Moving for job in Miramar, need a catholic school and a nice area to live (Pembroke Pines: section 8, to rent)

[Ali3372]

We are relocating to Florida from Atlanta. My husband will be working in Miramar. He is used to commuting so we don't need to live right in Miramar. We have our 2 boys ages 5 and 7 in catholic school here so would like to continue with that. We want to rent in an affordable area close to a nice catholic school. Our current school is very middle class and diverse and we want the same. Just a nice community where we can meet friends fast.

[StilltheSame]

He is probably working off Miramar Parkway near i75 - if so there are a number of communities in the area - I would recommend Isles of Sunset Lakes in West Miramar - the community is nice and probably quite reasonable now. The schools are good also there was a Catholic Church on Miramar Parkway - west of 75 across from Target - that may have a school.

Other good options Weston and St. Marks school (off Flamingo blvd in davie); Cooper City, Pembroke Pines (St. Marks is close to all the areas I have suggested)

[vr2]

Yeahhhhh. You won't want to actually LIVE in Miramar. West Miramar is fine to work in, but living in Miramar is another story.

The good thing is, as StilltheSame mentioned, your husband is most likely working in West Miramar near I-75. Which means you can head up the highway only about 3 minutes and be in West Pembroke Pines, Southwest Ranches, or Weston. All fine places to live and raise a family - with good schools, including the ones mentioned on Flamingo Road virtually in Southwest Ranches.

I know you mentioned "diverse" - but understand "diverse" in Florida is MUCH different than diverse in Atlanta. I think you will be satisfied though with the catholic schools in Cooper City.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by vr2

Yeahhhhh. You won't want to actually LIVE in Miramar. West Miramar is fine to work in, but living in Miramar is another story.

The good thing is, as StilltheSame mentioned, your husband is most likely working in West Miramar near I-75. Which means you can head up the highway only about 3 minutes and be in West Pembroke Pines, Southwest Ranches, or Weston. All fine places to live and raise a family - with good schools, including the ones mentioned on Flamingo Road virtually in Southwest Ranches.

.

Weston and Southwest Ranches are objectively nicer, but don't really see a difference in Pines. Just as there is some section 8 in Nautica and a part of Monarch Lakes, there is some in the Pines section of Silver Lakes too. There is nothing wrong with Sunset Lakes, the sections of Silver Lakes that are in Miramar, Silver Shores, and even on the east side of 75 there is nothing wrong with Huntington, Country Club Acres, Triolgy, and even the rest of Monarch Lakes. These areas are exactly the same, and in a few cases a tad nicer than Pines in terms of being less congested. Between the two, I would just go for wherever one could find a nicer house for the money, considering they are very similar price wise too, as is Cooper City, and even Weston honestly.

[vr2]

After living here for awhile, it becomes apparent that Miramar rolls of the tongue as "ghetto" - even West Miramar.

I'm sorry, but I just wouldn't recommend it. Miramar is a declining city. I wouldn't particularly recommend Pines either although WAY out West in Pines near 27 is quite reasonable. If I were to make a choice on where to live out that way, it's Southwest Ranches or Weston all the way.

[heydade]

Weston all the way as VR2 mentions....

[Shoegal1075]

I have to admit I didn't want west miramar for the very same reason VR mentioned - however I wouldn't really classify mirimar as ghetto more seedy than anything - carol city to me is more of a ghetto - broward doesn't really suffer from that whole ghetto thing that you might have pictured in your head - kids who dress "HOOD" are just that kids who dress the part not necessarily play the part.

Now, you mentioned diverse - I have not found a city in Broward as diverse as PP - Weston is gorgeous and schools are great - cooper city to me was just very bland - and well the schools do not perform much better than PP - for schools - Weston wins hands down - but if you want pretty good schools with a diverse area PP is you area.

[fauve]

Yeah, I agree with Chelsa. Pembroke Pines is swell and only a 10 minute commute for your husband. No reason to live anywhere else.

[vr2]

Chelsa,

You clearly haven't been around Broward much towards downtown and Pompano Beach. There are very dangerous, ghetto areas. I have done a police ride along in Pompano, there are areas I wouldn't recommend driving through. Most people are just oblivious to it.

[StilltheSame]

Originally Posted by vr2

Chelsa,

You clearly haven't been around Broward much towards downtown and Pompano Beach. There are very dangerous, ghetto areas.

Chels is from New York. She gets it. Moreover - she was responding to the characterization of Miramar as "ghetto." East Miramar may be run down and economically challenged, but its not Cabrini Green. Isles of Sunset Lakes is a great community that isnt very well known - with a good choice of homes - a bit large for some, but very nice; and a good commute for OP. I am convinced that happiness in SFl is directly related to a short commute to any key areas such as schools and work.