Essentials
- City
- Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, United States
- Population
- 184,000 (Greater Metro: 6.1 million)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps (Xfinity & AT&T Fiber available city-wide)
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD.
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, though many residents prefer filtered water due to high mineral content.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon. Prepaid plans from $40/month (Mint Mobile is a cheaper alternative at $15+)
- Banking for Expats
- Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America. Digital options: Wise, Revolut, Mercury.
- Accommodation
- High-end condos, Art Deco apartments, and canal-front villas.
- Cashless Friendly
- Extremely cashless; Apple Pay and credit cards are standard everywhere.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, and Landing (furnished apartments for nomads).
- Budget Accommodation
- The Hotel @ Times Square (approx. $120/night) or Bposhtels Fort Lauderdale (hostel beds from $45/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Fort Lauderdale Beach / Las Olas Boulevard for dining and accessibility.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Flagler Village (walkable, artsy, new developments) or Victoria Park (quiet but central).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- General Provision (Downtown & Fat Village) - Day pass $25, Monthly $300.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Wells Coffee Co. (Flagler Village) - Spacious with great Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- South Florida Tech Hub monthly meetups and 'Refresh Miami' events nearby.
- Social Events for Expats
- Fort Lauderdale Expats Meetup Group and events at Rhythm & Vine.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and Lyft (widely available 24/7).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Avail (Broward B-cycle) - $5 per 30 mins; Bird and Lime electric scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Fort Lauderdale Beach (central) or Lauderdale-by-the-Sea (best for snorkeling).
- Top Regional Airline
- Silver Airways (operating from FLL).
- Top International Airline
- Spirit Airlines (Hub at FLL), JetBlue, Southwest.
- Highway Access
- Immediate access to I-95, I-595, and Florida's Turnpike.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Brightline Fort Lauderdale Station (High-speed rail to Miami/Orlando).
- Public Transport Passes
- Broward County Transit (BCT) - $5 Day Pass / $70 Monthly Pass.
- Regional Travel
- Brightline (to Miami in 30 mins for ~$15) and Tri-Rail (commuter rail).
Business
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $576,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $336,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 5.5% (Florida State) + 21% (Federal).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for residents; up to 30% for non-residents depending on treaty.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for US citizens/residents. Florida has 0% State Income Tax.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 37% (Federal Level).
- VAT
- 7% (Sales Tax in Broward County).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, highly complex 'GILTI' and Subpart F rules.
- Property Tax
- Yes, approximately 1.1% to 2% of assessed market value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Doc stamps on deed ($0.70 per $100) and mortgage ($0.35 per $100).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Highly attractive due to NO state income tax for residents.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $8,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $340,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $5,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $208,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $7,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $468,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Broward Health Medical Center (1600 S Andrews Ave).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Joint (Multiple locations) - $25 drop-in.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- YouFit ($15/mo) or LA Fitness ($40/mo).
- Laundry Services
- Laundry King (Express wash and fold services available).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats, DoorDash, Grubhub.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Stone Crabs and Mahi-Mahi Tacos.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vegan Fine Foods (Downtown) and Green Bar & Kitchen.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Nanou French Bakery & Pastries or Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlour.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Publix Super Markets and ALDI (for budget groceries).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Same-day delivery common), Walmart.com.
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Himmarshee Village and Las Olas Boulevard.
- Local Brewery
- Tarpon River Brewing - Craft beers and industrial-cool vibes.
- Wine Bars
- Vinos on Las Olas - Cozy spot with outdoor seating.
- Street Food Stalls
- Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery (Upscale food hall).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Ceviche 105 (Peruvian) and Louis Bossi’s (Italian).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- International Swimming Hall of Fame, Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.
- Museums & Art Venues
- NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale.
- Historical Sites
- Historic Stranahan House Museum (The city's oldest surviving structure).
- Religious Sites
- St. Anthony Catholic Church (Historic 1921 building).
- Annual Events
- Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (October/November).
- Cultural Districts
- FATVillage (Flagler Arts and Technology District).
- Theater Venues
- Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
- Local Markets
- Las Olas Oceanside Park Farmers Market (Saturdays).
- Music Scene
- Revolution Live (Concert venue for national touring acts).
- Street Art
- Mural walk in Flagler Village / FATVillage.
- Cooking Classes
- The Cookery Fort Lauderdale - Individual and group classes.
- Art Galleries
- New River Fine Art on Las Olas.
- Historic Buildings
- Ft. Lauderdale City Hall (Modernist architecture).
- Local Heritage
- Seminole Tribe history and the city's identity as 'Venice of America'.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Hugh Taylor Birch State Park (Forest paths and beach access).
- National Parks Nearby
- Everglades National Park (45-minute drive to Shark Valley).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Fort Lauderdale Beachfront Promenade and the New River Riverwalk.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- 17th Street Causeway Bridge (Stunning views of the Port and Skyline).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Fern Forest Nature Center.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public beach fires are prohibited; check private beach clubs or Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- FedEx Office Print & Ship Center, UPS Store, USPS.
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Broward Table Tennis Club.
- Language Classes
- TLA - The Language Academy (English and Spanish courses).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Broward County Main Library (100 S Andrews Ave) - Excellent free workspaces.
- Community Centers
- Fort Lauderdale Gay & Lesbian Community Center (The Pride Center).
- Gaming Lounges
- Glitch Bar (Arcade games and bar).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (The 'Guitar Hotel') in nearby Hollywood.