Moved to Broward County with no clue....Need Help! (Miami: best towns, real estate)

[KYtoFL2014]

I moved my family of 4 (including 2 children ages 10 and 12) from Louisville, KY to Broward County in June 2014 to take a job in Miramar. Despite spending hours and hours reading forums and opinions about how bad things are here, we decided to find out on our own. When we were researching rentals online, we found plenty of 3 bedroom rentals in the $1200-$1300 a month price range, only to see when we arrived that they were in bad neighborhoods. We are currently sharing a home with someone, and will need to move soon. I am realistic and know that we cannot afford the best towns/neighborhoods in that price range and probably should not have even came here with that low of a budget, but we did, and now we need a home. Can anyone recommend a decent area that may have 3 bedroom houses/duplexes for no more than $1,300 a month? Also, what is the best way to find a rental (online, driving around, real estate agencies)? I have read many arguments and rude comments in these forums and do not have time for that. Please, if you do not have any helpful advice, do not respond.

[ralanprod]

Well, you're in a tough situation.

Being realistic, I think you are going to need to make some sacrifices. You are probably going to have to decide if it is more important to have 3 bedrooms, or a better neighborhood. Decide which one is more important to you for the next couple of years and that will help you narrow things down a bit. Basically, you can probably get one but not both.

I think you may be stuck with an apartment / townhouse type situation. That's not the end of the world though. There are probably some apartments in Pembroke Pines close to your budget if a 2br is acceptable. I wouldn't say they would be the high end places, but still fairly safe. Personally, I would avoid the Sherman Circle area off of University and Pembroke Rd. (Unless someone can tell me it's changed for the better)

You might be able to find something around Nova University in Davie. There are a bunch of apartments/townhouses complexes that typically rent to the college students. Not perfect, but it could work.


I know there are quite a few complexes in the Coral Springs area. I'm not real familiar with Coral Springs, but judging by what I have seen the neighborhoods don't look bad.

If you need something convenient to Miramar, you could check around Miami Lakes or Palm Springs North in Dade County. Those areas are a little crowded for my taste, but they might work out for you.

As you have learned, do your homework on these places. Even within a "good" city, there can be bad neighborhoods. If you have something specific you want to ask about, fire away - someone here will probably be able to provide guidance.

[Momma_bear]

You might be able to find a 2BR apartment/townhouse in Plantation for that amount. I live in Plantation and most of the neighborhoods are nice.

[JohnD_fla]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

You might be able to find a 2BR apartment/townhouse in Plantation for that amount. I live in Plantation and most of the neighborhoods are nice.

Momma, you are back in Plantation?

[JohnD_fla]

Originally Posted by KYtoFL2014

I moved my family of 4 (including 2 children ages 10 and 12) from Louisville, KY to Broward County in June 2014 to take a job in Miramar. Despite spending hours and hours reading forums and opinions about how bad things are here, we decided to find out on our own. When we were researching rentals online, we found plenty of 3 bedroom rentals in the $1200-$1300 a month price range, only to see when we arrived that they were in bad neighborhoods. We are currently sharing a home with someone, and will need to move soon. I am realistic and know that we cannot afford the best towns/neighborhoods in that price range and probably should not have even came here with that low of a budget, but we did, and now we need a home. Can anyone recommend a decent area that may have 3 bedroom houses/duplexes for no more than $1,300 a month? Also, what is the best way to find a rental (online, driving around, real estate agencies)? I have read many arguments and rude comments in these forums and do not have time for that. Please, if you do not have any helpful advice, do not respond.

I don't think that anyone here will be rude to you after all that you've been though. But, the truth is that you're not going to find a 3 bedroom place in any decent area here within your budget. Your best bet may be having the two kids room together and get a 2/2. You should be able to get a 2 bedroom place for 1300.

On the matter of 'bad neighborhoods', in southeast Florida, some areas that are typically classified as 'bad' aren't necessarily as bad as what "bad" usually means in other big metros in our great nation. It really depends on the area. The folks may not be well off, but that doesn't automatically mean that there will be drive-by shootings or that you will wake up and not find the tires on your car. What I'm saying is that since you're already here and need to make a go of it, just go with what you can afford for now with a plan to move later when your situation is different.

[AlexRodriguez]

$1300 will get you a nice 2 bedroom in Weston. Avoid online searching cuz all you're going to find are "bait and switch" deals.

[Mr. Lee]

Use yellowkeyrealty.com to check out different towns, Sunrise has some 3/2 in your price range, check it a couple of times a day as brand new listings show up all the time. To be honest, in your price range you are not going to find too many places in the best areas. I checked Weston and do not see any, some people do rent by owner so driving around areas you like might find some of those but for the most part good listings go mls.

I am not a realtor and have nothing to do with yellowkey, I just find the newest listings show up there quickly so I have used them to find a place for my wife and I and to help friends.

[AlexRodriguez]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lee

Use yellowkeyrealty.com to check out different towns, Sunrise has some 3/2 in your price range, check it a couple of times a day as brand new listings show up all the time. To be honest, in your price range you are not going to find too many places in the best areas. I checked Weston and do not see any, some people do rent by owner so driving around areas you like might find some of those but for the most part good listings go mls.

I am not a realtor and have nothing to do with yellowkey, I just find the newest listings show up there quickly so I have used them to find a place for my wife and I and to help friends.

There are currently four listings for rent in Weston that can go for $1300

[Mr. Lee]

Originally Posted by AlexRodriguez

There are currently four listings for rent in Weston that can go for $1300

That is interesting because I can find none with 3 bedrooms and 4 with 1 bedroom, and a family cannot live in one bedroom unit, why don't you post the link to what site you are looking it up on so the op can see them too.
WESTON

[AlexRodriguez]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lee

That is interesting because I can find none with 3 bedrooms and 4 with 1 bedroom, and a family cannot live in one bedroom unit, why don't you post the link to what site you are looking it up on so the op can see them too.
WESTON

I see. Sorry, I totally forgot that the original posting was for 3/2. I'm talking about 2 bedrooms in Weston for $1300 is the best deal in an excellent area.