The city is named after a Florida fish located off the Atlantic Coast, and is part of the ever-growing and ever-popular Miami Metropolitan Area. Sunshine and palm trees aren't the only things intriguing about Pompano Beach!
Thinking about becoming a permanent Floridian? Before you do, take a look at the following guide for detailed information about living in Pompano Beach. If you need help with moving services, fill out a free quote form here at Movers.com to get you started with comparing moving estimates.
Pompano Beach Climate
Pompano Beach, like much of South Florida, is characterized by a tropical rainforest-like climate. The weather is consistent almost year-round, with some deviation in temperature during the short-lived winters. Summers are hot, humid, so pack a lot of sun block!
Temperatures average around 80 to 90 degrees, with some lows in the 70s. Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm for this season, so always have an umbrella handy for unexpected rainfall.
Winter months are warm with temperatures ranging from 75 degrees to 87 degrees, approximately. The city has occasional cold fronts and very rare winter freezes.
Hurricanes are a threat to this area, mostly between September and October, but hurricane season runs from June through November.
Pompano Beach Neighborhoods
There are plenty of opportunities for upscale beach front living in Pompano Beach, specifically areas like Country Club Isles and Terra Mar, with homes priced anywhere from $170,000 to upwards of $7 million.
For other real estate options, you can venture into some of the neighboring municipalities like Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point, Margate, Coconut Creek and Fort Lauderdale.
Registering Your Car
If you're making a permanent move to Florida, you have 10 days to register your car 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.
Pompano Beach Schools
Broward County Public Schools is responsible for the public education in Pompano Beach. It is the sixth largest public school system in the nation and the largest fully accredited school system in the country, and is responsible for the operation of 315 schools including 141 elementary, 1 K-8, 42 middle schools, 33 high schools, and a number of charter and virtual schools.
Though Pompano Beach does not have any colleges located directly in the city, higher education opportunities are close by. Some reputable institutions include: Broward College, Florida Atlantic University (satellite campus in Fort Lauderdale), Florida International University (satellite campus in Fort Lauderdale), Keiser University, Nova Southeastern University, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Barry University and the University of Miami.
Pompano Beach Employment
You may want to live in Pompano Beach and commute to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for work, as those areas are heavily influenced by tourism - both being vacation getaway spots. Pompano Beach itself has recently initiated a large construction effort, revamping areas of the city that were run down at one point. Some of the top employers in the city are: Pompano Park, the City of Pompano Beach, Broward County Sheriff's Office and Aetna.
As of March 2013, the area's unemployment rate was approximately 5.7 percent, and the median household income is approximately $42,000 annually.
Living Costs in the City
Be aware that the cost of living in Pompano Beach is about 5 percent higher than the national average and overall You'll pay more for some food items that can't be locally grown, and costs of indigenous foods can rise if there's a particularly cold winter (example: the price of Florida orange juice goes up if the crops freeze). Grocery costs a typically about 6 percent higher here than other parts of the country, depending on the items.
Houses range from small single-family homes and condos for $160,000 to million-dollar mansions in the city and neighboring Fort Lauderdale . You may be eligible for the Homestead exemption as a Florida resident, which can decrease the assessed taxable value on your property, saving you hundreds to thousands in taxes annually.
One-bedroom apartments can range from $700-$1,500 per month depending on the size and location. Electric will cost more in the summer if you run the air conditioner a lot, averaging about $150 per month for a 1,100 square-foot space. Typically, residents save on electric living in the state of Florida, as there are many days throughout the year where minimal AC usage is acceptable. Ceiling fans will also help reduce the use of your AC unit.
Entertainment costs can vary, and since you will be in close proximity to prominent tourist cities, you should budget for this. With an abundance of restaurants, casinos, beaches and shopping areas, your entertainment costs could increase significantly.
Pompano beach Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Pompano Beach, 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 commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). 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:
Pompano Beach Transportation
Pompano Beach has a tri-rail station located NW 8th Avenue and 35th street, which is provided by Broward County Transit. BCT also provides the bus system throughout the county, and has connections to the Miami-Dade County Metrobus and the Palm Beach County Palm Train.
For driving a personal vehicle, Pompano Beach and rest of Broward County generally uses three major interstates: I-75, I-95 and I-595, as well as Florida's Turnpike, Highway 869 (Sawgrass Expressway), US 1, US 27 and US 441.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Aside from the pleasant weather that will allow you to spend much of your time outdoors, Pompano Beach has several events held annually for you to enjoy. There's Pompano Beach Seafood Festival, St. Patrick's Irish Festival, St. Coleman's Italian Festival, the Annual Nautical Flea Market at Pompano Community Park & Amphitheatre, and the Pompano Beach Holiday Boat Parade. For outdoor recreation, check out Fern Forest Nature Park.
Nearby, you can head to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, which offers a unique experience of gambling, dining and live entertainment. Hard Rock live shows are housed in a 5,500-seat arena, and include music, comedy and sports events. Slightly further south is the vibrant Miami, which is jam-packed with bars, night/comedy clubs and unique dining in South Beach and Coconut Grove.
Pompano Beach Relocation Tips
- A great way find out about what's going on in your new city is to get a subscription to the local newspaper. The Sun-Sentinel serves Broward County, and will keep you up to date on current events.
- Get ready for a lot of rain. You may not see rain every day, but you will see over 60-inches annually, including potential hurricanes and tropical storms. Prepare your vehicle with good quality windshield wipers and tires that will keep you from hydroplaning.
- For commuting purposes, look into purchasing a Sun Pass, which will lessen the time you stop for tolls and allow you access to exclusive Sun Pass lanes.