Best Areas for Young Couple Moving from North East (Fort Lauderdale: apartments, rental)

[Pear Martini]

My boyfriend and I are considering moving down to Broward County. I have a job opportunity near the Sawgrass Mills Mall that will pay $52,000 starting. Is that enough to live off of comfortably in Broward county?

We are in our 20s, young professionals, and own a small dog. My boyfriend isn't a huge Florida guy but he is willing to move with me for my career. He does love the beach, swimming, and wandering around bookstores. I want us to be near enough to the beach for him to be able to walk there in 20 or less minutes. I really want this transition to be easy for him as he is a true Northerner although has been wanting to try living in the South East.

My ideals are:

*nice, safe, clean area for a young professional couple
*20 minutes or less walking from the ocean
*30 minute max commute to Sawgrass Mills area
*A prefer being in a family friendly/quieter area vs. a party neighborhood
*$1,000 rental budget for a 1 bed
*reserved parking spaces
*a community where people jog outside, own dogs, near a gym, yoga studio (active community)
*near a whole foods, farmers market, or organic market
*nice swimming pool & balcony
*english speaking (we both are native English speakers...I'm Hispanic but I prefer to be in an area where English is the main language)
*Nice, friendly, nonsketchy people...nice neighbors
*young professionals & families would be great
*near bookstore(s)
*Jewish community would be a plus but not necessary

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[vigo]

Just FYI - if you want to be within a 20 minute walk to the beach, you'll have to find a place east of US 1. That would pretty much rule out a 30 minute commute to Sawgrass Mills, especially during rush hour.

I'll let others recommend communities that would fit your other requirements.

[Pear Martini]

Originally Posted by vigo

Just FYI - if you want to be within a 20 minute walk to the beach, you'll have to find a place east of US 1. That would pretty much rule out a 30 minute commute to Sawgrass Mills, especially during rush hour.

I'll let others recommend communities that would fit your other requirements.

Thanks for the FYI...I guess I can be flexible on either. Where am I more likely to find the other things I listed for around 1000-1100? (families & young profs, not too crazy party scene, safe, nice people)

[wizrap]

Weston (Bonaventure section), Cooper City and Plantation (west of University).

[wizrap]

Forgot to add Davie (west of University). Good luck!

[Pear Martini]

Thanks for the suggestions. All of these seem a bit far from the beach though. Is there anything closer to the beach that fits my description?

[wizrap]

I'm not a realtor but with your budget, it's going to be difficult (IMHO). You'd probably have to double it for a nice 1bd near the beach.

[Pear Martini]

I used to rent a luxury 1 bed (2008) that was a 20 minute walk to Sunny Isles Beach for 1,000 so I feel like there has to be somewhere in Broward like this?

I always thought the intracoastal area of Fort Lauderdale sort of near Las Olas was beautiful but I'm not sure if its safe and family friendly. Def want to avoid a crazy party neighborhood.

[Mr. Lee]

33301 Las Olas area is a safe area for the most part, no place is 100% safe, I see 3 places listed within your budget in the 33301 zip code on Realtor.com and that zip code is close to the beach but not on the beach. Also 2008 is a long time ago when it comes to prices.

[cfbs2691]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lee

Also 2008 is a long time ago when it comes to prices.

SO true! Prices have been skyrocketing the last year.