Miramar
Back to explorer

Broward County

Miramar

Modern and diverse; newer suburban communities with an easy commute.

About Miramar

A fast-growing, diverse city in south Broward with newer master-planned communities, parks, and a growing business base. Convenient to both Broward and north Miami-Dade.

Livability Scores

45/100

Walk Score

82/100

Safety Score

80/100

School Score

Key Amenities

Miramar Regional Park
Cultural center
New communities
Business parks
Diverse dining

Living in Miramar

What to expect once the boxes are unpacked.

What day-to-day life feels like

A normal week in Miramar feels suburban, newer, and fairly busy in a practical way. Mornings are usually school runs, coffee stops, and commuters heading toward Broward, Miami-Dade, or nearby business parks. You see a mix of families, service workers, office workers, and people exercising in neighborhood parks. Evenings are quieter inside the residential communities, though the main roads stay active. Weekends often mean parks, youth sports, cultural events, restaurant runs, and errands bundled into one trip. It is not a walk-everywhere city, so daily life tends to revolve around driving a few minutes between home, shopping, and recreation.

Who it suits

Miramar suits young families, established households, and commuters who want newer housing and a more organized suburban feel. It also works well for remote workers who do not need a big downtown scene every day, and for people who split time between Broward and Miami-Dade. Retirees who want quiet neighborhoods and easy access to services can do well here too. If you want a highly walkable, nightlife-heavy, or beach-centric lifestyle, you will probably be happier closer to downtown Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or the coast.

Getting around

In Miramar, driving is the default. You will rely on local arterials plus the major regional highways that serve the area, especially I-75, Florida’s Turnpike, I-95, and the nearby Sawgrass Expressway corridor for cross-county trips. You can reach Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Intl in about 21 minutes by car in normal traffic, but peak-hour conditions can add noticeable delay. Rush hour is the usual South Florida mix: heavier northbound in the morning, southbound or mixed traffic in the late afternoon, and slowdowns on connector roads when it rains. Most errands and commutes are still car-based.

Groceries and errands

For groceries, the setup is very typical South Florida: Publix is the default for most weekly shopping, with other options like Aldi, Costco, and nearby specialty markets depending on what you prefer. You will likely drive a short distance for routine errands rather than walking. A normal weekly shop is usually a quick car trip within Miramar or to adjacent parts of Broward. If you want more selection for bulk items or specialty foods, you will probably combine a grocery run with other errands in the same outing.

Weekends and things to do

For weekends, Miramar gives you practical access to parks, dining, and bigger regional destinations without living in the middle of them. Miramar Regional Park is one of the main local outdoor options for sports, walking, and family time. The city also has a cultural center and a solid mix of diverse restaurants, so you do not always need to leave town for a casual night out. Sawgrass Mills is about 30 minutes away by car for shopping, and Downtown Fort Lauderdale is about 26 minutes away when you want a denser dining or entertainment scene.

The honest tradeoffs

The biggest tradeoff is that Miramar is still a driving city. Walkability is limited in most neighborhoods, so even simple errands usually mean getting in the car. Summer heat and humidity shape daily routines, and heavy rain can make traffic feel worse. Like much of South Florida, insurance costs and HOA fees can be part of the picture, especially in newer communities. You are also close enough to major commute corridors that rush hour can be frustrating, even if your actual neighborhood feels calm.

How far is everything?

Real driving distances from Miramar, measured door-to-door on actual routes. Traffic will change the clock — treat these as an off-peak baseline.

DestinationDistanceDrive
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood Intl (FLL)11 mi21 min
Downtown Fort Lauderdale15.2 mi26 min
Fort Lauderdale Beach18.9 mi33 min
Sawgrass Mills16.3 mi30 min
Downtown Miami17.2 mi28 min
Miami Intl (MIA)21.1 mi35 min

Your first 30 days in Miramar

The paperwork nobody warns you about, and where to actually go for it in Broward County.

30 days

to get your Florida driver license once you establish residency

10 days

to title and register your vehicle under Florida statute

March 1

homestead exemption deadline for your first qualifying year

Driver license

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) runs driver license offices directly in Broward — these are separate from the offices that handle tags and titles.

Appointments are strongly recommended and are booked through the FLHSMV site. Walk-ins are accepted but wait times are long. Driver license offices are closed weekends.

Closest office to Miramar: Pembroke Pines — about 6 minutes (2.2 mi) by car.

  • Lauderdale Lakes — 3718-3 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Lauderdale Lakes, FLDriver license, REAL ID, written exam, road test
  • Margate — 1135 Banks Road, Margate, FLDriver license, REAL ID, CDL/HazMat
  • Pembroke Pines — 8001 Pembroke Road, Pembroke Pines, FLDriver license, REAL ID, CDL/HazMat
  • Pompano Citi Centre — 1955 Federal Hwy, Unit J209, Pompano Beach, FLDriver license, REAL ID, CDL/HazMat
  • Sunrise — 3511 N Pine Island Road, Sunrise, FLDriver license, REAL ID, written exam, road test

Registering your car

Tags, titles and registration are handled at separate motor vehicle service centers — several are Tax Collector–sponsored, which adds a small service fee.

Motor vehicle centers sit in Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Plantation, Weston and Deerfield Beach. Do not go to a driver license office for a tag — they will send you away.

Florida is a no-fault state, so you need a Florida policy with at least $10,000 in personal injury protection and $10,000 in property damage liability before you can register — an out-of-state policy will not work. Budget for the one-time $225 new-registration fee on top of title and plate costs, and expect a VIN verification if the car has never been inspected in Florida.

Registration details and forms

Utilities and services

  • Electricity: FPL serves nearly all of Broward — set up service online before closing or move-in day.
  • Water & sewer: Billed by your city, not the county, so the provider changes from town to town.
  • Internet: Xfinity and AT&T Fiber cover most of the county; fiber availability varies street by street.

Trash and recycling are city-run in Broward, so pickup days and bulk-pickup rules are set by your municipality rather than the county.

Homestead, schools and voting

  • If the home is your primary residence, file for the homestead exemption by March 1 — it lowers your taxable value and caps how fast it can rise. Broward County Property Appraiser (homestead exemption)
  • Enrollment runs through Broward County Public Schools. Have proof of address, immunization records and a birth certificate ready.
  • Register to vote at least 29 days before an election. You can do it at the same time you change your license.

Office hours, addresses and fees change. Confirm on the official site before you make the trip. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Location

Good to know

Moving to Miramar: common questions

Practical answers for people relocating to Miramar, Broward County.