Woodstock

Fans of the “Peanuts” comic strip will know that Snoopy’s pal is Woodstock, but not so many know why the lovably laconic bird chose to hang around with a dog rather than join other members of his flock. In 1967, the little bird began to communicate with Snoopy, explaining that he didn’t like migrating south because he wasn’t very adept at flying. It’s hard to fault Woodstock – who was given that name later after the 1969 music festival – for not wanting to make that lengthy trip every year. But residents of the Woodstock neighborhood in Sunrise, Fla., might think he got it wrong and that he should have stayed in warmer climes, refusing to fly north in the spring. Not only do Woodstock's locals get to bask in that glorious Florida sunshine, they live in a neighborhood that offers a variety of home styles and plenty of amenities, all within easy driving distance of Fort Lauderdale and the spectacular beaches of Florida’s East Coast.

The median price of real estate in Woodstock is just over $512,000, and buyers should expect to pay approximately $315 per square foot. A cozy two-bedroom/one-bathroom bungalow starts at around $417,000, and a spacious four-bedroom/two-bathroom ranch-style home with a pool can fetch up to $660,000. “The neighborhood is right about at the average for Fort Lauderdale in terms of price,” says Realtor Courtney Maxwell of All Broward Realty. “It might even be a little lower in some cases.”

Students in the neighborhood can attend Nob Hill Elementary, Bair Middle and Piper High School. Nob Hill earns a B rating on Niche.com, and both Bair and Piper earn a C+. Parents also have the option of sending their children to a variety of nearby private schools that are highly rated, including American Heritage Schools, which was ranked the best private school in the state by South Florida Business Journal.

One of the prime attractions of the Woodstock neighborhood, outside of the well-built homes throughout the neighborhood, is its location. “It’s a very centrally-located community that is a relatively quiet place to live,” says Maxwell. Both Nob Hill Place and Sawgrass Mills shopping centers are easy to get to, so whether it’s picking up groceries at Publix or home necessities at Target in Sawgrass Mills or grabbing your morning coffee at Dunkin Donuts then having your nails done Prestige Nails and Spa in Nob Hill Place, you can get to either destination in less than 5 minutes by car. When you feel like dining out, check out the fresh seafood selection at Tin Fish in the Nob Hill Place Shopping Center, or head south – both literally and figuratively – to La Bamba on Nob Hill Road for authentic Mexican cuisine.

For a little outdoor recreation, head over to Plantation Acres North Park, which is within walking distance of Woodstock, where you’ll find a playground, benches and plenty of open space for playing or relaxing. “The neighborhood is close to pretty much everything,” says Maxwell. Adding to the convenience factor is the neighborhood’s proximity to both I-75 and I-95. Both highways are close enough that getting virtually anywhere along Flordia’s east coast is easy. “Highway access is one of the big selling points of the neighborhood,” says Maxwell. “It’s far enough away so you don’t know it’s there, but when you need it, it’s close.” And that includes downtown Fort Lauderdale and the glorious beaches there. Residents of Woodstock can be sunning themselves on the sand in less than half-an-hour by car.

If you’ve been looking for a home in the greater Fort Lauderdale area, follow the lead of Snoopy’s favorite bird. There’s no need to go any further. Woodstock is right where you want to be.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Ivo Vieira

Video By

Grace Kim