Royal Poinciana - Hollywood, FL

With the dream of founding a motion-picture Mecca in Florida, Joseph Young started the town of Hollywood in the early 1920s. Originally called Hollywood by the Sea, the city was greatly renovated after severe damages caused by the 1926 Miami hurricane.

The city of Dania Beach began as a Dutch settlement called Modello in the late 1800s. Just before the Miami hurricane in 1926, Dania voted to become part of the city of Hollywood, but in light of the set backs caused by the storm, the Dania community decided to reincorporate and prosper on its own.

North or south of Royal Poinciana, choices for dining and dancing abound in the nearby cities of Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. When you want to grab a bite closer to home, you'll find it easy to support local in your neighborhood. Diner style restaurants seem a dime a dozen in South Florida, but locals know it's all about choosing the right place to become a regular.

Jack’s Hollywood Diner continues to live up to a legacy established in 1953. Get ready for a bit of old-school pampering at this classic spot where the friendly staff go as far as to ask how you want your bacon cooked. Have some blueberry pancakes for $8, and add an egg any way you like for 99 cents, but if you order biscuits, definitely ask for them grilled. Jack’s added some sections over the years, so for a more historic setting, go to the left as you walk in for the original dining car part of the restaurant. Other favorites at Jack’s Hollywood Diner include the pork chops and the Rachel sandwich with pastrami, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and dressing on grilled rye.

To meet locals in a low-lit, cozy atmosphere or dance in with a well-made drink in your hand, head over to Lamp Post Lounge on the North Federal Highway. A great little dive vibe describes the atmosphere at Lamp Post. Order food and sit at the bar for a bit of kindly, knowledgeable company from the white-haired bartender. While you chat, check out the large collection of American flags on display at this very patriotic establishment. When your tab rings up extra cheap, don't be surprised as beers cost about $2 a bottle.

Getting around in Royal Poinciana works best with an automobile or motorized transport of some kind. Catch the Broward County Transit bus for $1.75 one way and $4 for an all-day pass. Just a dollar per person will get you a ride on the Hollywood Trolley. Both the cities of Dania Beach and Hollywood make room for bikers on the road, but beware crazy drivers who rarely respect the city’s mandates on biker safety.

Bring your pocket change if you're planning to get out and explore because metered parking is standard in Royal Poinciana and the cities surrounding the neighborhood. If you're wanting to get out of town, hop on the Federal Highway 1 that runs right through Royal Poinciana, a road that will take you all the way to famous Highway A1A that allows travel along the coast. Unfortunately, Uber maintains an illegal status in the area; however, you can call Hollywood Taxi Cab for a clean, reliable ride anywhere in South Florida.

Play time for Floridians this far south almost always involves the water, so rent a kayak at Dania Beach’s West Lake Park where you're likely to meet a diverse group of friendly people enjoying the beauty of West Lake. If you don't feel like boating, try a stroll around the walking trail that leads to a sturdy baby blue bridge that you can walk along to view the tree-covered shoreline. Keep an eye out for native birds and animals that call the park home.

Less about nature and more about play, Lincoln Park in Hollywood is a local favorite for parents in nearby Royal Poinciana to take young kids and older, more athletic siblings to stretch their legs. The closest residents get to a dog-friendly park in Hollywood, John Williams Park requires dogs to be on a leash unless in a small dog-approved area. Spend time with your leashed dog on a sign-guided nature walk through the John Williams woods. At Young Circle Park, the city entertains guests with music shows at the amphitheatre and an art park on 10 acres of green space featuring an interactive fountain designed by Japanese artist Ritsuko.

Considering the fact that a 20-minute car ride south takes you to the center of Miami, you cannot beat renting an apartment in Royal Poinciana for $844, which averages much less than rent in Miami for far more minimal square footage.

The standard cost of a beer dips low in nearby Hollywood for $5 at most. The most expensive commodity in the Royal Poinciana area continues to be gasoline. Compared to the national average, Floridians living in Hollywood pay 10 percent more on a tank of gas.

The premier place to find groceries in the nearby city of Hollywood, Publix provides all your shopping needs except that new outfit you have been thinking about. Also in Hollywood, Target, found in Hollywood Hills Plaza, offers a small grocery section of frozen foods and produce and has well-priced clothing and shoes plus a store full of other home goods.

Be sure to stop by the local Yellow Green Farmers Market; it runs year around, but definitely check the website for approximate times. You can find the market right off I-95 in Hollywood. Running errands in Dania Beach instead of south in Hollywood? With K-mart, Big Lots, and BJ’s Wholesale, visiting Oakwood plaza can surely shorten your shopping list. If you're wanting to hit the beach instead of the grocery aisle, get geared up for the salt and sand at Groove Surf and Skate Shop where you will can walk out looking like you have been catching waves all your days.