Moving from Midwest to Ft Lauderdale- family of 6

[jurce9]

Thank you all for the info on the suburbs. I've been finding some prospects for houses and schools, so thank you for the awesome input.

Are there any family friendly neighborhoods closer to the beaches in Ft Lauderdale that might be worth looking into as well? I know that my requests are very specific and this would mean paying a bundle! I'm just curious as to your opinion on safe, family friendly neighborhoods with good schools closer to my husbands job in Ft Lauderdale. Do such places exist?

[Papillons2]

If you'd consider something east, take a look at Imperial Point, which is in northeast Fort Lauderdale. It's close to the beaches and only about a 15-minute drive from downtown Fort Lauderdale. It's an older neighborhood by South Florida standards (built in the early and mid-'60s), but low-crime and upscale. The mix of people is interesting: Original owners now in their 70s and 80s who've never moved, middle-age professionals and plenty of families. You'd be able to find something very nice within your budget (a 4/2 or even 4/3 with pool generally can be had for the mid-$400Ks). Downsides compared to the suburbs: The homes are older, of course, and generally smaller than what's available in western Broward for the same price. Most of the lots are small, 1/4 acre. And you almost certainly would have to send your kids to private schools (there are a few good ones close by) because the public schools that serve the area aren't the best. But for someone working in Fort Lauderdale, the location is hard to beat.

In the interest of full disclosure: We lived in Imperial Point for 20 years before downsizing two years ago, so I'm slightly biased.

[jurce9]

Thank you for the info on Imperial Point. Can you tell me which private schools you'd recommend? Our oldest is in all-day kindergarten this year and next year we will be sending our twins to preschool as well. Just wondering which schoolswould be worth considering and where their location is.

[Papillons2]

Westminster Academy (affiliated with a Presbyterian church) and St. Coleman's School (part of a Catholic parish) are five minutes away.