Moving to Fort Lauderdale area - Nervous! (Margate: apartment, rentals)

[max's mama]

Originally Posted by ELP03

I am moving to the Fort Lauderdale area soon. I am very lucky and already have a job lined up making a decent income, a little under 50k a year. My fiancee has been living in the Plantation area now for about 6 months and is working toward his masters degree.

I have been researching the area and am some what nervous as I see so many negative posts about the area. My fiancee loves SoFlo, but I am wondering if this is just because he has only been there such a short time. Has anyone moved to SoFlo from the midwest and do you still enjoy it?

Second, where are the best places to rent? I would love to live in Fort Lauderdale by the water, but financially I just don't think we can affort it. Our second choice is Weston. I have not found many rentals communities in Weston. Do they exist?

Any other incite about the area would be greatly appreciated!!

WE are moving to Weston in September and the rental communities in fact do exist! There are more then few rental communities, but the best ones that we found are St.Andrews and San Michelle. Both have pros and cons, but we are leaning towards St.Andrews. In fact, we are actually thinking of sending our money order for a condo tomorrow. If you want to know my opinion about both, ask me. St.Andrews has condos, San Michelle rents townhouses with garage. The 2 bedroom in St.Andrews are all about 1300-1400 right now.
We visited Weston in June, and we really liked it. I already have a friend there who just moved and she loves Weston. I'm not familiar with any other areas.

[SierraDog]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

Be very cautious not to pay a landlord who is either not paying her/his mortgage or association fees and then face foreclosure - check CityData for posts on how common this is becoming. In SFL I had a number of neighbors in a great neighborhood (homes over $600K) that this happened to. Good luck and enjoy SFL!

Seriously! I would almost recommend that the original poster have the lease reviewed by an attorney to make sure it contains appropriate protections in the event that the landlord is foreclosed.

[vigo]

Hey, you're painting with a pretty broad brush, guys! I'm a private owner landlord with a single family rental home in the Lakes section of Hollywood and a duplex in northeast Hallandale. I'm very fair with my tenants, I attend to repairs right away, I make improvements to my properties, I usually refund 100% of security deposits (with very few exceptions for damages caused by horrendous tenants) -- I usually have very long-term tenants (5-10 years) because I treat them right.

Just because there are some bad apples out there, let's not scare all the prospective tenants away from us private owner landlords!!

[Damemeow]

I would recommend Victoria Park, off Las Olas or by the 17th Street Causeway

[Orchid46]

Originally Posted by rkumar3

West Plantation is a pretty nice area... I know there are negative posts on the board against Plantation but please do take them with a grain of salt. If you stay west of University Dr, you will enjoy the area.... it is very central with easy access to freeways, airport, shopping, night life and entertainment. Oh and the beautiful Fort lauderdale beach (or even Hollywood beach) are not that far at all, probably 20 to 30 mins or so!!

Welcome to the sunny paradise!

Is north Lauderdale west of University DR???

[Orchid46]

hello, moving to this area, is it w of university dr...........I really prefer that side?

thanks

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by Orchid46

Is north Lauderdale west of University DR???

No, none of North Lauderdale is west of University Dr. North Lauderdale is mostly a quiet working class area where not too much happens. The only "bad" part is off of Kimberly Blvd but there is no flash and little "upscale" to be found in that area if you are seeking that.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by vigo

Hey, you're painting with a pretty broad brush, guys! I'm a private owner landlord with a single family rental home in the Lakes section of Hollywood and a duplex in northeast Hallandale. I'm very fair with my tenants, I attend to repairs right away, I make improvements to my properties, I usually refund 100% of security deposits (with very few exceptions for damages caused by horrendous tenants) -- I usually have very long-term tenants (5-10 years) because I treat them right.

Just because there are some bad apples out there, let's not scare all the prospective tenants away from us private owner landlords!!

Vigo,

I apologize for being general in my post. The problem is though, who do you trust right now? No one knows who is on the verge of foreclosure and who isn't. It is all so risky right now, i would be afraid to do it. But then again I have heard about entire apartment complexes going into foreclosure and tenants being kicked out as well. so i guess no where is safe.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by Damemeow

I would recommend Victoria Park, off Las Olas or by the 17th Street Causeway

Is that area rio vista

[Bette]

If you are nervous about renting from a private owner, you can check them out on the Broward County website under official records. If there are no judgments, liens, etc. you should be good.

Keep in mind, though, it's tough for a lot of people out there. Let's just give each other a break once in a while.