Palm Aire - Pompano Beach, FL

Palm Aire grew out of the south-eastern corner of Pompano Beach City limits, and in 1999, it incorporated into Fort Lauderdale. The area centers around the Pompano Golf and Country club, which is surrounded predominantly by condominiums and neighborhoods. Palm Aire Village East and Palm Aire Village West comprise much of the housing, with condominium communities such as Misty Oaks, Vizcaya and Palm Aire Gardens organized strategically along the golf courses. Though mainly residential, Palm Aire resides just a few miles from the rich museum and culture district in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The Museum of Discovery and Science and the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum both lie in close proximity for Palm Aire residents.

Sprinkled among the chains and just off the major roadways, Palm Aire houses intriguing and tasteful small family restaurants that bring bold flavors and unique perspectives to many types of cuisine.

Eats Good 33 prides itself on providing fresh and healthy dishes at affordable prices. Located in a small industrial/retail strip space along W. Mcnabb Road, it can be easy to miss, so keep an eye out for the sandwich board at the entrance. Be sure to get here early because this establishment sources ingredients locally and sometimes runs out by the end of the day. Arepas are the stars of the show, so be sure to try some when you visit.

The Grill Calvary Chapel makes for a unique experience. The Grill makes it's home inside of the Calvary Chapel facility located along W. Cypress Creek Road. It takes some navigating and a bit of walking to find the restaurant, but once you find it, prepare for flavor overload. The menu is simple as it caters to a busy lunch crowd, and the servers know how to get their customers in and out quickly. This impressive establishment almost contradicts its surroundings — there's no fancy signage and the location is sub-par for a restaurant — but the food is outstanding. You can't go wrong with a choice of personal pizza or burger, but according to patrons, the best item on the menu is the Thai peanut chicken.

When looking for a dive bar with old charm and cheap beer, visit Circus Bar. Circus Bar has a musty smell and dive bar feel that chain bars just can't provide. The bartenders ensure a lively environment and have a reputation for great service. The wings are worth a try and the beer is reasonably priced as this establishment generally caters to an after-work crowd.

Local drivers have easy access to the Florida Turnpike about a quarter mile west of Palm Aire and to I-95 via Atlantic Blvd or W. Cypress Creek road. I-95 is located a mile east of Palm Aire. Taxi cabs are infrequent in the area, but call-ahead service is possible. A ride-sharing service like Uber has minimal availability during peak travel times, with arrival times at or above 10 minutes for a request. Broward County Transit provides public transportation via bus routes, and the Tri-Rail system located directly east of Palm Aire, running parallel to I-95. The Tri-Rail provides commuters access to both Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade county via railway. A daily bus pass costs $1.75, and a monthly Tri-Rail pass sets you back $100.

The simple lifestyle permeates throughout Palm Aire. The meticulously manicured golf courses and surrounding neighborhoods provide scenery not common in South Florida. Housing associations and county parks maintain a strict regimen of care for the area, and residents take pride in maintaining an efficient and natural-looking environment. Space is at a premium in South Florida, and Palm Aire accentuates the space it occupies and showcases it. The parks welcome pets of all sizes and types as long as they're leashed.

Palm Aire Village Park is the crown jewel of outdoor life in Palm Aire. The park provides entertainment and amusement for all ages, from relaxing vistas to noisy children's playgrounds. The 3.2-acre park gives residents and visitors a strong variety of outdoor activities. Picnics, nature walks and jogging trails collide with basketball, racquetball and volleyball courts. The park opens at 8 am, allowing residents to roam freely until its 9 pm closing time. Entering the park is free, but use of some equipment requires a fee.

Fern Forest Nature Center resides near Palm Aire and provides residents with the opportunity to view various wildlife habitats and plants native to the area's wetlands as well as to participate in eco-activities sponsored by the county. The nature center also contains an assembly hall used for local events. Concerts have individual costs, but park entry normally won't cost you a dime.

Living in Palm Aire carries an average cost of living relative to surrounding areas. The typical lease rates hover at $1,120 per month. Rental rates for Palm Aire vary. Some of the condominium and neighborhood communities have association restrictions and lower entry costs for apartments based on income or age. Rental rates for apartments in downtown Fort Lauderdale run significantly higher at $1,500 per month. A bus ride into the heart of Fort Lauderdale costs $1.75, and the 9 mile trip takes up about 30 minutes of your time. You can expect to pay about $4 for a pint of beer. The average cost of gas lies 9.7 percent above the national average.

Locals can buy groceries at the Palm Aire Publix, located on SW 36th Avenue. Being a laid-back and relaxed retirement community, Palm Aire doesn't house many national or regional retailers. East of Palm Aire, however, you can find a Wal-Mart located at Atlantic Boulevard and Powerline Road. Discover fresh produce at Living Green Fresh Market, which resides two short miles south-east of Palm Aire.

Smaller boutique retailers like Devine's Fashions occupy space within the busy Palm Aire Plaza strip mall. Devine's Fashions provides clothing for women and juniors. This strip mall also houses several national banks such as Chase, Bank of America and PNC as well as a few national fast food chains.