The Best Neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale Area

Situated northeast of the Magic City, the "Venice of America" enjoys South Florida’s waterside perks without a ruthless city rush. But don’t get the wrong idea; Fort Lauderdale offers plenty for nightlife fans and fine-dining connoisseurs.

Yet its idyllic position, only 30 miles north of Miami, sets it apart as a more laid-back version of beachside life that makes South Florida so famous. Fort Lauderdale beaches are world-class, and Downtown Fort Lauderdale is packed with activity and entertainment. 

Below, we provide aspiring homebuyers with a quick tour through some of the best Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods and surrounding towns as they consider where to live in Broward County.

Best Neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale Area

• Central Beach
• Victoria Park
• Colee Hammock
• Rio Vista
• Las Olas Isles
• Sunrise
• Plantation
• Pembroke Pines

Central Beach

Central Beach is Fort Lauderdale’s answer to Miami’s South Beach, minus the raucous party scene. Instead, it offers a broad palette of open-air cafes, high-quality restaurants, and top-notch cocktail bars.

The neighborhood playground is, of course, the beach. A winding boardwalk, separated from the sand by Central Beach’s iconic, curving white barrier, is always filled with bicycles, rollerbladers, or anyone fancying some beachfront views.

Even if exercise is not your thing, the majestic pine trees that line the Central Beach boardwalk make any outdoor activity feel like you’re away on vacation. 

If you decide to buy here, you’ll choose from some of the best condos in Miami. Much of Central Beach’s housing stock is comprised of amenity-filled high-rises and low-key luxury townhouses. Single-family homes are also scattered throughout the neighborhood, though with larger price tags.

You won’t get bored here either. Central Beach hosts the iconic Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, while the neighborhood’s calendar is packed with open-air festivals and events. And if you’re up for it, you can explore the Swimming Hall of Fame whenever you desire.

Victoria Park

A short distance from the posh Central Beach, Victoria Park is a monument to "Old Florida" charm. 

Victoria Park was established in the 1930s, and many of the home styles from that era are on display today, still surrounded by the same lush greenery and towering pine trees. Though one of Fort Lauderdale’s most upscale neighborhoods, it rarely feels like an exclusive enclave of mansions and retains pockets of neighborly feel almost everywhere you go.

Holiday Park, the neighborhood’s centerpiece, is one of many outdoor perks for Victoria Park residents. The park is jam-packed with various trails, outdoor courts, a recreation center, and a spacious dog park. 

But if you ever find Holiday Park tedious, you can always zoom off to the nearby Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Here you’ll find a boatload of hiking trails and fishing spots anchored around a freshwater lagoon. And you don’t have to worry about packing lunch thanks to the nearby gastropub, Park & Ocean.

While famous for its luxury estates, Victoria Park is quite diverse in its real estate offerings. There are various condo options with competitive prices and plenty of charming townhouses with all the amenities.   

Colee Hammock

Life in Colee Hammock can be as boutique-like as the neighborhood itself. 

Established in the early 1900s, Colee Hammock has a rich heritage reflected in its charming mix of historic homes, lush gardens, and mature oak trees. The winding, peaceful streets highlight the pace you can expect from this waterfront oasis. 

Colee Hammock Park and Victoria Park are the local hotspots for outdoor recreation. Both offer impeccable water views and plenty of spots for picnics, fishing, and lounging. 

Beyond its natural beauty, Colee Hammock offers a vibrant food and drink scene. The neighborhood is home to several popular restaurants and bars, including PLANTA Queen, which creates imaginative plant-based dishes, and Sushi Rock, a small restaurant with some of the best sushi in Fort Lauderdale.

Interested buyers can select from a wide range of price points. There are waterfront estates with private docks and cozy, modern condos with more affordable price tags. 

Rio Vista

The neighborhood’s name, "River View," in Spanish, should hint at what to expect from this waterfront gem. It’s similar in size to Colee Hammock and shares in being one of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest neighborhoods. 

Though tiny, Rio Vista hasn’t stopped being a top choice for aspiring homebuyers. Take a stroll down the tree-lined Rio Vista Boulevard, where you can enjoy serene views of the Tarpon River and its waterfront homes, and you’ll quickly see why. 

Rio Vista and the surrounding neighborhoods are the cream of the crop of Fort Lauderdale’s luxury real estate. It has consistently maintained a pull on the boating and yachting community because of the variety of marinas and docks and easy access to the ocean. 

The neighborhood is split into two parts; the western portion hosts the area’s elite single-family homes, while the eastern side of town is home to Rio Vista’s finger islands, where multiple yachts are parked as if they were cars on a city street.

Naturally, the homes on the tiny islands are nothing short of paradise, with many of them commanding price tags well into the tens of millions of dollars. Yet, for a neighborhood as desirable as Rio Vista, there are still enough condo and townhouse options to make it worth exploring for interested homebuyers.  

 

Las Olas Isles

Few can deny that Las Olas Isles is the centerpiece of Fort Lauderdale’s upscale scene.

While Rio Vista gives you a taste of the upscale waterfront experience with its small collection of islands, Las Olas Isles is entirely made up of them. 

Stunning waterfront properties, from palatial estates to sleek modern homes, define the exclusive housing market. Each island is like a landing strip for a fleet of private yachts and boats, showcasing the area’s wealth and adding to a distinct decor unique to Las Olas Isles.  

Just like Rio Vista, the neighborhood is prized by boaters and water sports enthusiasts for its proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. It is also a hub for yacht enthusiasts and offers a variety of marinas, boat docks, and boating clubs. 

Las Olas Boulevard is one of the neighborhood’s and Fort Lauderdale’s defining thoroughfares. Attractive storefronts, eateries, cafes, all surrounded by palm trees and water, give Las Olas Isles an undeniable perk. Even the Broward Center for the Performing Arts is a short drive away, thanks to the Boulevard. 

 But while it elegantly carries the crown as one of Fort Lauderdale’s premier neighborhoods, Las Olas Isles doesn’t impose its luxury. Quaint streets lead to laid-back cafes that are anything but posh, while the blend of wine festivals and outdoor space will make you forget you’re surrounded by some of the most exclusive luxuries that Florida has to offer.  

Sunrise

Though these next few towns aren’t neighborhoods, their proximity to the city and popularity as some of the most desirable towns in the Fort Lauderdale area, warrants a spot on this list.

 One of Boward County’s first planned communities, Sunrise easily shows off the fruits of that labor. Quiet, tree-lined streets and a breathtaking web of miniature lakes make up the city’s landscape.

Sunrise is just a 35-minute drive from Fort Lauderdale and has plenty of features you would typically find in a perfect suburb. Tranquil streets, a network of manicured parks and playgrounds, and plenty of local shops. Yet its fame comes from points of interest you’d generally find in a bustling city. 

The iconic Sawgrass Mills outlets are the shopping attraction for all of Florida, packed with countless stores and eateries. And just a few streets away is the FLA Live Arena, home to the Florida Panthers and live, big-ticket events. Safe to say you’ll have plenty to do without speeding off to Downtown Miami.  

Interested homebuyers will have much to look forward to when shopping in Sunrise. The city offers a wide selection of condo buildings all along the price spectrum. At the same time, you can find single-family homes and luxury estates all over the city.  

Plantation

Designated as a "Tree City USA," Plantation is known for its tree-themed identity.

Lush streets, sporting names like "Cypress Boulevard" and "Holly Lane," reflect how enamored the city is with its healthy dose of greenery. Trees and vibrant grass fill vast stretches of Plantation, some of which host impressive estates while pristine local parks occupy others.

Every street is a pleasure to explore, never lacking in greenery or eye-catching charm. Discover them, and you’ll get a sense of Plantation’s housing stock as well. 

Many single-family homes enjoy spacious lawns. Plantation cherishes its access to the great outdoors, and residents make sure to extend that access to their homes. As a result, you’ll likely have a good selection of homes that offer green space if you decide to move to Plantation.

Golfers can chalk this city up as their top choice if they’re still undecided about where to live in South Florida. For example, Jacaranda Golf Club offers 18 holes surrounded by near-fantasy-like landscaping. Or, if you want to be closer to some action, you can frequent the Fort Lauderdale Country Club, which offers golf and highly-rated dining. 

As a cherry on top, a 19-minute drive gets you to the heart of Fort Lauderdale, giving you quick access to its beaches. 

Pembroke Pines

What sets Pembroke Pines apart is its unbeatable location and immaculate design. Though the furthest from Fort Lauderdale among the towns we’ve mentioned, it still clocks in a 36-minute commute and is well-worth the drive.

The untamed marshes of the Everglades Natural Preserve border Pembroke to the west, while Hollywood is nestled to the east. One provides a neverending selection of unforgettable hiking trails, while the other gives quick access to some of South Florida’s best beaches. 

The best part? They’re both accessible via the 820; no turns or detours, just a straight drive in either direction.

The 820 splits Pembroke Pines neatly in half, making every part of the city accessible as well. You might live on the easternmost tip of the city, but you’ll have no issue reaching the local Costco, situated towards the western part of town.  

Naturally, a suburb this perfect will have its fair share of high-priced homes. But, Pembroke Pines extends its accessibility perks even to affordable housing. Of course, there are gated communities with monumental estates that can give anyone sticker shock, but there’s a healthy selection of diverse condos and apartments as well.

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