Find Your Work-Life-Beach Balance Here
Why make the move to Greater Fort Lauderdale? Newcomers enjoy a perfect blend of sun, sand, job opportunities, affordability, diversity and culture.
Cathy Brown’s husband once asked her where her dream location would be, and she responded by saying she wanted to get far away from the snow. In 2022, that dream came into focus, as the empty nesters both landed great jobs in South Florida and made the move to Greater Fort Lauderdale from the Midwest.
“We love the warm weather, the beaches, the cultural offerings, the pedestrian-friendly areas, and the diversity of cultures and opportunities,” says Brown, who is the director of the Community Foundation’s Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
The couple lives in Flagler Village, a downtown neighborhood that’s close to the beach and has a robust arts and culture scene, known for producing popular restaurants.
For the first time since 1957, Florida is the fastest-growing state in the country. Its population increased by 1.6% between 2021 and 2022, coinciding with the remote work boom and general interest from people moving to the Sunshine State in search of warmer weather, while also discovering lower taxes and new opportunities.
Greater Fort Lauderdale became home to more newcomers than ever before, with the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region experiencing the highest growth of net inflows.
For locals, that’s no surprise. From a hot job market to stellar outdoor recreation close to home, here are five unique advantages to living and working (and having fun!) in this growing cosmopolitan area.
In This Article
Discover Vibrant Diversity
Newcomers are making the move to Greater Fort Lauderdale, searching for a work-life-beach balance and creating a cultural melting pot. A large, diverse group of talented and ambitious young professionals live and work throughout the county, in which 32% of residents are Hispanic or Latino and nearly 31% are Black.
The metropolitan area – the No. 7 largest in the U.S. – has the third-largest Hispanic population. In 2021, the cities that saw the most migration to Florida included New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia.
Enjoy a Low Cost of Living
Low taxes – including no state income tax – are one of the area’s major perks. Housing costs are also relatively affordable in the region’s smaller communities, like Deerfield Beach, where the median home price is around $297,000, compared to the national average of $334,000, according to Zillow.
Plus, locals have lots of free amenities right in their backyard, from over 24 miles of sandy Atlantic shores to free concerts at venues like Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery. A year-round festival calendar also invites people to celebrate all the cultures and traditions that make the region so special.
Find Abundant Career Opportunities
Aviation and aerospace, financial services, life sciences, health tech manufacturing, marine, and information technology are among the region’s key industries – and they all boast average annual earnings that range from $89,000 to nearly $150,000.
Entrepreneurs are also welcome to launch and scale their businesses in Fort Lauderdale.
Meg Sethi, CEO of Alchemysts Inc., a marketing agency that specializes in amplifying spirits, wine, beer and beer brands, moved to Fort Lauderdale from Toronto to grow the U.S. side of business. “My biggest surprise was the level of openness and friendliness from other residents,” she says.
Fellow residents and business owners are helpful in supporting entrepreneurs through introductions and networking events, she says.
As a bonus, she loves being close to the water and spending time at the beach or strolling the riverwalk.
Get Around Easily
Though the metropolitan area is home to approximately 6 million residents, the average commute time is under 30 minutes.
Three international airports and commuter rail systems also contribute to the area’s mobility accolades.
Plus, the new Brightline high-speed passenger train makes for an easy commute to downtown Miami when needed, Sethi says.
Fill Your Weekends With Fun
Those with active lifestyles will find plenty to do on the weekends in Fort Lauderdale, says lifelong resident Chase Kulp, a commercial real estate broker with Cushman & Wakefield. On the weekends, he and his wife like to get a spin class at CycleBar Fort Lauderdale, which they co-own, and then take their dog to Lauderdale-By-The Sea, a charming beachfront town.
Kulp also likes to get in a round of golf, which is easy when year-round temps average in the high 70s and there are more than 40 courses to play.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale offers the perfect backdrop for a live concert, cocktail hour, stroll around the city or day of shopping.
Pompano Beach is also creating its own downtown, with new restaurants, shops and parks to explore. Speaking of exploring, the region also boasts plenty of outdoor adventures. In addition to its famed beaches are attractions like Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, a great spot for paddling, and Everglades Holiday Park nearby.
“Fort Lauderdale is a great place to live, work and play,” Kulp says.
Get to Know Greater Fort Lauderdale
Want to learn more about living and working in Fort Lauderdale, FL? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
