Moving to Fort Lauderdale: Everything You Must Know

Broward County's population grew almost twice as fast as the country overall in the decade since 2010 – an increase of 11.7% in the county compared to the U.S. average of 6.3% – and Fort Lauderdale itself saw an increase of 10.1%. In the few years since these Census statistics, our own research of migration patterns across America indicates the population growth in and around Fort Lauderdale has continued to outpace most of its traditional competitors, including Miami.

Top Reasons to Relocate to Fort Lauderdale

World-Class Beaches and Boat Accessibility

Barrier Island has the largest beaches in the area in terms of cubic feet of sand, which makes it prime real estate for the many 4- and 5-star hotels competing in a fairly small geographical space.

In and around these giant hotels are dozens of other resorts, spas, upscale shopping malls such as The Galleria and, of course, plenty of beach bars and high-end restaurants in every direction.

Another relatively unique feature of the city is the inland reach of its boating canals. These waterways allow larger boats to venture further inland than they would be able to at other locations along Florida's coastline.

Originally, the canal system was created purely for logistical reasons — it's much safer to navigate compared to the open ocean and, because it's man-made, its depth is much more uniform and reliable for those with deep-draft vessels. Docking your vessel much closer to home without the cost of beachfront real estate is also nice.

Fort Lauderdale's Location Allows Easy Access to Miami and the World

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is just 6 miles south of Central Fort Lauderdale. This proximity helps the city stay connected on a global scale and benefits everyone from tourists to freight companies and its residents.

Miami is roughly 20 miles further south of the airport, which makes it very likely that Fort Lauderdale's residents will find the amenities and major infrastructure they need somewhere nearby in South Florida at any given moment.

If life in the city ever starts to feel stale, a quick trip to the Everglades can add some spice. The doorstep to this wild expanse is just a little over 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and, of course, there are tried and tested recreation parks, tours and more to assist those who aren't looking to pit themselves against the Everglades.

Climate

Sunshine and clear skies are some of the least interesting points about Fort Lauderdale, until these two elements fail to appear, of course.

As most Floridians are keenly aware, the state's climate can also be a negative attribute, and it's impossible to factor in long-term decisions such as relocating. If the forces of nature decide to take a turn, you'll generally have time to leave, but there's no time to take everything with you.

Unfortunately, Fort Lauderdale tends to find itself in the eye of a hurricane once every decade or so. Hurricane Irma is the most recent occurrence, causing over $77 billion in damages and claiming over 100 lives in September, 2017.

On the bright side, the sun came back and so did the people (if they ever left) and those in South Florida know how to rebuild.

Job Market

Current statistics and economic predictions for the future are generally good in Fort Lauderdale. The tourist sector is taking a hit now, in 2021, but the economy and its workers are more diversified than one may expect at first look. The unemployment rate, recent job growth and future prospects are all above average for the country, and salaries in many occupations are ahead of the curve by $10-15,000 or more.

What's Living in Fort Lauderdale Like?

Cost of Living

It's expensive to live in the area of Fort Lauderdale, and there is no simple trick to avoiding this reality. In fact, the overall cost of living here is 17.9% higher than the U.S. average, according to Sperling's Best Places, and 15.1% higher than the norm for Florida.

Fort Lauderdale's high cost of living is seen in almost all categories, with only small exceptions found in health and utilities. Residents pay 4% less than the national average in health costs and benefit slightly from a 3.6% savings on utilities.

Housing and transportation costs put the most upward pressure on the overall average. Fort Lauderdale's median home cost is roughly 33% higher than that of Florida and transportation is up by 18.2% compared to the state's already expensive situation in this category.

Parks, Museums and Culture

Cultural hotspots in the area take many forms — some are priceless, such as the 120-year-old Stranahan House that now serves as a museum and introduction to Fort Lauderdale's history. In the present day, however, the city has become much better known for its pricey, palatial resorts and hotels that line its beaches.

Water is a very important part of the city — providing food, fun and transportation — and there are dozens of yacht clubs, marinas, landings, fishing spots and seafood restaurants.

Another area that's rich in both culture and cost is the Victoria Park neighborhood. This area is home to many cultural sites, activities and amenities throughout the sprawling grounds of Holiday Park.

The north end of the park has several baseball fields, soccer pitches and the ArtServe gallery, as well as the Stonewall National Museum and Archives, which focuses on LGBT exhibits and history. At its center, Holiday Park has a large area for dogs and their owners, surrounded by more sporting facilities such as a roller hockey rink.

Jimmy Evert Tennis Center sits at the southern edge and the park's network of roads and walking paths then wind around to the large War Memorial Auditorium and event venue, then past the Parker Playhouse.

Despite the relatively high cost of living in the immediate vicinity, Holiday Park is open to the public and very popular with locals.

The city has another large green space located along the beachfront, including the Bonnet House Museum and Gardens and the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.

Which are the Best Neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale?

If the finances of this decision are of no concern, Fort Lauderdale has no shortage of glamorous locales. For this guide, however, we must consider the cost of each neighborhood.

1. Victoria Park: Central location, close to one of the largest parks in the area, great variety and quality of nearby restaurants. Quite expensive.

2. Downtown: Outside of Victoria Park, the downtown area is somewhat more affordable and always active. It offers what most would expect from a city living in terms of culture, music, bars and food.

3. Plantation: Home to the greatest golfing and country clubs in the area, and one of the few relatively close areas with large, single-family homes, although they're expensive.

4. Dania Beach: Interesting area just south of the airport that's known for an eclectic mix of art, antiques, casinos and its densely-wooded eastern edge.

5. East Fort Lauderdale: Although it's more well-known as a tourist hub, this area has its way of charming those who enjoy some more solitary pursuits as well, such as fishing, hiking around the large parks and boating.

How Allied Van Lines Can Help in Moving to Fort Lauderdale

As of 2021, Allied has been helping American families and businesses for almost 90 years when the time comes to relocate for greener pastures and, in the case of Florida in particular, to sunnier skies. We study the big picture to predict and grapple with emerging trends — view our 2020 migration map, for example, which revealed Fort Lauderdale as a top destination in the state and nationwide. We also noted that the city outpaced its traditional South Florida competitor, Miami.

Each person had their own reasons for moving — they came from all corners of the map — and, more importantly, each person had different requirements that needed to be handled with care and by experienced professionals.

Allied is a full-service moving company that can be trusted for the long haul, from coast to coast. Our team stands by across the country, ready to safely pack your valuables and heavy household items, and unpack them with care at your destination.

Get your free quote here on our website or call 800-689-8684 for our moving service representatives.