Hey folks, Just moved here 13 months ago and Household incomes average around $81,675 in Pembroke Pines. It's a a mid-size city city with about 171K people. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Am I wrong here?
4 upvotes
24 Replies
Leonardo Harris
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 5 years. Moved from Chicago for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly 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 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. government 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:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are average. 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. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And cost of living can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Paisley W.
thanks for sharing
36 upvotes
Amelia Reed
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Sunset area are hit or miss. Kids love it here.
33 upvotes
Billy J.
I'm a writer and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is decent and there's always something going on.
32 upvotes
John Ward
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
Nicholas Ortiz
I'm a sales manager and I've found it exceeded my expectations. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
27 upvotes
Leah G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Meadowbrook. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is pricey right now, especially in retail. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Feel free to reach out with questions..
24 upvotes
Gianna
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a contractor who relocated here from Seattle about 12 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and weather.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Diverse dining options
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it decent compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
22 upvotes
Jonathan Walker
underrated comment
22 upvotes
Luca Carter
Totally agree!
21 upvotes
Grayson Jones
big facts right here
17 upvotes
Levi Sanders
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. it exceeded my expectations. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Olivia Nelson
I've lived in Eastside for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Salt Lake City, I was surprised by weather. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- The safety scene is solid
The downsides:
- Bugs and humidity in summer
- Far from beaches/mountains
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for singles. Definitely worth checking out..
13 upvotes
lucas_girl
This.
12 upvotes
Austin Ramos
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 29, moved here 6 years ago from San Francisco. I've lived in Uptown and Eastside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Nice parks and green spaces
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- Eastside: 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 developing. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$90K 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.
10 upvotes
Colton Green
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much manageable but now it's solid.
10 upvotes
bostonlocal2021
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a physical therapist who relocated here from Denver about 3 years ago. The main reasons were weather and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's improved dramatically in recent years. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
happy_joshua37
Bought a house here in 2022 and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Property values have gone about the same since then.
6 upvotes
oaklandfan2024
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 7 years and I love the pace of life here. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's manageable and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cost of living is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Westside side vs the Old Town side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
5 upvotes
Arianna Mitchell
lol so true
5 upvotes
William White
as a local I can confirm
3 upvotes
Aiden L.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in North. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in government. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally better than expected. It took about 7 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like craft beer.
Definitely worth checking out..
2 upvotes
Ethan M.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in South. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in retail. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
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