Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, or Coconut Creek (Miami, Orlando: rent, crime)

[Addicted2Sunshine]

New to city-data so please ignore any mistakes, like selecting the wrong icon or no icon, as I have no idea what each icon means.
Just relocated from NC and trying to decide which of these cities or other city in Broward County will be best to move to. Currently living with family in Orlando; and Orlando is definitely not the city I want to settle down in. Orlando does not have that tropical Florida vibe/feel. Schools and commute time isn’t a concern as No kids and don’t have to commute for work. My main concern is safety when walking around the neighborhood and other various areas, parks, shopping, etc. I know that crime occurs in every city; but wanted some recommendations and opinions from folks that know the Broward area very well and which cities are desirable. Which city or area would you tell one of your favorite family members to move to?
Looking for cities that offer the following:

1. Convenience in regards to grocery stores, hospitals, shopping, etc that are nearby
2. Things to do such as theatre, music concerts, movies, variety of restaurants. etc. I’m out of the nightclubs and bars age/stage, so those are not necessary.
3. Not located in a rural area of the city or far out in the suburbs. Prefer to be closer to the city or town
4. Short drive to the beach. 15 minutes or less
5. And of course #1 - Safe city/area

Please share your thoughts, recommendations, and suggestions regarding Pembroke Pines, Coconut Creek, Coral Springs or any other city in Broward that you would recommend. I’m open to any recommendations that you can provide. Thanks in advance!

[Thor88]

All three of those cities are very suburban and will take you around 30-45 minutes to get to the beach. All restaurants and shopping in those cities will be chains that you'll find in every other American city. Access to culture and better restaurants will be in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

You need to come down here and rent for a year and decide the area you want to be in.

[kidyankee764]

15 minutes to the beach can’t happen from any of these cities.

Why just Broward? I’d suggest you consider Palm Beach County if you want more tropical and green. East Boca is a good start. Look at Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and even West Palm.

[wizrap]

Coral Springs and Pembroke Pines are considered “far out in the suburbs.” Coconut Creek is not as far west, but is also the suburbs.

If you are looking to avoid suburban life, none of them meet your criteria, especially if you want to be 15 minutes from the beach.

[Addicted2Sunshine]

Thank you all for the responses! I will also consider Palm Beach County area. @Thor88, great idea regarding renting in the area first.

[kyle19125]

Not knowing budget I would throw in towns like Hollywood, Lighthouse Point, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach (east of US1) if open to older, well-maintained/non-cookie cutter neighborhoods with mature landscaping.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ho...!4d-80.1302862

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Li...!4d-80.0872636

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Li...!4d-80.0872636

https://www.google.com/maps/place/De...!4d-80.0997627

[Addicted2Sunshine]

Thank you kyle19125.

[Lincolnian]

You didn't mention your budget or whether you are planning to purchase a home or rent one. Budget will be a large determining factor in choices of where to live that meets your other objectives.

[Libertad06]

Check out Palm Beach Gardens which is a little north. Easy drive to the beach and plenty of restaurants, short drive to Jupiter and West Palm.

[wizrap]

Just spent some time in Palm Beach Gardens and the shopping and dining is very nice, nicer than City Place in WPB IMO. It is a ritzy area (especially by the mall) so budget is a factor.

The beaches are going through a rough patch right now with seaweed and beach erosion. We live in north central Florida and honestly the beaches in St. John’s and Duval counties are nicer.