Relocating to Fort Lauderdale, FL — pros and cons?
Random thought, I've been here for 14 years and The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is pretty low. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Any advice would be great. Thanks for reading.
45 upvotes
28 Replies
Julia Watson
100%
40 upvotes
portland_nolan
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Compared to San Francisco it's better than expected.
39 upvotes
Scott M.
+1
39 upvotes
Samuel M.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem average.
I've been here 11 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the food scene is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is improving.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Riverside side vs the Cedar Grove side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Mia Robinson
I've been living here for 7 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The job market is average compared to other places I've lived. Overall It's not for everyone but it works for us..
35 upvotes
Addison Jackson
not my experience at all
32 upvotes
Hailey Johnson
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
31 upvotes
jaxliving2022
bump
30 upvotes
Asher M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 12 years. Moved from Minneapolis for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I have mixed feelings honestly. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 8/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
27 upvotes
Matthew
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 1 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the safety is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is surprisingly good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Fairview side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Definitely worth checking out..
27 upvotes
Emma Long
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
25 upvotes
Donald W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 9 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not a lot of cultural diversity. Road conditions need improvement. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
22 upvotes
Grace
I work in consulting here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is hit or miss. No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Sebastian Hernandez
I've lived in Springfield for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Minneapolis, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Decent public transit for the size
- The traffic scene is improving
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 8/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
21 upvotes
Kinsley Nguyen
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a writer who relocated here from Atlanta about 3 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Four distinct seasons
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are competitive, gas is challenging.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
Isaiah K.
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Internet is solid in most areas.
20 upvotes
Benjamin Brooks
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 41, moved here 13 years ago from Miami. I've lived in Eastside and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Homeless population growing downtown
3. The job market situation is wild and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Eastside: Great for remote workers. challenging vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Happy to answer more specific questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
16 upvotes
Sadie R.
Came here for weather and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The dating scene is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
14 upvotes
Harper G.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. housing market used to be much reasonable but now it's surprisingly good.
13 upvotes
Julia Edwards
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 37, moved here 15 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for young professionals. tough vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Francisco, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $50K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
11 upvotes
river_zoe29
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Joseph Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Cedar Grove for 1 years. Moved from Atlanta for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is improving - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Cedar Grove schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
9 upvotes
austinheart2022
hard disagree but ok
7 upvotes
Eva Rivera
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cost of living, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
5 upvotes
Adam S.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is weather. it's been a really good experience overall. Worth doing your research before committing.
4 upvotes
Evan Martin
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Midtown for 12 years. Moved from Boston for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
manufacturing is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Midtown schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And public transit can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
2 upvotes
Jeremiah J.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Boston and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Springfield. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally decent. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes
Adeline S.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
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