When the kids move out, your home — and your lifestyle — changes in ways you might not expect. For many empty nesters, the family home that once felt perfect now feels like too much space, too much maintenance, and too many rooms that barely get used. Davie, Florida has become a destination for empty nesters who want to trade square footage for lifestyle, simplify their lives without sacrificing quality, and embrace the active South Florida outdoor life. As a Davie-based Realtor who has helped many empty nesters make this transition over 24 years, I want to share why this town works so well for this stage of life.
Why Empty Nesters Are Choosing Davie
Empty nesters look for different things than families with young children or first-time buyers. Privacy matters. Low maintenance matters. Access to recreation, social opportunities, and healthcare matters. And proximity to airports, dining, and cultural attractions — without living in the middle of the action — matters too.
Davie checks those boxes in a way that few other Broward County communities can match. The town offers larger lots and more privacy than most suburbs, while keeping you within 30 minutes of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the beach, and the cultural amenities of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It is close enough to everything but separated enough to feel like a real escape from the hustle.
Lower Crime, Quieter Pace, Genuine Peace of Mind
Safety becomes a higher priority for many empty nesters, especially those who travel or spend time away from home. Davie's violent crime rate sits below the national average — about 2.3 incidents per 1,000 residents compared to the national average of roughly 4.0 per 1,000. The town's community-oriented policing and neighborhood watch programs contribute to a feeling of safety that is hard to quantify but easy to feel when you walk through Davie's neighborhoods in the evening.
Gated communities and villa-style neighborhoods offer an additional layer of security and peace of mind, particularly for empty nesters who split time between Davie and a second home or travel frequently.
Housing Options for Empty Nesters
One of the biggest decisions empty nesters face is what kind of home to move into next. Davie offers several attractive options, each with its own trade-offs:
Villa-Style Homes and Patio Homes
Villa and patio homes are single-family detached homes on smaller lots with significantly lower maintenance requirements. Most are part of communities with modest HOAs that handle lawn care, exterior maintenance, and common-area upkeep. These homes typically range from 1,400 to 2,200 square feet with two to three bedrooms, attached garages, and private outdoor space. For empty nesters who want to own a home without spending weekends on yard work, this is often the sweet spot.
Active Adult 55-Plus Communities
Davie and the surrounding area are home to approximately 22 active adult 55-plus communities offering a resort-style lifestyle with fitness centers, pools, clubhouses, walking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and organized social activities. These communities range from affordable condominiums to luxury single-family homes with premium amenities.
The advantage of a 55-plus community goes beyond amenities. There is a built-in social network of neighbors at the same life stage, which makes it easier to build friendships, find activity partners, and stay engaged. Many residents tell me it reminds them of the community feel they had when their children were young — but without the school drop-off lines and weekend sports schedules.
Condominiums with Low Maintenance
For empty nesters who want to minimize responsibilities as much as possible, condos in Davie and surrounding areas offer lock-and-leave living. Many condo communities near Nova Southeastern University and along University Drive offer one- and two-bedroom units with modern finishes, elevator access, and covered parking. The trade-off is less privacy and outdoor space, but for those who prioritize travel and freedom, condos can be an excellent choice.
Downsizing Within a Single-Family Home
Some empty nesters do not want to leave single-family home living — they just want less of it. Davie's real estate market has a range of smaller, newer single-family homes (1,800 to 2,400 square feet) that offer the experience of a house and yard with a fraction of the upkeep of a larger estate property. These homes are especially common in neighborhoods built after 2010, where floor plans were designed with empty nesters and move-down buyers in mind.
Outdoor Recreation and Active Lifestyle
This is where Davie really shines for empty nesters. The town's 187 miles of interconnected trails are perfect for walking, biking, and jogging. Tree Tops Park (243 acres) offers hiking trails, a marsh boardwalk, and equestrian paths. Vista View Park (160 acres) features rolling hills, a fishing pond, and walking trails — a rare landscape feature in flat South Florida.
Pickleball has become one of the most popular social sports among empty nesters in Davie. The town maintains 6 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts at Bamford Park and Pine Island Park, open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at no charge. The courts draw a regular crowd of players who organize round-robins, clinics, and social matches throughout the week. For many empty nesters I have worked with, joining the pickleball community was the single best decision they made after moving to Davie — it is exercise and social connection rolled into one.
Golfers have access to several courses within a 10-minute drive, including the Davie Golf Course, the Club at Weston Hills, and the Fort Lauderdale Country Club. For nature enthusiasts, the Chapel Trail Nature Preserve (450 acres) offers boardwalk trails through wetlands and mangrove forests that are home to native birds and wildlife.
Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
Empty nesters in Davie enjoy access to some of the best dining and shopping in Broward County without the crowds and traffic of coastal cities. The Tower Shops on University Drive is a popular gathering spot with restaurants, a movie theater, live music events, and a weekly farmers market. The nearby Shops at Pembroke Gardens and Weston Commons offer additional dining and retail options.
For a more lively evening out, downtown Fort Lauderdale's dining and arts scene is a 20-minute drive, and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood is about 15 minutes away. Cultural attractions like the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, the NSU Art Museum, and the Museum of Discovery and Science are all within a short drive.
Year-Round Climate and Outdoor Living
Florida's climate is one of the main reasons empty nesters move to Davie from colder states. With 243 sunny days per year and mild winters, the outdoor lifestyle is accessible almost every day. Many empty nesters tell me that their screened lanai or patio becomes their favorite room in the house — a place for morning coffee, evening reading, or hosting friends in a setting that feels like a vacation year-round.
Florida's lack of state income tax is also a meaningful financial advantage for empty nesters, especially those who are still earning income, taking distributions from retirement accounts, or selling a home in a high-tax state. Combined with Davie's competitive property values relative to coastal Broward County communities, the financial picture is attractive for most empty nester buyers.
Healthcare Access
Access to quality healthcare is a top priority for empty nesters, and Davie delivers. Cleveland Clinic Weston (a nationally ranked hospital) is less than 10 minutes from most Davie neighborhoods. Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, and several urgent care centers and specialist clinics are all within a 15- to 20-minute drive. For routine care, Davie has multiple primary care practices, dental offices, and outpatient facilities within the town itself.
The Bottom Line: Is Davie Right for Your Empty Nest Years?
Davie offers empty nesters a combination that is hard to find elsewhere in South Florida: privacy and space without isolation, an active outdoor lifestyle with year-round weather, a range of low-maintenance housing options, and proximity to major airports, healthcare, dining, and culture.
The key is matching the right neighborhood and home type to your specific priorities. Some empty nesters thrive in a 55-plus community with organized activities and built-in social connections. Others prefer a villa home with a private yard and the freedom to come and go as they please. There is no single right answer — which is why I always start these conversations by listening to what empty nesters actually want from this chapter of life.
If you are an empty nester considering a move to Davie, I would love to talk. After 24 years in this market, I can help you find a home that matches not just your budget, but the lifestyle you want to live.
Ready for Your Next Chapter in Davie?
Michael Peron is a Davie-based Realtor who has helped countless empty nesters find the perfect next home. Whether you are looking for a villa, a 55-plus community, or a smaller single-family home, he can guide you through the options with no pressure and honest advice.
Talk to Michael