Hollywood, Florida sits in a sweet spot between Miami’s buzz and Fort Lauderdale’s polish. If you’re weighing a move, you’re probably wondering what property values look like, how far your budget stretches, and whether the local lifestyle actually fits your day-to-day. This Living in Hollywood, FL: Property Values & Local Lifestyle Review breaks down the housing market, neighborhoods, costs, schools, commute, and what it’s really like to spend your weekends along the Broadwalk and Intracoastal.
Hollywood’s Setting And Vibe In The South Florida Tapestry
Tucked on the Atlantic between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood blends vintage coastal charm with steady revitalization. You get a historic downtown centered on Young Circle and a walkable, low-rise oceanfront lined by the famous Broadwalk, a 2.5-mile beach promenade for joggers, cyclists, and café-hoppers. It’s calmer than Miami Beach, friendlier on the wallet than Fort Lauderdale beach zones, and still close to both metros, major airports, and cruise ports.
The feel? Relaxed and neighborly east of US-1 with Mid-Century houses, palm-canopied streets, and salty breezes: busier and more suburban west of I-95 with larger lots, gated pockets, and newer construction. Weekdays are practical, good roadway access, hospitals, schools, while weekends tilt outdoors: sunrise runs, paddleboarding the mangroves at West Lake Park, live music at ArtsPark, and sunset dinners on the Intracoastal.
Housing Market Snapshot: Prices, Inventory, And Trends
You’ll find a wide spread of options: 1950s ranch homes, waterfront estates along the lakes and Intracoastal, and an array of condos from budget-friendly to luxury oceanfront. The city draws both full-time residents and snowbirds, which shapes pricing, seasonality, and HOA/condo dynamics.
Median Prices And Affordability Benchmarks
As of late 2024 into 2025, typical single-family home values in Hollywood cluster around the mid–$500,000s citywide, with east-of-US-1 and waterfront locations pushing higher. Entry-level inland homes can still appear in the low–$400,000s when inventory loosens. Condos tend to center in the low–$300,000s overall, with older garden-style buildings under that mark and renovated or ocean-adjacent units running $400,000–$800,000+. Newer luxury oceanfront towers can crest seven figures.
Monthly costs matter as much as sticker price. For condos, factor HOA dues that commonly range from about $350–$700+ per month for non-luxury buildings and easily $1,000–$1,500+ for full-service beachfront towers. For single-family homes, you avoid building-wide HOA fees (outside of gated communities), but you’ll carry market-rate insurance and maintenance.
Single-Family Vs. Condos And Townhomes
If you want yards, pets without restrictions, and room to renovate, single-family homes in Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Lakes, or west-side suburbs fit the bill. You’ll pay more upfront and shoulder maintenance, but you’ll also avoid heavier condo bylaws and assessments.
Condos and townhomes win on location access, many sit steps from the beach, Broadwalk, or downtown, and on managed amenities (pool, gym, security). They’re popular for seasonal use or as a lower-maintenance lifestyle, though budgets must account for HOA fees and potential special assessments, especially in older buildings undergoing safety, structural, or reserve compliance upgrades.
Supply, Demand, And Near-Term Outlook
Inventory improved compared with the ultra-tight 2021–2022 stretch, but move-in-ready homes east of I-95 still draw strong interest. Mortgage rates cooled some buyer urgency, yet South Florida’s in-migration, no state income tax, and coastal appeal keep a stable floor under demand. Expect fairly balanced conditions inland and continued premium pricing for renovated homes near the beach, the lakes, and the Intracoastal. Seasonal listing waves (winter/spring) can temporarily boost choice.
Neighborhoods: What You Get And Where To Look
Hollywood’s neighborhoods each tell a different story. Your short list will depend on whether you’re prioritizing salty air, school zones, or quick highway hops.
Downtown & Young Circle
If you want walkability, start here. Around ArtsPark at Young Circle and along Hollywood Blvd/Harrison St., you get mid-rise condos, boutique rentals, cafés, murals, and year-round events. It’s an easy bike ride to the beach via Hollywood Blvd. Prices are more approachable than on the sand, and you’ll feel the city’s ongoing revitalization.
Hollywood Lakes & North/South Lake
This is east-side prestige: stately homes, tree-lined streets, and the shimmering North and South Lake lagoons leading to the Intracoastal. You’ll pay for it, renovated homes often push well north of the city median, but you get character architecture, sidewalks, and true “old Florida” charm. Waterfront lots offer docks and quick boating access.
Hollywood Beach & Broadwalk Condos
The oceanfront and Intracoastal strip is vacation-postcard perfect. Condos dominate, with everything from older co-ops to modern towers. Lifestyle is car-light if you choose, wake to the sunrise, skip downstairs for coffee, and stroll or bike the Broadwalk. It’s lively on weekends and high season. Budget for higher HOAs and, in full-service buildings, valet/amenity fees.
Emerald Hills & West Hollywood Suburbs
Northwest of I-95, Emerald Hills and surrounding suburbs feature larger single-family homes, golf-course adjacency, and a strong sense of community. You’ll find synagogues, parks, and convenient shopping. Further west toward the Turnpike and Pines Blvd corridor, prices are more predictable, schools have steady ratings, and commutes via major highways are straightforward.
Cost Of Living, Taxes, And Risk Factors
Florida’s lack of state income tax helps long-term affordability, but coastal living adds line items, insurance, HOA dues, and occasional assessments, that you’ll want to model before you buy.
Property Taxes, Homestead, And HOA/Condo Fees
Broward County property taxes typically translate to an effective rate a bit above 1% of assessed value, though your bill varies by district and exemptions. If you make the home your primary residence, Florida’s Homestead Exemption can shave up to $50,000 off taxable value and cap annual assessed-value increases (Save Our Homes) at 3% or CPI, whichever’s lower. That cap becomes a huge long-term benefit if prices keep rising.
HOA and condo fees vary widely: modest inland condos may run a few hundred dollars monthly: oceanfront buildings with doormen, pools, and reserves easily clear four figures. Ask about reserves, past and pending assessments, and upcoming work, especially important as buildings statewide carry out tighter safety and reserve requirements.
Insurance Realities: Wind, Flood, And Premium Drivers
Insurance is the wildcard across coastal Florida. You’ll need windstorm coverage (often bundled with homeowners) and, if you’re in a designated flood zone or have a mortgage there, flood insurance. Premiums depend on building age, roof type, elevation, mitigation features (impact windows, shutters, clips), and distance to water. Post-2002-code homes and upgrades like a 2020s roof can materially lower costs.
Flood policies through the NFIP or private carriers vary: homes in AE zones near the Intracoastal or lakes can see higher premiums: homes outside high-risk zones often pay modestly. If numbers are tight, get quotes early in your inspection period and confirm the property’s wind mitigation and four-point reports.
Utilities, Parking, And Everyday Expenses
Electric service is through FPL: newer windows and efficient HVACs matter in the summer. City of Hollywood handles water/sewer. Beach parking is metered: residents can purchase discounted permits for certain zones. Dining and groceries price similar to greater Broward, with beachfront spots commanding resort-like premiums. If you live east, you may Uber more and drive less: west, you’ll likely rely on your car but enjoy easier driveway parking and garage space.
Lifestyle: Beaches, Parks, Dining, And Culture
Hollywood is built for people who want daily outdoor time without giving up city access.
Beach Life And The Broadwalk
The Broadwalk is the city’s social spine: runners at sunrise, families on bikes, buskers near bandshells, and a string of ice cream shops, seafood joints, and tiki bars. The beach is wide and well-kept, with lifeguard stands and plenty of public access points. Living nearby feels like a perpetual staycation.
Parks, Boating, And Outdoor Recreation
West Lake Park and the Anne Kolb Nature Center deliver miles of mangrove trails, kayaking, and observation towers with Intracoastal views. Topeekeegee Yugnee (TY) Park is a west-side favorite for jogging loops, paddleboats, and picnics. Boaters love the Intracoastal corridors and the North/South Lake system, many homes have docks or quick marina access. Golfers find options in and around Emerald Hills, and cyclists enjoy the mostly flat terrain with coastal breezes.
Dining, Nightlife, And Community Events
Downtown’s restaurant scene mixes global flavors with casual hangouts: the beach adds ocean-view dining and live music. ArtsPark at Young Circle hosts night markets, concerts, and movie nights. You’ll also tap nearby hubs, Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale, Aventura Mall, Wynwood/Brickell to the south, without sacrificing your quieter home base.
Schools, Commute, And Job Access
You can cover a lot of life’s logistics within a 20–30 minute radius, which is part of the appeal.
Public, Magnet, And Private School Options
Hollywood is served by Broward County Public Schools, one of the nation’s larger districts. You’ll find neighborhood elementaries, middle schools with magnet offerings, and several specialized programs across the county, STEM, Cambridge/AICE, and arts among them. Beachside Montessori Village (public K–8) is a popular magnet/charter option in the city. For private, families look at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory in Hollywood, along with a wider Broward network like Archbishop McCarthy (southwest), American Heritage (Plantation), and David Posnack Jewish Day School (Davie). Always verify current boundaries, ratings, and admissions timelines, they change.
Commuting To Miami–Fort Lauderdale And Transit
By car, you’re minutes to I-95, the Turnpike, US-1, and A1A. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is typically 10–20 minutes away: Miami International runs 25–45 minutes depending on traffic. Tri-Rail’s Hollywood station links you to West Palm Beach and Miami, and Brightline stations in Aventura and Fort Lauderdale add comfortable express options for events and day trips. The Hollywood Trolley connects downtown and the beach, handy on busy weekends.
Local Employers And Industry Hubs
Healthcare is a major anchor, Memorial Regional Hospital is one of Broward’s largest employers. Aviation, logistics, and hospitality tie to FLL and Port Everglades. You’re also commutable to Miami’s finance/tech corridors (Brickell, Wynwood) and Broward’s education and healthcare hubs (Davie, Plantation, Sunrise). If you work hybrid, Hollywood’s centrality really pays off.
Renting Vs. Buying: Who Each Path Suits Best
If you’re new to South Florida or unsure about neighborhood fit, renting first is a smart move. You’ll learn the microclimates, breezier east-of-US-1 vs. quieter cul-de-sacs west, before locking in a mortgage or HOA. Beach-area rents command a premium: inland condos and duplexes can trim monthly costs.
Buying makes sense if you plan to stay at least 3–5 years, want the Homestead tax cap, and can budget realistically for insurance and, for condos, assessments. Single-family buyers who value flexibility with pets, storage, and renovations tend to be happiest in Hollywood Hills, Lakes, or west-side pockets. Condo buyers who prize low-maintenance living and ocean access love the Broadwalk lifestyle, even with higher dues.
Either way, run a full monthly comparison: principal/interest, taxes, insurance, HOA, utilities, parking, and a maintenance buffer. For older condos, review the building’s reserve study and milestone inspection reports before you finalize.
Conclusion
Hollywood, FL threads the needle between beach-town ease and big-city access. You can chase sunrise runs on the Broadwalk, dock a boat on the lakes, and still make a lunch in Brickell or an evening show on Las Olas. Property values remain strong relative to location, with room for value inland and premium tiers near water. The key is modeling the true monthly, insurance, taxes, and any HOA or assessment, so your lifestyle fits your budget. If that equation works for you, Hollywood gives you exactly what South Florida promises: sun, salt air, and a community that feels lived-in rather than overhyped.
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