Considering moving to Weston Florida or simply curious about this city’s reputation? In the heart of Broward County, Weston is not just a point on a map but a community where high-quality schools, outdoor pleasure, and family values converge. We live in Weston, and have for many years. This guide offers you a snapshot of life in Weston, from the lush Everglades on its doorstep to the cultural beats of nearby Miami. Suitable for residents, visitors, and investors, understand why Weston stands out in the landscape of Florida living.
Why is Weston a Top Rated City in the USA?
- Weston, Florida is a family-friendly, master-planned community known for its strong school system and community spirit, attracting residents with its blend of suburban comfort and access to the Everglades and nearby urban centers.
- The city caters to outdoor enthusiasts and families with 242 acres of parks, extensive trails and bike lanes, championship golf courses, and a variety of cultural and community events.
- Weston’s real estate market offers a diverse array of housing options from single-family homes to luxury estates like Botaniko, and the local job market is thriving with a range of opportunities and remote work options.
Exploring Weston: A Family-Oriented City
Weston, known for its dense suburban feel and excellent city planning, is a haven for many families. The city is designed with a focus on fostering a strong sense of community and encouraging active parental involvement in children’s education. This strong school system, where parents play an instrumental role, is a significant factor that attracts people to make Weston their home.
The city is home to a diverse population of 68,029 residents, predominantly liberal in their political inclinations. The blend of diverse culture, quality lifestyle, and excellent schools, make Weston an attractive area for residential buyers, particularly those seeking single-family homes with large lots.
Broward County Gem
Strategically situated in the southwestern part of Broward County, Weston shares its border with the Florida Everglades, a natural wonder that adds a unique charm to the city. Its strategic location, which combines close proximity to Miami and Fort Lauderdale with the unique charm of the Florida Everglades, makes Weston appealing to both residents and visitors.
Beyond the natural allure of the Everglades, Weston’s location provides seamless access to the vibrant urban life of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Whether you’re craving a taste of vibrant city life or a peaceful escapade into nature, Weston’s location in Broward County provides the best of both worlds.
Planned Community
The City of Weston, known as the most western city and often referred to as a western city, is globally recognized as a master-planned community, renowned for its intentional lifestyle enrichment, aesthetic charm, and proficient management. This masterful planning is evident in every corner of the city, from its well-maintained parks to its efficient public services.
The community’s design ensures that residents enjoy a lifestyle that blends comfort, convenience, and charm. The city’s master plan includes a network of trails and bike lanes, numerous parks, and a variety of dining and shopping options, all designed to enhance the quality of life for its residents.
Weston Town Center: Shopping and Dining Delights
The Weston Town Center, the city’s vibrant hub, offers a plethora of fine dining options. Whether you’re craving Latin contemporary cuisine at Boca’s House, healthy fare at Carrot Express, or traditional Italian at Tarantella Ristorante, the town center has it all.
But the delights of Weston Town Center extend beyond savory meals. For those with a sweet tooth or seeking healthy alternatives, you can enjoy frozen treats and smoothies at Joyfull Yogurt, artisan ice cream at Lucciano’s, and Ecuadorian pan de yuca and yogurt snacks at Naturissimo’s. And, for tobacco aficionados and coffee enthusiasts, the Town Center offers the unique Smoke On The Water cigar lounge and the universally renowned Starbucks.
Embracing the Great Outdoors
Weston provides outdoor lovers with an array of parks spanning 242 acres of open space. These parks cater to a range of activities such as sports leagues, children’s playgrounds, and areas designated for remote-controlled airplane enthusiasts.
Beyond the parks, the city also hosts various special events to enrich community life. These include cultural festivities, concerts, art festivals, and an annual Fourth of July Hometown Celebration Parade. Most of these events are free to the public and provide opportunities for residents to come together and celebrate the city’s vibrant community spirit.
Weston Regional Park
Among the numerous parks in Weston, the Weston Regional Park stands out with its multifaceted space. The park offers sports facilities, a community center, and areas suitable for family picnics and gatherings. It features 102 acres of recreational amenities, including athletic fields, pickleball, volleyball and a bike fixit station, along with available Wi-Fi access.
The park is also equipped with an 8,000 linear feet exercise trail and sports field lighting for night activities. It can support up to 1,300 parked vehicles, making it an ideal venue for large events. For families, the park offers shaded playgrounds, one of which is universally accessible, as well as an event stage and an amphitheater for various activities and performances.
Bonaventure Golf Club and Weston Hills Country Club
Golf lovers can enjoy the Bonaventure Golf Club in Weston, home to an 18-hole championship golf course. But that’s not all. The city is also home to the Weston Hills Country Club, known for its well-regarded golf course.
The Weston Hills Country Club offers two unique 18-hole championship courses, both of which were designed by the acclaimed golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr. These courses provide a challenging yet enjoyable experience for golfers of all skill levels.
Trails and Bicycle Paths
Weston features an extensive network of bike lanes and walking trails, enabling residents to explore the city in its entirety, including the popular Weston Road. These trails provide a greener way of transportation and are a testament to the city’s commitment to eco-friendly living.
The city offers a variety of trails catering to biking, walking, and running, ensuring options for different outdoor activities. The visual appeal of these trails is enhanced by Weston’s waterways and multi-layered landscaping, with rows of Royal Palms lining the paths, adding a touch of natural beauty to everyday commutes along Royal Palm Boulevard, also known as Royal Palm Blvd.
Education Excellence: Public, Private, and Charter Schools
Weston is recognized for its robust educational system, home to A-rated public and charter schools. These amazing schools have been awarded the College Success Award for their exceptional work in preparing students for college, even those from economically challenged backgrounds.
Among the many acclaimed schools in Weston, Cypress Bay High School stands as a beacon of academic excellence and inclusivity within the community. But the city’s educational prowess extends beyond public schools. The American Heritage Schools, Broward Campus, located in Weston, is acclaimed as the #3 best private high school in Florida, emphasizing the quality of private education available in the area.
Real Estate and Accommodations
The real estate market in Weston accommodates diverse preferences, with various property types available, including single-family homes, townhouses, and condos situated in gated communities. The market also includes luxury estate homes featuring lakefront views, private pools, and amenities such as outdoor summer kitchens.
For visitors, Weston offers a wide array of accommodation options. From hotels with swimming pools in gated areas to vacation rentals that offer a homely experience, there’s a perfect place for every traveler in Weston.
Working and Thriving in Weston
The job market in Weston, Florida, holds a B+ rating, indicative of a robust economy filled with a multitude of job opportunities. There is a constant availability of job positions in the city with numerous openings being listed monthly.
Companies in Weston cater to a variety of job roles and experience levels, from entry-level cashiers to senior management positions in project management, accounting, design, and technology services. Additionally, job opportunities in Weston also include remote work options, emphasizing the employment flexibility available to residents and newcomers.
What I Like About Living in Weston
For me, Weston is the perfect place to raise a family, and that’s exactly why I ended up here. We have A-rated schools, a master planned, safe community, and plenty of dining options. Weston checks every bullet on my list of things I look for in living. Also, it’s very close to Fort Lauderdale, which we frequent each week, so you have access to the best restaurants in Broward County just steps away as well as the Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International airport.
We’re also about 30-35 minutes away from Miami, which offers a whole different vibe. Many people living in Weston work in Miami and make the commute each day. I don’t have to go into all that Miami offers in this post, but know that there’s plenty to do, and of course, another major airport to use, so living in Weston gives a great hub to call home and be away from, yet close to, all the action Fort Lauderdale and Miami offer.
While there are many Weston restaurants, you won’t find many bars in Weston, but we’ve found a good one and head to Lauderdale for the rest.
Weston offers excellent sports programs for children and adults alike, with Weston F.C. being one of the most successful soccer clubs in the entire nation. The city not only offers an excellent public school system, being among the highest rated in Florida year after year, as well as many private school options. There really isn’t a better place to raise a family than in Weston.
What I Don’t Like About Living in Weston
There’s really not to dislike about living in Weston, other than if you don’t tolerate Spanish, it’s not a great place to live. Weston is nicknamed “Westonzuela” due to the huge amount of Venezuelans who have settled in the area, so you’ll hear plenty of Spanish anywhere you go in Weston. Some people are overwhelmed by this, but for me, I love it. It can get frustrating when you are at Publix shopping and a cashier doesn’t speak English, and there are many businesses that cater to South Americans where only Spanish is spoken.
According to the latest Census data, 55% of people in Weston are Caucasian, and over 29% are of two races. You see a lot of mixed ethnicities due to Midwestern and Eastern born people moving here, marrying Latinos, and having families. Our son is one, being Colombian-American. There’s a lot of that. In fact, almost 55% of Weston residents are of Latino descent.
Again, this doesn’t bother me one bit and it cultures people, but some people do complain about the diversity and language barriers.
It also makes Weston very unique in the terms that there are only a few restaurants that are “highly Americanized.” There are probably 7-10 places you can get arepas and empanadas in town, but much fewer where you can get a typical American breakfast of eggs and bacon. Let that sink in!
We also have higher prices than most other towns because of the upscale vibe Weston offers. The median household income is #42 in Florida out of more than 900 cities, and with all the rich areas in Florida, that’s VERY high.
Again, there is really nothing to dislike about Weston. It’s safe, beautiful, and has everything one could ask for.
Landmarks and Unique Attractions
Weston, Florida, is a city that cherishes both its present and its past. The Weston Site, an ancient Indian campsite, dates back over 3,000 years and reflects the history of likely ancestors to the Tequesta Indians.
Another historical landmark is Peace Mound Park. This park contains artifacts around 5,000 years old, providing insights into the prehistory of South Florida. The park’s design notably integrates archeological elements to honor the Tequesta Trace burial mound, adding an educational component to the park.
Make sure to check out reviews of restaurants in Weston!
- Acquolina – the best Italian cuisine in Weston
- Krispy Chicken in Town Center
- Yum Korea
- Smoke on the Water Cigar Lounge
Summary
From its family-friendly environment and top-rated schools to its vast outdoor activities and vibrant job market, Weston, Florida offers an unmatched quality of life. Whether you’re considering a move or planning a visit, we hope this guide has shown you why Weston truly is a gem worth exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Weston FL to the beach?
Weston, FL is located about 20 miles inland from the nearest beach.
What makes Weston, Florida, a family-oriented city?
Weston, Florida is a family-oriented city due to its dense suburban feel, excellent city planning, and strong school system with active parental involvement. These factors contribute to a nurturing environment for families.
What dining options are available at the Weston Town Center?
Weston Town Center provides a variety of dining choices, such as Latin contemporary cuisine, healthy options, and traditional Italian dishes. Enjoy a diverse culinary experience during your visit.
What outdoor activities are available in Weston?
In Weston, you can enjoy outdoor activities such as visiting parks, using sports facilities, biking, and walking on trails. These options provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.
What types of properties are available in the Weston real estate market?
In the Weston real estate market, you can find single-family homes, townhouses, condos in gated communities, and luxury estate homes. This provides a wide range of options for potential buyers or renters.