderdale to the north and Miami/Miami Beach etc., to the south. Steer clear of the neighborhoods between I-95 and Dixie highway though (a fair deal of drugs, prostitution, and property crime-not so much violent crime).

[JProg305]

Oh yeah, Hollywood beach is one of the nicest beaches in the area also with a long "broadwalk" (they refer to it as a broadwalk instead of a boardwalk) that is 100% pedestrian friendly with bike lanes and miles of beautiful beach. The cafes and bars along the beach are surprisingly cosmopolitan with Turkish, Greek, and Russian restaurants, a bi-weekly farmer's market with organic produce, pizza shops, little bars with beach views, etc. Almost every business is family owned, very few chains in this area (in downtown too). I would advise against Delray Beach, not because I don't like the area, but because living in Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale would give you easier access to the Miami area if you want a truly urban experience.

[vvolin]

Because you will need to be in Pompano during the day, I recommend staying in Fort Lauderdale. I love Hollywood, my house is still there, but I hate commuting more than necessary.
Where to look for a house depends very much on your budget. Victoria Park is very nice and trendy, close to everything, but it can be pricier. Another nice area, just as nice and close to everything is Poinsettia Park, between Wilton Manors and FTL, and Wilton Manors itself. I used to live on the water on 17th Street in Wilton Manors and I loved it. Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a great place to live for a young couple. If you can find something affordable close to beach, this is another location I would recommend you look into. It is close to FTL and its life, but it is more peaceful. Being that its real estate development is more closely regulated than in the surrounding towns, prices may be a little higher, although I have no idea of where they stand at this point.

[goofynick6]

Thanks for the info, I will check into those places.

I was finding that Sailboat Bend and Shady Bank looked nice...any info on them?

Thanks,
Nick

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by goofynick6

Thanks for the info, I will check into those places.

I was finding that Sailboat Bend and Shady Bank looked nice...any info on them?

Thanks,
Nick

had two friends who lived in sailboat bend, not sure were shady bank is.

Said the crime rate over there isn't the lowest. Also some half way houses back in there. I would walk through there with them on occasion. It is a little "suspect" at night to say the least.

Not sure were shady bank is. Try looking in flagler village which is the area north of the city hall or rio vista which is just south east of downtown. You should be able to find great deals in rio vista if the amount of homes for sale over there is any indication. Also look at victoria park. The further north in vicky park you go the more homosexual friendly it is. The further west seems to be a bit more families. Also look at hammock bend which is just south of vicky park. I would stay away from pregresso village, victoria park and river side and parts of wilton manors unless you have a strong stomach for crime (which could rise given the economic conditions we are facing).

Good luck.

[fauve]

I almost bought a house in Shady bank. I think the waterfront homes there can be an incredible value. It's not walking distance to Las Olas though...more like a mile+ drive and then parking. The supermarket is on 2 levels and pretty cool with an escalator for your cart - not walking distance though.

Sailboat Bend is a little bit more pricey... both have great people living in the community. Do check out Delray beach though...yu can be walking distance to the beach and downtown if u choose a house in the right location.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by fauve

I almost bought a house in Shady bank. I think the waterfront homes there can be an incredible value. It's not walking distance to Las Olas though...more like a mile+ drive and then parking. The supermarket is on 2 levels and pretty cool with an escalator for your cart - not walking distance though.

Sailboat Bend is a little bit more pricey... both have great people living in the community. Do check out Delray beach though...yu can be walking distance to the beach and downtown if u choose a house in the right location.

where is shady bank?

[goofynick6]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

where is shady bank?

It is south, south west of Sailboat bend a mile or two.

Check out this site, wikimapia. It has some nice highlighted areas you can click on for more info about the area.

Wikimapia - Let's describe the whole world!

Thanks again, checking those areas.

Nick