Location – Location – Location! You’ve heard it dozens of times, and your Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Guide is happy to say, the location of Fort Lauderdale is perfect! If you are looking for a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, friendly neighbors, and all the offerings of a fine city within a large metropolitan area – let’s get started!
The population of Fort Lauderdale is about 190,000 and the City of Fort Lauderdale has a good handle on strategic master plans and initiatives to keep up with evolving needs and growth of the city. The benefits of being part of the larger Miami Metropolitan Area (total population of about 6.2 million) include overall transportation availability (airports, light rail, highways) and “big-city” events and sports. Fort Lauderdale is the county seat for Broward County, population of about 2 million. Lots of good stuff happening right here!
Fort Lauderdale’s economy involves a hefty amount of tourism, but it also has a large presence in other industries like boating, finance, marine, manufacturing, technology, and film/TV production.
Once known as “the” destination for college spring break (in the 1940’s through the 1980’s), Fort Lauderdale has passed and enforces some strict laws to put a halt to much of that mayhem – and now attracts a different genre of tourists – both wealthier and more family-oriented.
Fort Lauderdale doesn’t miss much …
From cultural events to a terrific light rail system (TriRail) to high-end shopping to Port Everglades (the third largest cruise port in the world) … oh, and Fort Lauderdale is also the Yachting Capital of the World with over 50,000 registered yachts and 100 marinas … life is happening and it is downright enjoyable here! Your Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Guide also loves the abundant sunshine, beach yoga, live music, dog-friendly city, neighborly folks, and opportunities to participate in local events and causes.
We don’t have snow or mountains, but we do enjoy a great afternoon rain (which can come and go in 10 minutes!) and a terrific transportation system with the light rail, airport, highway system, and waterways. Let your Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Guide get started looking for your new address!
Waterways and more waterways! Being named “The Venice of America” is pretty serious business in a city with 165 miles of navigable canals! Water taxis are a way of life here – and can deliver you to restaurants, events, shops, and sightseeing! This all may sound a little “fancy” if you aren’t familiar with canals and water taxis, but it really is a way of life here. Your Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Guide can vouch for all the benefits of life on the water and how to enjoy both the sights and the ease of getting around.
Speaking of navigating – a street you need to know about is Las Olas Boulevard – it’s a major thoroughfare in Fort Lauderdale. Here you will find the hub of action – shopping, dining, hotels, and lots of events and festivals.
There is no shortage of restaurants and nightclubs in Fort Lauderdale. Over 4100 restaurants and over 120 nightclubs – this means you could eat at a different restaurant every day for over eleven years! Oh gosh – every type of food, every price point, you can find it here! A few personal favorites for your consideration:
Whatever your fancy – seafood, tacos, dessert, appetizers, cocktails … go for it, so much to choose from!
This is what your Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Guide enjoys most … talking about housing and neighborhoods! Even with the crazy real estate market, Fort Lauderdale remains affordable, but is also home to some very wealthy folks and price point is important to determine! Here is a sampling of neighborhoods for starters:
Knowing your wish list will determine where your Fort Lauderdale Real Estate Guide will start looking! Think about lot size, proximity to water and beach, shopping, restaurants, home size, distance to work/school, and your budget. Median home prices are around $315K and the cost-of-living index here runs about on par with the national index of 100.
