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Fort Lauderdale, FL

Population: 175,153
livability score shield 64

Key findings

  • Fort Lauderdale has a Livability Score of 64/100, which is considered below average
  • Fort Lauderdale crime rates are 118% higher than the Florida average
  • Cost of living in Fort Lauderdale is 14% higher than the Florida average
  • Fort Lauderdale real estate prices are 64% higher than the Florida average
  • Rental prices in Fort Lauderdale are 10% higher than the Florida average

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Best Places to Live in and Around Fort Lauderdale

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Compare Fort Lauderdale, FL Livability

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      What do the locals think about Fort Lauderdale?

      22%Family friendly 33%Public transit is accessible 44%Walkable to grocery stores 22%Yards are well-kept 22%Lots of parks 67%Walkable to restaurants 33%Friendly neighbors 78%Safe at night 33%Pet friendly 67%Streets have sidewalks 44%A quiet area 44%Sense of community
      Based on 9 votes from AreaVibes users. See all Fort Lauderdale poll results.

      How Do You Rate The Livability In Fort Lauderdale?

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      Fort Lauderdale Real estate & Rental prices

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      Fort Lauderdale Demographics

      Population175,153 Median Age42.0 Have Kids (under 18)37%
      See more Fort Lauderdale demographic data

      Fort Lauderdale, FL

      Fort Lauderdale is no doubt one the most iconic cities in the southern part of Florida. While it began as a military fort during the 1800s, it has grown into a classic Florida city that is known the world around as a symbol of the Sunshine State. Miami, West Palm, and Orlando have very little above what Fort Lauderdale offers, and in many ways it is still a quaint area with a down home feel and not as much hustle and bustle as Miami in particular. It is home to the famous Fort Lauderdale Beach and right up the road from Dania where many of the locals go to enjoy the ocean.

      Fort Lauderdale currently has a population of just under 200,000 residents and a minimal crime rate for a community of its size. This is especially true along "The Strip" that runs parallel to the beach downtown. There are businesses galore with many ethnic-based restaurants and attractions that feature authentic Cuban and Puerto Rico cuisine at its finest. One of the most interesting places in town is actually the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum that attracts visitors from all over the world. The whole of the community is actually immersed in water sports of all types due largely to ocean access and the constant barrage of sunshine and amazing weather.

      Living in Fort Lauderdale is actually surprisingly cost-effective, as rental rates are below the median for the south Florida region and grocery stores are abundant and close to many of the subdivision locales like those in and around Davie and Plantation. Night life is great there as well with nearly 150 restaurants and night clubs. And this is not to mention the private membership dinner clubs. Home prices are also highly consistent and the market is always in a "buyers" mode. And retail access is also abundant with the huge assembly of shopping malls and business centers sprawled across Broward County.

      Another advantage of Fort Lauderdale is the fact that it is a hub of international travel. The airport is centrally located for easy access to all regions of the city, and there is indeed an international feel to the whole of the community. This adds significantly to the diversity advantages for all local residents and sets a solid back drop for the outstanding education facilities featured throughout both Fort Lauderdale and the Broward-Dade County duopoly. In many ways, the two counties are seamless regarding where one stops and the other begins until reaching the outskirts of the Miami metropolitan area.

      If you are planning on moving anywhere in Florida, Fort Lauderdale should be on the short list because there are many advantages in being a Fort Lauderdale resident.

      Top Rated Schools in Fort Lauderdale

      Name Grades Students Proficiency
      Bayview Elementary SchoolPK - 562187%
      Virginia Shuman Young Elementary SchoolPK - 573078%
      Harbordale Elementary SchoolPK - 544872%
      Charter Schools Of Excellence RiverlandKG - 54070%
      Floranada Elementary SchoolPK - 575562%
      Fort Lauderdale High School9 - 122,12862%
      Sunrise Middle School6 - 81,38854%
      Bennett Elementary SchoolPK - 542950%
      See all Fort Lauderdale schools

      The best places in Florida

      Here are the best places to live in Florida10 Best cities in Florida for employmentSee the best places to live in & around Fort LauderdaleTop 10 best public schools in Fort Lauderdale

      Fort Lauderdale Reviews

      Write a review about Fort Lauderdale Tell people what you like or don't like about Fort Lauderdale…
      Review Fort Lauderdale
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      Attractions0/10
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      Dysfunctional city worst city I have lived in
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      Attractions5/10
      Community2/10
      Nightlife8/10
      Dining4/10
      Shopping2/10
      The city government and management is dysfunctional. No one can help answer questions but they complain about everything. Water is yellow and smells like mushrooms, we pay extremely high water bills compared to other cities but they think this is ok with no plan to fix it. Sewers are breaking in the streets and takes forever to fix it. I find most of the people to be nice but for the most part people are rude and disrespectful. Shopping sucks you have to drive to any other city for good malls. Restaurants are ok, a few good choices but you have to go to Miami for great restaurants unless you like over priced hotel food.
      • Anonymous (Current resident)
      • Jan 07, 2021
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      I Love Working & Living in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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      Attractions10/10
      Community10/10
      Nightlife8/10
      Dining8/10
      Shopping8/10
      Fort Lauderdale, Florida is a wonderful place to live and build a business. I first moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1980 and seen the community go through many changes. Back in the 1980's I enjoyed spring break, cheap beer and hotel rooms. Today you'll find 5 star hotels and dining.
      • Anonymous
      • Dec 28, 2017
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      Ft. Lauderdale - Overlooked and Underrated
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      Attractions8/10
      Community8/10
      Nightlife8/10
      Dining8/10
      Shopping8/10
      I've been to Ft. Lauderdale a half dozen times over the last couple years. Mostly because I find Ft. Lauderdale is always cheaper to fly into than Miami. Miami Beach is only about a 30-40 minute drive from Ft. Lauderdale, directly south. Ft. Lauderdale might not have quite the appeal that Miami Beach does, but it still has great beaches, restaurants, shopping and you won't get hit with the high prices like you do in Miami Beach.

      If you're looking for a great place to grab a bite and a couple drinks, try the Downtowner Saloon (10 South New River Dr East). They constantly have cheap drink deals or half price appetizers. The place is always busy with a great atmosphere.

      The beaches in Ft. Lauderdale might not be quite as good as Miami, but they're still great and not nearly as busy. It also helps that you can land a hotel in Lauderdale for a fraction of the cost of one in Miami. Overall, Ft. Lauderdale is a good chance of pace if you're looking for a more affordable, quieter place to hang you hat.
      • AV Jon
      • Jan 12, 2011
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      Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Paradise On Earth
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      Attractions10/10
      Community9/10
      Nightlife9/10
      Dining9/10
      Shopping10/10
      Having lived in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida most of my life and recently moving away from there I truly miss it. I often refer to it as my paradise on earth.

      With the warm sunny days and the ocean breeze it was like living on an exotic island. There is always something to do there whether it's a drive to the beautiful beach or shopping at the huge Sawgrass mills mall where busloads of people come for great deals. Downtown Ft. Lauderdale offers many attractions for the entire family include the IMAX theater and the Museum of Discovery And Science where kids get to interact with exhibits. The Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art is also located downtown. Riverwalk is a good place to visit with many different restaurants and you can even take a boat ride and tour the beautiful mansions along the New River intercoastal waterway. Ft. Lauderdale comes to life at night with many clubs, bars and restaurants, many with live entertainment.

      I truly love Ft. Lauderdale and always will. Sometimes especially in the winter months when the snowbirds arrive, the traffic can be hectic but other than that it's a great place to visit and an amazing place to live.
      • Anonymous
      • May 06, 2010
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      Reason for reporting
      Source: The Fort Lauderdale, FL data and statistics displayed above are derived from the 2016 United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
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