Living in Hollywood, FL: A Renter’s Guide to South Florida’s Underrated Beach City
Hollywood, FL sits on the Broward County coast between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and it’s become one of the more livable secrets of South Florida. Real beaches without the crowds of Miami Beach. Access to two of the country’s biggest job markets without either city’s rent. A downtown with genuine character and a beach boardwalk that’s been drawing residents and visitors for a century. If you’re considering a move to Hollywood, FL — or already looking at apartments here — this guide covers what to actually know about renting in the city.
Where Hollywood, FL sits
Hollywood is a Broward County city of about 155,000 people, roughly 20 miles north of downtown Miami and 10 miles south of downtown Fort Lauderdale. That location — genuinely between the two — is the city’s single biggest strategic advantage for renters. You can work in either metro without living in either metro, and the trade-off usually favors Hollywood on cost of living.
The city stretches from the ocean west into Broward County suburbs. The Waterford Lakes neighborhood, where Madison Waterford Lakes sits, is in the western part of Hollywood — quieter, more residential, and close to the major commute corridors.
The neighborhoods worth knowing
Hollywood Beach is the coastal strip, anchored by the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk (2.5 miles of paved oceanfront promenade). Popular with renters who want walkable beach access as part of daily life.
Downtown Hollywood covers Hollywood Boulevard and the surrounding blocks — a walkable district with restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and the ArtsPark at Young Circle. Denser than most of the city, and more urban in feel.
West Hollywood (including Waterford Lakes) offers quieter residential streets, larger apartment communities, and easier access to I-95 and the Florida Turnpike. Popular with families and renters commuting to Fort Lauderdale or Miami.
Emerald Hills and Hollywood Hills are established residential neighborhoods that skew a bit older and quieter still — mostly single-family homes with some rental options.
Take a look at our neighborhood page for more on what surrounds Madison Waterford Lakes specifically.
The commute picture
Hollywood, FL is a driving city, but the driving is well-supported by real freeway infrastructure. I-95 runs through the eastern part of the city and gets you to downtown Miami in about 30 minutes and downtown Fort Lauderdale in about 15. The Florida Turnpike runs through the western part of the city and offers a smoother, lower-traffic alternative.
For anyone commuting to the airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is 10 minutes away. Miami International is about 25 minutes south. That FLL proximity alone is a real value for anyone who travels regularly.
Public transit exists — Broward County Transit and Tri-Rail — but works best for commuters headed to specific corridors. Most Hollywood renters drive.
The beach and outdoor lifestyle
Hollywood’s beach culture is real. The Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is a genuine 2.5-mile oceanfront promenade — bikers, runners, families, restaurants, ice cream stands, live music on weekends. It’s been a Hollywood institution since the 1920s and still works.
Beyond the beach, John U. Lloyd Beach State Park, the Anne Kolb Nature Center, and the Everglades are all reachable for weekend outings. Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are part of everyday life for renters who want that.
What Hollywood, FL is like day to day
The pace in Hollywood is calmer than in Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Downtown Hollywood has a real dining scene without the wait times of South Beach. Grocery runs are quick (multiple Publix, a Whole Foods, a Trader Joe’s nearby). Weekend traffic is manageable.
Weather-wise, Hollywood is South Florida — hot, humid summers with regular afternoon thunderstorms, and beautiful mild winters that draw seasonal residents from the Northeast. Hurricane season runs June through November; apartment communities in Hollywood plan for it, and modern buildings are built to Miami-Dade hurricane code.
What to look for when apartment hunting in Hollywood, FL
A few Hollywood-specific things to check on a tour: hurricane preparedness (what’s the plan, what’s the building’s history), HVAC quality (South Florida humidity is relentless — good AC is not a luxury), storm shutters or impact-rated windows on lower floors, and covered parking (the Florida sun is hard on cars).
Finding your place in Hollywood, FL
The right neighborhood in Hollywood depends on your priorities. Beach access, downtown walkability, quiet residential streets, or easy freeway commutes. If West Hollywood and the Waterford Lakes area are on your list, take a look at our floor plans, browse the amenities, or get in touch to schedule a tour.