Best area outside Lauderdale commute/living (Fort Lauderdale, Plantation: real estate, lease, condo)

[Rhodeislander]

Hi all,
I'm from Rhode Island. My wife may have an opportunity to work in Lauderdale, she makes several trip there now for work and I have joined her on occasion.
I would like to return at the end of the month to see what the bedroom communities are like outside the city.

So far I like,
Weston
Boca

My concerns are:
Travel time to Pier 66 area from these places for her work.
Not thrilled with the whole bums sleeping on benches thing.

Family quality for my 10 year old daughter, private school may be an option.
I think we would lease first, and buy later.

What areas should I look at?

[Momma_bear]

I would include Plantation, Davie, and Cooper City on your list. My husband commutes from Weston to Ft. Lauderdale and it is around 25 miles from our house to his office on Las Olas Blvd.

Where are you from that you have not encountered street people?

[Rhodeislander]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

I would include Plantation, Davie, and Cooper City on your list. My husband commutes from Weston to Ft. Lauderdale and it is around 25 miles from our house to his office on Las Olas Blvd.

Where are you from that you have not encountered street people?

Rhode Island really does not have that at all. I have been to Lauderdale several times and am always amazed at this. Providence has an area, maybe 10 blocks, where you see people sleeping outside or pan handling. Its very concentrated, seems in the Lauderdale area to be more widespread, maybe even overlooked or condoned? I may be overly sensitive to it as I have never seen it this often.

I then see that newer areas like Weston have secured gated entries? Whats all that about? I can tell you RI has never seen a gated anything.

What is the commute time for your husband?
Is traffic an issue wherever we choose? Or is west better than trying to move north or south?
Thanks for the help.
RI is very small and everyone know each other it seems. Just the size and amount of people in Florida makes it overwhelming. You have more businesses in one block than we do in the entire state.
I don't know how you can find anything? HEHE

[AttilaLaczko]

Traveling from Weston to Fort Lauderdale requires timing - the eastbound corridor of 595 is busiest in the moring, the westbound corridor of 595 is busiest in the afternoons. Again, timing is everything and you figure out what works best for your situation.

The other traffick pockets are from I95, Turnpike, US1 - during rush hour, you use these when necessary, and utilize the grid-based street system that we have down here to wiggle your way to your destination. Certain areas draw the most traffic and if you have to confront those bottlenecks, you have to either deal with it and run the gauntlet, or find a way around (without taking longer to get around than it does to deal with it!!).

A great way to choose a neighborhood with school age children in the family, is to go to greatschools.net, find where the best A-rated schools are, including public schools and pick the neighborhoods that are part of their districts. I know of a Coastie family that chose a home in Cooper City - and they are putting their children into an A-rated school instead of private school.

We have a large community down here, and I always emphasize that to be safe, you need to be smart about what you do day in and out. Do NOT leave valuables in the car - EVER - not for a second!! Know your neighbors, and keep a look out for their safety. And be proactive - have the local police number on hand and call in suspicious people walking around soliciting.

[Christinekim]

If she is working at Pier 66 then the drive from Boca will be pretty far. I would suggest maybe East Ft Lauderdale area, around Coral Ridge maybe Imperial Point? Depending on your price range. There is a private school around that area as well. There are bums all over unfortunately, on lots of intersections and gas stations, there is no getting away from that. Just remember there is lots of traffic here so wherever you move make sure the commute will be ok because its very stressful driving here.

[tonyc]

Good private school - American Heritage.

[dk22]

Have you also looked into Lighthouse Point? No gates and very safe. Great neighborhood with very children friendly environment. Ok, I'm a bit bias because I live there, but I've lived out west before and it wasn't for me.

[Rhodeislander]

Thanks again all.
I will look into the private school and lighthouse point. My wifes commute to Newport is 40 min. Not a big deal, we just have heard some horror stories about traffic in FL. Then again with snow your talking and hour and 40 min!!!
Florida is large and overwhelming coming from a small close knit state. Just looking to research as much as I can. Thanks again!

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by Rhodeislander

Rhode Island really does not have that at all. I have been to Lauderdale several times and am always amazed at this. Providence has an area, maybe 10 blocks, where you see people sleeping outside or pan handling. Its very concentrated, seems in the Lauderdale area to be more widespread, maybe even overlooked or condoned? I may be overly sensitive to it as I have never seen it this often.

I think it's pretty common in urban areas. Fort Lauderdale and most of Broward is pretty urban.

Originally Posted by Rhodeislander

I then see that newer areas like Weston have secured gated entries? Whats all that about? I can tell you RI has never seen a gated anything.

The gated entries were a big marketing tool for the real estate developers in Weston. They provide the illusion of being very exclusive and cost very little to build. They do a little to keep out the riff raff, but not that much.

Originally Posted by Rhodeislander

What is the commute time for your husband?

It varies. He tries to get on the road by 7 or so an traffic is not that bad at that time of day. It probably takes him 30-40 minutes in the morning. He leaves around 6:30 and there is not that much traffic at that time either. When he has to go in later in the morning, or leave earlier commute times can approach an hour.

Originally Posted by Rhodeislander

Is traffic an issue wherever we choose? Or is west better than trying to move north or south?
Thanks for the help.
RI is very small and everyone know each other it seems. Just the size and amount of people in Florida makes it overwhelming. You have more businesses in one block than we do in the entire state.
I don't know how you can find anything? HEHE

The traffic going east (AM) or west (PM) is worse than any of the north south traffic here in Broward.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by Christinekim

If she is working at Pier 66 then the drive from Boca will be pretty far. I would suggest maybe East Ft Lauderdale area, around Coral Ridge maybe Imperial Point? Depending on your price range. There is a private school around that area as well. There are bums all over unfortunately, on lots of intersections and gas stations, there is no getting away from that. Just remember there is lots of traffic here so wherever you move make sure the commute will be ok because its very stressful driving here.

Boca-Ft. Lauderdale is not a bad commute as long as it's not really far west in Boca.