Fort Lauderdale Help

Skippy

New Member
Aug 13, 2008
66
Connecticut
Boat Info
280 DA
Engines
T - 4.3 Alphas
Hi Florida boaters - wasn't sure whether to post in this forum or General but let's try here first.

I live in CT but I'm getting to an age (45) where the idea of having a second home somewhere warm to spend half the year in retirement really appeals to me. Probably about 10 years from retirement but I want to start paying off the mortgage now and spending vacation time there.

I'd like to get a placeholder in the market now while prices are coming off because I'm scared of what the Fed is doing with the money supply and fear big inflation down the road.

Anyway , after a big search around various spots I decided I really like Fort Lauderdale because of the boating access (plan to do a lot in retirement) and the proximity to Miami and Palm Beach.

I am looking in 33301 zip code right now, want to spend $1.5 - $2.5m on a single family home. Anyone have some local knowledge I can PM back and forth with about the area, the community etc?

Thanks folks - hoping to become part of the community (at least part time) this year!
 
There really isn't much boating to do in Lauderdale believe it or not. In FL the boating is on the west coast. Of course the east coast is closer to the bahamas but how many times will you go there in a year. As far as daily trips go there is not much to do. Going down to Biscayne bay and various places around there are OK. But its a decent hike from Lauderdale. I lived in Lauderdale back from '00-'02. Its a concrete paradise, but I would suggest checking out the west coast for a more laid back environment and lots of boating.
 
Thanks for the advice Jim - I looked in Sarasota and Naples but found them to sleepy for my taste - I don't want to go to Miami every weekend, but I'd sort of like to know I could! I live 50 miles from NY now - it's the same feeling, I go 4 times a year probably...

I just love the feel of the houses off Los Olas Blvd (not to mention the people watching there) you know the canals around the intercoastal etc.

Also we have friends in Palm Beach (too expensive) and Miami (too noisy), but aren't really drawn to either one and Ft Lauderdale seems like a good compromise in both lifestyle and proximity...

Besides, I love the idea of being able to just go to the end of my yard and jump on my brand new 400DA and head for the Bahamas!
 
I'm just south of Tampa Bay on the Manatee river, and although I've only been here for a year and haven't boated nearly as much as I had hoped to in that period of time, I enjoy it very much. I think you would be very happy anywhere between Bradenton and Naples. The Tampa Bay area of the gulf coast is very developed in comparison. Pick up a copy of the Cruising Guide to Western Florida for more detailed information about boating this area.
 
I occasionally work in SE FL and the entire area seems to blend together for me. Its all a zoo. Maybe in 10 years you'll like the sleepy west coast??? I must be aging prematurely because I love it at age 43. :grin:
 
hmmm - I flew to Tampa and spent a week between there and Naples & nowhere leapt out at me (just my personal taste - no offence obviously) as somewhere I would want to live...and with the pull of good friends on the Atlantic coast, and the appeal of "Little Venice" in Fort Lauderdale, it became a no brainer from there...I'm sure the gulf is beautiful and cool...it's just not for me...
 
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Thanks for the advice Jim - I looked in Sarasota and Naples but found them to sleepy for my taste - I don't want to go to Miami every weekend, but I'd sort of like to know I could! I live 50 miles from NY now - it's the same feeling, I go 4 times a year probably...

I just love the feel of the houses off Los Olas Blvd (not to mention the people watching there) you know the canals around the intercoastal etc.

Also we have friends in Palm Beach (too expensive) and Miami (too noisy), but aren't really drawn to either one and Ft Lauderdale seems like a good compromise in both lifestyle and proximity...

Besides, I love the idea of being able to just go to the end of my yard and jump on my brand new 400DA and head for the Bahamas!

I live on the Isles off Las Olas. It's great. Better arts community than you may think and many good, edgy places to eat. I'm using the boat about twice as much as I thought I would. It takes me 1.5 hours to get to Biscayne, plus the Keys, the Bahamas and so on.

The real estate market is complicated but if you like Las Olas you've narrowed things down a bunch. Prices have fallen but not as dramatically as the not on the water areas. Houses on the water with a good dock will be $700-$1000'. $2M will get a place on the water in the area with top line finishes.

I'm not in the business but I know a couple of good no BS realtors if you need a lead.
 
Take a look at the Punta Gorda, FL area. Excellent boating all year round not to far from Miami/keys plus you can go across the okeechobee water way (when water levels are up) all the way across the state to get to the bahamas if you want.

All the great Tarpon Fishing Events on TV are normally filmed in Boca Grande Pass which is in Punta Gorda area. Plus Cape Haze Marine Max is an excellent service center on the water (intercoastal).
 
Adopt me and I will go house hunting for you :) I am 30 minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale.


Boulder GT3, I heard a while back that they were getting rid of Las Olas to turn it in a high rise condo, however, I have not heard anything as of late. Do you have any info about that since you live in the area?
 
Adopt me and I will go house hunting for you :) I am 30 minutes away from Ft. Lauderdale.


Boulder GT3, I heard a while back that they were getting rid of Las Olas to turn it in a high rise condo, however, I have not heard anything as of late. Do you have any info about that since you live in the area?

Huh? Las Olas is a street that runs from downtown FT. L to the beach. It has some retail and nice restaurants on one end, access to the Isles in the middle and the beach on the other.

Maybe you are thinking of the Riverside Hotel that bought a block or so and is going to expand the hotel. That project is still on.
 
I used to live off Las Olas, right behind the restaurant Louie Louie. I loved living there, but I was 25 and loved the night life. I was right next to the Isles. The Isles would definitely be a sweet spot to live. It is a busy busy place. Sounds like that's your thing so it would be a good centrally located spot.
 
I used to live off Las Olas, right behind the restaurant Louie Louie. I loved living there, but I was 25 and loved the night life. I was right next to the Isles. The Isles would definitely be a sweet spot to live. It is a busy busy place. Sounds like that's your thing so it would be a good centrally located spot.

25 and behind Louie Louie I'm sure involved a lot of fun. Start at the Elbo Room, go to the other end and repeat.

One of the things I really enjoy about living on the Isles is when guests or my kids are here. It's so busy and crowded here. It's nice to be able to have people get on the Las Olas trolly or give them $10 in cab fare and they can go anywhere they need to for entertainment. Keeps everybody out of cars and makes it easy.
 
My suggestion is to look at Vero Beach. The Moorings is a great (gated) subdivision that has homes in your price range. You are close enough to Miami and only five miles to an outlet. It is an easy run to the Bahamas's, great fishing and boating and you will be close to your friends. The prices are down right now. My nephew purchased a home that had been on the market for two years priced at 4.3M for 2.1M. He has his 52' Viking at his back door.

Good Luck!
 
The comments above are really good. West coast is nice because the boating waters are much more friendly than the Atlantic. If you want a night life then you're right about Naples and Sarasota, they don't have one.

I would rent a place for a year and see if you like the area and how much time you actually have to spend here. I see a lot of people who are in love with the idea and then find out they don't have as much time as they think they do. I would also focus on areas near good regional airports so you have ready access to get here until you "retire".

Ft Lauderdale my be up your alley because the people there tend to be Northeasterners. I find it extremely busy but some people like that madness. I like the west coast because the boating is great and the fishing is very good. It is a little sleepy and we find the median age a little older than we care for. I'm your age and have lived here for 8 years. My wife complains that there aren't enough people here our age and that is a fair assessment of many areas of Florida.

You might take a look at Tampa St Pete too. It's a little more metropolitian, excellent boating and good airport connections.

The prices are really good right now so if you have the cash it's a good time to find something but I don't think you have to be in a hurry.

I think you need to focus on what's the most important reason you want to be in Florida and then the rest is a compromise.

Good Luck.
 
Great advice everyone thanks - vvvv much appreciated...

We're sold on Fort Lauderdale...for a whole host of reasons related and unrelated to boating...making a trip down soon to look at places...want to bike to the beach, bike to the main drag and most of all get in my new boat at the end of my yard and set off for the bahamas!

anyone have suggestions where we should be looking? limit is $2m for the perfect place...
33001?
elsewhere?
 
I live near Ft Lauderdale in Hollywood. My boat is moored on the New River and I love it there. There is a lot to do both on the boat and off and lots of people to do it with.On any given weekend you can find a raftup somewhere with somebody.I would look at the Isles, it's a very nice area and close to most everything. You may also want to look at the Lake Silvia area on the beach side near Bal Harbor.

As to the suggestion of Vero Beach, I love that town. We have a nice home on the water there and it is very pleasant boating because it is not nearly as crowded and there are less no wake zones than in Ft. Lauderdale. You can probably get twice the house in Vero than you can in Ft. Lauderdale. It is also nearly a straight shot to Grand Bahama or north of there the Banks on the way to the Abacos. The people are super nice up there (sort of what things used to be like in days gone by). The downside is the social life or lack thereof, the sidewalks roll up about 8pm and you are hard pressed to find a restaurant open much after that.

If you are heading this way for sure there are a number of us making a trip to Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama at the end of May. You'd be welcome to join us, there are some very nice people.Check out this thread http://www.clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14301

Ray
 
I love FLA already - so friendly...thank you folks...

Is The Isles 33309? - was really looking closer to the Beach of Las olmas but happy to be persuaded w local color...

would like to have the intercoastal just beyond my pool if possible - I'm sure you guys understand:smt038
 

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