Margate

Holiday Springs is a small suburban community made up of six villages surrounding the former Carolina Club Golf Course. Each village has its own style of houses, featuring a mixture of condos, townhouses and single-family dwellings, some of which overlook the 148-acre course. The club closed in 2018 but has maintained its picturesque quality with sprawling fairways and glittering lakes. So, while residents can no longer use the course, it still serves as a scenic backdrop for homeowners. There are no definitive plans for the property at this time, but many developers have expressed interest in building additional homes and, in some cases, commercial spaces here. Holiday Springs offers a variety of housing options within its six villages. In some areas, residents can find Mediterranean-style homes with stucco facades, arched windows, and terracotta roof tiles. Many have small backyards completely covered with stone patios designed for entertaining, featuring private pools and loungers. These single-family homes are the most expensive of the bunch, ranging from $435,000 to $675,000. Townhouses are more affordable, with two- to three-bedroom Mediterranean-style units ranging from $335,000 to $480,000. They were mostly built between 1989 and 2002 on the south side of town, and many come with amenities like access to a community pool and gated security. Condos are the most affordable options, with one- to two-bedroom units built in the 1970s ranging from $63,000 to $185,000. Meanwhile, those built in the 1980s and ‘90s range from $84,000 to $255,000. While a few high-rise buildings are open to folks of all ages, many of the condo units here are in 55-plus communities. “The thing I like to highlight is the resort-style amenities,” says Scott Stiepleman, a Realtor of 19 years with The Keyes Company. “The clubhouse and the pool area are beautiful. It has tiki huts and palm trees,” Stiepleman says of Holiday Springs Village. “It’s the only 55 and older in Margate with pickleball courts.” The neighborhood is served by Broward County Public Schools, which includes Margate Elementary School, graded a B-minus; Margate Middle School, graded a C-plus; and Coral Springs High School, graded a B. Coral Springs High offers advanced placement and dual enrollment classes, the latter of which are in partnership with nearby institutions like the University of Florida, Florida International University and Broward College. A couple of well-rated private schools are nearby, such as Meridian High School and Phyl’s Academy Preparatory School, a prekindergarten through twelfth-grade institution. Firefighters Park is the neighborhood’s main outdoor space and is within walking distance for those living on the south side of town. This well-maintained park has something for everyone, from courts for tennis, pickleball and basketball to a fitness trail lined with workout stations to an enclosed soccer field that was once an outdoor hockey rink. “It’s smaller, so instead of playing 11 or 12-man soccer, they play four or five-man games,” Stiepleman says. There is also a small memorial garden in the front of the park adorned with a to-scale replicate of the World Trade Center, a firefighter statue, and a small mural. The park is split in half by a narrow inlet for the Stranahan River, but a steel footbridge connects the main recreation area to a large dog park with size-designated areas. The neighborhood is also close to the Calypso Cove Aquatic Center, a city-owned water park featuring swimming pools, watery playgrounds and colorful water slides. Despite many single-family homes or townhouses and condo communities having private or shared pools, the water park is a popular option for escaping the blistering heat of South Florida summers. The center also offers aerobics classes and swimming lessons and is where the Tsunamis Swim Team meets to practice. The neighborhood is also less than 11 miles away from popular beaches, like North Ocean Park and Pompano Beach. While the neighborhood is primarily residential, a small shopping center, Carolina Springs Plaza, is in the north corner of town. Along with Supermercados El Bodegon, a specialty Hispanic grocery store, there are several local and chain eateries. One popular spot is KOUYOU Sushi & Buffet, an all-you-can-eat spot serving fresh sushi and hibachi. Residents also rave about El Balcón de las Américas, a local chain restaurant serving authentic Colombian cuisine like bandeja paisa and tamales. La Union Bakery is another go-to. Despite its name, this laid-back Mexican eatery serves much more than just baked goods, offering authentic Mexican dishes like juevos rancheros and birria tacos. For even more shopping and dining options, Coral Square Mall is about 4 miles away and is home to around 120 businesses. The neighborhood is close to several busy roads, including N University Drive, W Sample Road and U.S. Route 441, the latter running north-south from Miami to Rocky Top, Tennessee. The community is also close to U.S. Interstate 95, which leads to Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, about 20 and 14 miles away, respectively. For residents looking to use public transit, Broward County buses pick up throughout the neighborhood. When it comes to air travel, residents have several options. Pompano Beach Airpark is the nearest airport. It’s a small public airport typically used by air taxis, privately chartered planes, and air ambulances. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the closest major airport to town, about 21 miles away. The Fourth of July is one of Margate’s most popular events. The all-day celebration kicks off with a parade down Margate Boulevard at 9 a.m., followed by a community pool party in the afternoon and an extravaganza at night. Residents can enjoy food trucks, obstacle courses and live music during the festival, which culminates with a fireworks show after dark.

Situated North of the Stranahan River, Margate Gardens offers an affordable middle ground between Coral Springs and Pompano Beach. Residents here take advantage of the low entry-level pricing and the riverfront access. Homes here were constructed as early as the 1950s. Ranch-styles are common and often feature low-pitched rooflines and attached garages. From fishing and boating at Legacy Park to golfing at Oriole Golf Club, outdoor amenities here are abundant and offer a constant state of vacation. It’s no wonder residents stay for decades, with a tranquil community-oriented neighborhood and an effort to maintain family-owned eateries like The Gem Eatery and annual events like the Fourth of July Parade. “Margate stands out with its own dedicated fire department and police force — providing a sense of comfort to permanent residents, renters and even those just passing through,” says Kevin Morris, long-time local and Realtor at The Morris Group. From riverfront-living to quick beach trips to Pompeo Beach, Margate Gardens offers an at-ease southern Florida lifestyle to consider. Residents here capitalize on their proximity to water at nearby Legacy Park, which features a boat ramp onto the Stranahan River and a gazebo with information kiosks that tell the history of Margate. With the Atlantic Ocean nearby, residents can make quick day trips to Pompeo Beach, which is perfect for sunbathing along the coastline and cooling off during the warmer months. Golf enthusiasts are in luck with the semi-private Oriole Golf Club nearby, offering 18 holes for both members and non-members to book tee times and practice their swing. During the summer, little ones can get wet and wild at Calypso Cove Water Park, featuring a splash pad, large water slides and a lap pool for residents to enjoy. For cheering on the local youth baseball teams, families can cheer on their players at Margate Sports Complex and dine on-the-go under the shaded pavilions. Palm trees are dotted throughout the community with wide-paved roads and thin sidewalks connecting each subdivision. Margate Gardens features a variety of home styles ranging from traditional ramblers and tile-roofed Mediterranean-styles to multi-family condos and stucco townhouses. Margate Gardens boasts subdivisions from the sought-after non-Homeowners Association Cathedral Square and the 55 and older Paradise Gardens to the condos in Malibu North and stucco townhouses in Island No 2. While HOA fees are common here, it is not universal throughout the entire area. HOA fees range from as low as $50 a month. “Margate attracts homebuyers with some of the lowest HOA fees within the area — and with The Housing Finance Division in Broward County, Home Buyer Purchase Assistance is offered in the form of a deferred payment second mortgage at 0% interest, 15-year term — Funds are available on a first-come, first qualified, first served basis.” says Morris, Creator of "Living In Fort Lauderdale" YouTube channel. With a median sales price of $375,000, homes here range from one-bedroom condos starting from the mid $100,000s to upwards of $600,000 for a three-bedroom traditional rambler with private water access. Waterfront homes along the Stranahan River often feature larger lots and are subject to increased price points here. Homes here often feature wide-paved driveways with screened-in backyard pools and are typically fronted by mid-sized yards with shrubbery and tropical flora. Every year, the City of Margate hosts the Fourth of July Parade for residents to enjoy. This all-day family affair starts with a parade at 9:00 am along Margate Boulevard and makes its way to a pool party at Calypso Cove Water Park. Next, residents can dance to live music and indulge in local food trucks for dinner with a finale of fireworks beginning at 9:00 pm to wrap up the night. The event is highly anticipated by the community and Margate City goes all out with the fireworks, which can be seen from nearly 10 miles away. Residents here can shop at Lakewood Shopping Center, which offers department stores and retailers, like Marshalls, Five Below and Ross Dress for Less. Groceries and other everyday essentials are available along Route 441 at nearby stores like Wal-Mart, Publix and Winn-Dixie. When dining in the area, locals can visit family-owned The Gem Eatery for giant-sized sticky buns and a home-style meal. Or check out El Balcón de las Américas for a relaxed dining experience and a combination of Colombian and Latin flavors. For some award-winning ceviche, visit the southern Florida-based Sr. Ceviche for authentic Peruvian cuisine. Students in Margate Gardens can attend schools like Margate Elementary, Margate Middle and Coconut Creek High School, which have received ratings of B-minus, C-plus and C-plus from the educational review site, Niche. Margate Elementary School serves over 1,000 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. Margate Middle School offers a STEM magnet program, which has won a Magnet School of Distinction Award for excellence in academic programming. Coconut Creek High School offers an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program that ensures higher education preparation. Private institutions like Abundant Life Christian Academy and Hebrew Academy Community School are also common here. For higher education opportunities, Margate Gardens residents can look to nearby Atlantic Technical College. Margate Gardens relies on West Atlantic Boulevard and U.S. Route 441 for easy access to Florida’s Turnpike and neighboring areas like Oriole Gardens and Coconut Creek. Residents seeking public transit options can take the Broward County Transit (BCT) local bus service for trips in and around Margate Gardens starting at $2.00 for adults one-way. For those seeking to travel longer distances, the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International is just 20 miles from Margate Gardens. When seeking healthcare, residents are 2 miles from HCA Florida Northwest Hospital. Homes in Margate Gardens are at a higher risk of hurricane damage and flooding due to its location and sub-tropical climate. Broward County recommends preventative measures like electing in the National Flood Insurance Program.

North Margate’s palm tree-lined streets provide an inviting backdrop for those seeking a quiet respite within Broward, Florida’s second-most populous county. Look closer, and the deal gets sweeter. This is a landlocked community, some 10 miles from the South Florida coast. Yet many of the homes here have direct water access thanks to the Stranahan River, an urban boating path that courses through town. And it all can be had at relatively accessible prices, too. “You’re getting good value for your money, relatively speaking,” says Shane Frankovic, owner and operator of Sellstate Partners Realty. “Good walkability, nice parks, nice restaurants. Good school district. In general, it’s a desirable area because it’s a good combination of getting a lot of things most homebuyers want and the affordability aspect.” North Margate’s residential landscape is dominated by midcentury bungalows and ranch-style homes, averaging 1,248 square feet. Almost all of them come with a bit of grassy green lawn space, as part of lots that stretch one-tenth to one-fifth of an acre, and some homes back right up to the Stranahan River. The relative affordability of many of the properties here is boosted by the fact that many of them aren’t part of HOAs. “Communities with no HOAs are in demand now,” says Heather Lawrence, a realtor/mortgage broker with HeatherNow.com and a local Florida expert with over 25 years of experience. “Because North Margate has so many of them at reasonable prices, the neighborhood is attracting first-time homebuyers and investors alike.” Some condos and townhomes supplement the single-family houses here, and are usually priced between the low $100,000s and the low $300,000s. Single-family homes in North Margate typically come with price tags from the mid-$300,000s to the mid-$500,000s based on condition and square footage. The Broward County Public Schools system serves kids in North Margate, a district with a B-plus overall grade on Niche. The district allows enrollees to apply for schools of their choice, but those in North Margate can start school right in the neighborhood, at the B-minus-rated Margate Elementary, which offers before- and afterschool care. Students can then progress to Margate Middle, a C-plus-rated school with magnet programs in mechanical and civil engineering, and biomedical engineering and biomechanics. Coral Springs High, which carries a B grade, is an option from there, where students can explore interests through a wide range of groups, from a robotics club to a Florida Future Educators of America chapter. Residents here can enjoy quick access to U.S. Route 441/State Road 7, an important transportation and commercial stretch. “In general it’s closely connected to main arteries,” says Frankovic, whose Sellstate Partners Realty team covers Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. Commuters, for instance, can use that road to connect with State Road 814 and then Interstate 95 for trips to Fort Lauderdale, just under 20 miles away. Those in North Margate can access multiple stops in the Broward County Transit bus system along Route 441/State Road 7 as well. Locals can take advantage of the area’s walkability to stroll over to Winfield Park, which Frankovic says is a popular spot in the neighborhood. Winfield is where area children can sink their feet into the sandy playground and where locals of all ages can meet for pickup basketball games. Kaye Stevens Park is a peaceful spot for a picnic by a piece of the Stranahan River. Also, the 12-acre Margate Sports Complex in the neighboring enclave of Buttonwood Hammocks is a hub for youth baseball. Those in North Margate don’t have to look further than Route 441/State Road 7 for food and more. Bohio Latin Flavors is among the nearby restaurants there, where variations of mofongo — mashed green plantains — are a specialty. Festival-Presidente Supermarket is also close, a spot known in part for its fresh produce. The 289-bed HCA Florida Northwest Hospital is just a tad farther north on Route 441/State Road 7, as is a Walgreens, Winn-Dixie and more. Communal events are a common thing in the City of Margate. There are multiple events over the course of the year in Margate, including a Fall Festival at Margate Sports Complex each October, featuring scarecrow building, pumpkin carving, a petting zoo and more. There’s also a Winter Festival in December at the corner of Margate Boulevard and Route 441, complete with “snow” and rides. Fourth of July brings a parade down Margate Boulevard, too, plus fireworks.

Oriole Gardens is more than just a 55-plus community in South Florida. It is a viable opportunity for homeowners to get their own slice of the Sunshine State. “The neighborhood is special because it represents an option for homeowners to own something that is affordable and centrally located,” says Helena Yeaman, local broker associate at REMAX Direct. “Residents can walk to shopping, restaurants and they’re right next to the mall.” While the neighborhood's name comes from the three condominium buildings known as “Oriole Gardens,” single-family homes are also available on tree-lined streets nearby. No matter where residents end up, multiple transportation routes connect them to vibrant commercial centers and green area parks. The neighborhood has multiple on-site amenities for residents to enjoy, with each condo complex having its own tennis courts, swimming pools and indoor clubhouse. Residents can peruse the stacks of books found at the library or shoot some pool in the billiards room. Veterans Memorial Park sits along the banks of the Stranahan River and honors the armed services with a brick memorial lined with plaques honoring Margate’s veterans. Boat ramps and a fishing dock are available for those looking to spend a day on the water, while the Cypress Creek Greenway Bicycle runs across the river and offers miles of trails next to the tranquil blue waters. Sports fields, including a baseball diamond, can be found next door at Oriole Park. Oriole Golf Club is a semi-private facility open to the public and features daily throw-in game opportunities throughout the week. Housing is divided between condominium complexes and single-family subdivisions with multiple waterfront properties available. Oriole Gardens boasts three different condo buildings that were developed in the 1970s. One-bedroom units begin listing for $85,000, while larger two-bedroom units with updated renovations can top $230,000. “There are a lot of properties on the market right now,” Yeaman says. “It’s very unusual because it has flipped to a strong buyer’s market.” Beyond the complexes, pastel-colored ranchers sit on tree-lined streets with swimming pools in the back. Some houses come with scenic waterfront views as they rest along the banks of the Stranahan River. Single-family builds are priced between $400,000 and $600,000, and the majority of residents own their homes. The neighborhood is at risk for flood and hurricane damage due to its proximity to the coast. Broward County provides resources to understand the associated risks and information regarding flood and wind insurance. Residents are close to the ample shopping and dining scenes of South Florida, including the Palm Lakes Plaza, which sits in the neighborhood. Just down the street, Coral Square Shopping Mall is a retail mecca featuring over 120 stores, 15 eateries and a movie theatre. Popular establishments are available closer to home, including Marco’s Pizza, a national Italian chain serving tasty pies and subs. The Publix Supermarket at Palm Lakes Plaza is undergoing renovations, but groceries can be found at Walmart Supercenter nearby. MedFlorida Centers Margate is one of multiple medical facilities in the area and is located 2 miles down Atlantic Boulevard. The Broward County Public School District is the second largest in the state of Florida and serves the neighborhood’s youngest residents. Atlantic West Elementary, Margate Middle School and Coconut Creek High School all received a C-plus rating from Niche. Margate Middle School offers a STEM Literacy magnet program and features a virtual science and mathematics learning lab. Coconut Creek High School partners with the Atlantic Technical College to provide career dual enrollment opportunities to students participating in the Creek Technical Academy Program. Calvary Christian Academy is a private school option for parents to consider. Residents of the condo complexes gather by the pool every third Saturday of the month for an evening of barbeque and good times. While this may be just a community event, all residents are close to the numerous celebrations the city of Margate puts on throughout the year. Sounds at Sundown is a popular concert series featuring live music and food trucks. Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for an evening filled with singing and dancing under the Florida moonlight. Atlantic Boulevard is the main thoroughfare and has multiple bus stops serviced by the Broward County Transit. Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale are each 15 miles away. Those traveling farther can head 20 miles south to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which offers several domestic and international destinations.

In Buttonwood Hammocks, conveniently placed commercial amenities blend almost seamlessly with tranquil residential corridors befitting the neighborhood’s name. This enclave offers a diverse array of housing types, filled with a mixture of single-family homes, townhomes and condos. The housing stock here was primarily built in the late 20th century, distinguishing it from some other pockets of town. And the crime score here ranks just slightly above the national average, according to the CAP Index. “Newer inventory,” says Shane Frankovic, owner and operator of Sellstate Partners Realty. “It offers more in terms of less things that need to be done, any repairs. Nice amenities as well.” Hop from one tree-dotted residential corridor to another in Buttonwood Hammocks and one can find a completely different style of home. Here, condo complexes stand down the road from attached villa-style houses, which are down the road from traditional detached single-family homes. The single-family houses in the neighborhood come with floor plans averaging almost 1,500 square feet and townhomes average just over 1,500 square feet. “What it comes down to right now with how prices are going up is affordability, and that area helps out for that,” says local Realtor Matthew Hornaday of eXp Realty, who has lived in South Florida for a dozen years. “Families looking for a larger home and something still in budget, that’s an area some people shift to.” Price tags here usually span from the $200,000s to the $300,000s for a condo or townhome, to the $300,000s to $500,000s for a single-family house. The Broward County Public Schools system covers students in Buttonwood Hammocks, a district with a B-plus overall grade on Niche and one that allows enrollees to apply for the schools of their choice. But campuses kids here are specifically assigned to based on address include the B-minus-rated Coconut Creek Elementary, which offers a before- and afterschool program. Students can then move on to the C-plus-rated Margate Middle, where they can explore a STEM magnet program with instruction in mechanical and civil engineering, and biomedical engineering and biomechanics. The C-plus-rated Coconut Creek High is next, which includes a technical academy with programs on topics like health sciences and manufacturing. West Broward Academy is another option in the neighborhood, a C-plus-rated, tuition-free charter school that includes kindergarten to eighth grade. WBA has a research-based curriculum that puts a premium on math and science. U.S. Route 441/State Road 7 runs right by Buttonwood Hammocks, a thoroughfare locals can use to navigate the city and beyond. This stretch connects with State Road 814, which can take drivers to Interstate 95. Florida’s Turnpike lies just east of the neighborhood as well, another important artery in the area. “It’s closer to major highways, like the Turnpike,” Frankovic says of Buttonwood Hammocks. “It’s just an easy way to commute to work.” Buttonwood Hammocks is home to one of the city’s crown jewels, the 12-acre Margate Sports Complex. This space is a hub for youth baseball with its three diamonds, and it also offers a covered multipurpose field and a covered playground. “It’s definitely a draw,” Hornaday says. Locals can also enjoy indoor recreation in the form of bowling at AMF Margate Lanes or laser tag, trampoline and a ropes course at the 12,000-square-foot Off The Wall. Myriad commercial attractions surround the homes of Buttonwood Hammocks. The neighborhood's southeast corner features the Coconut Creek Plaza shopping center, which includes a Publix supermarket, a Big Lots and a location of the popular La Rural Mexican Grill, known in part for its burritos. The U.S. Route 441/State Road 7 stretch offers many more amenities, like Festival-Presidente Supermarket, whose produce section is well-liked, plus restaurants including Pearl of the Island Caribbean Cuisine, renowned for its Haitian food. The City of Margate supports a wide range of community events over the course of the year. Multiple events happen right in the neighborhood at Margate Sports Complex, including the Springtime Egg Hunt in March and the Fall Festival in October, featuring everything from scarecrow building to a haunted house to pony rides. The sports complex hosts periodic movie in the park nights, too.

Coral Bay is a neighborhood with two identities. To the north, the gated community of Coral Bay, where the neighborhood gets its name, is an all-ages community with eight subdivisions of single-family homes that wind around a 70-acre lake, the largest in the area. To the south, Coral Cay Plantation, a 55-plus mobile-home community, enjoys its own waterfront views with the Stranahan River and a canal on two sides. Both halves of the neighborhood enjoy exceptional amenities, a prime central location and attractive price points. “Coral Bay draws working families with its clubhouses, activities and low HOA fees,” says real estate broker Sheng Kim with Full Service 3% Realty. This is a well-run community that’s only about 30 years old.” Most houses here are two stories with Spanish-style roofs, arched entryways, and prominent two-car garages. Some include backyard pools with built-in barbecues for entertaining; others enjoy stunning lakefront views. On average, these homes sell for between $320,000 for fixer-uppers and $700,000 for the largest and most recently updated. To the south, manufactured homes in Coral Cay Plantation often feature carports, screened-in porches and decks. Some enjoy backyard water access. And they’re priced much lower than Coral Bay — between $60,000 and $115,000. And HOA fees are higher — $950 per month, which includes the land lease. The neighborhood’s public schools include Margate Elementary, which received a B from Niche, partly for its good 16 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Margate Middle, a C-plus school, offers a STEM magnet program for students interested in engineering or biomechanics that can earn them an automatic seat in a magnet high school. Students at Coral Springs High, which scored a B, can start early on their career interests through dual enrollment programs at five Florida colleges and universities. Families can also choose from several charter and private schools nearby, such as K-8 Renaissance Charter School at Coral Springs, which received a B-plus from Niche and an 8-of-out-10 rating from GreatSchools. Amenities are a high priority to homebuyers interested in purchasing a home in the neighborhood. Coral Bay features three community swimming pools, one built on a narrow peninsula that juts into the central lake and offers stunning panoramic views. Residents can play tennis or basketball at North Bay Park, and kids can climb and slide on the playground in South Bay Park. As you might guess, a 55-plus community like Coral Cay has its own demand for social and recreational activities. That’s why, in addition to tennis and basketball courts, you’ll find bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, horseshoes, two heated pools, a spa and whirlpool, two beautiful clubhouses, a library, a billiard room, and social and sports activities that bring residents together. For anyone needing help with physical fitness, a You Fit Gym is nearby, too, where members can take advantage of group fitness classes and small group training led by personal trainers. Serving the health-care needs of the region, HCA Florida Northwest Hospital features 289 beds and a medical center that leads the way in robotic surgery and emergency care. For everyday needs, you'll find many grocery stores at West Sample Road and North State Road 7, such as the Publix at Coral Landings. Not far away is an ALDI. And a short distance south is Broward Meat and Fish, which sells everything from ground beef to oxtail. For a bite to eat, you might stop at Dandee Donut Factory, which serves 50 varieties of donuts, Bonefish Mac’s, a seafood, burger and wings place, or It’s All Greek to Me, an eatery where you can get anything from pita wraps to classic Greek dishes. A few blocks north, you’ll find the Seminole Casino Coral Creek, a Las Vegas-style entertainment venue with slot machines, table games, restaurants and live entertainment. Go west, and you’ll hit Cornerstone Plaza. Dubbed the new downtown of Coral Springs, this vibrant city center with upscale restaurants, bars and cafés is surrounded by a flagship Hyatt hotel and luxury apartments. Coral Bay is unique because it’s “in the middle of Coral Springs, Parkland and Margate,” Kim says, “a great central location for parks, attractions and highway access.” Whether you’re starting a family or newly retired, this neighborhood is where people stay active and enjoy life.