South Florida Dominates the Lists—Again

South Florida’s momentum isn’t slowing. In 2025, the Miami–Fort Lauderdale region ranked #1 U.S. market for international homebuyers (Q1), while Broward’s cities—Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and others—earned national accolades across investment, entrepreneurship, retiree appeal, safety, and quality of life. For buyers and investors, this translates to liquidity, global demand, and diverse lifestyle options.

Quick take: If you’ve been waiting for a signal, this is it. Rankings reflect durable demand drivers—waterfront access, international capital, and a deep amenities stack from beaches to business infrastructure.

Broward’s 2025 Standouts

Fort Lauderdale: Luxury, Investment & Lifestyle

• #1: Florida’s former spring break capital is now its newest luxury real estate and financial hotspot (Forbes). Translation: high-end buyers and finance professionals are anchoring here, not just vacationing.
• #2: Most Investable City in America (investor survey). Consistent capital inflows and asset diversity make it a magnet for long-term holds and short-term rentals.
• #6: Best Boating Destination (Boatsetter, 2024). Add #2 share of waterfront homes and #8 most popular boating city, and you’ve got year-round waterfront demand.
• #4: All-cash purchases nationwide (Redfin). High cash share = faster closes, fewer contingencies, and resilient pricing.
• #8: Best City for Retirees (Niche, 2025; previously #5 in 2023). Sunshine, care access, and active-lifestyle communities keep the downsizing pipeline strong.
• #6: Largest vacation home market in the U.S. (MIAMI REALTORS® analysis). Consistent seasonal occupancy supports second-home income plays.
• #2: Most LGBTQ‑friendly city (LawnStarter). Inclusive neighborhoods like Wilton Manors boost community stability and retail vibrancy.

City Highlights: Pembroke Pines & Coral Springs

• Pembroke Pines #1 Best City for Hispanic Entrepreneurs (WalletHub, 2025). Business formation and support systems foster local job growth and demand for office/retail space.
• Coral Springs #7 in Safest City in America (MoneyGeek, 2024) alongside Pembroke Pines #3. Safety scores correlate with stable home values and family migration.

Quality of Life & Amenities

• #1: Highest share of pool listings in the U.S. (Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach). Lifestyle features that rent and resell well.
• #10: Longest life expectancy among large U.S. metros. Health, environment, and recreation matter—retirees and remote workers notice.
• #1: Most affordable city in Florida (Hollywood, 2023). Budget-friendly entry points into the South Florida experience.

Miami & South Florida: Global Magnetism

Miami continues to be the region’s demand engine—what elevates Miami often lifts Broward. Consider the following:

• #1: U.S. market for international homebuyers in Q1 2025 (Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach). International capital keeps liquidity high across price points.
• #1: Top destination for $100M+ investible assets (New World Wealth & Henley, 2024). Billionaire attention flows into premium condos, waterfront estates, and hospitality-adjacent product.
• #4: Most uber‑luxury residential sales globally (Knight Frank, 2024) and #5 for five‑star hotels (WorldAtlas, 2024). Tourism and high‑net‑worth lifestyles reinforce each other.
• #5: VC transaction volume (Florida VC Report, 2024) and lowest U.S. office vacancy (Commercial Edge, 2025). The business case is real, not just vibes.
• Top migration & culture: Most international migration (U.S. Census, 2025), best city for art & culture lovers (#2), plus top‑tier nightlife, shopping, and “fun city” rankings that fuel year‑round demand.

Net effect: Broward benefits from Miami’s global brand while offering diversified price points, quieter neighborhoods, and easier boating/waterfront access.

What This Means for Buyers, Sellers & Investors

Buyers

Expect competition in prime waterfront and amenity‑rich areas—especially Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. Pre‑approval (or proof of funds) and decisive terms win. Consider Oakland Park and Coral Springs for value and schools.

Investors

Cash share and international demand support resilience. Focus on assets with defensible amenities—docks, pools, walkable retail, and proximity to beaches. Vacation rentals in Fort Lauderdale’s permitted zones and second‑home strategies continue to pencil with the right management.

Sellers

Leverage these rankings in your marketing. Staging, lifestyle photography (pool/boat/walkability), and pricing to the comps can compress DOM. International syndication and multilingual outreach help capture the global buyer pool.

Pro tip: Waterfront adjacency + renovated kitchens/baths + covered outdoor living consistently drive the widest buyer pool and strongest appraisal support.

Ready to Make a Move?

Whether you’re aiming for a waterfront upgrade, a vacation‑home income play, or a strategic exit, tap our local expertise. We cover Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Oakland Park, and the broader South Florida market.