Looking for Neighborhoods/Rentals based on very specific criteria (Jacksonville: apartment, how much)

[Saserator]

Hi Everyone,
My company is relocating me to either Jacksonville or Fort Lauderdale (my choice) later this year. I will be taking a business/scouting trip down to visit both locations next month. Before I arrive, I'd like to have narrowed down my potential areas/neighborhoods to scout and perhaps schedule a few apartment visits. I am more familiar with the Jacksonville area than the Fort Lauderdale area, so I'm really not sure where to begin my search here.

I plan to rent for 6-24 months in order to get a feel for the area and decide whether I'd like to stay long-term. My criteria (ordered from highest to lowest priority) for a rental is as follows:

1. At least 3BD/1.5BA
2. Safe area for a family with 3 young (4 and under) kids
3. $1400 or less per month
4. Within 20 minutes driving distance of the office (which is located on W Commercial Blvd/50th St, near the executive airport)
5. Within 15 minutes driving distance to a good organic grocer (where I can purchase grass-fed meats and wild salmon)
6. Within 15 minutes driving distance to a good nature park (trails/lakes, etc.)
7. As close to the beach as possible, taking the above points into account

Public school district is not important to me at this time, as I plan to be move (either buying a house in the area or to another location) within 2 years.

I would greatly appreciate recommendations for neighborhoods to look at that fit as many of the criteria as possible. Thanks in advance!

[jhlcomp]

You might be best served with a relocation specialist given your specifics. Since you will be near FXE, try looking in Coconut Creek for rentals. Your nearest Whole Foods will be in Coral Springs. All within your wish list.

To get to the closest beach go due east on Commercial and/or sunrise.

I am not familiar with the various neighborhoods in that area, but it will be a decent start. Begin by mapping out some of these areas in your Google maps. Good luck!

[ruski]

Look at Lauderdale by the Sea. You will be at the beach and close enough to the executive airport.

[JacobMAX]

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a good idea, but it will be difficult to find a 3bd/1.5ba (or +) for $1,400 at most - especially as the SoFL rental market is heated again. The Lighthouse Point area may be another option, probably more likely to be within budget.

Other worthy options within the criteria requested, might be Coral Ridge (just east of US-1 near and south of the Country Club with the same name) and that neighborhood just north to northeast of the Victoria Park neighborhood (near and west of the US-1, north of Sunrise Blvd), I believe it's named Lake Ridge.

[Nolefan34]

The Executive Airport is a short commute from many good areas. Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Coconut Creek, and Parkland are very good options and an easy commute. I would look in Coral Springs. Rents there are very reasonable compared to the rest of the area. You get more house/apt. for $1400 than anywhere else that is decent. Coral Springs is a mostly middle class area with very nice homes and is a short commute to the Executive Airport.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by ruski

Look at Lauderdale by the Sea. You will be at the beach and close enough to the executive airport.

Do you really think he can find a 3/1.5 for $1400 or less in Lauderdale by the Sea?

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by JacobMAX

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea is a good idea, but it will be difficult to find a 3bd/1.5ba (or +) for $1,400 at most - especially as the SoFL rental market is heated again. The Lighthouse Point area may be another option, probably more likely to be within budget.

Other worthy options within the criteria requested, might be Coral Ridge (just east of US-1 near and south of the Country Club with the same name) and that neighborhood just north to northeast of the Victoria Park neighborhood (near and west of the US-1, north of Sunrise Blvd), I believe it's named Lake Ridge.

I don't think he is going to find a 3/1.5 for $1400 in any of those areas. He should try someplace less expensive a bit further west like Coral Springs. He will have to drive further to the beach but it will be closer to his job.

[ruski]

Somehow the $1,400 splipped my mind when I was typing my reply.

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

I don't think he is going to find a 3/1.5 for $1400 in any of those areas. He should try someplace less expensive a bit further west like Coral Springs. He will have to drive further to the beach but it will be closer to his job.

It is pretty difficult in the first two areas cited, however in Coral Ridge and Lake Ridge it's possible - not easy though - to find a 3bd for $1,300-1,500 more or less. Coral Springs (and Coconut Creek) are good ideas too.

Also the Palm Aire neighborhood in the west end of Pompano it's quite decent and reasonable, safe enough, and probably within budget; it's worth taking a look.

[Saserator]

Thanks all for the replies. Circumstances have changed significantly (namely I have a potential solution for my current house up north) so I'm now looking for neighborhoods with home prices around $300k (or less).

My criteria are still the same although I'm considering options as far north as Deerfield Beach (Google Maps says it's 17 minutes to the office on I-95 - not sure how much longer it would take during rush hour).

Suggestions based on this change are greatly appreciated!