lenlu

Hi everyone,
You've been great so I'm going to hit you up some more for advice and info. I'm being told that Weston is a good place to live if you're commuting to Miramar. How far does that commute take if you've got no traffic (overnight)? What are your opinions on Weston or other areas to live where kids and schools are top priority. Sounds like property taxes and hurricane insurance is really pricey...but I assume everyone carries the insurance? We'll rent first but all the advice I can get is helpful. I was surprised to learn the cost is really close to Seattle. Surprised your Starbucks lattes are A LOT more than here in Seattle but I'll have to adjust! I don't know if I want a home with a pool (little kids) but it sounds like it's a must, do you all feel that way? It's more costly to live near the beach as far as insurance is concerned? Anything I'm missing, please let me know. Thank you all!

GoTravel

lenlu, prices in South Florida are really expensive because everyone in the northeast, which is the most heavily populated area of the US, seems to want to retire there to escape the cold.

I much prefer the beach areas because the ocean breeze can keep the air temps down 5-10 degrees during the summer.

I think by now, flood insurance is going to be about the same wherever you live in Miami.

The beach areas are much more expensive.

Yes, if you can, get a pool.

NeoPatrick

"Yes, if you can, get a pool."

Or at least get nice neighbors who have one. LOL

GoTravel

Forgot to add, many insurance carriers no longer insure homes close to the beach.

Flood insurance (which is what covers hurricanes) is underwritten by FEMA.

rncheryl

Weston is a nice community; 30% of residents foreign born, but family oriented. Town Center is very pedestrian friendly with shops, restaurants, etc. Lots of neighborhoods with gated communities. Good schools, esp. elementary and middle schools. Parks, biking paths, dog parks, etc. Travel to Miramar is 10-15 minutes. Travel to Ft Lauderdale to theatres, art, dining is 30+ minutes.

Pembroke Pines resident welcomes you to Weston.

lenlu

Sounds really nice. I'm the person who likes homes with arched doorways, wood floors, tile work but I'd trade it for modern if the resale is still good in that area and it's best for my kids--family oriented. I like the idea of parks and all that stuff since we'd take advantage of that kind of thing. I currently don't live in a strip mall kind of area, so the change will be significant but with everyone's input, I really, REALLY feel much better. Seems like you guys are so nice! It's not as friendly here. My husband is interested in being closer to the beach but for insurance, mold, etc, I think I'd rather be away from it. Do gated communities have a clubhouse with pool or do most homes have their own? I'm worried a bit about the mold. How do people keep it out of the sheetrock and that sort of thing? Seems like the damp would destroy a home but obviously tons of people live in Florida so it must be controllable. Sorry to sound like a fool, I'm just trying to put my concerns into perspective.

amcc

I can't really help you about the specifics of Weston, but I can answer some of your other questions. There are hurricane zones where the insurance is higher. If you have a mortgage, you will probably have some type of coverage for your residence in case of a hurricane, be it a private insurer (which are getting harder to find) or Citizens Insurance, the state-run insurance for everyone else. Flood insurance will definitely be required if you are in a flood zone. If your home isn't in a flood zone, you aren't required to carry it, but you can choose to have it. A good insurance agent will be able to help you get the hang of the details that hurricane coverage entails: replacement cost, deductibles, etc. Hurricane damage can come from flood or wind.

Hopefully, you won't have to ever deal with hurricane damage issues. In all my life here, I can tell you that the overwhelming majority of years (prob. 85%+) have not had any hurricane events to worry about. S. Florida is quite lucky.

You seem very concerned about mold, but it should only be a problem if your air conditioning stops working in the depths of summer, and your home doesn't have good natural air circulation. Really, it's a problem that isn't that much of a problem. Closer to the beach, because of the breezes as GoTravel writes, might even be better for any possible mold problems because the breezes keep air circulating.

I have small children too, and don't have a pool, but by law, homes with a pool must have a fence around them (at least in Dade County). This doesn't mean that people don't ignore the rule, but any new house should have a fence around the pool. Regardless, your children should learn to swim asap when down here. There is just too much water around.

GoTravel

lenlu, Miami isn't damp at all. It rains then the heat dries up all the rain.

As amcc pointed out, mold isn't from the damp but from shoddy construction where water gets trapped.

budget4me

Weston is one of the newest communities around, about 12 years old. The number of foreign born residents was 30 percent ten years ago, but it's now 40 percent and climbing. Most are from Venezuela. It is an upscale area, high property values and high prices, and very safe. The demographics definitely run towards young families with school age children.

If you have a mortgage, you will need to buy hurricane insurance. Premiums have tripled in the last year. You will probably need flood insurance because although the beach is 25 miles away, you're just a few miles from the Everglades.

I'm not sure but I think most homes have pools.