Choosing between Hollywood and Hallandale Beach for a condo can feel like picking between two great versions of coastal living. You might be weighing price, walkability, rental potential, or the vibe of each neighborhood. This guide gives you a clear, side‑by‑side look at what matters most: market context, lifestyle, ownership costs, and the rules that affect investors and seasonal owners. By the end, you’ll know which city better fits how you want to live and own on the Broward coast. Let’s dive in.
Quick market snapshot
If you want the beach at your doorstep, both cities deliver. But the numbers are different. Recent portal snapshots place Hollywood’s typical condo values in the mid‑$400Ks range, while Hallandale Beach often shows lower median price points in the low‑to‑mid $200Ks to $300Ks. Oceanfront and Broadwalk addresses in Hollywood tend to command a premium.
For rent context, early 2026 asking rents show Hollywood around $2,450 per month and Hallandale Beach around $2,350 per month. These are listing medians that can vary by unit size and season. Across Broward, sales activity is softer than the 2021–2022 peak, and many submarkets carry more inventory than during the boom.
What this means for you: if you want lower entry prices and a high‑rise lifestyle near shops and entertainment, Hallandale Beach can stretch your dollars. If you want an iconic beachfront promenade and a walk‑to‑sand routine, Hollywood often trades at a premium, especially along the Broadwalk.
Beachfront, walkability, and access
Hollywood: Broadwalk lifestyle
Hollywood’s signature is the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, a brick‑paved oceanfront promenade running roughly 2 to 2.5 miles with restaurants, bike rentals, and beach amenities. It’s a daily routine maker: morning walks, sunset bike rides, and easy beach days right outside your building. Learn more about Broadwalk access and amenities on the City of Hollywood’s page for Hollywood Beach.
Hallandale Beach: Entertainment and A1A corridor
Hallandale Beach offers a compact city footprint with high‑density condo living along A1A and east of Federal Highway. A major local draw is Gulfstream Park, a regional entertainment and retail hub with dining, events, and racing. The result is a lively corridor with convenient shopping and dining close to many buildings.
Walkability and transit
Walkability is block‑by‑block in both cities, with beachfront and downtown pockets scoring higher. If you rely on transit, Hollywood has a regional rail advantage with its Amtrak/Tri‑Rail station and local shuttles to the barrier island. Hallandale leans more car‑centric via I‑95, US‑1, and A1A, with local bus service and quick auto access to Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Ownership costs and HOA realities
Building stock and amenities
You’ll find a mix of mid‑century condos, mid‑rises, and oceanfront towers in Hollywood, especially around the Broadwalk. Some buildings are older and may show their age, but many pair location with hotel‑style amenities. Hallandale Beach blends mid‑century and 1990s buildings with newer or renovated towers clustered along A1A and near Gulfstream Park.
HOA fees and what they cover
Monthly HOA dues vary widely based on building age, staffing, and amenities. In both cities, you can see smaller complexes under roughly $500 per month and amenity‑rich towers in the $700 to $1,200+ range. Always ask exactly what dues include. Common line items are building insurance (master policy), reserves, water and trash, exterior maintenance, pool and gym upkeep, staff, and sometimes internet or cable.
What that means for your budget: a lower purchase price can be offset by higher monthly dues, and vice versa. Compare buildings apples‑to‑apples by listing out inclusions and confirming them against the association’s estoppel or resale certificate.
Rules and risk for investors and seasonal owners
Short‑term rentals and leasing rules
Both cities regulate short‑term rentals. Hollywood runs a Vacation Rental License and inspection program with defined standards and enforcement. Review the process on the city’s Vacation Rental Inspection Program page. Hallandale Beach also requires an annual operating license; see the steps and local ordinance on its Vacation Rentals page.
Even with city approval, your condo association may set its own leasing limits, such as minimum lease terms, caps on rentals, or a waiting period before you can lease. Always verify the declaration and current rules for the exact unit you’re considering.
Milestone inspections and reserves (SB 4‑D)
Florida law now requires condominium milestones and Structural Integrity Reserve Studies (SIRS) to fund key components. These rules, enacted after Surfside, can lead to necessary repairs, reserve increases, or special assessments in older buildings. Review the statute text for context in SB 4‑D, and check the association’s filings and inspection reports via the DBPR condominium inspections portal.
Bottom line: due diligence on building condition and reserves is essential, especially for properties 25–50 years old along the coast.
Flood, insurance, and resilience
FEMA’s updated flood maps changed many parcels’ flood designations in Broward, with new effective dates in 2024. Before you buy, confirm the exact flood zone and consider an elevation certificate. You can search any address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. Broward County also publishes regional guidance and standards on sea level rise and resilience, which you can explore on the county’s sea level rise tools and guidance page.
In Special Flood Hazard Areas, many condo associations carry a master flood policy (RCBAP) for building elements. Unit owners typically need an HO‑6 policy for interior finishes and contents, and sometimes supplemental flood coverage. Ask for the association’s insurance declaration page and understand deductibles so you’re clear on out‑of‑pocket risk if a storm or flood occurs.
Your essential due‑diligence checklist
Use this quick list to vet any condo in Hollywood or Hallandale Beach:
- Milestone inspections: Request the inspector‑prepared summary and full report, plus repair timelines. Review the law context in SB 4‑D and verify filings on the DBPR inspections portal.
- Reserves and budget: Ask for the latest SIRS, current annual budget, and reserve account statements.
- Board records: Review 12–36 months of meeting minutes, current delinquency rates, pending litigation, and any approved or proposed special assessments.
- Insurance: Get the master insurance declaration page. Confirm flood coverage if applicable and understand deductibles.
- Leasing and STR rules: Read the condo declaration and house rules. Check city licensing pages for Hollywood STR requirements and Hallandale Beach STR requirements.
- HOA dues inclusions: Request a written list of what dues cover and any transfer or capital contribution fees.
- Flood zone and elevation: Look up the property on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center. If in or near a flood zone, ask for an elevation certificate and obtain quotes for HO‑6 and flood coverage.
- Taxes: Use the Broward County Property Appraiser’s tools for parcel and tax information at the BCPA resources page.
Which city fits you best?
- Choose Hollywood if you want the Broadwalk at your doorstep, a more walkable beachfront lifestyle, and are comfortable paying a premium for oceanfront locations. The rail connection is a plus if you value regional transit.
- Choose Hallandale Beach if you want lower entry prices, newer or renovated towers clustered along A1A, and fast access to Gulfstream Park, shopping, and dining.
In both cities, the best value often comes from understanding a building’s condition, reserves, leasing rules, and total monthly carry costs.
Make your move with confidence
You deserve a condo that matches your lifestyle and your numbers. If you want help comparing specific buildings, HOA budgets, or rental rules in Hollywood or Hallandale Beach, reach out for a tailored plan and on‑the‑ground insight. Connect with Linda DiFabio to explore the right fit and move forward with clarity.
FAQs
Is Hollywood or Hallandale Beach cheaper for condos?
- Hallandale Beach typically offers lower median condo prices in the low‑to‑mid $200Ks to $300Ks, while Hollywood often sits higher, especially near the Broadwalk and oceanfront.
Can I do short‑term rentals in Hollywood or Hallandale Beach?
- Both cities allow licensed short‑term rentals with rules and inspections, and your condo association may set stricter leasing limits; review city pages for Hollywood and Hallandale Beach.
What HOA fees should I expect in these areas?
- Smaller complexes can be under roughly $500 per month, while amenity‑rich towers often range from $700 to $1,200+; always confirm what dues include and check for transfer or capital contribution fees.
How do Florida’s milestone inspections and SIRS affect me as a buyer?
- Buildings must complete structural inspections and fund key reserves under SB 4‑D; ask for the inspection summary, SIRS, and budget details, and verify status on the DBPR portal.
What flood and insurance issues should I check before buying a condo?
- Confirm the property’s flood zone on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center, review the association’s master flood and property insurance, and get HO‑6 and flood quotes based on the building’s elevation and deductibles.
