The 11 Best Fort Lauderdale Neighborhoods In 2021

3. Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a hidden gem of a neighborhood located in east Fort Lauderdale and centrally located to major interstates, the beach, and all the best dining and entertainment venues in Fort Lauderdale. Established in the early 1900s, many of the homes in the Victoria Park area are historic and reflect the charm and quaintness of old Florida. The neighborhood’s small-town yet hip feel has attracted a diverse mix of residents.

Lifestyle & Culture

With over 95 acres dedicated to parks, Victoria Park is teeming with outdoor activities and art and cultural events. The area is highly walkable, with Fort Lauderdale beach only a mile away and a myriad of stores, restaurants, and coffee shops all within walking distance.

A favorite spot for the community is the expansive recreational center, Holiday Park. The massive park includes basketball courts, tennis courts, squash courts, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, baseball and soccer fields, a roller hockey rink, and beautiful walking and biking trails to explore. Summer concerts are a regular occurrence, along with a variety of enrichment classes, including tai chi and martial arts.

Victoria Park boasts a vibrant art and cultural scene and is home to the Parker Playhouse, a venue that has hosted numerous Broadway names over the last 50 years. Concerts, comedians, and plays can all be enjoyed here in the heart of Victoria Park.

Real Estate

Victoria Park is the home to several historic residences that have been lovingly restored. While many homes were built as early as the 1930s, recent development includes new townhomes and condominium communities as well. Home styles vary from the characteristic Spanish style to Mediterranean and mid-century to traditional and contemporary.

Waterfront homes are not hard to find, and many have private docks for homeowner’s boats and easy access to the surrounding canals. Lush landscaping abounds in the yards and streets, including mature canopy oak and mahogany trees that provide shade and beauty throughout the peaceful neighborhood.

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A luxury home in the Rio Vista Isles. Credit: Wally Gobetz

4. Rio Vista

The Rio Vista neighborhood is an affluent community with deep roots in Fort Lauderdale’s history. The land was purchased from Mary Brickell and developed by C.J. Hector in the early 1900s. C.J. Hector dubbed the area “Rio Vista,” meaning “river view” in Spanish. By the 1920s, the neighborhood was bustling with new sidewalks and homes popping up. Some of these original homes are still standing in the community alongside elegant, modern estates along the waterfront.

Lifestyle & Amenities

Located south of downtown Fort Lauderdale, the neighborhood exudes an ambiance of refinement mixed with a strong sense of community centered around the popular pastimes of yachting and boating while working to preserve the area’s serenity and history. Rio Vista has a resort-like vibe as residents can be seen walking to restaurants, taking the golf cart out on errands, and hopping on a water taxi for a shopping trip on Las Olas Boulevard.

As a waterfront community with unobstructed access to the ocean, boating and yachting are common hobbies amongst residents. Established in 1938, The Lauderdale Yacht Club is the hub for neighborhood social events and recreation. Members can enjoy private marina access, sailing lessons for all ages, tennis courts and tournaments, a fitness center, a full restaurant, and an extensive calendar of social events throughout the year.

Smoker Family Park is a popular spot for residents to walk to for a peaceful afternoon. The park has gorgeous shade trees and views of the river, downtown Fort Lauderdale, and the historic Stranahan House across the water.

Real Estate

The Rio Vista neighborhood is full of single-family homes that range in style, including stately Meditteranean and Spanish, Key West, and modern contemporary. Some of the area’s original historic homes still stand and have been lovingly revitalized to their original character. Mature trees act as a canopy throughout the area, providing shade and adding to the neighborhood’s old Florida charm.

Waterfront homes are plentiful in Rio Vista and include private docks with deep enough waters for large yachts and boats. Oversize lots are standard in the neighborhood, and many homes feature expansive pools and lush landscaping.

5. Las Olas Isles

Las Olas Isles is recognized as one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale. Palatial waterfront mansions and opulent yachts are regular sights in this prestigious area. Offering residents unobstructed access to the Atlantic Ocean in an ultra-private locale, Las Olas Isles attracts some of Fort Lauderdale’s elite and wealthy.

Lifestyle & Culture

Las Olas Isles is a yacht and boat lovers paradise, and the path to the ocean is just ten minutes away by boat from the heart of the community. Some restaurants along the New River have docks for boat parking, allowing residents to drive their boat to dinner rather than their car.

Las Olas Beach is a serene, less crowded section of Fort Lauderdale Beach that offers clear blue waters and swaying palm trees. Nearby are numerous coffee shops, bars, and restaurants to choose from. The soft sands and picturesque ocean views are all within walking distance from the Las Olas Isles neighborhood.

Las Olas Boulevard is a hot spot for the community and is just a short walk away from the Las Olas Isles neighborhood. Fine and casual dining options are limitless, from sushi to Thai and everything in between. Luxury boutiques, eclectic art galleries, and health and wellness businesses line the boulevard. A variety of events, including food and wine festivals, art shows, and musical and dance performances, keep the area buzzing year-round.

Real Estate

Real estate in Las Olas Isles is some of the most coveted in the Fort Lauderdale region. The isle consists of luxury waterfront estates and a handful of upscale condominiums. Almost all residents enjoy convenient access to the waterways, and most homes have private docks with deep enough waters for luxury yachts.

The work of renowned architects features Meditteranean, Spanish, and modern contemporary styles throughout Las Olas Isles. Lush tropical landscaping, impressive gated entries, expansive pools, and the finest of imported building materials are just a few of the features gracing these properties.

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6. Imperial Point

The cozy neighborhood of Imperial Point is nestled in northeastern Fort Lauderdale. Homes first began to pop up in the 1960s, and the area originally attracted retirees seeking warm weather and a close-knit, safe community. The neighborhood has continued to expand and diversify, enticing people of all ages. Imperial Point is known for its active residents, beautiful parks, low crime rates, highly rated schools, and affordable housing options.

Lifestyle & Culture

The Imperial Point neighborhood puts on a variety of events to involve its residents, including annual car shows, Harvest Festivals, Spring Flings, 5k’s, and community-wide yard sales. In addition to annual events, community members strive to promote safe, walkable streets and to maintain clean and inviting outdoor spaces.

Dottie Mancini Park is one of the area’s inviting parks and is located adjacent to the esteemed Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital. The park is named after the former nurse and CEO of the hospital as a tribute to her many years of service. The park is full of activities for every member of the family including a basketball court, walking trails, shaded playground, picnic tables, and ample green space for a relaxing afternoon.

Imperial Point’s central location provides convenient access to local beaches and waterways for boating, yachting, and watersports. A variety of locally-owned restaurants, from bakeries to sushi to Thai food and juice bars, line area all nearby.

The Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital is a renowned teaching hospital in the community, offering convenient access to residents and quality care. Serving the community for over 40 years, the hospital continues to innovate and provide state-of-the-art treatments to patients.

Real Estate

Homes in Imperial Point primarily consist of affordable, single-family residences, stunning waterfront properties, condominium communities, townhomes, and senior communities. Many of the single-family residences are single-story, built during the 1960s, and have since been renovated into lovely coastal properties. Palms and mature trees line the streets and front yards throughout the quaint neighborhoods.

Waterfront homes line the canals with easy access out into the Atlantic Ocean. Home elevations feature a variety of styles from contemporary modern, mid-century, traditional, and Meditteranean.

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