Relocating to Ft. Lauderdale Area (Help?)

[jollygreen23]

My family is moving soon and I'm nervous. I've lived in Tallahassee since I was 14 and have no idea how to get started in a new area. From finding a good doctor, to where to live, to finding good places to take my kids to play/learn. How do I find all these places?

If anyone is in the Ft. Lauderdale, FL area, or if you've lived there before and know the area, do you have any recommendations? We're starting from scratch. My husband is working in Hallandale.

[MsPeacock]

How old are your kids?

Are you using a realtor to help you find a place to live (buy or rent)?

I have found, having moved many times in my adult life that the following helps" 1) Be as extroverted as you can tolerate. Say hi to other parents at the park, grocery store, the kid's school, etc. 2) if you work w/ a realtor describe to them what sort of neighborhood you want - what features, community type, etc.  A realtor who has worked in the area for sometime will know how to help you find this stuff. 3) talk to your new neighbors, look for local mom/parent listserve, sign up for classes or kids' activities.

I lived in Hollywood, FL - but almost 20 years ago and as a single grad student - so my information is many years and 5 cross-country moves out of date.

[nazar]

I don't live in Fort Lauderdale, but work in my company's office there intermittently.  The most important piece of advice I can offer is that commuting in South Florida is horrible, so MMM advice to live near where you work is critical.  Do you already have a job lined up or will you be searching for one when you move?   

[jollygreen23]

I don't live in Fort Lauderdale, but work in my company's office there intermittently.  The most important piece of advice I can offer is that commuting in South Florida is horrible, so MMM advice to live near where you work is critical.  Do you already have a job lined up or will you be searching for one when you move?

My kids are 2 months old, 3, 5, and almost 8.

My husband is currently working in Fort Lauderdale and he's looking for places that are within 2 miles of his job. I'm currently a stay-at-home mom, and if the schools aren't what we're looking for, I'll homeschool our kids. Otherwise, I'll start looking into nursing school.

[nazar]

You will have plenty of choices for nursing school.  That's easy given the numbers of colleges and universities in the area.  I'm a DINK so I can't advise on the school system, but I do know a lot of people choose living in Broward country over Miami Dade county for the schools, even if their jobs are in Miami and they have ridiculous one plus hour commutes each way as a result.  Outdoor activity choices are abundant between beaches and parks.  There is an interesting Museum of Science and Discovery that the older kids would like, although it is a pricy outing by Mustachian standards.  Jazz Brunch the first Sunday each month in the same river front  area - free music on the riverfront is more MMM style.

[jollygreen23]

You will have plenty of choices for nursing school.  That's easy given the numbers of colleges and universities in the area.  I'm a DINK so I can't advise on the school system, but I do know a lot of people choose living in Broward country over Miami Dade county for the schools, even if their jobs are in Miami and they have ridiculous one plus hour commutes each way as a result.  Outdoor activity choices are abundant between beaches and parks.  There is an interesting Museum of Science and Discovery that the older kids would like, although it is a pricy outing by Mustachian standards.  Jazz Brunch the first Sunday each month in the same river front  area - free music on the riverfront is more MMM style.

Wow, thank you. Any specific place that I can google is very helpful. We've done year passes to museums for Christmas presents before. That may be the only way we get to the Museum of Science and Discovery :)