Help with South FL integration? (Miami, Hollywood: apartment, rental, crime)

[njloverinfl]

Hi everyone,

I moved down from the Northern NJ/NYC area to Weston, approximately 6 months ago, with my parents. As a recent college graduate, I was left with no other alternative. Unfortunately, entry-level salaries aren't conducive to self-sufficiency for liberal arts students, especially not in NYC suburbs. I am now looking into moving out on my own. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Here's a little bit about me and what I'm looking for:
I'm in my early twenties, and I'm currently working in Boca Raton. I'm not into the club or bar scene; therefore, proximity to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami/SoBe is of no consequence to me. I'd love to find a funky little place with a main-street vibe, live music venues and independent book stores; as well as a place where I can walk my Great Dane without the scrutiny of pretentious stares. I guess what I'm really looking for is a laid-back place without all of that pseudo-Wisteria Lane drama.

Oh, and reasonably priced. Is that asking too much?

Thanks, in advance.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by njloverinfl

Hi everyone,

I moved down from the Northern NJ/NYC area to Weston, approximately 6 months ago, with my parents. As a recent college graduate, I was left with no other alternative. Unfortunately, entry-level salaries aren't conducive to self-sufficiency for liberal arts students, especially not in NYC suburbs. I am now looking into moving out on my own. I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Here's a little bit about me and what I'm looking for:
I'm in my early twenties, and I'm currently working in Boca Raton. I'm not into the club or bar scene; therefore, proximity to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami/SoBe is of no consequence to me. I'd love to find a funky little place with a main-street vibe, live music venues and independent book stores; as well as a place where I can walk my Great Dane without the scrutiny of pretentious stares. I guess what I'm really looking for is a laid-back place without all of that pseudo-Wisteria Lane drama.

Oh, and reasonably priced. Is that asking too much?

Thanks, in advance.

Downtown Hollywood, Nuff said. Formerly dead strip, but it's livening up, it sounds a bit like what you are looking for. You won't have that whole Indie thing going on, but there are even a few bookstores!

[Journey2LS]

I agree. I think Hollywood is your best bet.

[compelled to reply]

I figure I add that it's even relatively affordable. I have a friend that rents a 1 bedroom in a slightly-shabby but ultimately safe, relatively clean apartment building on the good side of U.S.1 right off Youngs Circle for 750 a month (!!!!!). Look for some of those really old Spanish style buildings east of US1, they are charming and cheap, and if the surrounding neighborhood looks nice, it is. I do have to admit though, some of those neighborhoods fringing on Dixie Highway are a really good place to get mugged or buy crack. Hollywood is a very "fringey" locale, but you can make it there safe and cheap, but still have some charm and just enough grit to make it interesting.

[njloverinfl]

Originally Posted by fort lauderdale

I do have to admit though, some of those neighborhoods fringing on Dixie Highway are a really good place to get mugged or buy crack.

Ha! While getting mugged and buying crack are two of my favorite passtimes, j/k, are there any areas that are a little safer? Thanks for all of your input so far!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by njloverinfl

Ha! While getting mugged and buying crack are two of my favorite passtimes, j/k, are there any areas that are a little safer? Thanks for all of your input so far!

It's plenty safe, just be street smart and don't wonder on the wrong block. Your never going to get that funky "feeling" you are looking for (And I know exactly what you are talking about) without a little bit of grime and crime anywhere. The bad areas are pretty well separated from the good areas. I'm not talking about getting mugged in the middle of the daylight in those bad neighborhoods either.They aren't THAT bad, and to be honest I feel safer walking on the main strip there then I do in Coral Gables. Like I said, stay away from Dixie Highway, and stay east of U.S.1, and your cool. The only strip that even comes close in funk down here (besides the expensive Miami Beach) is in Delray Beach, and in all honesty Hollywood is safer (I WOULD feel unsafe going in some of those neighborhoods in Delray during the daylight).

[Hopeful127]

Hey NJ, I too did the same thing as you, what did you major in and what do you do if you don't mind me asking? I am having a bit of trouble finding a job, just trying to get some feedback. I am finding a huge difference in salary and find the cost of living here to be about the same as northern NJ.

[bale002]

If you work in Boca Raton, take a close look at Delray Beach. True there are some "funky" neighborhoods, but you can pick your spots and find something acceptable. Not sure what rents are now right downtown, with everything within walking distance, but generally speaking rental rates are comparable with the better towns and neigborhoods of southeastern Florida (not many of those).

A lot of new developments went up in downtown Delray during the boom (some are probably coming on line right now), so you have to check carefully if any of these failed: there may be some "ghost pockets" in the midst of some "shiny-looking" new buildings, whether permanently or during the off-season (which is most of the time). But you may be able to get a good deal on an annual basis right about now.

Obviously the advantage of Delray over Hollywood is commute time, no small consideration, but, true, Hollywood probably does beat Delray in terms of "funkiness" in the opposite sense of the term (or maybe in both senses, depending on exactly where you venture).

Anyway, good luck.

[njloverinfl]

Originally Posted by Hopeful127

Hey NJ, I too did the same thing as you, what did you major in and what do you do if you don't mind me asking? I am having a bit of trouble finding a job, just trying to get some feedback. I am finding a huge difference in salary and find the cost of living here to be about the same as northern NJ.

I majored in English, and I'm a proofreader at a publishing company. I didn't have much trouble snagging a gig, but the position is pretty specialized. What job field are you looking in? In my field, the salaries are pretty comparable. But you're right about the cost of living. I was shocked to find that it was about the same. I'm missing home, severely. Where in NJ are you from?

[Hopeful127]

I majored in Communication and minored in Spanish, and I still have yet to find anything in my field. I am from Hackensack....still getting used to FL. A HUGE difference.