Plantation zip code 33324 - Among the best for middle class? (Davie: middle-class, city hall)

[loillon892]

I've lived in all three counties in South Florida and have recently settled down in Plantation. And it seems to me that this area of Plantation - around zip 33324 - is remarkably middle-class friendly, particularly by South Florida standards. I've been extremely impressed - great shopping with the Broward Mall and much more, several corporate office parks nearby, plenty of parks, quite safe, good schools, and very close to 595, 95, and the Turnpike.

With that being said...I've only been living here for a month! Perhaps over time my perceptions will change, but I hope not. Anybody else - especially longer-term residents - have thoughts on this part of Plantation?

[fauve]

Originally Posted by loillon892

I've lived in all three counties in South Florida and have recently settled down in Plantation. And it seems to me that this area of Plantation - around zip 33324 - is remarkably middle-class friendly, particularly by South Florida standards. I've been extremely impressed - great shopping with the Broward Mall and much more, several corporate office parks nearby, plenty of parks, quite safe, good schools, and very close to 595, 95, and the Turnpike.

With that being said...I've only been living here for a month! Perhaps over time my perceptions will change, but I hope not. Anybody else - especially longer-term residents - have thoughts on this part of Plantation?

ahaha..this post makes me feel good becoz I just bought a house in here It has always been on my radar becoz the kids go to school in this zip code, so have always looked for houses here. I have to say though, that there is no place in this zip code that I would avoid for any reason. 33325 is another favorite - tho this is also Davie. Another plus for Plantation is that they have a great City Hall/Building Dept, etc. - the people there have been incredibly helpful and friendly re seeing old permits, etc.

[Rock Newman]

Originally Posted by loillon892

I've lived in all three counties in South Florida and have recently settled down in Plantation. And it seems to me that this area of Plantation - around zip 33324 - is remarkably middle-class friendly, particularly by South Florida standards. I've been extremely impressed - great shopping with the Broward Mall and much more, several corporate office parks nearby, plenty of parks, quite safe, good schools, and very close to 595, 95, and the Turnpike.

With that being said...I've only been living here for a month! Perhaps over time my perceptions will change, but I hope not. Anybody else - especially longer-term residents - have thoughts on this part of Plantation?

I live in Parkland , used to live in Weston ... and I spent plenty of time in Plantation ... yes it is a super nice area ... enjoy going to the Whole Foods Market there and the new Bokampers Sports Grill and that whole Mid Town Plantation area is coming along nicely ... plus it is a very green area with lots of mature trees .

[compelled to reply]

The Davie side of 33324 is a might be a little better for families, because of the schools, but the Plantation side is also very good. Like fauve mentioned, 33325 is also the ultimate in "middle class".

[rkumar3]

I also live in Davie side of 33324 and love it. Certainly very centrally located, close to everything and nice all around.

[max's mama]

Originally Posted by Rock Newman

I live in Parkland , used to live in Weston ... and I spent plenty of time in Plantation ... yes it is a super nice area ... enjoy going to the Whole Foods Market there and the new Bokampers Sports Grill and that whole Mid Town Plantation area is coming along nicely ... plus it is a very green area with lots of mature trees .

Uuuuuu, how far Whole Foods from Weston?

Can I just say, I love seeing threads like that. A little flavor of positive never hurts.

[heydade]

I live in 33325...in west Davie. I do not like Plantation because it seems crowded plus I would never live in City that has a volunteer Fire Dept. Their paramedics are paid, but their firefighters are all volunteer. No thanks....that's pretty pathetic. The firefighters are highly qualified, but the whole system is horrible. A volunteer fire department for a thriving high-population metropolis ? Plantation is not rural North Carolina ! I remember a strip center burned down because firefighters could not get there fast enough and did not have enough resources a few years back. To top it all off, City of Plantation is a union-busting City. They have fired people trying to organize into unions only to have the city sued in federal court by the IAFF. They are greedy and disgust me and because of that will never see my tax dollars. I live close to the Plantation/Broward Line and never venture into Plantation to purchase something. I also know a friend who'w wife used to work CSI for Plantation Police and she hated it there. I also know many paramedics who used to work for Plantation and left because management treated them like dirt.

Besides the City government treating their employees like dirt, for whatever reason I noticed that the roads in plantation are horrribly maintained as far as pot holes and irregularities in the roads go. Today I had to drive down Pine Island and kept hitting man hole covers....they do not lie flush with the roadway. When I go to the mechanic to get an alignment done, I am sending Plantation the bill !

[Nolefan34]

Huh? I drive through Plantation a lot. Pine Island seems like a smooth road to me. As far as congestion, I would say that the University Drive corridor is very congested. The traffic on University is awful, but the rest of Plantation seems to be very open and spread out. Also, Plantation and Parkland may be the only two areas of all of Broward County where you actually see tree canopies and other natural foliage. The rest of Broward is all fake, man-made foliage and artificially planted palm trees.

As far as government and companies treating their employees like dirt and busting unions, that happens all over the U.S. Not just Plantation. Government anywhere in the state of FL has been cutting jobs, salaries, and benefits for years now. Wages have diminished on most professions to the point where an average worker can barely afford his expenses let alone saving. Unions have pretty much been non-existent in most fields since the 80's when they busted them up. That's another reason why your wages have diminished.

[fauve]

heydade,

That's strange. There's a fire station right across from American Heritage. They show up for the fire drills. The trucks say City of Plantation Fire Dept on them. They don't look volunteer to me.

Edit: Fire Chief's Statement: http://www.psd.plantation.org/fire/f...f-message.html

Also, I agree with Nolefan on the roads - I have never noticed any road issues, and certainly not potholes - it's not like we get snow. And, crowded? I find that a peculiar characterization as well. Methinks you have some Davie team spirit and are looking to gratuitously bash Plantation.

[heydade]

Originally Posted by fauve

heydade,

That's strange. There's a fire station right across from American Heritage. They show up for the fire drills. The trucks say City of Plantation Fire Dept on them. They don't look volunteer to me.

Edit: Fire Chief's Statement: Plantation Fire Department - Chief's Message

Also, I agree with Nolefan on the roads - I have never noticed any road issues, and certainly not potholes - it's not like we get snow. And, crowded? I find that a peculiar characterization as well. Methinks you have some Davie team spirit and are looking to gratuitously bash Plantation.

Plantation Fire Dept is VOLUNTEER. The link you posted affirms the fact. The ambulances or the EMS is paid....they tried forming a union and many of them got fired. Because of the lawsuit, they now have a union they can be proud of...but morale is horrible. And Fauve, unions are NOT non-existant. They are more powerful then ever and take on an even more important meaning in todays economy where people are forced to cut hours, reduce their salaries, etc. Many police officers and firefighters here in South Florida enjoy what they deserve..a very well paying job with excellent benefits BECAUSE of the unions. If it were up the Cities/Counties, they would get squat.