Fort Lauderdale is a very different place from the time when Indian Tribes navigated through the miles of inland waterways to the local trading post on the New River established by Frank and Ivy Stranahan or the recent past when college students lined the miles of sandy beaches. Spring breakers have since been replaced with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds who call Fort Lauderdale home, both seasonally and year round.

The magnificent stretch of white sandy beaches, water sports, boating and yachting, nearly year-round sunshine and a great climate is certainly enough for anyone to want to live in this city. However, the quality of life extends way beyond the beach.

Along Las Olas Blvd in downtown Fort Lauderdale, there is an array of dining experiences from the casual outdoor cafes of Mangos, Cafe Europa or Boulevard Cafe to the elegant and upscale Jackson Steakhouse and the Samba Room. In addition, the boulevard is lined with many art galleries and boutique shops such as Tommy Bahama's and Indigo Palms.

The relaxing Riverwalk will take you past the city's arts & science, cultural and historic district which features The Museum of Art, recently showcasing the artifacts of King Tut, the Museum of Discovery and Science including an IMAX theater, the Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum and the spectacular Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Near to the Riverfront and the activities of Las Olas, many new luxury condominiums have been built with panoramic views of the city, the Atlantic Ocean and Port Everglades, a hub for many cruise lines. The Watergarden, Las Olas Riverhouse, Las Olas Grand and Nu River Landing, offering resort style amenities, are some of the most popular condo residences with young professionals, empty nesters and second home owners.

In Flagler Village, the city has a new trolley service planned to connect the area with downtown. New urban loft projects have been completed with stained concrete flooring, high ceilings and exposed ductwork. Avenue Lofts and Nola Lofts are examples of completed projects and The Mills, The Foundry, The Exchange and Village Lofts are new projects currently underway or in pre-construction.

Closer to the Intracoastal Waterway is Las Olas Isles, a tranquil area of waterfront homes with dockage for yachts. There is a mix of Mediterranean, Contemporary and Bahamian style estate homes mixed in with older homes ready to be remodeled or replaced with custom built dream homes. Similar waterfront residential areas include Rio Vista Isles, a historic area of Fort Lauderdale, Harbor Beach and Harbor Heights, close to the inlet and the beach and Lauderdale Harbors near to marinas and the Lauderdale Yacht Club.

Along Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, State Road A1A, many of the small beachfront motels are being replaced with upscale condo hotels such as the Atlantic, the W, the Q Club, the St. Regis and Trump Fort Lauderdale. Owners here will enjoy the comforts of five star hotels yet be able to place their unit in the hotel rental pool when not in residence. Further north along the beach is Galt Ocean Mile, a stretch of condominiums on the sand including L'Hermitage, Southpoint and L'Ambiance.

Other residential neighborhoods such as Victoria Park, Colee Hammock, Poinsettia Heights, Imperial Point, Coral Ridge and Bay Colony offer tropically landscaped single family homes and townhouses close to shopping such as the Galleria Mall, lush golf courses, beautiful parks and exceptional schools like Pinecrest whose entire 2005 graduating class enrolled in a four year university.

Fort Lauderdale is an exceptional place to live in Southeast Florida with its array of activities and its' nearly perfect climate. If you are considering relocating here, looking to buy or sell, invest or in need of a vacation home, please contact one of our professional Realtors for more information about this community and available real estate properties.