It’s been widely told that Mark Twain once called the summer he spent in San Franscisco the coldest winter he ever saw. Maybe he never spent a winter in the Northeast while Florida was basking in 70-degree, sun-drenched days.
For millions of residents of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and throughout the Northeast and Midwest, falling mercury can make them look south with envy at the warmer climate of Florida. That’s changing now. From millennials to baby boomers, people are thinking long and hard about how the place they live can provide the life they want.
No place is this more clear to me than here in our market of Greater Fort Lauderdale. From millennials looking to buy their first homes to baby boomers planning life’s next act to people reminded of how they’d like to escape the north as the first blast of cold weather arrives, Fort Lauderdale offers an ideal lifestyle destination.
Founded more than a century ago, Fort Lauderdale today is a dynamic real estate market set amid a thriving regional economy. The two suit each other well. Long known by those of us who reside here as a great place to work, live and play, the region is becoming even more widely known for its real estate opportunities. Whether as a place to live year-round, a winter or seasonal getaway or a long-term, rental income-producing investment, Fort Lauderdale checks all the right real estate boxes.
Tax-Weary Workers And Relocating Retirees
That’s a critical distinction to the 10,000 in the U.S. — and thousands more in Canada — turning 65 and/or retiring every day. Alongside those are active workers wondering “what’s next?” as they hope to wind down their careers without drawing down their retirement savings.
If they’re in high-tax states like New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and others across the Northeast and Midwest, they’re tax weary. The prospect of their pensions or 401(k)s taking less of a hit in the coming years is alluring indeed.
What’s more, with no city or state income taxes and a 6% state sales tax, it’s little wonder business leaders have coined living here as “life less taxing.” Florida delivers the American Dream, with more left in your pockets to enjoy that dream.
A Wintry Reminder
Winter’s arrival highlights what Greater Fort Lauderdale offers. Within reach of its 23 miles of Blue Wave-certified beaches, cities like Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach, Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Victoria Park and the bustling downtown Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas and Flagler Village neighborhoods provide homes, townhomes, condominiums and even luxury rental apartments that bask in the region’s reputation for affordable living amid a welcoming climate.
These coastal cities — often called the “Venice of America” for their miles of navigable inland waterways — boast waterfront homes, townhomes, and condos. They present exciting opportunities for those who love the tropics and should pique the interest of any investment and retirement planner as a long-term real estate play.
Employers looking for a new home for their companies and job seekers alike should look to the metropolitan area stretching from Miami through Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach. Even telecommuters would discover that winter days spent working in South Florida for an employer based in New York, New Jersey, Boston or Chicago adds immeasurably to their quality of life.
For all residents, there’s the draw of retail, entertainment and world-class dining options without the sky-high rents, taxes and costs of living that are driving almost 1,000 people each day to call Florida their new home.
How To Plant Roots In Fort Lauderdale
How can you make Greater Fort Lauderdale your vacation, investment, relocation or retirement destination? First, get to know us. Research the market and the neighborhoods, restaurants and attractions in a place you’d want to call your home.
Next, seek out the different cities that have the amenities you want, such as proximity to the beaches. Our real estate market stretches from the seagrass to the sawgrass with every home style in between. No matter what you’re looking for — a condo, a duplex, a single-family home — Greater Fort Lauderdale has properties and investment opportunities for every lifestyle.
Finally, plan your trip south to scout out what you’ve discovered. Get your feet wet, as they say. Drive around and get a feel for the different communities and envision yourself there.
No matter your station in life or career, Greater Fort Lauderdale offers boundless options for every demographic. Whether as your first, next or last home; a vacation getaway; or an income-generating rental investment, a piece of a retirement portfolio or for maximized estate appreciation, our slice of paradise can be your destination of choice. Then you’ll be the envy of your friends up north — and maybe even in San Francisco.