Want to live and work in Davie?

The largest expense for newcomers is rent. One-bedroom apartments in modern complexes near University Drive sit at the high end of the regional market, while homes in older neighborhoods offer more accessible prices for families sharing space. Those seeking savings tend to look at older condominiums near State Road 7.

Groceries, electricity, and gas follow the Florida average with no major surprises. Florida levies no state income tax, which benefits take-home pay. On the other hand, auto insurance in Broward ranks among the most expensive in the United States, and homeowners insurance has risen sharply in recent years due to hurricanes.

Dining out ranges from inexpensive to costly with ease. Fast-food chains and Latin food trucks keep costs down at the lower end, while restaurants on Pine Island Road and near the NSU campus charge big-city prices. Owning a car is practically mandatory, so monthly budgets must account for financing, insurance, and fuel.

NSU employs thousands in academic, administrative, and clinical roles, anchoring an entire network of service providers in the region. Memorial Healthcare System, Broward Health, and private clinics absorb nursing professionals, technicians, and administrative staff, and attract students seeking paid internships.

Outside healthcare and education, many Davie residents work in Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, or at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Sunrise concentrates technology and financial companies and a major convention center. The construction, building maintenance, and landscaping sectors are strong and absorb recently arrived immigrants still developing English skills.

Retail, restaurants, and automotive services represent another common entry point. For credentialed professionals, credential evaluation services (WES, ECE) are worth investigating, along with state license validation when required, and networking through the Broward Hispanic and Brazilian chambers of commerce.

Memorial Healthcare System and Broward Health are the two main hospital groups in the region, with facilities in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, and Fort Lauderdale, all nearby. More complex cases are referred to specialized hospitals in pediatrics, oncology, and cardiac surgery within those networks.

NSU operates the Health Professions Division Clinics, where supervised students provide care in dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, psychology, and primary care at rates well below the private market. This is a valuable option for those without health insurance or with limited coverage.

For those arriving without insurance, the nearest Federally Qualified Health Center operates on a sliding-scale fee based on income. The American healthcare system requires insurance to avoid high emergency charges, so securing coverage soon after arrival, whether through an employer, the ACA marketplace, or Medicaid when eligible, is strongly recommended.

Most residents drive their own vehicles. The main thoroughfares are University Drive, Nova Drive, Davie Road, Pine Island Road, Stirling Road, and Griffin Road, all with traffic signals and heavy congestion during peak hours. I-595 cuts through the city east to west, connecting to the airport and downtown Fort Lauderdale in a few minutes when traffic cooperates.

Broward County Transit operates several bus routes, including connections to the nearest Tri-Rail station. For travel to Miami or West Palm Beach, Tri-Rail is a more affordable option, though it requires driving to the station first. Uber and Lyft provide good coverage throughout the city.

Bicycles are practical for those living within the same neighborhood or near the university. There are bike lanes in parks and on some avenues, but fast-moving traffic and the hot climate discourage cycling long distances. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is approximately fifteen to twenty minutes away by car.

The cultural calendar revolves around events at the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, which hosts professional rodeos throughout the year. The Orange Blossom Festival is the most traditional celebration, featuring live music, a fairground, and a country expo. The Old Davie School Historical Museum recounts the history of the region's agricultural settlement.

Local cuisine reflects South Florida. Cuban sandwiches, Colombian and Venezuelan empanadas, Peruvian dishes, Haitian food, and American barbecue share space in the same strip malls. Restaurants near NSU serve student-friendly fare and casual chains, while Pine Island Road offers more upscale options.

In everyday life, residents can be seen riding horses on signposted residential streets, urban farms offer equestrian lessons, and farmers markets take place on weekends. The combination of western culture, a Latin accent, and proximity to the beach gives Davie a character not replicated elsewhere in the county.

South Florida attracts immigrants from around the world, and in Davie the largest share comes from Latin America and the Caribbean. Colombians and Venezuelans have grown considerably over the past decade, forming a consolidated network of markets, restaurants, and independent professionals. Cubans have a long-established presence throughout the county. Haitians and Jamaicans form large communities with their own churches and businesses.

Families from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic complete the mosaic. There is also an Israeli and broader Jewish presence in neighborhoods along Stirling Road, and Canadian retirees who spend winters in the city. NSU attracts students from India, China, Nigeria, and the Middle East.

Newcomers are encouraged to seek out churches, ethnic markets, and professional networks organized by nationality or country of origin. Bilateral chambers of commerce in Broward help professionals make connections, and organizations such as Hispanic Unity of Florida offer support with English, employment, and initial adjustment.