Advice on Hollywood (Pembroke Pines, Plantation, Tamarac: apartment, rentals, crime)

[cello700]

Hi. I'm a 50 something single professional targeting Hallendale, Tamarac or Plantation for 1 BD rental under $1000 in a non-high rise that permits cats yet I see cheaper housing in Hollywood which gives me pause. In addition, Hollywood seems to be the "queen" of the 2 and 3 bedrooms. What are the upsides and downsides to living in Hollywood? Is it a situation where one block is good and the next few blocks are not so good? My thanks in advance. Steve

[motoracer51]

All I can add is that if you consider Hollywood, I would look at US1 and points east only. It get pretty dicey the other direction.

[vvolin]

Hallandale, Tamarac or Plantation are not necessarily better than Hollywood. East Hollywood is, in my opinion, more desirable than all others you mention. Speaking for Hallandale and Hollywood, which are the ones I know better, it is paramount to stay east of US1, as there is a huge difference to the west. Of course US1 is not a wall, so criminality can flow freely. But so it does everywhere in Broward. The reality is that break-ins are much more frequent west of US1 and east.

There are exceptions though, of course. The area west of I95 in Hollywood (east of the Turnpike) is also very nice, with great communities, gated and non gated (Oakridge, I think is the name of one, anyway, all the communities north of TY Park, between Sheridan and Sterling. However, it may be more difficult to rent an apartment in that area, as it is mainly single family housing.

[mhostr]

I agree that in between US1 and before University Drive is a bit touchy with crime in my perception. I live in W. Hollywood, which is higher priced but has rentals in Pembroke Pines or go East towards US1.
It's boomed in the last five years with developement and traffic so much so that the city has widened and added lanes here.