WESTON-Information About Neighborhoods (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Plantation: to rent, houses, buying)

[BrendaMPZ]

Hello,

I currently live in the DC suburb of Fairfax. Due to my husband's frequent travel schedule, we very seriously thinking about relocating to Florida within a year. We just moved to our dream home after looking for 2 years (I'm so sad), and I would like something similar when we relocate. I have researched a lot of areas, and Weston seems like a good match for us. I am looking for:

1. Large home, around 4,000sf foot home or larger (4 to 5 bed, 4 baths).
2. Gated community with pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, etc.
3. We don't want to spend more than $750,000.

Which communities in Weston do you recommend that meet my criteria. I'm overwhelmed with all the communities in that area, and really would appreciate some guidance.

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Brenda

[StilltheSame]

Savanna
The Ridges
Weston Hills Country Club - youd be on the lower price end - but the location and amenities are nice.

[BrendaMPZ]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

Savanna
The Ridges
Weston Hills Country Club - youd be on the lower price end - but the location and amenities are nice.

Thanks! I'm not really interested in the country club. If they are anything like the ones here, the fees are crazy.

I have a question, when I do a search in realtor.com for Weston, Fl, besides the houses in Weston, I also get results for an area called Davie. The houses are beautiful. Is Davie a nice area? Is it close to Weston?

[StilltheSame]

The country club doesnt require membership to purchase a home. West Davie is nice anything 136th avenue and higher - so Hawks Landing - anything in the Davie Estates (South of 595 West of 128th or so - or near Flamingo). Imagination Farms in Davie is really nice - but most of the homes have their own pools- I would definitely recommend you look at those homes.

[fauve]

Hawks Landing is actually in Plantation @ Nob Hill & Broward. You'd be okay for lower & middle schools but most folks there send their kids to American Heritage (private) for high school. You could be hard-pressed to find a house there in your budget as well, but the deals are there.

[BrendaMPZ]

Thanks for all the information. It is looking to me a lot more like we should rent a place for a while to get our bearings before we actually buy. I don't want us to regret buying in the wrong place. How is Miramar, my husband mentioned it was closer to Miami. I just keep reading all this great comments about Weston for families like ours. And we are not focused on schools because we are pretty sure we'll choose private.

[acegolfer]

With 750k budget, I'd target

Weston Hills
Landings

But if you want large homes, Weston is not ideal for you. Most homes in Weston are on smaller lots. Consider Plantation and Davie.

Renting before buy is a prudent idea, unless you are absolutely sure about what you are getting.

[Mattie]

Many of the homes in both the Landings and Weston Hills are 4-5 bedrooms. I agree it would be prudent to rent first, but you could certainly find a large home in Weston. I don't recall any neighborhoods with tennis courts. Many, many homes have pools though, and playgrounds are common.

[namomof3]

Do you have an idea of what private school you are interested in? I'd start there. If you are thinking American Heritage- there is no need to look out of the Plantation/Davie areas as they will have everything. Weston has Sagemont private school. There are also some perochial schools to choose from. IMO- I really don't see the point of living in Weston if you are going to do private school anyways (what's the point of paying the higher taxes/no yard space??). The only reason I live in Weston is because we cannot do private school for 3 kids so we decided to rent in the place with the "best public schools." Good luck!!

[Momma_bear]

If you will choose private I would find the school first. Then find a house.

Edited to add: If you want public you really should stay in Weston. If you are sure you are going to go private there are lots of nice places to consider. Weston is beautiful but depending on where you work and where your kids school is it can be inconvenient. The homes there in the $750K range are really nice houses but the lots are really small. I would stay in Weston Hills and The Landings in that price range (in Weston).

If you are considering University School or American Heritage then Plantation and Davie would be more convenient than Weston. If you choose Pinecrest you might stay in Fort Lauderdale. If you choose North Broward you might want to be further north. If your kids are high school aged you might also consider St. Thomas, Archbishop McCarthy or Chaminade, Cardinal Gibbons (Catholic High schools).