What are the best coastal communities to live in in Southern Florida? (Miami: appointed, apartment)

[Nolefan34]

The OP said "coastal towns", so I don't believe that Coral Springs or Parkland apply. And 25 minutes from the beach is on a good day with no accidents and timing the stoplights perfectly. Also, its 25 minutes to the closest beach (Deerfield), but Fort Lauderdale Beach would be more like 40-45 minutes. The OP obviously has enough money that affordability isn't a primary issue. There are many choices, so it really just depends on what type of house or condo you want. If you want a condo, you can basically live anywhere alone the beach in Broward County, and its pretty nice.

[fauve]

Nolefan, I wasn't arguing with you. I agree Coral Springs/Parkland are a lot farther from the beach than OP said she wanted in her first post. I was just explaining to you that the reason I mentioned Parkland was because she asked about good schools in ANOTHER thread. I gave her the link to the Broward Schools Magnet program in this thread because I knew from other thread she mentioned she was looking for a school of Mast's (in Key Biscayne) caliber. The only public high school in Broward of that caliber is in Parkland, which is why I mentioned Stoneman Douglas.

In addition, she ASKED specifically about Coral Springs in her second post in this thread.

To OP, if price is no object and Miami is okay with you, Key Biscayne is the obvious choice, however be aware that Mast is a selective program, and I believe you could theoretically live on Key Biscayne but not gain admission. Check this out with Dade County Schools. Other than Key Biscayne, you could check into Miami Beach, which would be commutable. There are no coastal cities south of Key Biscayne that are commutable.

[onegreatnurse]

Thanks for the info, I am weighing my options....I really like the idea of being right on the beach, but insurance may be too high for me..I can probably buy a house for around...$400K cash, I would like to have no mortgage when I get there, it seems there are a lot of jobs in Miami for me.

[fauve]

I'm not an insurance expert, however I believe insurance will be about the same whether you invest the same amount in a house or a condo. As a round figure in your price bracket, expect to spend $2500 on insurance and $8,000 in property taxes annually. You may also want to figure in a couple of hundred in homeowner association dues each month.

Rumor has it that jobs for nurse are plentiful, but I don't believe we have a nurse on this board who can directly address this. I also don't have a clue what nurses are earning these days.

[onegreatnurse]

Thanks...I'm applying online throughout southeast Florida, and it's very hard to determine, salaries are rarely posted except through travel nurse companies who give you a wide range..

[onegreatnurse]

Also eventually I should qualify for the homestead rebate and they have something for veterans too I think in terms of property tax...

[Chelsa1075]

A large portion of Coral Springs goes to Douglas too.

[Chelsa1075]

Hello onegreatnurse, Fauve is an awsome source of information! I have to stress what she said to you before about the schools being sketchy in the areas by the beach. I have done so much homework on the schools in Broward, that I can almost consider my self an expert on it - I have a spreadsheet and everything - LOL. What I would think about if I were you is, can you send him to a private school. You can pretty much find good elementary schools throughout broward, it is the higher grades that start become an issue. I have a 10 year old who will attend the 6th grade in the fall so, I know what you are dealing with. Personally, I'd rather live a little further away from the beach, but have good schools than live closer and have just flat out bad schools. there are only 5 cities in Broward County that have A High Schools (at least the last time I checked). Parkland, Coral Springs, Cooper City, Davie and Weston. Coral Springs has been called the city for kids, due to all the activities they have for kids. Rock lives in Parkland and likes it very much, Fauve lives in Davie and is fond of it. A lot of the posters on this site are from Weston and rave about it. I am looking to relocate to anyone of these cities in the summer. These cities in particular are good for schools.

I will say that Coral springs has some funniness to it. The areas that borderline not so good areas are obviously not where you want to be. I have really narrowed it down to the 33076 area code and 33071. You will still find nice places in the other 2 area codes of Coral Springs, but it is harder to decipher. Go to www.browardschools.com and you can put in specific addresses and it will tell you which school you are zoned for. Honestly, every home I look at is based on the school district. That being said, Parkland, Weston, Davie and Cooper City all have A rated schools minus the sketchy areas. At least as far as I can tell. Oh and don't get into your head sketchy as Newark or Camden, because nothing in Coral Springs is like that - LOL. Good luck with your search. Oh and if you want that spreadsheet, let me know and I'll email it to you - just dm me.

[fauve]

Thanks Chelsa, good to know re Stoneman!

Nurse, I figured in the homestead when I estimated what your taxes will be...you will get some more with veterans so knock it down a few hundred. Be aware that a $400K house now was likely a $600K house before, so your taxes could initially be in the $12K range. The property appraiser is refusing to use foreclosures and short sales in her valuations and using market value around the neighborhood instead. This will provide a disconnect for a few years. If you want to know what current taxes are on any property you are looking at type in the address on bcpa.net

[Chelsa1075]

Oh your welcome love - you know me with the schools - that is my main concern as don't have or intend to have the mulah to send the boys to private school. I would opt for the school and then the beach for priorities.