Ft. Lauderdale Bound (Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs: hoa, work, housing)

[ohiotennis]

Any suggestions for a family friendly suburb of Ft. Lauderdale? Catholic elementary and high schools are important in our decision. Prefer older more established neighborhoods compared to newly built homes.

[chisoxfan]

Take a look at Coral Springs and Plantation. And Parkland, if price is no object. Davie and Weston also are considered "family-friendly," but much of the construction there is newer (15 years old or less). There also are a few older neighborhoods in northeast Fort Lauderdale (Imperial Point and Coral Ridge Isles) that have a suburban feel even though they're in the city.

[macguy]

Originally Posted by ohiotennis

Any suggestions for a family friendly suburb of Ft. Lauderdale? Catholic elementary and high schools are important in our decision. Prefer older more established neighborhoods compared to newly built homes.

Maybe the most perfectly located neighborhood is in my opinion Croissant Park.
Five minutes from the airport. Five minutes from the down town and performing art center that has Broadway shows there. The Art museum that was one of only three to have the King Tut exhibit in the country last year. A great library that has things going on all the time. My wife and her sister went to the free piano concert they have every month the other night. You are only 5 minutes from the beach. You can hop on a bus or even ride your bike there, although there is a lot of traffic, remember you are in Fort Lauderdale. You are only minutes from shopping or one of a dozen banks, people here have lots of money.

One of the best things about Croissant Park is, it got very over priced and houses were going for $400 to $500,000. a couple of years ago. You can now get houses in there for the mid three's. Mostly 50's homes that have nice sized lots with big back yards. I think it is the best place to live in Fort Lauderdale IMO. It is not contrived, it is a real neighborhood, people out walking their dogs and jogging that may actually wave at you.
http://www.croissantpark.com/

[Willow1]

Laurel Oaks Subdivision in Davie (33330).
There are probably 6 different Churches in a 3 mile radius. Also, one of the best Catholic High Schools is less than 5 minutes away. The homes are older and you don't have the cookie cutter look that is most of South Florida.
Good luck!

[Mikis]

Catholic High Schools in the area that are good: Cardinal Gibbons and St. Thomas Aquinas. St. Thomas is a powerhouse in Florida high school sports. I personally would live on the outskirts of Ft Lauderdale (Plantation, Coral Springs, Cooper City, Pembroke Pines). Stay OUT from NW Ft Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, North lauderdale

[FFZS]

Fort Lauderdale Area contains 25+ cities. each having a wide range of housing styles and cost. For older neighborhoods coral ridge/bayview (high price area $700 and up), coral ridge/imperial point ($400-600), garden isles ($400-800). These areas are good areas where "most" people are taking care of their property. I think these areas are not controled by strict HOAs.

Are you looking for a move in condition or a house that you can put some work-on?