Plantation, Weston, or Parkland (Miami, Pembroke Pines: foreclosure, houses, neighborhood)

[jom77]

I've purchased a town house in Plantation 5 years ago (Central Park area). I really love the area. It's beautiful anc centrally located (I commute to Miami a lot for my work). I have outgrown the place. I want to start a family soon and would need to move to a single family home. I'm a 30 year old female. I can't decide where to start looking at. I narrowed my search down to Plantation, Parkland, and Weston. I don't really like the cookie cutter look of weston but like how it's proximity to Miami. I am very familiar with all 3 areas since I've been a Broward county resident for 17 years. It's just that I really can't decide on mu favorite. Any suggestions anyone?
Thanks

[compelled to reply]

My only suggestion is to get out of Plantation because the middle and high schools are not good. Most of the better school districts are either up towards Parkland/Coral Springs or in the SW area along I-75. If you don't like the cookie cutter look of Weston but like it's location and schools, why not check out Davie, just south of Plantation? Parkland is great but getting very far from Miami. Southwest Ranches and Cooper City are also a (comparatively) fair commute and offer a lot of what Weston offers yet also a lot of what Plantation offers. Even some parts of Pembroke Pines are nice and might be what you are looking for (Pembroke Lakes area).

If you are tied between the three and have to drive to Miami a lot, my personal pick would be Weston.

[heydade]

Weston. Ditto on Pembroke Lakes....a buddy of mine lives there and I love his neighborhood

[fauve]

A friend of my daughter's from Hawk's Landing (in Plantation just south of the Central park area) happens to be over right now and she said the middle and high school in Plantation *are* lousy, but that all the kids she knows that go to public go to Nova Middle & High in Davie. Just a thought for the OP if she wants to stay in Plantation. I totally get the wanting to stay away from cookie-cutter type housing and just bought a house/foreclosure in the area across Nob Hill from Hawk's Landing off Torchwood for an outrageously great deal. I really, really like this area. I've also been a Broward resident for 11 years and have lived in Weston, Pemb Pines & Davie.

Indian Ridge is a *very* good middle school (my husband taught there). He also said that Seminole (Jacaranda CC area) was as well. He said Plantation Middle (Hawks Landing feeder) was/is not.

http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/schoolb...8x11_notaz.pdf

[southfl1]

Fauve...

Jacaranda Cay and Jacaranda is a great area! Different homes with personality. I looked there too at one time. Glad you got a great deal.

[fauve]

Originally Posted by southfl1

Fauve...

Jacaranda Cay and Jacaranda is a great area! Different homes with personality. I looked there too at one time. Glad you got a great deal.

Thanks! I might actually start walking the dogs again

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by fauve

A friend of my daughter's from Hawk's Landing (in Plantation just south of the Central park area) happens to be over right now and she said the middle and high school in Plantation *are* lousy, but that all the kids she knows that go to public go to Nova Middle & High in Davie. Just a thought for the OP if she wants to stay in Plantation. I totally get the wanting to stay away from cookie-cutter type housing and just bought a house/foreclosure in the area across Nob Hill from Hawk's Landing off Torchwood for an outrageously great deal. I really, really like this area. I've also been a Broward resident for 11 years and have lived in Weston, Pemb Pines & Davie.

Indian Ridge is a *very* good middle school (my husband taught there). He also said that Seminole (Jacaranda CC area) was as well. He said Plantation Middle (Hawks Landing feeder) was/is not.

http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/schoolb...8x11_notaz.pdf

I like the area you moved to. Enjoy! I know a few teachers at Indian Ridge and they like it there. I suppose it as good as the public middle schools get around here.

[jom77]

My fiance and I are going to start researching Davie as well. We have a budget of 550k. Is it possible to get a desent house in W Davie for that price. We would need at least 4 bedrooms and a good size yard. It seems like most properties in that area are way above that price. Also I don't have to drive to Miami everyday. Do for the days that I have to go downthere how feasable would a commute be from Parkland to Miami Lakes ( Plantation to Miami Lakes was not bad at all).

[rkumar3]

Great suggestions... I would chime in as another vote to West Davie... If your budget is 550K, you should be able to find a decent home in West Davie with a pool and nice yard.

[fauve]

Originally Posted by jom77

My fiance and I are going to start researching Davie as well. We have a budget of 550k. Is it possible to get a desent house in W Davie for that price. We would need at least 4 bedrooms and a good size yard. It seems like most properties in that area are way above that price. Also I don't have to drive to Miami everyday. Do for the days that I have to go downthere how feasable would a commute be from Parkland to Miami Lakes ( Plantation to Miami Lakes was not bad at all).

You can get a lot of house for that price right now. The stronger a buyer you are, the better the deal you will get. That's always been true, but never more so than now. At any rate, you will be very pleased I believe with what's out there. Gosh, there are even 2 1/2 acre houses in Sunshine Ranches listed for $599K right now. Enjoy the hunt!