Davie, Pembroke Pines, Weston, Miramar, or Hollywood? (Cooper City, St. Marks: insurance, new home)

[ohiotennis]

Relocating for a job. New to the area. Which of these suburbs would be best for family with 2 middle school kids from the midwest? Catholic schools most preferred...any recommendations? How are the public schools in these areas, as well? Safe neighborhoods in the 400-500k range? Help please!

[proud to be American]

Ohiotennis,

Out of the five towns you mentioned i really like Weston.But, you should also include Cooper City.Located just north of Pembroke Pines and just South of Weston.Take Miramar off your list.The rest of the towns are good in certain areas.But, all of Weston and Cooper city are good towns for families.
Great public schools in Weston And Cooper City.

If you're looking for Catholic schools you need to check St.Thomas and Chaminade maddonna.St.Thomas is located in Ft.Lauderdale and Chaminade is located in Hollywood ane both are excellent schools.My ex-girlfriend is a graduate of Chaminade and my best friends Dad is the head Baseball coach at Chaminade.

A handy County website is WWW.bcpa.net. it is the county tax collectors office and will help you when investigating for a new home.

For $400,000 to $500,000 you should find a suitable home. Prices in this area have gone thru the roof in the last few years.Insurance is a killer along with property tax.Just a heads up.

I hope i answered some of your questions.If you have anymore just let me know.

[ready2move]

We just moved from Cooper City. It is a nice small kid friendly community. Lots of sports programs. It also has St. Marks Catholic and feeds into the catholic high school right next to it. Sorry the name escapes me now. My son went through the Cooper City public school system starting from Kindergarden through 12th. The schools in Cooper City are decent, not great, and are the better of all the evils in terms of public schools. I was a very involved parent. Be aware that the public schools throughout the state of Florida are very FCAT orientated. They will spend a majority of the year planning for those tests, whereas the catholic schools do not..

As far as Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Hollywood & Davie, it depends if your are looking at east or west. There is a big difference between the two. Eastern sections are older, western is tons of subdivision with cookie cutter homes. Lots of people moved to the western areas after hurricane Andrew in 1992. There is a big latin presence in all the western areas including Weston. Weston is a very self contained community with shopping, dining, cars dealerships and was home to Dan Marino of the Dolphins at one point.

Good luck on your search!

[Crew Chief]

I grew up in Hollywood and retired in Dayton, Ohio. We like it here much better...

[PBCboy]

I would have to say Weston, but it's pricey.