Tamarac vs. Margate vs. Davie? (Fort Lauderdale, Plantation: houses, neighborhoods, public schools)

[Tiger Beer]

How would someone compare these three areas?

Ideally, I am a person that enjoys SOMEWHERE to go, somewhere with something that is walkable - generally downtowns or beaches.

I realize NONE of these would be that place...but I also have a wife and kid and kid is too young for school yet, but him being able to play freely without worry is of course good...but more than anything, need areas that are reasonably affordable, and the above three seem to fit that criteria.

So how would someone differentiate the three areas - Tamarac, Margate and Davie?

(p.s., what is Coconut Creek exactly? When I did searches for it, Margate came up on a realtor website. Are they next to each other or is it within Margate or something?)

[Tiger Beer]

Anyone?

[Nolefan34]

I will say this. In Davie you can easily access either 595 or I-95 depending on what part, and shoot over to the beaches pretty easily. Also, I feel like there is more nightlife in the Davie/Plantation area than Tamarac or Margate. I feel like Tamarac/Margate are a little more laid back with older populations. Not sure if I'm too accurate with these observations since I've never lived in any of those places, but I've driven through a bunch of times.

[Momma_bear]

I like Davie for families.

Margate and Tamarac are older communities with more of an emphasis on seniors. My parents live in Tamarac and it is fairly nice (they are in the western area) but very heavily populated with senior citizens.

Coconut Creek is another city in Broward. It has some sketchy neighborhoods but some pretty nice ones as well. The nicer areas of Coconut Creek should be family friendly. I suspect the schools will be better in Davie, but I am not 100% sure.

[angelo7221]

Davie is more pleasant on the eyes with a lot more emphasis on old florida (fruit stands, batten's farm, old style clapboard houses, sw 61 ave with the cow pasture that's tucked behind the trees) whereas margate has more of a boxed in urban feel and tamarac is cookie-cutter whitewashed house after house.....though margate does have retiree villages..on margate blvd west of 441 and they are very nice and peaceful places....but I really love the parts of davie that went unhampered (I like the fact when you go down roads that in other parts of town are "out east" it's like a mini-country drive, i.e. davie rd between griffin and stirling)

[SierraDog]

Tamarac and Margate really do not have any walkable areas, unfortunately. There are indeed a lot of bargains on single family homes in these areas, but the public schools are not well regarded, from my knowledge. I live in NW Fort Lauderdale near these areas and am familiar with them.

Coconut Creek is adjacent (northwest) of Margate and has newer housing stock including a number of new developments. I would advise you to look in Coconut Creek around Sample and Lyons, there is the new Promenade outdoor shopping center, and I notice a lot of families and people walking from the neighborhoods nearby (Banyan Trails/Banyan Trace and others - I forget the names but just ask your realtor about this area) and there are nice sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Coconut Creek is a convenient location and has a very family -friendly vibe and decent schools. I spend a good deal of time in this area and to me, the traffic also seems tolerable.

[oneocguy]

There are some nice deals around Sample and Lyons but, that area has changed a lot in the past 5 years. I would be Davie bound. check www zillow .com , they have area stats on schools and demographics.

[AJ1972]

North Coconut Creek. Family friendly. Good area. Promenade, Sabal Pines park, better schools, etc.