Tarpon River - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Tarpon River being strictly residential in nature, came to exist as the development of Fort Lauderdale spread along the New River. The homes and residents are older structures and are improving as newer and younger families and professionals begin to inhabit the area. The area has supported downtown Fort Lauderdale businesses and shopping centers on 17th street as they have developed and grown.

Tarpon River is mainly a residential community, although local restaurants and bars are easily accessible and within walking distance.

The Chimney House Grill and Cafe mixes the charm and rustic nature of a 1920s' home with the Latin American grill-and-cafe experience. An intriguing old home built in 1924 was renovated and re-purposed to bring Fort Lauderdale this mix of tapas and home-made Latin American cuisine. The sangria is fresh and is best enjoyed on a warm evening on the front porch with friends. When selecting from the menu, don't pass on the fried calamari or the grilled chicken-breast sandwich. You cannot make a bad selection from the menu.

If you're looking for a local hangout with dive-bar appeal and a laid-back, happy-hour crowd with a little more action later in the night, Riverside Market is the place to go. Just a short jaunt across the New River leads you to Riverside Market, which boasts itself as the official craft beer hangout of Fort Lauderdale. This renovated convenience store has become a staple for young professionals looking to escape the overcrowded bars of downtown Fort Lauderdale for a lower-stress environment where conversation is important. Inside, you find a normal convenience-store, refrigerated-drink display, but rather than soda and water, it contains hundreds of individual Craft beers sit, ripe for the picking. The BBQ chicken pizza is the go-to dish of choice here, and after you've had your fill of craft brews and food, simply take your empty bottles to the front register to pay up.

The neighborhood and infrequent traffic within the residential roads of Tarpon River make this a bike- and walker-friendly area. The roads don't have biking lanes, but the traffic is local only with no major roadways or thoroughfares. Taxi service is easily accessed by phone. Uber and Lyft cover the area, as ride-sharing services have grown more popular in Fort Lauderdale. Broward Transit operates the public bus system along the perimeter of the neighborhood, which includes the Avenue of the Arts to the east of Tarpon River and Davie Road to the south. There are no public forms of transportation running directly through the heart of the area.

Fort Lauderdale prides itself on waterway transportation. Residents find it convenient to travel via boat to and through downtown Fort Lauderdale from the Tarpon River area. Using these waterways, residents can access the ocean, the intercoastal waterway and a wide variety of restaurants and activities.

Fort Lauderdale International Airport is a short 5 miles to the south via US-1 and Interstate 95.

Residents enjoy the perpetually pleasant weather of South Florida by visiting one of two parks located in Tarpon River. Lewis Landing Park is located along the New River with simple picnic areas for daytime relaxing and boat watching. Florence C. Hardy Park allows for a more recreational experience with activities such as lawn bowling, lighted athletic fields, tennis courts and open space for field games. Both parks are open from 8 am to 9 pm. Popular among young professionals for afternoon visits, these parks are also frequented by families and young couples who often arrive by beach cruiser bicycles.

The cost of living for Tarpon River is 1.1 percent lower than the Fort Lauderdale average cost. The cost of living is 11.6 percent above the national average. Median rent for the area is $1892 for a one-bedroom residence. Gas hovers close to 4 percent above the national average. When visiting the local watering holes expect to pay $5 for a beer and $4 for a cup of coffee.

It is possible to travel via the bus system to downtown Fort Lauderdale, normally costing $1.75 for a one-way fare. The average cab fare to downtown is $7, including tip.

It is necessary to venture outside of Tarpon River when looking for groceries and other supplies. A Publix grocery store sits conveniently located less than a mile east on Andrews Avenue and 6th Street. Retailers and major fast-food chains line the busy US-1 corridor, which lies 1 mile east of Tarpon River. The 17th Street causeway contains 3 major retail centers and serves as the main passageway to Fort Lauderdale beach for tourists and residents. The most accessible farmer's Market is the Oakland Park Farmer's Market on Tuesday nights from 3 to 8 pm.

Nearby shopping also includes the famed Las Olas Boulevard which houses loads of art galleries and boutique shops. One favorite among tourists and residents is Shop 603. A mixture of Florida chic and beach casual wear keeps this boutique thriving. Plato's Closet offers a variety of designer clothing and accessories.