Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a lively and sunny city located just 25 miles north of Miami. Also known as the Yachting Capital of the World, the city can back up its claims about being sunny with more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and 13 million annual overnight visitors make it a lively and popular tourist destination. If you are thinking of relocating to the sunny state of Florida permanently, or if you are just a snowbird who moves with the weather, we will guide you through the benefits of buying a dream home in Fort Lauderdale.

The state of Florida

Everyone gets fed up with cold weather, especially this time of the year when the winter seems like it will never end. Moving to a place that is always warm sounds like a dream come true, and you wouldn't be alone in this thought process. The average temperature in Florida year-round is 70.7 F, making it the warmest U.S. state, which is to be expected since no part of the mainland is very far from the ocean. Many choose to buy their second homes here because of warm winters, and the state is a popular winter and spring holiday destination for people from all over the U.S, but also from Europe and Canada. Beach towns are numerous in Florida, and they are favorite getaways for students during spring break. There are plenty of reasons to move to Florida, ranging from no income taxes to a low cost of living, making it a financially sensible decision.

If you are moving across state lines, you might want to do some research, for example, how to best structure your personal finances to make use of the state's taxation laws. It would also be wise to consider why you are moving to Florida to pick the right city and neighborhood. Choosing a tourist-heavy area will give you a sense of living a permanent vacation lifestyle, which might sound fun to some, while others will want a calmer place that is a bit out of the way. Long-distance moves are not a small thing, so you must choose carefully. Also, know that relocation from different parts of the state will require long-distance movers to take good care of your possessions, so make sure you plan ahead to avoid the headache of organizing the move last minute.

Fort Lauderdale

With a population of 183,109, Fort Lauderdale is one of the larger cities in Florida; it's also one of the state's fastest-growing cities. Also called “The Venice of America,” it is a top-rated spring break destination, and it consistently gets high rankings from students and partygoers. Fort Lauderdale is home to some of America’s most popular beaches. Many of the locals tend to enjoy outdoor activities, and due to the warm and sunny weather, the beaches are busy all year round. Although the weather tends to be consistently warm, the tropical rainforest climate still takes some getting used to.

The influx of tourists and college students has slowly transformed Fort Lauderdale from a partygoers' escape to a more refined place to visit. High-end resorts offer luxury services, and numerous restaurants promise fine dining in practically any cuisine you have a craving for. Even if you are thinking of buying a dream home in Fort Lauderdale, you can scout ahead and drop in for a short vacation once the coronavirus guidelines allow it, of course. Getting there is easy, and there are multiple airports if you are coming in by plane. Entertainment options are abundant, and the city's nightlife scene is bustling with many cocktail bars, breweries, and wineries. The laid-back resort lifestyle made Fort Lauderdale home to many concerts and art shows. There is a dedicated arts and entertainment district located along Las Olas Boulevard.

Popular neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale

Newcomers who choose to settle in this part of Florida have stirred the demand for real estate, leading to the construction of many new properties, so you shouldn't have a hard time buying a dream home in Fort Lauderdale. From beachfront property to gated community, you can find whatever kind of neighborhood you are looking for here. Some of the more prominent areas of the city include:

• Colee Hammock, a downtown area with restored historical buildings.
• Tarpon River, close to the water it also has supermarkets and shopping centers nearby.
• Victoria Park, luxury homes adorn this upper-middle-class neighborhood.

If you need more help picking out a great neighborhood, you can check out our previous article on the subject, where we took a deeper look at the most popular places in town.

Finding your dream home

People who want to relocate to Florida have recently been eyeing Fort Lauderdale since the real estate prices are a lot lower than Miami. Fort Lauderdale lacks cheaper homes due to its popularity, as most of the lower-end options have already been snatched up. Figure out your budget and keep looking because new homes are always going up for sale, but be ready to move fast when you see something you like. Check comparable sales records to ensure you are getting a good deal on your property and try to negotiate a fair price.

Once you have chosen your dream home, you should be all set to move to Fort Lauderdale. Be sure to plan in advance and allow for additional expenses that might occur at each step of the move. If you know what to look out for, it will be easier to anticipate and mitigate any hidden costs associated with the relocation process.

A move to a new house is never easy, and such life-changing decisions shouldn't be taken lightly. Regardless of your reasons for moving, Florida is always a popular choice, and Fort Lauderdale is close enough to Miami to be part of the constant action. Even if you are not thinking of relocating permanently, owning a second home or a vacation house is becoming a popular trend. Buying a dream home in Fort Lauderdale will allow you to take part in Florida’s endless summer, often at a much lower price than in other parts of the Sunshine State.