Moving To LGBT Fort Lauderdale, Florida? How To Find Your Perfect Gay Neighborhood!

LGBT Fort Lauderdale is one of the world’s most celebrated gay destinations, with over 100 gay-owned resorts, hotels, bars, clubs, and restaurants, and plenty of gorgeous queers that are drawn to the hot South Florida climate and the 23 miles of wide, sandy beach right on Fort Lauderdale’s doorstep.

Have you been thinking about relocating to LGBT Fort Lauderdale? If not, you probably are now…

Despite what many might think, Fort Lauderdale is not just for vacations either, and many LGBT people now choose to live and even retire here. We can’t blame them as Fort Lauderdale now has the highest concentration of gay couples of any major US city!

And did we mention a tight-knit queer community?

Yes, just like in, Los Angeles, Houston, Denver, and other fabulously gay US cities, there is also an enthusiastic LGBT scene here, and this is something a gay realtor in Fort Lauderdale can help you navigate as you find your new perfect home here.

Fort Lauderdale is also known as ‘The Venice of Florida’ thanks to its extensive and intricate canal system of waterways and canals spread out throughout the city and famed for its delicious food, beautiful beaches, and vibrant arts and culture. Thanks to affordable housing and a booming economy, the city has become the go-to location for those moving to Florida. 

At times it can feel like the whole city is just one giant gay Mecca – and with two annual Pride festivals, the Wicked Manors party and Leather Masked Ball it arguably is! If you ask anyone in Fort Lauderdale which neighborhoods are safe for gays, they will tell you “Honey…this whole city is gay-friendly!”, and in our experience, this is entirely true! Most LGBT would-be-residents, however, do opt to live close to the Wilton Manors gaybourhood or near the San Sebastian Gay Beach where gays frequently outnumbered straights.

Think of this article as a queer Fort Lauderdale relocation guide that will help you understand what you’re getting yourself into when moving to this beautiful city. If you need a more night-life and travel-focused guide detailing all the LGBT clubs, parties, and more, check out our Gay Fort Lauderdale Guide!

Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Fort Lauderdale

There’s much that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. If you’re wondering what it’s like living here, we’ve put together some highlights of the city, followed by extensive information on the city’s cost of living, whether members of the LGBTQ community are welcome here. The amazing neighborhoods you can call home. Read on. 

The Community Is Active

If you love a healthy lifestyle, you will fit right in. Residents of the city are known to be lovers of the healthy and active. Fort Lauderdale is home to many parks and recreational activities, so no matter your choice of activity, you will most likely be able to do it here. Living here is an excellent opportunity to try a new activity. There are also several gyms for people of different fitness levels, including an OrangeTheory and a CrossFit gym. Furthermore, with notably nice neighbors, you can easily find a gym partner to help you keep track of your goals.

It’s A Family-Friendly City

While Fort Lauderdale has many seniors, younger families are also enjoying the city. More families are opting to reside in the town because it is close to the waterfront and has numerous activities that adults and children will love. A generally safe location to live, you’ll discover plenty of family-friendly districts and a highly regarded public school system. Your children will enjoy their new home as much as you will. Fort Lauderdale is full of historical monuments, museums, libraries, art galleries, and other attractions.

The City Is Centrally Located

Fort Lauderdale is Broward County’s largest city. It is located right on the Atlantic Ocean’s coast and is home to Port Everglades, a key seaport from which many cruise lines embark on their journeys. Some cruise lines that depart from here include Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruise Lines. The city boasts about 500 miles of channels you can explore by boat, and it is also a component of the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Beautiful Beaches

Some of the most stunning beaches in southeastern Florida stretch for 23 kilometers outside of town. The region’s white powdery sands and magnificent blue water attract tourists and residents. The beaches here are worth visiting whether you want to snorkel, swim, collect shells, or kick back in the sun. Blue Wave is the city’s major beach, and it spans four miles along the coast. Thanks to its shallow and serene waters, it is the most child-friendly beach in the city. Expect to see dolphins and stay for the stunning sunset views.

Does Fort Lauderdale Embrace The LGBTQ Community?

For years, Fort Lauderdale has actively courted and celebrated the LGBTQ community. Recently, the city added transgender models into its regular tourism advertisements. The eclectic city gains from what is known as the Big Gay Agenda, which includes smart growth, smart infrastructure, and equity and fairness for all.

As Broward County’s county seat, Fort Lauderdale was among the first cities to legislate protections from sexual orientation discrimination. Its school district was also one of the first to embrace LGBTQ History Month in October.  Fort Lauderdale’s inclusion comes easily, as it welcomes more than 1.1 million LGBTQ tourists each year. The city has one of the country’s highest concentrations of same-sex couples, as does the nearby gayborhood, Wilton Manors. 

Rainbow flags and LGBTQ couples walking hand in hand are quite common in the city.  It’s no accident that it has the country’s largest concentration of same-sex couple households. Or that its 1.5 million LGBTQ+ visitors generate around $1.5 billion in economic benefits each year.  

True, not all LGBTQ+ individuals are looking to fly their pride flag or have their sexuality define them. However, public support and widespread community speak volumes when developing safe spaces. The Stonewall National Museum and Archives, home to the country’s biggest LGBTQ+ lending library, demonstrates the city’s commitment to queer culture. Each year, hosting the Southern Comfort Conference, which is North America’s largest trans convention, symbolizes support for the transgender community.