Pembroke Pines is where Leslie lived for 15 years and where her office is today, and one of the largest cities in Broward County. It stretches from older, established neighborhoods in the east to master-planned communities and gated enclaves near I-75 in the west, so buyers can choose between very different settings without leaving the city.
Pembroke Pines was incorporated as a village in 1960 and as a city in 1961. Since 1998 it has run its own charter school system, the largest municipally run charter system in Florida, alongside Broward County Public Schools. C.B. Smith Park, Pines Boulevard's shopping corridor and quick access to I-75 and Florida's Turnpike round out daily life.
What buyers look for
- Condos and townhomes, which make up a large share of listings and offer a lower entry price
- Single-family homes in master-planned communities with pools, clubhouses and parks
- Gated neighborhoods with larger lots in the western part of the city
- Fast access to I-75 and Florida's Turnpike for commutes to Fort Lauderdale and Miami-Dade
Getting around
Pines Boulevard is the city's main east-west road and its busiest shopping corridor. Sheridan Street, Taft Street and Johnson Street also cross the city from east to west, and Flamingo Road, Palm Avenue and Hiatus Road are the main north-south routes.
I-75 runs through the western half of the city and connects north to I-595 and the Sawgrass Expressway and south toward Miami-Dade. Florida's Turnpike and I-95 are reached from the eastern side, which makes the east end the shorter drive to Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale and the airport.
Neighborhoods and home types
Eastern Pembroke Pines
The older part of the city has single-family homes built from the 1960s through the 1980s, often on larger lots and with fewer community amenities. Buyers who want room to renovate, or lower association costs, often start here.
Central Pembroke Pines
Around Flamingo Road and Pines Boulevard, neighborhoods from the 1980s and 1990s are laid out around lakes, with homeowners associations and, in some cases, gates and clubhouses.
West of I-75
The newest communities sit closer to U.S. 27 and the Everglades. Many are gated, with larger homes, pools and amenity centers, and association fees to match.
Condos, townhomes and villas
Attached homes line the main corridors across the city. They are often the most affordable way to own in Pembroke Pines and a common choice for buyers who want less upkeep.
Everyday life
Shopping is spread along Pines Boulevard, from Pembroke Lakes Mall to The Shops at Pembroke Gardens near I-75. Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Hospital Pembroke are both in the city, and Broward College has a campus on Pines Boulevard.
Charles F. Dodge City Center, at 601 City Center Way, hosts community events through the year, and the city keeps a large network of parks and recreation centers alongside C.B. Smith Park.
Before you buy
Ask for the association documents early: rules on rentals, pets, parking and exterior changes vary a lot from one community to the next, and some neighborhoods have both a community association and a master association. Get insurance quotes during the inspection period, since roof age and wind mitigation features drive the cost more than the age of the home, and check the flood zone for the specific address.
For a step-by-step look at relocating here, read Moving to Pembroke Pines.
Pembroke Pines by the numbers
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Schools
Public schools in Pembroke Pines are part of Broward County Public Schools, and the city also runs its own public charter schools, which have a separate application process. Attendance boundaries can change, so confirm the zoned schools for a specific address with the district. Broward County Public Schools.