Should We Move to Sunrise? (Miami, Tampa: condos, low crime, townhomes)

[zpearl.dvm]

My wife and I are both veterinarians currently working in Cincinnati. I am originally from Miami and was hoping to move back to Florida to be a little closer to family (we've got a baby on the way). A recent opportunity has presented itself where we could buy into a vet practice (dogs, cats, +/- exotics) in Sunrise FL. Growing up in Miami, I was not a huge fan of the crazy traffic and rude people, but loved living near the coast and being able to take the boat out. Is Sunrise much different from Miami?

What's it like living there? We have found that we love communities with a "small town" feel that are convenient enough to larger cities. I'd love to live somewhere with relatively low crime, where I can trust my kids to be safe riding their bikes around the neighborhood.

Are the schools decent? We'll figure it out if we absolutely have to send our kids to private school to get a decent education, but if there are areas with great public schools, please mention them.

As far as things we like to do... We suck at being healthy. Exercise and dieting attempts don't seem to last very long. Mostly because we enjoy eating out at delicious restaurants and we enjoy craft beer. However, we do love being outdoors and would prefer somewhere where the weather is generally bright and sunny.
Other things we love to do: Take the dogs to the park, boating, swimming, scuba diving, water sports, photography, hiking, live music, and festivals.

Thanks!!!

[ruski]

Just out of curiosity, how did you pick Sunrise?

[BNBR]

Closest thing to small town feel I can think of is Cooper City or Southwest Ranches. And you won't need private schools in either.

Sunrise is "ok" but not normally considered desirable.

[dettman]

What is your budget? Fort Lauderdale would be a much better option.

[BNBR]

Originally Posted by dettman

What is your budget? Fort Lauderdale would be a much better option.

You are not an actual agent, right?

[zpearl.dvm]

Originally Posted by ruski

Just out of curiosity, how did you pick Sunrise?

An opportunity for my wife and I to buy a veterinary practice in Sunrise came up. We just don't know if it would be a desirable place to live. We were originally looking for practices along the west coast, around the greater Tampa area but nothing significant has popped up yet.

[WrongStreet]

You can work in Sunrise and live elsewhere. Plenty of desireable areas near Sunrise. As far as similarities to Miami, not really, apart from the climate and maybe the drivers.


If you're going to work in Sunrise, might as well live in Weston or Pembroke Pines. Much nicer areas IMO and the commute would be decent. Also you'd be a tad closer to Miami, for when you decide to go there.

[ruski]

There are desirable areas in Sunrise.

For example Artesia (townhomes) or Tao (highrise condos). Plus Metropica is coming along.

[wizrap]

We've since moved from SFLA but when we lived there, our vet lived in Sunrise (near Hiatus & Oakland Park Blvd.). Her practice is in Davie.

As far as your wants?
Low crime? Weston
Good Public Schools (elementary on up to high school)? Weston
Small town feel? Well, my husband has, and still does, describe Weston as a sea of tranquility amidst the South Florida madness.

Full disclosure? Lived there for nearly 20 years.

However, have you given us your budget? That is a major, major factor. There is a section of Sunrise right across the street from Weston (I believe Ruski mentioned it in another thread) & it is nice.

I leave you with this--10 or so years ago, The unincorporated community of Bonaventure had to vote to join a city. The choices were Sunrise & Weston. Weston won. Here's a snippet from the Sun-Sentinel from back in October, 1995:

"To me, there's not even a question of whether we should go to Sunrise," said Tony Gruessing, 51, a construction project manager who's lived in Bonaventure for 1 1/2 years. "Sunrise is going to bring us down. If we're associated with Weston, then I'd feel that they'd bring us right up."

Gruessing thinks Weston's polished image and upscale reputation could only increase property values in Bonaventure, whereas the opposite would happen if the community joined Sunrise.

But there are those who disagree and wonder whether joining Sunrise could be a better value for Bonaventure residents because Sunrise city government already is set up.

Retired Bonaventure resident Marshal Friedman said he thinks that might be true, which is why he's still on the fence.

"I know we have to make a decision," Friedman said. "But I haven't made up my mind."

[ruski]

It did Bonaventure good to join Weston. It is much more polished now.