A coastal city that combines an Old Florida feel with modern touches
Southeast Florida’s Pompano Beach is known as the “Heart of the Gold Coast,” a nod to the city’s centralized location and access to luxurious amenities and wide-open water. The area’s famous warm waters, produced by a bend in the Gulf Stream between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale, are especially attractive to sportfish, including the one for which this city of almost 115,000 is named. A mecca of fishing, boating and scuba diving, the second-oldest municipality in Broward County is also transforming itself with continued investments throughout the city. “It’s got a really cool, classic vibe with modern touches,” says Lisa Jones, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Las Olas who has lived in South Florida for more than three decades. “It’s got a phenomenal community pier that has been redone, with lots of restaurants and nightlife. The city is pumping a lot of money into development. The whole area continues to be a source of growth, so it makes perfect sense for investors.”
Downtown Pompano residents live a few minutes away from the beach.
Downtown Pompano pickleball players hold tournaments in the Community Park.
Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier is shared among fishers and visitors.
Spanx Te Hog BBQ has a great bar for the residents to enjoy their favorite sport events.
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Fisher Family Pier is an iconic destination
Waterfront recreation is centered around the Fisher Family Pier, a popular gathering place surrounded by a long stretch of pristine beach that also features children’s playscapes, volleyball courts and picnic pavilions. The iconic attraction extends 900 feet into the ocean, but in Pompano Beach, the action doesn’t stop there. Adventure awaits underwater in the “Wreck Capital of the World.” The South Florida Diving Headquarters offers lessons and dive trips.
The charter boat fleet at Hillsboro Inlet Fishing Center offers trips to places like Sailfish Alley, where sportfish flock to the Gulf Stream. Each May, spectators can watch charter boats embark from the inlet for the Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo, a fishing tournament that has been held annually for more than 50 years. Pompano Community Park, the city’s largest, is home to the Pompano Amphitheater. Known locally as “The Amp,” the venue has 3,000 seats. With additional green space, as many as 10,000 can attend concerts and other events there. An 18-hole golf course is adjacent to “The Amp,” and an equestrian park is within walking distance.
Pompano Beach fisher family pier fills with locals a tourists.
Fisher family pier is A place for the family and fishing in Pompano Beach.
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Nightlife near the water and commercial development elsewhere
The highlight of the city’s traditional retail and dining spaces is the Pompano Citi Centre, a popular open-air mall. The Atlantic Boulevard corridor is filled with restaurants featuring American, Italian and even German flavors. Pompano Beach Fishing Village, established in 2013, is a contemporary commercial and entertainment center built around the Fisher Family Pier along the oceanfront. The village’s collection of restaurants is anchored by The Beach House, considered the city’s top waterfront dining destination. “The nightlife can be exciting or casual,” Jones says. “It appeals to the masses.” Downtown Pompano Beach, which is located just west of the Atlantic Boulevard and U.S. Highway 1 intersection, is the focus of the city’s economic redevelopment.
Future Downtown is an ambitious plan to revitalize the area and transform it into a hub of local activity. The pedestrian-friendly design incorporates housing, retail and dining into a contemporary city center that also includes a new City Hall. Work is not expected to be completed for several years. The city is also heavily invested in The Pomp, a multi-use project centered around the renovated Harrah’s casino on the southwest side. Plans call for 4,000-plus residential units, 1.3 million square feet of retail and entertainment space and 1.4 million square feet of office space. As of late 2024, the city was taking bids as a precursor to beginning construction.
From small condos to luxury waterfront estates
The city’s median sales price for condos is about $350,000, which is important when considering that multi-family units make up more than 75 percent of the city’s housing. Option on the city’s south side range tend to come in under $500,000, but those on the waterfront can run up to more than $1 million. And in some cases, the largest high-rise units can list for nearly $10 million.
Though they are the minority, single-family homes do exists in Pompano and can cost anywhere between $300,000 and $900,000, with those on the high end concentrated in the Old Town District in the heart of Pompano Beach. “In that part of the city, you have bigger lots,” Jones says. “The older, more established communities lend themselves to people who move here from the Northeast, because they are used to bigger yards.”
Just like with condos, the houses here get more expensive the closer to water they get. Homes near the coast typically range from $1.5 million to as much as $10 million. Most offer private docks and direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. “You can have a luxury home for a not-luxury price and an ultra-luxury home for a luxury price,” Jones says. Housing can be found in a variety of settings, including non-HOA neighborhoods, golf course communities and 55-plus communities. Niche ranks the city as the 13th-best place in the country to retire. Flooding and wind damage can be major risks, especially during hurricane season, and insurance rates are likely to reflect that.
There are plenty of traditional multi-level waterfront family homes in Santa Barbara Estates.
Santa Barbara Estate has waterfront townhouses with boat docks.
Four-story condominium complex by the water in the Pompano Shores neighborhood.
Pompano Beach offers waterfront living.
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Pompano Beach High School is rated A-plus by Niche
The city is served by Broward County Schools, a district that Niche gives a B-plus. Pompano Beach High is a magnet school that earns an A-plus from Niche. The National Blue Ribbon winner offers a rigorous curriculum, with specialized courses in subjects as varied as world languages, information technology and digital visual production. The school boasts a 99 percent graduation rate.
Pompano Community Park hosts annual Seafood Festival, Nautical Flea Market
The Bailey Contemporary Arts Center offers classes and features galleries that include the work of local artists. The Pompano Beach Cultural Center and Pompano Beach Amphitheater host events throughout the year. Jazz Fest is one of the city’s most popular events. It is held each January at multiple sites, including the oceanfront. The Nautical Flea Market, also held in January, is a signature event at Pompano Community Park.
The Bailey Contemporary Arts Center is in the heart of Snug Harbor.
Downtown Pompano holds softball tournaments.
Downtown Pompano has plenty of fairs during the weekends.
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I-95, commuter trains offer regional travel
Interstate 95 connects residents to regional points of interest and employment sectors. Boca Raton to the north and Fort Lauderdale to the south are each about 12 miles away. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is about a 15-mile drive. Miami is 35 miles, or about an hour’s drive, south via I-95. Tri-Rail and Brightline commuter trains offer convenient commutes for travelers seeking to avoid heavy traffic. Closer to home, Pompano Beach Community Shuttle routes provide transportation to local hotspots. Broward Health North, which is open 24 hours, is among several medical facilities in the city. Residents can also take a water taxi to select destinations in nearby Lighthouse Point and Fort Lauderdale.
Crime
A recent spike in violent crime led Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony to address citizens’ concerns at a public forum. Tony promised increased patrols and community policing in northwest Pompano Beach, and “Operation Trigger Lock” was subsequently launched. The two-phase operation resulted in 130 arrests and dozens of guns being confiscated. Tony says the operation will continue to focus on the city’s northwest side moving forward.
Jose De Varona earned his degree from Nova Southeastern University in Business Professional Management. His knowledge in negotiating, marketing, and mortgage experience helps provide a unique skill set to his real estate clientele. Jose has a passion for educating buyers and sellers while striving to provide every client with a unique experience. He listens in order to understand what your desires may be to help get the end result promptly. Utilizing sophisticated technology, he will provide a beautiful marketing platform to showcase listings effectively.
Jose has proudly volunteered in the broward community by serving on a board of directors which focused on strengthening children's self confidence and sporting abilities. He is currently a member of the Miami Association of Realtors®.
Ultimately, his vision is to provide the utmost real estate experience while making it enjoyable for you.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
