Capsule: Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale has 165 miles of waterways and seven miles of Atlantic Ocean beach. An estimated 30,000 boats pass through Fort Lauderdale each year along the Intracoastal Waterway.

Waterfront Homes: With miles of navigable waterways, traversed by boats of all sizes and shapes, Fort Lauderdale has a wide variety of waterfront homes and luxury waterfront condos.

Fort Lauderdale, Hillsboro and Pompano Beach also feature some oceanfront mega-estates.

Golf and Tennis: One of the best spots on the east coast for golf, the Fort Lauderdale area has a number of memorable courses. Among these are three Robert Trent Jones courses at Inverrary Country Club in Lauderhill, two courses at Jacaranda Golf Club in Plantation, and five courses at the Palm-Aire Country Club in Pompano Beach.

Weather: Fort Lauderdale enjoys a tropical climate, with an average year-round temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and abundant sunshine. The warmest month is August. Winter temperatures rarely drop below 65 degrees.

Culture: If you're looking for big city arts and entertainment with a small-town atmosphere, Fort Lauderdale may be the place. The Broward Center for the Performing Arts presents touring Broadway productions, the Florida Grand Opera, the Florida Philharmonic, the Concert Association and the Miami City Ballet. Cinema Paradiso is the year-round arthouse of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, and features independent films from around the world.

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