Fort Lauderdale Real Estate: South Florida’s Hidden Gem
The city of Fort Lauderdale is located on the Atlantic coast of South Florida just twenty-three miles north of Miami. With an average temperature year-round of 75.5 degrees Fahrenheit and 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, this is truly a climate you’ll love to live in. The city is healthy and growing. It remains a popular tourist destination, with over 12 million visitors in 2012 alone!
Fort Lauderdale real estate comes in a variety of forms. Everything from classic homes that were renovated to accommodate today’s buyer, to custom built multi-million dollar mansions that provide unbeatable views out into the Atlantic Ocean.
The History of Ft. Lauderdale
The area where this city would eventually be was originally inhabited by the Tequesta Indians for twelve thousands years prior to European contact. The first time this tribe encountered Spanish explorers in the 16th century, it was disastrous because the settlers had unknowingly brought diseases with them like smallpox. Prior to the 20th century, the Fort Lauderdale area was referred to as the “New River Settlement.”
The United States eventually constructed an actual “Fort Lauderdale” in 1838. There were several more forts like this one used in the Second Seminole War. The names for the forts came from Major William Lauderdale and his older brother, Lieutenant Colonel James Lauderdale. Three forts with this name were constructed. The first was at the fork of the New River, the second at Tarpon Bend, and third was near what would become the Bahia Mar Marina.
Major development didn’t begin until the Florida Land Boom of the 1920’s. While the 1926 Miami Hurricane and the Great Depression caused a lot of economic stress, Fort Lauderdale recovered during World War II when it became a major US base with a Naval Air Station.
Today Fort Lauderdale is known for being a major yachting destination and one of the largest tourist destinations in the nation. The current population exceeds 1.8 million people.
3 Major Neighborhoods in Ft. Lauderdale
The median price for homes sold in Fort Lauderdale is $289,000. There are homes ranging in value from $400,000, to waterfront estates that sell for millions of dollars. While Fort Lauderdale once had a reputation as a spring break destination, the city has shifted to a more varied population.
Fort Lauderdale and native Rob Rose says that most his clients are former spring breakers returning as home buyers. He says that they recall their trips to the beaches here 30 or 40 years ago. Fort Lauderdale has changed though, as Rose points out: “Now it’s much more urban with a diverse and sophisticated restaurant scene.”
Here are five major neighborhoods for Fort Lauderdale real estate where you can find a variety of homes in this beautiful and diverse city:
Victoria Park
Downtown Ft. Lauderdale, and a specific stretch of road called Las Olas Boulevard, has become the beating heart of the city’s shopping, dining, and nightlife. It’s no wonder then, why a neighborhood like Victoria Park is so popular. This prime location near downtown affords them a quick trip to the city’s biggest entertainment and dining options.
Here you will find a mixture of older homes that have been restored by their owners. The neighborhood association is also very active in the safety of the children, traffic, and zoning topics. They even publish a newsletter that documents these things in addition to advice on some of the most popular locations.
Colee Hammock
As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, this neighborhood is built on a hammock which is a rise in the ground among the marshes and waterways once was a major portion of the city. Some of the homes here are up to 70 years old, and after the revitalization of downtown Ft. Lauderdale, they have been beautifully restored.
Historic homes share space with recent luxury home constructions, and condos here. Most of the streets have sidewalks, and the sewer system was redone by the city a short time ago. Within this neighborhood you will find the aforementioned Las Olas Boulevard. This is a world-renowned destination where you can find boutiques, sidewalk cafes, entertainment venues, and more.
Living here gives you the option to walk to dozens of restaurants, museums, art galleries, and even the New River and beaches. This neighborhood houses both the wealthy and the working-class who both enjoy the amenities of the local entertainment.
The Isles
This area is known as the “Venice of America” and for good reason. Waterfront properties were created here by dredging the mangrove swamps which created 300 miles of inland waterways within the city limits. This was made possible by a developer named Charles G. Rodes, who used the canal system of Venice, Italy to inspire his design. This is where you will find waterfront estates that sell for millions. Most of them will have yachts, speedboats, kayaks, and sailboats just outside, ready to drive down the network of waterways.
The beachside lifestyle combined with the massive entertainment options on Las Olas Boulevard, are only matched by the amazing climate and the variety of Fort Lauderdale real estate available to buy. The prices are lower here than ever before, and they are certain to rise in the coming months as the city continues to grow. Now is the time to reserve your place in this hidden gem of a city.