Firstly why Fort-Lauderdale, Florida?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Fort-Lauderdale
• State: Florida
• Population: 183,109 people
• Fort-Lauderdale’s quick summary would be Known as the ‘Venice of America’ for its extensive canal system and vibrant boating scene.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 30,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 23,000 annually
• Net Migration: 7000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 5,000
• Number of Homeless people: 1,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it known for its nightlife and beaches attracts tourists and professionals

Perk #1: Fort-Lauderdale Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 36%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 55%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly White
• The median income is (and growing)  $81,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Fort-Lauderdale is $79,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $-2000 in negative cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Fort-Lauderdale’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $4,111
• Property Tax %: 1.1%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $2,000
• Rent for an average house: $2,900
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Las Olas Isles
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Fort-Lauderdale, Hollywood, Dania-Beach, Pompano-Beach, and probably could include Wilton-Manors
• Avg. Age of Homes in Fort-Lauderdale: 59 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.6%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Fort-Lauderdale’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Fort-Lauderdale are  Tourism, Healthcare, and Retail
• Fort-Lauderdale Job Scene: growing job market in tourism and finance
• The General Tech Scene: developing tech landscape focusing on local startups and tech services , ,
• Fort-Lauderdale Resident’s pay $1,700 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Fort-Lauderdale: 7%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 200 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 21

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Fort-Lauderdale

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $140 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-95 connects Fort Lauderdale to Miami and beyond
• Commute Time: 28 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: congestion on US-1
• Transportation Score: 56 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Fort-Lauderdale: 170,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.9
• No. of Car Washes: 10 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Fort-Lauderdale: flhsmv.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 70 of 100
• Local Airport: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Fort-Lauderdale’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Hurricanes
• General Weather in Fort-Lauderdale is best described as has warm winters with temperatures in the 70s and hot humid summers with occasional thunderstorms
• Winter Weather in Fort-Lauderdale i’d describe as warm and humid
• Spring Weather in Fort-Lauderdale can be described as warm and humid with rain
• Summer’s in Fort-Lauderdale are mostly hot and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Fort-Lauderdale is usually warm and humid
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 41 days in summer
• Days in a row in Fort-Lauderdale below Freezing: 0
• Average Annual Rainfall: 65 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality influenced by traffic
• Fort-Lauderdale Winter Air average air quality influenced by urban pollution

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Fort-Lauderdale Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Fort-Lauderdale 7
• While the number of trade schools inside Fort-Lauderdales’s city limits are 5
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Fort Lauderdale Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Fort-Lauderdale Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 11 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Fort-Lauderdale only Doctors is about 220
• Local Hospitals here is  20
• Full-time Fort-Lauderdale only Police Officers is about 844
• Crime Rate Index: 40/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Fort-Lauderdale’s Monthly utility bill average is $160
• Fort-Lauderdale’s Monthly Gym Membership: $60
• Fort-Lauderdale’s Water Quality Score: 80

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Fort-Lauderdale

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 15 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: coastal city with a bustling nightlife and waterfront activities
• You might enjoy concerts at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Fort-Lauderdale  features a lively waterfront nightlife with a variety of restaurants and vibrant clubs

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Fort-Lauderdale

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Includes a vibrant dining scene with many international choices
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 90 scattered around Fort-Lauderdale
• The Popular Sports Team is Fort Lauderdale Strikers
• Top Level Political Climate in Fort-Lauderdale can be described as liberal coastal city emphasizing social justice and the arts
• Fort-Lauderdale’s Longer standing religious establishment is Grace Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Fort-Lauderdale Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Fort-Lauderdale has 50 Parks?
• Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is Fort-Lauderdale’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Fort Lauderdale Farmers Market normally open Sunday 9am-3pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Beach activities, water sports, and biking

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Fort-Lauderdale Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Fort-Lauderdale can be described as busy urban life with a focus on beaches and tourism
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Fort-Lauderdale picnics at the beach community sports excursions
• The Cities people commute to from Fort-Lauderdale are Miami 24 miles away Pembroke-Pines 11 miles away Davie 10 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Fort-Lauderdale or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: congestion on US-1. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Fort-Lauderdale’s Hurricanes risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Las Olas Isles is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Fort-Lauderdale are Miami 24 miles away Pembroke-Pines 11 miles away Davie 10 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 40 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Fort-Lauderdale has 0 days in a row below freezing and 41 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Fort-Lauderdale people have an average (positive or negative) $-2000 in negative cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   1,000 homeless people living in Fort-Lauderdale. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general liberal coastal city emphasizing social justice and the arts could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Fort-Lauderdale.

Retiree & Senior Life in Fort-Lauderdale

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can may qualify for special exemptions lowering property taxes
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Five Star Premier Residences
• Fort Lauderdale Senior Center provides social resources meal programs and wellness activities

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Fort-Lauderdale, Florida?

If Fort-Lauderdale, Florida ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Fort-Lauderdale, Florida, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!