Florida living is a dream that many people aspire to.
If you’re thinking of making Florida your home, Pompano Beach is an excellent spot!
The weather’s great, the beaches are divine and there’s no lack of scenic and cultural attractions.
Yet living in Pompano Beach has its drawbacks.
By weighing the pros and cons of living in this waterfront community, you can decide if it’s the best place for you.
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Pros of Living in Pompano Beach, FL
Pompano Beach sits about halfway between Miami and West Palm Beach on the Atlantic Ocean.
The many amenities of Florida living attract many to this coastal city.
If you move to Pompano Beach, you can look forward to:
1. Picturesque Beaches
The city features miles and miles of white sands and crystal-clear waters stretching along Florida’s Gold Coast.
Living in Pompano Beach is like being on vacation mode year-round.
Days can be spent swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or lounging in the sun.
In the evening, you can stroll the Pompano Beach Pier and watch the sunset over the ocean.
Pompano Beach, North Ocean Park, and Stonewall Beach are some popular public beach sites.
There are also a number of private beaches as well as personal beach access from waterfront homes.
2. Vibrant Nightlife
Pompano Beach is a place where you can cut loose and enjoy life!
Here you’ll find a number of classy bars, clubs, and restaurants to hang out with your friends.
Lucky Fish on the Beach is the perfect setting for an evening of delicious seafood, drinks, and musical entertainment.
There’s also Briny Irish Pub for live performances and great deals on happy hour!
Pier 6 Rooftop offers spectacular open-air concerts for your listening pleasure while sipping your favorite cocktail.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
3. Great Weather
Move to Pompano Beach and leave cold, harsh winters behind!
Here, hot summers (low 90s) and temperate winters (mid-70s) are the norm.
With such beautiful weather, it’s not unusual to see people on the beach all year round.
Pompano Beach does have a rainy season from May to October when thunderstorms are common.
Otherwise, any time is a good time to spend time outdoors.
4. Family Friendly Environment
If your kids love water, they’ll love Pompano Beach and all that it has to offer.
Your little ones can play in the sand, hunt for shells, or spend the day splashing in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Older kids can learn snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and other exciting water sports.
Pompano Beach’s warm clime is perfect for picnicking in the park, taking nature walks, or biking with the family.
There are also dozens of local attractions like Butterfly World, the Pompano Beach Pier, and Hillsboro Lighthouse to explore.
It’s a great place to spend quality time with your family.
5. Good Schools
When you have kids or teens, education is a priority.
Fortunately, the Broward County Public School system has a high educational standard.
There are over 200 public schools in Pompano Beach where your kids can get a quality K-12 grade education.
Private education can be found through magnet, charter, and private schools in the area.
Top colleges and universities can be found in nearby locations like Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
6. Thriving Economy
There’s work to be had in Pompano Beach as the economy is thriving.
Construction is a booming industry as the city is revamping many of its older structures.
Tourism remains the top industry, but you can find work in healthcare, finance, IT, aviation, and other areas.
You can also commute to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for employment.
The median salary runs around $48,000, with some jobs paying more and others less, depending on your employer.
7. Diversity
Florida is truly a cultural “melting pot” and Pompano Beach is a perfect example.
Here you’ll find people from all cultures, nationalities, and walks of life.
The Latin community enriches the city with its local cuisine, customs, music, and language.
The city is a mix of young and old, working class and retirees, singles and families.
It’s a great place to put down roots and experience Florida living to the full.
8. Cultural Hotspot
People may come to Pompano Beach for fun in the sun, but it’s the art and culture scene that keeps their attention.
The city’s art, theater, and dance scene are just as impressive as its beaches – maybe even more so!
Local artwork is readily displayed at Bailey Contemporary Arts and the Piper Gallery.
At the Gallery at the Center, you can view regional, national, and international artistic masterpieces.
The Pompano Beach Amphitheater holds outdoor musical concerts annually.
The Ali Cultural Arts Center is known for its lively theatrical, musical, and dance performances.
Cons of Living in Pompano Beach
There are some negative factors to consider before making Pompano Beach your new home.
These include:
1. Congested Traffic
Traffic is a problem in Pompano Beach as the roads are constantly glutted.
This is to be expected, however, as the city is a major tourist hotspot.
Annual festivals like the Fishing Rodeo, Seafood Festival, and Brazilian Festival attract thousands, further aggravating the traffic problem.
If you commute to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for work, expect delays on the highway.
If you’re not used to urban traffic, driving here could be overwhelming.
2. Crime
Sadly, Pompano Beach, FL isn’t as safe as it could be due to crime.
The overall crime rate is 41% higher than the U.S. average.
At one point, the city ranked among the most dangerous places to live in the country.
Gangs, drug dealers, and a high poverty rate contribute to the high crime rate in this area.
Whether you’re buying or renting a home, it pays to choose a safe neighborhood to live in, even if it costs you more.
3. Poverty Rate
The population of Pompano Beach is approximately 112,000.
It’s the 23rd most populated city in Florida.
The city’s poverty rate of 20% shows a clear problem with financial hardship.
Out of 112,000 people, approximately 22,000 are living below the poverty level.
The average household earns around $47,700, yet people are struggling.
This is due to the high cost of living that makes it difficult to cover necessities.
4. High Cost of Living
Living in Pompano Beach can be costly, especially if you have a family.
Property and rental costs are high, which adds to the high cost of living.
You can expect to pay up to 18% more for food, clothing, transport, and healthcare in Pompano Beach than other mid-sized cities in the country.
During peak tourist season, prices may go up even higher.
Having a well-paying job or large pension for retirees is a must to live comfortably in this area.
5. Natural Disasters
Pompano Beach is no stranger to natural disasters.
The city is prone to severe tropical storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
In September 2017, Hurricane Irma hit the area and caused extensive damage.
Severe storms pose the risk of downed trees and power lines, flooding, and wind damage.
Pompano Beach has also seen its fair share of tornados over the years.
These are risks that all residents have to be prepared for.
6. Intense Humidity
In Pompano Beach, summer heat is often accompanied by intense humidity.
Humidity transforms the “actual” temperature into the “feels like” temperature which can be many degrees hotter.
During the heat of the day, you may be unable to go outdoors.
Most, if not all, Pompano Beach homes come with air conditioning to offset the heat during summer.
If intensive heat and humidity aren’t to your liking, you should reconsider making Pompano Beach your home.
7. Mosquitoes
Mosquitos are yet another con of joining the Pompano Beach community.
The hot, humid weather makes for a flourishing mosquito population.
Unfortunately, mosquitos are more than just a nuisance here.
They’re actually a threat to your health as they carry all kinds of diseases.
Early mornings and evenings are when mosquitoes are more active.
By using mosquito repellant or staying indoors during these times, you can escape their malevolent bite.
8. Vacationers!
Vacation travelers can be extremely annoying to Pompano Beach residents, yet the city can’t do without them.
They’re a big boon to the local economy.
At the same time, they contribute to high prices, congested roadways, and overcrowding.
With all that Pompano Beach has to offer, it’s no wonder people are attracted here from all over the country.
Pompano Beach is also a popular destination for snowbirds, further taxing the city’s population capacity.
Pros and Cons of Living in Pompano Beach, FL – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Pompano Beach, FL | Cons of Living in Pompano Beach |
|---|---|
| 1. Picturesque Beaches | 1. Congested Traffic |
| 2. Vibrant Nightlife | 2. Crime |
| 3. Great Weather | 3. Poverty Rate |
| 4. Family Friendly Environment | 4. High Cost of Living |
| 5. Good Schools | 5. Natural Disasters |
| 6. Thriving Economy | 6. Intense Humidity |
| 7. Diversity | 7. Mosquitoes |
| 8. Cultural Hotspot | 8. Vacationers! |
Pompano Beach Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Pompano Beach Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pompano Beach a good place to retire?
Active seniors will find Pompano Beach an excellent place to retire.
The weather’s perfect for golfing, swimming, biking, and other outdoor sports.
There’s no shortage of fine dining, live entertainment, and cultural attractions to explore.
Almost 20% of the population is over 65, so you can mingle and make friends everywhere you go!
Is Pompano Beach a costly place to live?
The cost of living in Pompano Beach is higher than other places in Florida.
Not everyone can afford to live here.
If you have a family, you’ll need a high-paying job to support them properly.
An annual salary of $70,000+ will help you meet your family’s needs comfortably.
Does Pompano Beach have public transport?
The Broward County Transit bus travels throughout the city to get you where you need to go.
The Tri-Rail commuter train provides access to Pompano Beach and other nearby cities in South Florida.
Biking is also a favorite way to travel, with bike rentals available through Broward BCycle.
The Pompano Circuit offers free shuttle services to local beaches and the downtown district.
Where is Pompano Beach located?
Pompano Beach sits between West Palm Beach and Miami on the Florida Gold Coast.
By driving north, you’re within easy reach of Palm Beach and Boca Raton.
Travel south and you’ll hit Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
Frequent travelers can be at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport within half an hour to catch domestic or international flights.
What is Pompano Beach, FL known for?
This Gold Coast city is known for its picturesque beaches, beautiful weather, and vibrant lifestyle.
It’s a vacation hub for people from all parts of the world.
For rest, relaxation, and fun in the sun, there’s no better place than Pompano Beach, FL.
Pompano Beach, FL offers a picturesque beach lifestyle with great weather and plenty of cultural attractions, but it also has drawbacks such as traffic congestion, high cost of living, and crime.
I’ve been here for almost 2 years now after getting married and I can say I enjoy the place. Sure, there are some cons but I can live with them.
When it comes to Florida, you can think of tourists and nightlife which is cool. I’ve been working here and met the love of my life. People are nice!
I’m planning to retire here after a year maybe? I want to feel the sea breeze and I am currently looking for a nice house with a lovely neighborhood.