Living/working in/around Ft Lauderdale

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

Hi All,

So, I interviewed at Broward General for an NP position, and being from NYC, I have no context in terms of the area and climate. Most people I know who live in FL hate living there. They cite gargantuan insects, stifling heat, crime, etc...

I did find the pay in FtL a little lower than I expected, but the lack of a state and city income tax would nearly make up for it. I don't mind heat.... as long as I have ac and live relatively near the ocean.

I have a few ??s

1. Is Broward General (Chris Evert Children's) a good place to work?

2. Is it generally safe to be out and about in most neighborhoods?

3. Is the FL economy still tanking, or is it starting to recover?

4. Am I just being crazy about the heat? Is it really that unbearable?

5. Is FtL a socially active town? I mean, farmer's markets, outdoor performances, street fairs, etc..

Thanks all!

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I don't live in Ft. Lauderdale, but will be working at Broward General starting next month.

1. I have heard good things about BG on this board and from nurses at other hospitals, but more importantly the dozen or so people I have met there have been very kind, professional and supportive.

2. I know there are areas where it's fine to be out in Ft. Lauderdale, as I have stayed there on a few vacations. I don't know about right next to the hospital though. I know there are plenty of places within 30 mins. that are great. I will commute from the Brickell area of Miami (next to downtown - 15 min to beach) and it takes 30-40 minutes. Which is about half of my old NYC commute from Queens to Financial District. Plus, 95 has an express lane that is great. Also look at Lauderdale-by-the-sea (beachfront available) and Hollywood (beachfront available). Maybe Sunny Isles (beachfront available), Aventura (beachfront available) and Miramar (farther from beach) too.

There's a great forum called Miami 411 that has info about moviing here. I've been here for 1 1/2 years and love it. I would say two things, being from New Jersey originally, the bad areas here, look like some of the good areas there, so check em out, there is a 5-block rule, that means the quality of a neighborhood can change dramatically within as little as 5 blocks. So, don't assume that if a place is in a given neighborhood it has the same quality as all other places in that neighborhood.

3. Economy is still depressed, but it's good for renters and buyers of real estate and cars. The biggest thing I think is the lack of jobs, even for Nurses.

4. I like weather extremes and love the temperature here, but I have a pool and usually walk around with shorts and a t-shirt. I pity the folks that have to wear suits. The first year we didn't turn on our central air conditioner at all, just a fan in the house. Now we use it and still leave a window open for fresh air and it's fine, but yes it's hot obviously. One suggestion, even if it means a not so beautiful ocean side view, get an apartment with a west side window, we do on the 11th floor and have sun from 3p-7p in the summer so it's not as strong, on the other side of the building they have it from 7a-3p which is 4 hours longer and when it's at it's strongest. Plus, if you work nights forget about it.

5. My wife and I don't really go out at night or party, although this area of florida is less active than NYC (everywhere I know is), it's more active than my little hometown... we're more of the outdoor activity type, kayak, skydive, SCUBA, run, for that, it's perfect here.

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What part of Ft.Laud are you looking at living in? It's like any other city in that you have your good areas and your bad areas. I'd say in the summer the heat is unbearable, muggy and downrite HOT, but the winters are beautiful. Good Luck

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