Broward or Delray!!?? (Miami, Plantation, Davie: rent, how much, houses)

[happymccamper]

We are looking at the big B work BUY! We are looking in Broward, mainly in Plantation, but the prices look better in Delray....should we start looking North? Please help! Plus we want to enroll our little one in a great catholic school, please, this is a huge decision!

[fauve]

Where in Delray? If out west, then price-wise it doesn't really matter - they'll sink or swim in sync. Downtown Delray will do better over time, but they're higher to start with. West Delray has an older, mostly Jewish population. Plantation is more diverse. Where does your husband work? What kind of neighborhood do you want?

[happymccamper]

Hubby works near Ft Laud Exec Airport, we have been looking in Plantation Park, because we do like the old Plantation look, bigger yard and all. All the houses in Ppk though are not nice across the board, it seems kind of checkerboard...But we rent in Central Park and we are looking there too, things are a little more on top of one another, little cookie cutterish, but very nice. Again, Delray, I have no clue about, just inquiring....so I don't know how much it differs from where we are....

[fauve]

Hmm..what's your price range?

[happymccamper]

That s up for debate, I am just getting a feel for the neighborhoods....but we are pretty comfy in Plantation, I think we wouldn't want to mess that up, I was just looking at a few listings in Delray, but the more I think about it.....if there is not that much of a price diff, I would rather stay in Plantation.

[fauve]

There's your answer then! Good luck!

[rkumar3]

I would stick with Plantation area as well. We used to live in Davie (just south of 595), moved to Delray for a few yrs but then again moved back down to Broward (Davie area). It is much more central, diverse, family friendly then Delray.

[Nolefan34]

Happymccamper>

You also have to distinguish between East Delray and West Delray. East Delray is older and has some sketchy neighborhoods with smaller houses. No terrible ghettos or anything, but the prices are skewed a bit if you are looking at just the overall picture; you are doing yourself a disservice. West Delray is all newer developments and is more cookie-cutter from what I've seen. Also, I concur with fuave that there is a large population of older-Jewish people living in West Delray. Not sure if that is your thing or not if you are Catholic.

If you are open to moving further north another area to consider is Boynton Beach. Its the next city to the north of Delray Beach. Boynton is set up similar to Delray and has many nice developments. Its also spread out like Delray and there is lots of shopping.

[fauve]

I know you like the Plantation Park area, but I'd also recommend you check out the Jacaranda Lakes Country Club. Some of the houses are on large lots like the eastern parts of Plantation, but I think location-wise you'll find a better chance of appreciation over time west of University.

[kevinkagy]

Definitely Broward. Broward has way more to do, and it's closer to Miami, but still quiet.