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South Florida Online Resources

South Florida Online Resources:

South Florida encompasses a three-county area of the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Florida. The metropolitan area covers the counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. The three counties are the three most populous in Florida, respectively. The term “South Florida” is roughly synonymous with the Gold Coast. The Principal Cities include Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

This South Florida online resources page is an initial introduction to local online resources available to assist you with your education and research on South Florida.

These web links will provide you a better understanding of what the area(s) that interest you have to offer and the local home buyer resources available.

Whether you are considering purchasing in Broward County or Palm Beach County in South Florida, the following links may prove informative.

Home Inspectors Directory
Research Lenders Request a list of local preferred lenders by sending an Email to Optima Properties.
Research Neighborhoods

Government Services:

Florida Property Tax Exemptions
Residents of Florida are exempt from paying taxes on the first $50,000 of the assessed value of their primary residence, provided they file for the exemption between Jan 1st and March 1st. Contact the Tax Collectors Office for the county in which you reside. Filing needs be done only once so long as you continue to live on the property.

Education:

Sports & Entertainment:

Here are some links to area activities and entertainment resources. There is so much to do here! Enjoy!

Entertainment:

Sports:

South Florida boasts great access to exciting college & professional sports teams.

Local News:

Transportation:

Broward County:

As of 2024, the population was 1,978,173; making it the second most populated county in Florida. It’s county seat is Fort Lauderdale.

Broward County currently has the sixth largest school district in the country and the second largest in the state after Miami-Dade. Broward County’s Library is one of the largest public library systems in the country, composed of 41 branch locations.

Fort Lauderdale:

Fort Lauderdale, known as the “Venice of America” due to its expansive and intricate canal system. his quaint little city is situated on a vast network of canals and channels, making it the perfect place for yachting, stand-up paddle boarding, and guided boat tours. The waterway system stretches over 300 miles, connecting neighborhoods, commercial areas, and parks. The beauty of Ft Lauderdale’s waterways is a sight to behold, with stunning mansions and lush greenery lining the canals.

Palm Beach County:

Palm Beach County’s 47 miles of beaches give access to coastal waters scattered with natural coral formations that are part of the Florida Reef Tract, the only living barrier coral reef in the continental United States and the third largest in the world. The creation of 160 “artificial reefs”—made of limestone, concrete, and sunken ships that become habitats for algae, corals, and other marine life—provides additional areas for fishing, diving, and snorkeling, ensuring the natural reefs are protected from overuse.

Palm Beach County is Florida’s wealthiest county. Its largest city and county seat is West Palm Beach (Central County), Boca Raton (South County), is the second largest city, Boynton Beach (South County), is the third largest city.

Business & Community:

Education:

All of Palm Beach County is served by the School District of Palm Beach County. And is the 13th largest public school system in the United States. The district operates 167 schools, including 25 high schools. Newsweek listed three Palm Beach County high schools in the top 50 schools in the list 1200 Top U.S. Schools – Atlantic Community High School, Suncoast High School and the Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts, all public magnet schools.

Palm Beach Co. Colleges & Universities:

West Palm Beach:

The city has a very rich history. Prior to the founding of Miami, West Palm Beach, founded in 1894, was a thriving cultural center. Originally, Henry Flagler intended for his Florida East Coast Railroad to have its terminus in West Palm, but due to a deep freeze, he decided to extend the railroad to Miami. For many years West Palm Beach and Miami were rival South Florida cities and they both thrived in the early 20th century. Although it was originally intended to be a settlement for the servants of the wealthy Palm Beach Island neighbors, West Palm became a thriving center in its own right.