The beach itself is a huge draw, especially the “gay beach” at 12th Street and Ocean Drive. South Beach takes up its southernmost two miles and is glittered with eye-catching Art Deco gems and boutique hotel. Miamiĭubbed the “Gay Riviera,” Miami Beach is a city on a barrier island, separated from “Miami proper” by Biscayne Bay. It may be more “transitional” than others, but its convenient location and great prices makes up for it.įort Lauderdale is a featured destination in our Gay Florida Road Trip Guides. If you want to live downtown Fort Lauderdale, then Victoria Park is the neighborhood for you! With its high end shopping, five-star restaurants, the beach, all while still living in a residential neighborhood that is a tightly-knit and well-organized gay community.Īnother hot, “up & coming”, yet affordable LGBT-friendly neighborhood is North Andrews Gardens. “Senior Advice”, a website that focuses on senior living, recently ranked Fort Lauderdale the #7 best city for LGBT people to retire in 2019. Lauderdale Lakes features gated condo communities and is a “must-see” neighborhood if you want to be close to the action, but are on a budget.Īs the LGBT population ages, many predict Sea Ranch Lakes/Lauderdale by the Sea to be very popular LGBT-friendly beach resort communities, offering oceanfront living at very attractive prices. Pompano/Pompano Beach is more affordable area close to Wilton Manors. Within the Greater Fort Lauderdale area, there more than 100 gay-owned businesses, including bars and clubs, cafes and coffeehouses, award-winning hotels and guest houses, and there are many “up and coming” LGBT-friendly neighborhoods, including: Hallandale Beach, Pompano Beach, Sea Ranch Lakes and Lauderdale Lakes. The upscale luxury community of Coral Ridge offers a good mix of multi-million-dollar homes with less expensive condos. Poinsettia Heights is centrally located, walkable, close to Wilton Drive, the beaches, and a little something for everyone, larger, more spacious, million-dollar homes, pool homes, both waterfront and non-waterfront. North Beach is poised to become one of the “hottest gay neighborhoods” in Fort Lauderdale. The famously “gay beach” Sebastian Street Beach is located in Fort Lauderdale Beach, and is part of the pedestrian-friendly “strip” on a barrier island home to many hotels, shops and restaurants. Oakland Park is a “sister city” to Wilton Manors’ north. “The Island City,” as it’s known, is a little municipality 10 minutes north of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 40 minutes north of Miami. The main street is “the Drive” (aka Wilton Drive), where shops and restaurants alike proudly display their rainbow flags. With 14% LGBT population, this walkable suburb with a small-town atmosphere is dubbed the country’s “Second Gayest City” (second only to Provincetown). If it is your wish to live in the “gayest city in Florida”, make Wilton Manors your next home. South Florida – Ft Lauderdale, Wilton Manors, West Palm Beach, Miami Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors
Whether you’re in search of a beachside bungalow, an LGBTQ-rich community or a skyrise with waterviews in the city, Florida provides options for all who choose to live here. There are several LGBTQ-friendly places to live in Florida.įlorida’s population includes an estimated one million LGBTQ community members (This estimate doesn’t account for tourists and may not fully account for snowbirds). Aside from mosquitoes and those pesky hurricanes, who wouldn’t want to be surrounded by water and sun the majority of the year. And for those who already call this state home, it’s the perfect place to reside. For many, Florida is the retirement dream. There’s no denying that Florida is one of the most beautiful places to live.