Coral Springs/Parkland - What do you think? (Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach: real estate, condo)

[kidjake28]

I'm currently working with a real estate agent to look for a townhouse/condo.

I have four boys (14, 11, and twin 7's). We live in Toronto, Canada (which I notice is a very popular in the forums). Anyways we wanted a place to go to twice a year (perhaps more as we get closer to retirement (my wife and I are both 40).

In any case we were looking at Aventura and Boca as possible places. I know Aventura is more of a busier city which I don't mind but I like the fact that it's close to the beach. Whereas Boca is more of a retirement/golf area. My agent recommend that we look at Coral Springs/Parkland (Heron Bay area). Specifically NW 119th Dr. While it seems very nice and has a lot of amenities, I wanted to ask what everyones opinion might be.

Now I don't profess to know anything about Florida but here are my questions:

1) Are these areas good/safe areas?
2) Are there any good grocery shopping stores nearby?
3) Are there any complaints about this area?
4) Is being too close to the glades a problem (bugs/gators)? Forgive the ignorance.
5) Is there anything else we need to consider about this area?
6) Does anyone have any experience with the community (Cypress Pointe, Heron Bay).
7) Are there better areas to look at?

Any help appreciated

[mainlinephilly]

I just purchased a home in Heron Bay my husbands family has lived in the Weston area for years, we moved from Philadelphia area and have to preteen age children, very nice area , safe and Parkland has great schools and is a lovely community.

[PBCboy]

Originally Posted by kidjake28

1) Are these areas good/safe areas?
2) Are there any good grocery shopping stores nearby?
3) Are there any complaints about this area?
4) Is being too close to the glades a problem (bugs/gators)? Forgive the ignorance.
5) Is there anything else we need to consider about this area?
6) Does anyone have any experience with the community (Cypress Pointe, Heron Bay).
7) Are there better areas to look at?

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Some communities in these areas are generic and there have been complaints of jerky people. I have found the people in Parkland to be nice though.
4. You'll find bugs everywhere.
5. Be more specific.
6. No.
7. Parkland is nicer than Coral Springs. Weston is also a good area to look at, and Boca is nicer than Coral Springs. Aventura is the most exciting out of the ones on your list. The others are more slow paced and suburban compared to the more urban Aventura.

[kidjake28]

Originally Posted by PBCboy

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Some communities in these areas are generic and there have been complaints of jerky people. I have found the people in Parkland to be nice though.
4. You'll find bugs everywhere.
5. Be more specific.
6. No.
7. Parkland is nicer than Coral Springs. Weston is also a good area to look at, and Boca is nicer than Coral Springs. Aventura is the most exciting out of the ones on your list. The others are more slow paced and suburban compared to the more urban Aventura.

Thank you for the reply.
4. What kind of bugs? Are they hard to get rid of or are they just a nuisance?
5. When buying a townhome is there anything else we will need to consider (i.e. house sitter when away, etc).
7. Prices/HOA seem to be significantly higher in Boca.

Also what about the maintenance costs. Since there are a number of forclosures everywhere doesn't that jack up the maintenance costs big time? Is anyone finding that?

Now I know you don't have a crystal ball but I'm hearing that this housing crisis in Florida may last for another 5 years. How do you feel about that?

[kidjake28]

Originally Posted by mainlinephilly

I just purchased a home in Heron Bay my husbands family has lived in the Weston area for years, we moved from Philadelphia area and have to preteen age children, very nice area , safe and Parkland has great schools and is a lovely community.

Thanks for the reply.

Do your kids find themselves bored? Are there things for them to do (i.e. friends, parks, pool, walking, biking).

What are your maintenance costs like? What surprises came up and that was different, didn't know about etc. when you moved?

We currently live in Richmond Hill which is just outside of Toronto, I would imagine Coral/Springs, Parkland are similar.

[dk22]

I noticed that Lighthouse Point is building some new townhomes in our city. There is one right on Federal Highway (US1) and there's a new one a few blocks from there along 39th Street. It's a bike ride to Deerfield Beach. The city is safe and has several great parks within a walking distance and many places to eat and grocery stores nearby. If you want to know more about the city you can visit their website at www.lighthousepoint.com to learn more about the city.

[Chelsa1075]

Yes, this is true, but schools are not so good.

[dk22]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

Yes, this is true, but schools are not so good.

That person is only looking for a place to visit and not to send her kids to school. I am friends with many people people in my city that attended the public schools around here and now teach at them now and they are doing just fine. School is what you make of it. The elementary school zoned for us is an A rated school and we have 3 friends that are teachers there. They all grew up in Lighthouse Point. I'm not sure about the middle school and the high school we're zone for has the IB program there. Pompano Beach High School is nearby and that is a specialized A rated school. I had the same fears as what you mentioned as well, but I realize that it's my job as a parent to keep my kids focus and busy enough not to get in trouble. I've had friends that sent their kids to St. Thomas Aquinas and he got kicked out and said drugs use at the private schools are so common. Bad is everywhere and you can't protect your children 100%.

[Chelsa1075]

Agree whole heartedly, but for someone coming from another area (I thought they mentioned 4 boys), I thought school would be important. I base every decision I make on what schools are in the area for my boys.

[dk22]

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

Agree whole heartedly, but for someone coming from another area (I thought they mentioned 4 boys), I thought school would be important. I base every decision I make on what schools are in the area for my boys.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. All parents should make decisions base on their children's needs and development. I wish LHP could just build our own schools and send our kids to it, but we'd be called a lot of dispicable names.