{"id":12527,"date":"2015-08-19T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2015-08-19T14:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/storagecom-blog.local\/?p=12527"},"modified":"2025-07-31T16:01:47","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:01:47","slug":"things-that-make-fort-lauderdale-great","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storage.com\/blog\/things-that-make-fort-lauderdale-great\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Things that Make Fort Lauderdale Great"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Vince Mancuso, Storage.com<\/p>\n

Storage.com takes pride in helping people move into their new homes, whether that involves providing a storage unit in between or by helping people discover more about their new city.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With all of the fun opportunities and rush of tourists in nearby Miami, Fort Lauderdale, FL is an amazing place to live, work, and play for its residents. If you’re looking to make Fort Lauderdale your home or already live here and want to brag about your city, here’s 11 things that make this city awesome.<\/p>\n

10. FT. LAUDERDALE IS ALL-AMERICAN.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Fort
Photo by Daniel-Dudek Corrigan<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And they have an award to prove it. Fort Lauderdale was named a 2014 All American City<\/a> by the National Civic League. This award is given to cities, counties, towns, neighborhoods, and metro areas for exemplary community-based problem solving and civic engagement that brings together public, private, and nonprofit entities.<\/p>\n

Fort Lauderdale has much to boast about in its more than 60 neighborhoods and communities. The city highlights efforts that brought together the community and local businesses to support students of Dillard Elementary School<\/a> and the redevelopment of a downtown warehouse district into the artistic and cultural Flagler Village neighborhood. It is also known for the development of Northwest Gardens, an affordable and sustainable housing project in the city’s Northwest Community Redevelopment area.<\/p>\n

9. HOUSE AND JOB: CHECK.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Ft
Photo by Vince Alongi<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to the real estate site Auction.com, Ft. Lauderdale is among the top single-family housing markets<\/a> through the past year. Despite the city being hit hard by the recession, it’s making a comeback with 1.3% growth in population in 2014 as well as single-family home sales continuing to show strength. Median sales prices grew 7.8% in the past year alone.<\/p>\n

Another reason Ft. Lauderdale was recognized was due to its employment rate, which has grown 4.2% in the past year and is among the fastest growing cities in larger U.S. metros. With more than 150 corporate and regional headquarters, which includes Fortune 500 companies such as AutoNation<\/a>, Amerijet International, Inc.<\/a>, and Microsoft<\/a>, it’s no surprise that the city has recovered all 100,000 jobs lost in the recession.<\/p>\n

8. YEAR-ROUND PERFECT WEATHER.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Fort
Photo by RichardBH<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first thing you’ll be sure to notice is the weather. Year-round temperatures average at about 75.5\u00b0F and the city experiences nearly 250 sunny days each year<\/a>, that’s roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine! Sure, there’s the occasional tropical storm, but most natives and long-time transplants know that anything less than a category 2 isn’t much to worry about.<\/p>\n

It’s also worth mentioning that you’ll see plenty of snowbirds in the winter, as retirees migrate from the cold northern states throughout the winter months. The city also used to host hundreds of thousands of college students on spring break due to it’s nightlife and beaches, but now you’re likely to only see a relatively small gathering each year.<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY ALL NIGHT.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Tap
Photo by Tap 42<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While it doesn’t have as many spring-breakers, that’s not to say Ft. Lauderdale is without an excellent nightlife. Locals love places like Tap 42<\/a>. Located near corner of SE 14th Street and S Andrews Avenue, Tap 42 is enjoyed for its environment, which has both indoor and outdoor space and refreshing craft beers. Try an order of the goat cheese stuffed peppadews for a snack or order any of their burgers to make it a meal. They are even open for brunch\u2014and serve bottomless mimosas.<\/p>\n

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some live music while dining out, check out the Original Fat Cat’s<\/a>. This downtown bar and venue offers live music 7 days a week, a great selection of beers, and is even open until 4 a.m. Local patrons love it for it’s laid back atmosphere and friendly bar staff.<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0ENJOY FORT LAUDERDALE FAVORITES.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Gilbert's
via Gillbert’s 17th Street Grill<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Speaking of food, you need to go to Coconuts<\/a> on Seabreeze Boulevard if you’re craving some great seafood. Order some Scooby Snacks\u2014you won’t find them on the menu, but you’ll still be served some crab claws in garlic sauce. Locals also recommend favorites such as the conch fritters and a lobster roll. For those who love a good burger, visit Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill<\/a> in Harbordale. The Gilbert family’s grill has been named the best burger in South Florida<\/a> and Broward County a number of times in the past years, and offers unique options, such as the Godfather Burger with fresh mozzarella or the Pesto Burger made with cashews, sun-dried tomatoes, and pine nuts.<\/p>\n

For dinner and a show, visit Mai-Kai<\/a> Restaurant & Polynesian Show. Enjoy Polynesian songs and dances while eating tasty meals such as the oysters rockafeller. The dancers wear traditional Polynesian garb and share the rich heritage through performance such as the Hawaiian Wedding Song or the Tahitian solo drum dance competition. Be sure to check out the Mai-Kai gardens ahead of the show, as they are a delight all on their own.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0YOUR SWEET TOOTH WILL REJOICE.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Pop
Photo by Pop Corns<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What’s dinner without dessert? With Yo Mama’s<\/a> being opened until 2 a.m. on the weekends, you can cap off a late-night out with some delicious ice cream. This ice cream shop makes its ice cream daily right in the shop. Locals love flavors such as the cookie dough or buttered rum pecan with chocolate chips. You can also find one-of-a-kind flavors such as hot buttered popcorn, which we’ve heard tastes just like you’d imagine. Speaking of popcorn, Yo Mama’s also has Pops Corn. The Famous Chocolate Covered Caramel popcorn alone is worth a visit.<\/p>\n

And speaking of chocolate covered things, you can also try Kilwins<\/a> to meet your sweet-toothed needs. This chain is loved by the locals for both its ice cream and its fudge. You can even sit and watch as the chocolatiers make treats from the traditional chocolate-covered pretzel to more unique options such as sliced oranges.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0SHOPPING CHOICES ARE PLENTIFUL.<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Swap
Photo by Herb Neufeld<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fort Lauderdale is home to fine shopping centers such as the Galleria at Fort Lauderdale<\/a>, which is currently undergoing improvements that locals notice each week, as well as Sawgrass Mills<\/a>. Locals love this outlet for its range of stores\u2014from Bloomingdales to Super Target\u2014as well as an IMAX theater and a Gameroom arcade.<\/p>\n

For those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt when shopping, visit the Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop<\/a>. Besides the chance of finding a thrifty treasure from vendors, the swap shop also has a farmers market where people can enjoy fresh produce. Locals love getting the fresh-squeezed cane juice or some fresh coconut water. The swap shop is also host to the world’s largest drive-in theater<\/a>, with 14 screens for viewers to enjoy.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0THE EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK.<\/strong><\/h2>\n