Is Fort Lauderdale, FL, a Good Place to Live?

What’s It Like to Live in Fort Lauderdale?

Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is like being on vacation every day. With 24 miles of sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, Fort Lauderdale is a magnet for renters who want warm, sunny weather and fresh seafood, and its location along various bodies of water earned it the nickname the “Venice of America.”

Facts to Know About Fort Lauderdale

According to the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a hotspot for loggerhead sea turtles. Fort Lauderdale residents can see loggerheads during nesting season from April to July.

• Population: About 183,000, according to the 2020 U.S. Census.
• Special landmarks: Everglades National Park, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale Beach.
• Historic implications: Fort Lauderdale was named for a series of forts built in 1838 during the Second Seminole War, and it reprised its military usage with a Naval Air Station during World War II.
• Universities: Nova Southeastern University is a major college in Fort Lauderdale, and Florida Atlantic University and Everglades University in Boca Raton are also nearby.

The Pros and Cons of Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Pro: Beach weather

Residents enjoy the Florida sun all year. Between 2006 and 2020, Fort Lauderdale’s climate averaged 76.2 degrees and 67.12 inches of precipitation annually. Compared to the national average of 53.51 degrees and 31.41 inches, Fort Lauderdale has a much more tropical climate.

Residents on Niche.com love the city’s weather. One resident said, “Truly amazing weather! Always the perfect time for a pool or beach day.” Another resident said that it’s “sunny almost every day.”

Con: High cost of living

South Florida is an expensive place to live, and Fort Lauderdale is no exception. The cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is 19.8% higher than the national average, and the average rent in Fort Lauderdale is $2,251/month, 39% higher than the national average rent of $1,625/month.

Residents on Niche.com say that Fort Lauderdale is a great place to live, but it gets more expensive the closer you get to Downtown Fort Lauderdale and beachside areas. One resident said, “The tourist part of Fort Lauderdale is nice, but very expensive to live in. I’d also like to see easier access to affordable housing.”

Pro: Beach access

The Florida sun and Fort Lauderdale’s location near the ocean makes it the perfect place for beach lovers. With 24 miles of sandy coastline, it’s only a 20-minute drive from the most inland part of Fort Lauderdale to the nearest beach.

One resident said they enjoy living near to the beach: “Being so close to the water is a huge plus, whether it’s for a quick beach day or just enjoying the views.”

Fort Lauderdale is also close to other major beach cities, and one resident said they enjoy the proximity to nearby big cities: “we are perfectly situated between Miami and Palm Beach, which is perfect for weekend trips.”

Con: High congestion

All the great parts of Fort Lauderdale make it a popular place to live and vacation, and residents notice the city growing more and more crowded.

The city’s population and tourism industry impact the infrastructure, making it harder to commute. One resident said that Fort Lauderdale is “very overpopulated, so that makes commuting long anywhere.”

Most of Fort Lauderdale’s public transportation consists of buses that are also subject to traffic, which doesn’t relieve much rush hour congestion and creates delays in bus arrivals. One resident said Fort Lauderdale’s public transit system “doesn’t work because it’s unreliable.”

Pro: Great neighborhoods

Places to live in Fort Lauderdale all capture Florida’s coastal charm regardless of how close to the water you live.

Three popular neighborhoods are:

• Coral Ridge: An upscale waterfront neighborhood near Fort Lauderdale Beach.
• Rio Vista: A historic area at the intersection of the New River, Tarpon River, and Stranahan River.
• Imperial Point: A peaceful suburb near Pompano Beach.

Con: Not walkable

Fort Lauderdale is not a walkable city, especially outside of Downtown Fort Lauderdale. One resident said that “sidewalks are nonexistent except a few blocks downtown.” Living in Fort Lauderdale requires a car, and the traffic requires patience.

Residents wish Fort Lauderdale were a more walkable city. One resident said, “We could have really beautiful communities if streets were made to be walkable and commutable.” Another said, “It would make getting around and enjoying the city even better if there were more pedestrian friendly areas.”

Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale

If you like seafood and the beach, you’ll fit right in here in Fort Lauderdale.

• Outdoor activities: The Everglades nearby are a must-see for Fort Lauderdale residents. Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Esplanade Park, Huizenga Park, and the Anne Kolb Nature Center allow residents to enjoy nature closer to home.
• Cultural attractions: Head to Las Olas Boulevard for a night out and catch a pop-up event at The Wharf. Spend a day wandering around the Museum of Discovery and Science or the NSU Art Museum.
• Dining: Fort Lauderdale’s location gives residents access to fresh seafood and amazing Latin food. Las Olas Boulevard is a hotspot for restaurants, and several restaurants overlook the New River or the Atlantic Ocean.

Ready to Make the Move?

If Fort Lauderdale has caught your eye, take the next step with Apartments.com! Take a look at the most affordable neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale, or use our customizable filters to narrow your search by price, amenities, and floor plan.

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