Let's talk about Hollywood, Florida (Miami, Holiday: appointed, city hall, rent)

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by cfbs2691

OP, weren't you considering Lauderdale by the Sea recently?
What happened with that?
If that area appeals to you, check in to renting a condo in Rio Espana on a1a.
It's a cute building on the intra coastal, is mostly single people, and not far from Lauderdale by the Sea.

YESSS!! i was considering LBS, but my situation has changed a bit and my job will require me to be a bit further south. I would LOVE to be in lauderdale by the sea still.

But Hollywood is looking more and more like it's gonna be my new home. I hope I like it. I live in Coconut Creek/Coral Springs area now and know that Hollywood is so much older.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by OptimusPrime69

But Hollywood is looking more and more like it's gonna be my new home. I hope I like it.

So I take it your job's in the area and you'll need to use 95?
Is the job IN Hollywood, further south, or?

[ShellMitch]

I love living in Hollywood! I've lived here for about 13 years after living in various other places around the state. During my time here I spent a few years living on the beach, a few years in Hollywood Palms (East of 95 between Hollywood Blvd & Sheridan) and most of my time in Hollywood Hills. I would not recommend the Palms area unless you can't afford anything else, but I still felt safe enough living there and would even jog around my neighborhood at night.

The beach is like most beaches, it attracts a diverse group of people. There are loads of really nice places and many that have character. You will have more transients and petty crime around the beach & downtown, but the tradeoff is the constant entertainment and healing air.

I love Hollywood Hills the most because it is close to everything. I can get anywhere I need to get to on a bike! I feel absolutely safe here too. It is right in between the turnpike & 95 so it is easy to get anywhere else around soFla.

You specifically asked about Hillcrest. I am sure those condos are nice but the area to the south of there is not a very nice place. I am an avid runner and I won't run in that area, even during the day.

[compelled to reply]

If you want to live in an area more similar to Coconut Creek/Coral Springs but further south, why not check out Pembroke Pines?

And for the record, there is nothing wrong with anywhere in Hollywood between I-95 and 56th Ave (46th Ave if you are really that scared of 441). Some streets are nicer than others, but there is nothing there that is worse than "average". Drive that length down Sheridan Street and visit the local stores and tell me that looks or feels like a bad area. Any neighborhood with 3+ Starbucks within a mile of each other can't be too horrible.

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by ShellMitch

I love living in Hollywood! I've lived here for about 13 years after living in various other places around the state. During my time here I spent a few years living on the beach, a few years in Hollywood Palms (East of 95 between Hollywood Blvd & Sheridan) and most of my time in Hollywood Hills. I would not recommend the Palms area unless you can't afford anything else, but I still felt safe enough living there and would even jog around my neighborhood at night.

The beach is like most beaches, it attracts a diverse group of people. There are loads of really nice places and many that have character. You will have more transients and petty crime around the beach & downtown, but the tradeoff is the constant entertainment and healing air.

I love Hollywood Hills the most because it is close to everything. I can get anywhere I need to get to on a bike! I feel absolutely safe here too. It is right in between the turnpike & 95 so it is easy to get anywhere else around soFla.

You specifically asked about Hillcrest. I am sure those condos are nice but the area to the south of there is not a very nice place. I am an avid runner and I won't run in that area, even during the day.

Hey, thanks.
I too am an avid runner. I run about 5 to 6 days a week and want to be able to just lace up my shoes and walk out my door and run. I don't want to have to drive somewhere to go run. I noticed the Hillcrest area has a huge walking path etc that encircles that hospital there. I figured I could start running there, seems pretty decent. I agree tho, the area south of Hillcrest of disgusting. I wish it were nicer, but it's so drab and gross looking. Oh well, will never venture into that area I guess. Theres nothgin even there. It's just chck cashing places, car repair shops and random low-budget food markets catering to ppl from the caribbean. --

[OptimusPrime69]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

If you want to live in an area more similar to Coconut Creek/Coral Springs but further south, why not check out Pembroke Pines?

And for the record, there is nothing wrong with anywhere in Hollywood between I-95 and 56th Ave (46th Ave if you are really that scared of 441). Some streets are nicer than others, but there is nothing there that is worse than "average". Drive that length down Sheridan Street and visit the local stores and tell me that looks or feels like a bad area. Any neighborhood with 3+ Starbucks within a mile of each other can't be too horrible.

haha yeah, any neighborhood with starbucks has got to be at least decent. Funny u mention that because I usually alway look for a starbucks because like millions of others im a slave to it---just terriuble I know, but it's addicting.

[Clark Park]

Originally Posted by vigo

Hollywood has some nice areas but it has gone way downhill over the past 25 years or so. The Lakes section east of US 1 between Johnson and Washington Streets is still nice, as is Emerald Hills just west of I-95 between Sheridan and Stirling.

Hollywood is my hometown and this breaks my heart.

Way way back in the day ... like in the 1950's, '60's, and early '70's Hollywood - believe it or not! - was considered desirable and prestigious. North Lake, South Lake, Hollywood Hills, Emerald Hills, etc. were preferred residential neighborhoods. I grew up near South Lake east of US1 and it was a lovely neighborhood. One would mention Hollywood in the same sentence as Coral Gables or Boca Raton.

I still think much of Hollywood is beautiful. I was there a few weeks ago, visited my few remaining relatives. Hollywood Beach is one of the best on the Gold Coast.

Near where I grew up:

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by tampabaygal

I would avoid the areas west of the interstate but that's just me.

Actually I'd avoid Hollywood entirely unless I had the money to live in those nice condos in Young Circle or right on the beach. I lived there for about a year and I thought it was a pretty scary place, and I lived in a decent area too. Got robbed at a gas station not too far from my house (stay away from the BP on Sheridan Street guys), and then I moved not too soon after to a safer city.

Random crime happens everywhere. Avoid life in any suburban/urban setting. Living in the nice condos on Young Circle or at the beach doesn't avoid exposure to crime. I always find these anecdotal pieces of advice so fascinating, as if one individual's bad experience sets the tone for a particular area. If that were the case no one could live anywhere and feel safe. The reality once again is that a good chunk of Hollywood west of I-95 is safe and desirable. I would advise anyone using these forums to take all advice given as just part of your decision-making process, and utilize your own investigative tools with the most telling piece of evidence a real-life visit.

[kyle19125]

Originally Posted by Clark Park

Hollywood is my hometown and this breaks my heart.

Way way back in the day ... like in the 1950's, '60's, and early '70's Hollywood - believe it or not! - was considered desirable and prestigious. North Lake, South Lake, Hollywood Hills, Emerald Hills, etc. were preferred residential neighborhoods. I grew up near South Lake east of US1 and it was a lovely neighborhood. One would mention Hollywood in the same sentence as Coral Gables or Boca Raton.

I still think much of Hollywood is beautiful. I was there a few weeks ago, visited my few remaining relatives. Hollywood Beach is one of the best on the Gold Coast.

Near where I grew up:

I agree. Those that call it "old" clearly have no appreciation for the architecture and would rather live in drywall boxes in gated communities. My old neighborhood of Crescent/Rainbow/Highland Drives intersecting with Polk/Taylor/Fillmore/Pierce/Buchanan/Lincoln Streets (west of I-95) is still beautiful, well kept up and is in no way dangerous.

[HOORAYforHOLLYWOOD]

I have lived in Hollywood Fl since 1982 and would not ever think about moving. Have seen so many GOOD changes and even bigger ones to come soon. Of course every area has it's problems both crime and deteriorating areas but Hollywood has and still is coming a long way. Run down homes have been receiving help from the city and being spruced up with fresh paint and upgraded landscaping. Rte 441 and US 1 have also been being refreshed with many improvements. Margaritville is to open within 2 years on Hollywood Beach, brand new mall at 441 and Hollywood blvd after demolishing the old mall and rebuilding a new mall with a super Walmart & many other quality stores. The beach has been and is continually being upgraded with beautiful lights, beautiful concrete barriers w/ entrances to one of the cleanest beaches around. Our drinking water supply is the cleanest in all of south Broward county, our electric and utilites bills the lowest compared to surrounding areas including car insurance. Young Circle Park has many activities for adults and children and is not loaded with unsavory characters. I have Amtrak, 95highway,turnpike, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami airport and 5, soon to be 6 casinos within a ten mile radius which has not brought any serious problems as all the opponents spoke of. Myself, I will be here till my end comes because there is not a more affordable, friendly and serene (unlike the bigger cities with way overpriced housing) setting in which to live. HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD

Originally Posted by vigo

Hollywood has some nice areas but it has gone way downhill over the past 25 years or so. The Lakes section east of US 1 between Johnson and Washington Streets is still nice, as is Emerald Hills just west of I-95 between Sheridan and Stirling.

As far as things to do, Hollywood's claim to fame is the beach and the broadwalk. There are some decent restaurants downtown but the shopping there is terrible. No nice shops but a lot of strip malls with some big box stores. No Whole Foods, either (but there is one in Aventura, not too far away).

Young Circle is nothing special (it's not called Young's circle, by the way). They have some festivals there and food trucks once a week, but there are still too many bums in that area to make it very family friendly.

This is just my opinion -- I'm sure you'll hear others who disagree with me.