Moving To Broward County, Suggestions on Neighborhoods & Private Schools Please (Miami: apartment, foreclosures) - Fort Lauderdale area - Florida (FL) -Broward County - City-Data Forum

Blondie_44287 · 03-26-2009, 11:12 PM

We are mainly moving to Florida as a "discovery" for us to decide where we want to settle down and raise a family. I grew up in Boca (for the first 15 years of my life) and my husband was born and raised in a Northern Virginia suburb of D.C. We are an interracial family with one child (2 yrs) and a solid 6 figure income.

I am learning towards Broward County versus Miami/Dade just because it's my understanding that it's a little more suburban. I would like to find a gated apartment/townhome community that is family friendly. Monthly rent (not interested in buying right now) not exceeding 2500. A neighborhood with a low crime rate is an absolute must.

I'm also interested in others opinions about private pre-schools. Our son will be (nearly 3) when we move and I would like to find a highly reputable private school that offers half day classes. I love the idea of a Montessori school although it is not an absolute must.

Any suggestions/ideas/information/further resources would be greatly appreciated.

fauve · 03-27-2009, 06:40 AM

With your budget you could probably find a nice house with a pool. I'd look at Weston.

I don't know much about pre-schools. I'm sure someone else will have that covered.

vvolin · 03-27-2009, 09:48 AM

Summit Questa Montessori in Davie (3yr to 8th grade) is very good. My daughter attended it, I know it by direct experience. Another good own is Rainbow Montessori in Hollywood, but I do not know that one directly. Both schools would be ok with accepting children your son's age.

My older daughter attended (the little one would have joined her in kindergarten) University school in Davie. Excellent school. It start at pre-K 4.
The best academically speaking is Pine Crest in northern Fort Lauderdale. Preppy, just like University school, and very demanding.

I lived in Hollywood east and drove both girls in 20 minutes to Davie (my job was there). No we moved up to CT.

If you would like to visit Summit Questa, ask to speak with Mrs. Kristin, the first cycle coordinator, and get a tour of the campus. It is very quaint.

westondailyphoto · 03-27-2009, 01:30 PM

look at Weston... no better place!!

Blondie_44287 · 03-27-2009, 09:09 PM

Thanks for suggesting Weston. I wasn't familiar with the town prior but after looking at the Wiki demographics it seems like it's right on the money for our criterion. Approx. how far of a drive is Weston to the beach?

If anyone is familiar with apartment/townhome communities in the area please do say. I've been able to find St. Andrews at 100 Bonaventure Blvd. and Fairlake at 1201 Fairlake Blvd. They both look like very nice communities.

Thanks Vvolin for pointing out Pine Crest. I haven't been able to pull them up in any search engines and from the information on the website the school looks wonderful.

Thanks Again Everyone and Please keep the information coming!

rkumar3 · 03-28-2009, 06:48 AM

Weston to beach is a good 30 minutes drive... With your rental budget you should try to get a house in a nice gated community instead of going a rental complex....

Good luck on the move

fauve · 03-28-2009, 08:11 AM

If you like Weston, you might as well check out Parkland too.

Momma_bear · 03-29-2009, 03:51 PM

For $2500 a month you could rent a nice house in a nice neighborhood. I recommend Weston, Parkland, Davie (west), and Plantation as nice places to look. They are different in look and feel but all offer nice neighborhoods for families and will have the types of businesses and amenities that young families demand.

Shoegal1075 · 03-30-2009, 07:05 AM

I get nervous about renting a house in a gated community because of all the foreclosures. How are you to know that the people renting you the house are on the up and up. At least with the rental complex there is less worry. I would think.

acegolfer · 03-30-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelsa1075

I get nervous about renting a house in a gated community because of all the foreclosures. How are you to know that the people renting you the house are on the up and up. At least with the rental complex there is less worry. I would think.

If I were a renter, I would have the same concerns. I heard that the tenants are asking the financial status of the owner these days. I don't know the specifics, tho. Perhaps, request a mortgage statement? Is there any way to check whether the payment is behind? Anyone?