Fort Lauderdale Fl real estate is one of the best investments in South Florida. The city manages to be simultaneously young a vibrant, refined and classy charming and cozy, experimental and cutting edge. Trendy restaurants and shops nestle up to next to historic buildings. During business hours, young executives in three- piece suits sidestep tourists and casual retirees on the sidewalks- Just as fully equipped yachts share the waterways with modest excursion vessels.

The study in continual contrasts is a result of Fort Lauderdale´s transformative history. This is a region that has recognized opportunity at every turn and changed its nature to accommodate it, from agricultural heartland to retiree heaven, from spring break capital to the headquarters for business entrepreneurs. Whatever the changes, though, at the heart of the city is water, the abundance from the Atlantic, the Intercostals Waterway and the New and Middle Rivers, all of which provided, first, access and transportation and, always, stunning views.

Fort Lauderdale History

In the late 1890s, Key West was already a thriving city. Some hardy souls had made their way north to Miami, and Henry Flagler had brought his railroad as far south Palm Beach.

The first train arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 1896; the region experienced an agricultural and population boom.

The entire Las Olas area (known as Downtown and Old Fort Lauderdale) remains the heart of the city and offers a variety of entertainment. Once you explored the many phases of Fort Lauderdale´s past, exit to the south to discover one of the city´s best new inventions-The Riverwalk, the ideal place to walk, sit, gaze at the impressive yachts, watch a sunset, shop for something special, grab a quick bite or enjoy an elegant dinner.
The Riverwalk is also the spot to partake of that most defining of Fort Lauderdale experiences-an inland water cruise past the "Millionaires Row" of spectacular homes to Port Everglades, the International Swimming Hall of fame and the Bahia Marina. The numerous yachts dotting the banks, many of them built on spec and available for sale, are a tribute to Lauderdale´s reputation as home to major yacht building companies.

Along The waterways, grabbing a water taxi, a somewhat unorthodox option (for tourist), might prove to be as efficient as trying to drive. After doing so, you will understand why the river was the main drag in town for decades, and how the city earned the nickname: Venice of America.

Las Olas Fort Lauderdale
On Las Olas proper, the Rodeo Drive of Fort Lauderdale emerges. Trendy boutiques, gourmet restaurants, antiques shops and art galleries are all here in abundance and within easy walking distance.

Of course, if you walk far enough to the east, you will eventually come to the city´s famed beach. That in itself is a marvel. In the early days of settlement, the beach was only accessible by ferry or launch. No one thought much about developing it as residential or tourist site. That began to change when Hugh Taylor Birch and MacGregor Adams purchased beachfront property for $1000 a mile circa 1910. Birch´s legacy remains at the state park that bears his name, situated between the Intracoastal and A1A, north of the city, a natural area that exemplifies what those pioneers encountered.