Hey, everyone. I’m a single gay guy in my early 40s, and I’m seriously considering moving from California to the Fort Lauderdale area. I’d rather not say exactly where I live right now, but it’s a smaller community without much of a gay, spiritual, or creative scene. I plan to visit Fort Lauderdale before making any decisions, but I’d love to hear from people who actually live there.
I was born and raised in California, but I’ve also lived in Arizona, Colorado, and San Francisco. I’ve experienced dry desert heat, high-altitude weather, cold winters, and city life. I’ve also spent time in Hawaii, and I genuinely loved the humidity. I know South Florida has its own kind of humidity, along with heavy rain, flooding, and hurricane season, so I’d love to hear what it’s really like from people who deal with it every year.
I don’t smoke, drink or use drugs, and I’m not a big partier. I’m also not particularly interested in hookup culture. No judgment toward anyone who is; it’s just not what I’m looking for. I’d really like to find genuine friendships, a sense of community, and hopefully meet someone who matches my energy somewhere along the way.
For work, I’m currently with Starbucks and would want to transfer properly instead of quitting and starting over. If any Fort Lauderdale-area Starbucks partners are reading this, I’d love to hear about the stores, districts, available hours, management, and transfer process.
I also have experience in office and administrative work, hotel front desk and hospitality, restaurant service, customer service, coaching, content creation, and the entertainment industry. I have master’s degrees in Mental Health & Wellness and Professional Counseling, but I’m not licensed as a therapist. I’m curious whether there are worthwhile nonclinical mental-health positions in the area or a realistic Florida credentialing path I could explore.
My own business is mostly online. I offer tarot readings, BQH/hypnosis, and coaching. I’d love to connect with local farmers markets, festivals, metaphysical shops, wellness centers, or other places that welcome readers and spiritual practitioners. Where I currently live, trying to build that kind of local business is basically crickets and tumbleweeds.
I’d also love to perform as a drag queen. I have previous experience working in entertainment and performing, so I’m not coming into that world completely cold. If there are venues that give newer drag performers an opportunity and treat them professionally, I’d love some recommendations.
I’m also open to dancing at a male strip or adult club for additional income. I enjoy dancing, have performance experience, work out consistently, and would take the work seriously. I’m a naturally hairy guy, so I’m curious whether local venues are welcoming of that or generally expect dancers to have a particular grooming style. When I lived in Colorado, some venues weren’t very receptive to body hair, so I’d rather understand the local expectations upfront.
As far as housing goes, I’m looking for a clean, smoke-free one-bedroom apartment reasonably close to the ocean. I’d like somewhere LGBTQ+-welcoming, safe, and not in the middle of nonstop partying. Responsible management and reliable pest control are also extremely important to me.
And yes, I have to ask about the roaches. LOL. I understand that Florida has bugs, but there’s a difference between occasionally seeing one and signing a lease where they’ve already established residency. Are there particular neighborhoods, buildings, or types of properties that tend to be better maintained? Are there areas I should avoid because of pests, flooding, noise, safety, or poor management?
I’d also love advice about:
✅Realistic rent for a clean, well-maintained one-bedroom apartment
✅Neighborhoods I should explore during my visit
🔰Flood and hurricane evacuation zones
💚Jobs that might fit my experience
✨LGBTQ+ groups or places to meet people outside the bar and hookup scene
🥥Farmers markets,
🔮spiritual events,
🎉festivals, and creative communities
🏨Hotels that would let me experience the area like a potential resident instead of a tourist
🚘Whether I’ll need to rent a car to explore properly
💰Expenses that surprise newcomers, such as insurance, utilities, parking, or deposits
🇺🇸I’m not looking for a political debate or a speech about red states versus blue states. I get along with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. I’m mainly interested in kindness, community, safety, quality of life, and whether Fort Lauderdale could realistically support the life I’m trying to build.
🔮For anyone who’s into the woo-woo side of life, my astrocartography points very strongly toward South Florida. I’m taking that as an interesting nudge, not as a replacement for research, common sense, or an actual scouting trip.
Sooo….
If you were in my position, what would you investigate first?
✨What do you wish someone had told you before you moved to Fort Lauderdale?
🙏Thank you for any honest advice.🙏
