The constant sunshine, beaches and palm trees may have sparked your interest to consider moving to Hollywood, but beyond its typical Florida traits, this Broward County city has much to offer new residents.
Bound by cities like Fort Lauderdale, Dania Beach, Miramar and Hallandale beach, you'll find plenty of options in and out of the city. If you're planning a move to Hollywood, consider the tips and information in the following guide to help you in your decision-making.
Hollywood Climate
In Hollywood, FL, the weather is characterized as a tropical monsoon climate, with hot and humid summers from around April through October, and mild winters November through February. Temperatures average between the 70's and 80's during summer months, and between the 60's and 70's in winter months.
The area can be subject to some rare hard freezes during the winter, with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing. Hollywood can also have afternoon thunderstorms, as well as hurricane and tropical storm activity between the months of June and November.
Hollywood Neighborhoods
With about 50 or more neighborhoods and recognized communities in scattered in small pockets all over the 27-square-mile city, as a new resident, you'll get a taste of South Florida suburban life close to the city. Hillcrest offers a quiet living with golf courses, a grocery store, police station, fire department and city hall. Upscale neighborhoods like Emerald Hills and Highland Garden are close to the beach, shops and restaurants downtown.
Registering Your Car
If you're becoming a permanent Floridian, you have 10 days to register your car in Florida from the date you begin working in the state, or register a child in a Florida school. You must have proof of ownership of your vehicle, verification of your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and proof of Florida insurance requirements.
You have 30 days to transfer your existing out-of-state driver's license to a Florida driver's license. To do so, you will need your primary identification, proof of Social Security Number and two documents verifying your Florida address. The Florida DMV issues over 400,000 new resident licenses per year, and advises you to know your requirements and have your documents ready prior to going to the office.
Hollywood Schools
For those moving to the Hollywood area with school-age children, Broward County Public Schools serves the county's public schools. It is the sixth largest public school system in the nation, the largest fully accredited school system in the country and is responsible for the education and operation of 315 schools including 141 elementary, 1 K-8, 42 middle schools, 33 high schools, and a number of charter and virtual schools.
High schools specifically in Hollywood are: Hollywood Hills High School, McArthur High School and South Broward High School. There are five middle schools in Hollywood, and a number of elementary and private schools serving all ages.
Hollywood Employment
Tourism and gambling are the heavy hitters as far as Hollywood area industry goes, in addition to health care services. In 2011, Memorial Healthcare System employed over 10,000 workers, while the Continental Group followed with almost 4,000 workers, and the City of Hollywood had over 1,200 workers.
As of December 2012, the unemployment rate in Hollywood sat at approximately 6.9 percent. While the unemployment percentage may be dropping, remember to start your employment search well before your move to the city in order to offset your relocation costs. Business degrees are an asset in Hollywood and the surrounding Fort Lauderdale area.
Living Costs in the City
Hollywood's cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, where most expenses come from the housing market and consumer goods. Single family homes in the area range from $160,000 to multi-million dollar properties with indoor pools and beachfront views. One-bedroom apartments start at approximately $700 per month not including utilities. However, based on square-footage and neighborhood, a one-bedroom can cost up to $1,500 per month.
You electric bill will vary depending on the size of your home and how much energy you use, but bills for an average sized home generally range from $100-$300 per month.
Since there's plenty to do in Hollywood and the surrounding cities, miscellaneous entertainment costs can increase for you as well, especially with casinos, night clubs and plenty of options for fine dining on ocean fronts and docksides.
Hollywood Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are anxious to help you with your move to Hollywood, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Florida. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you choose one for hire. Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Hollywood Transportation
The public transportation in Hollywood stems from the services out of Fort Lauderdale. Broward County Transit provides the bus system that has routes passing through Hollywood, and also has connections to the Miami-Dade County Metrobus and Palm Beach County Palm Train.
For traveling via airline, Hollywood's closet airline is the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - the 22nd busiest airport in the US. Broward County has three major interstates: I-75, I-95 and I-595, with Florida's Turnpike, the Sawgrass Expressway, US 1, US 27 and US 441 also in heavy use due to the amount of commuters with personal vehicles.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Enjoy "Funtastic Fridays for Kids" if you have a young family, or even ArtsPark Movie Night every Friday in downtown Hollywood. With the city's ever-changing schedule of events, dining and shopping experiences, your options for entertainment will not soon run dry.
In addition to the abundance of downtown eateries, bistros and cafes, you'll have the option of "dancing under the stars" every week at the Hollywood Beach Theater or watching glass blowing demonstrations at ArtsPark at Young Circle. Many destination weddings happen in Hollywood, too.
For gambling venues, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers Vegas-style attraction with over 2,500 slot machines. Nearby venues include Seminole Indian Casino, Gulfstream Park, Mardi Gras Racetrack & Gaming Center and the Dania Jai-Alai.
Hollywood Relocation Tips
- Commuting in the area can be time consuming, especially when it comes to those commuting to Miami for work. If you carpool, you can use the designated left HOV lanes which can reduce your commute time.
- For the new Florida resident, hurricane preparedness should be a priority. Stock up on plenty of bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, batteries, blankets and waterproof items.
- Florida homeowners are often times eligible for the state's Homestead exemption, which can cut property taxes significantly.