Country Isles - Weston, FL

Country Isles sprang up in the late-90s, shortly after Weston was established in 1996. Over time, the neighborhood blossomed, reaching a population that consists mainly of families, married couples and retirees.

Kids have a special place in the hearts of community residents, as evidenced by the Young at Art Museum. Children can explore art-laden hallways, reveling in masterpieces that capture their attention and give them a thirst to learn more. The museum supports local artisans, including high-school students with a passion for fashion design.

The Florida Renaissance Festival is held February through March only a short drive away on South Powerline Road where you can don a medieval costume to mingle with the characters of the Renaissance era. Devour turkey legs with King Henry, laugh at the antics of comedic pirates, and watch valiant knights joust for a princess’s affection.

Country Isles inspires locals to be daring with an assortment of upscale restaurants featuring cultural cuisine. The Masan Asian Grill lets customers choose fresh ingredients from an extensive menu, putting together custom stir-fries with an oriental flair. While waiting for your main courses to cool down, you can take the edge off your hunger with an appetizer of avocado eggrolls and sriracha tamarind dipping sauce.

Catering to health-conscious crowds, Pizza Fusion provides a lengthy menu of organic, gluten-free ingredients for customers with allergies. The staff pride themselves on being ecofriendly, and their go-green apparel matches the casual, hippie décor with a mantra that declares, “Peace, Love and Pizza.” After munching on a pizza slice or two, be sure to indulge in their homemade chocolate-chip cookies.

Acquolina Ristorante sells upscale, authentic Italian cuisine for romantic couples and food connoisseurs alike. Homemade butter and fresh bread prime you for your entrée, while a knowledgeable waiter explains the specials. Local favorites include the stuffed mushrooms and lobster ravioli, but locals tend to agrees that the eggplant stack is the real star here.

The Duffy’s Sports Grill of Weston ranks as a hot spot for residents who love friendly conversation, good food and great beer. Bartenders rattle off nightly specials with years of expertise, and sports fanatics have a view of over 20 screens for big games.

Take either Bonaventure Boulevard or Three Village Road to Indian Trace for a direct route to scenic Interstate 75 from Country Isles, where you can travel anywhere for everything Florida has to offer. This makes driving to work or school an easier task, and this stretch of highway is generally clear of traffic congestion.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport offers worldwide flights and quick, easy navigation through security checkpoints. Located on Terminal Drive, this airport is accessible by following Interstate 595 for less than half an hour.

Broward County Transit operates along Weston Road, providing sit-and-ride bus services to Country Isles commuters. However, if you prefer cost-effective car services, Uber operates in the area.

Lush scenery stretches for miles in some areas of Country Isles, introducing locals and travelers to nature's abundance. Tree Tops Park makes picnicking and hiking appealing with 244 acres of grassy meadows, rolling hills and walking trails. Twenty-three acres of marsh land nestle in the center of the park, giving visitors the chance to catch up-close glimpses of native wildlife.

Barkham at Markham Park welcomes dogs and their owners, providing two separate areas for large dogs and small pups. Open from dawn to dusk, this section of the park includes training obstacles to make canines more adept at handling situations where one would have to think before acting. Weekday fees to enter the park are set at $5 per day or $25 per year, but weekends are free.

For families with children, Vista View County Park has separate areas for driving remote-controlled cars, flying model planes or learning how to ride a bicycle. Two playgrounds cater to toddlers and big kids, and the shade-covered swings and slides keep youngsters protected while playing in the sunshine.

Living in Country Isles is generally costly, as residents enjoy a luxurious setting. The monthly rent on a one-bedroom apartment averages at $1,357, but your leasing costs depend on how much space you require.

One-way Broward Transit rides are $1.75 per person, and you can purchase a premium 31-day pass for $65.00. Gas prices are usually four percent higher than the national average. Local bars charge up to $8 for a pint of beer.

Country Isles brims with chain stores in the bustling sections of the surrounding towns, but the real gems are those lesser-known shops that are locally-owned and operated. You can still grab groceries at Publix and pick up hygiene necessities and prescriptions at Walgreens, but be sure to take a moment to peruse the selections of classic boutiques and consignment stores.

For romantics, Forget Me Not in Weston sells flowers to make your loved one smile. Deliveries are timely, and you can include a personalized note and a beautiful glass vase with your arrangement. The knowledgeable owner happily offers great advice on bouquets for any occasion. Walk through Tropical Bamboo Nursery and Gardens in Davie which provides accents to enhance your outdoor décor without calling in a landscaper. The rustic shop also serves as a garden for an array of annual flowers and outdoor botanical plants - all of which could be used to decorate your home exterior.

Local shop Raging Wool Yarn Shop offers a very wide selection of yarn and other knitting and crocheting tools. And for those newbies out there, or even those looking to sharpen their skills, the store has classes to teach you