$199,000 - Fort Lauderdale Beach Condo Retreat Steps From the Sand
Updated: Sep 5
A beach place works best when it makes everyday life easy. Walk to the sand, grab coffee without getting in the car, cool off at the pool, and keep the interior simple enough that a weekend stay doesn’t turn into a maintenance project.
That’s the appeal of this Fort Lauderdale Beach condo. The listing describes a fully furnished 1-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom first-floor residence with 806 square feet, set inside an over-55 gated community near the beach. It’s the kind of setup that makes sense as a seasonal retreat, a low-maintenance coastal getaway, or a right-sized home base close to shopping, parks, restaurants, and the ocean.
The details matter here. A newer A/C system, hurricane impact windows, assigned garage parking, and a flexible layout with a Murphy bed all point to a condo designed for comfort without excess. For buyers comparing Fort Lauderdale Real Estate near the beach, this one checks several practical boxes before you even get to the location.
The location puts daily convenience within walking distance
The best beach condos aren’t just close to the water. They’re close to the things that make life easier when you’re actually there.
This condo sits in the Fort Lauderdale Beach area, near a long list of useful destinations. The listing highlights proximity to Fort Lauderdale Beach, Galleria Mall, Publix, CVS, Starbucks, George English Park, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, Bonnet House, and nearby restaurants and cafés. That mix is a big part of the value.
A buyer looking for a seasonal place may only be in town for part of the year. That makes walkability more than a luxury. It means less time dealing with parking, traffic, and errands. Need groceries? Publix is nearby. Want a park walk instead of a beach day? Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and George English Park are close options. Dinner out? The beach corridor and surrounding neighborhood offer plenty of casual and upscale choices.
Bonnet House Museum and Gardens is also one of Fort Lauderdale’s best-known historic landmarks, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a rare green space right near the ocean. Having those nearby gives the area more than a resort feel. It gives it texture.
For many buyers, this is the sweet spot. You get access to the beach without being isolated from everyday services. You can arrive, park once, and settle in.
The floor plan is compact, but it works hard
At 806 square feet, this is not a sprawling condo, and it doesn’t pretend to be. The strength is in how the space is used.
The listing notes a living and dining area, a spacious kitchen, one full bathroom, one half bathroom, and a bedroom on the main level. Because the unit is on the first floor, there’s no need to rely on an elevator for daily access. That can be especially helpful in an over-55 community, where ease of entry often matters as much as square footage.
The extra half bath is a real advantage in a 1-bedroom condo. It gives guests their own bathroom access without sending everyone through the main bath. For a beach retreat, that small difference can make the unit feel more comfortable when friends or family visit.
The Murphy bed adds another layer of flexibility. It lets the living area handle overnight guests without permanently giving up space to a second bed. That’s useful in a seasonal condo because guest visits often come in short bursts. Most days, the space stays open. When needed, it can shift.
Here’s the core layout at a glance:
Feature | Listing detail |
Property type | Condominium |
Style | Garden apartment |
Bedrooms | 1 |
Bathrooms | 1 full bath and 1 half bath |
Interior size | 806 square feet |
Entry level | First floor |
Flooring | Ceramic tile |
Furnishings | Fully furnished per listing |
Guest flexibility | Murphy bed |
View | Garden |
Ceramic tile also makes sense near the beach. Sand and moisture are just part of coastal living, and tile is easier to maintain than carpet. The listing also notes blinds and a tub shower, plus appliances including an electric range, microwave, and refrigerator.
None of that is flashy, but it’s practical. And in a beach pied-à-terre, practical ages well.
The updates and building features support low-maintenance ownership
Beach-area property comes with a different checklist than inland property. Salt air, storms, insurance, building upkeep, and association rules all matter. That’s why the listing’s practical features stand out.
The condo includes hurricane impact windows, which are a meaningful feature in South Florida. Impact windows can help protect against windborne debris during severe weather, and they may also reduce outside noise. Buyers should still verify permit history, product details, and insurance impact with the association and insurer, but the presence of impact windows is a strong starting point.
The newer A/C system is another useful detail. Air conditioning works hard in Fort Lauderdale’s warm, humid climate. A newer system may reduce near-term maintenance concerns compared with an older unit, though buyers should still ask for age, service records, and inspection notes.
Security features listed include a complex fence and smoke detectors. The community is also described as gated. For seasonal owners who may leave the property vacant for stretches, gated access can add peace of mind, though it doesn’t replace proper locks, insurance, or a local maintenance plan.
Parking is another plus. The listing notes one assigned detached garage space, guest parking, and one covered space. Near the beach, parking has real value. Even buyers who plan to walk most of the time usually want a dependable place for their car, especially during busy weekends and peak season.
The monthly HOA fee is listed at $420. That number should always be reviewed in context. Buyers should request the condominium documents, current budget, reserve information, rules, insurance details, meeting minutes, and any pending or planned assessments. The fee itself tells only part of the story. The financial health of the association tells the rest.
A few items to verify during due diligence include:
The current HOA fee and what it includes
Any special assessments or planned capital projects
Rental restrictions and minimum lease terms
Over-55 community eligibility rules
Insurance coverage for the building and individual unit needs
A/C age, service records, and warranties
Impact window permits and specifications
Parking assignment details
Guest parking rules
Pet policy, since the listing states pets are not allowed
The condo was built in 1968, so reviewing building maintenance is especially important. Older buildings can be excellent places to live when they’re well managed, but buyers should look closely at concrete restoration history, roof condition, plumbing, electrical systems, reserves, and insurance. A good inspection and document review can help separate cosmetic appeal from long-term confidence.
The community setup fits a seasonal beach lifestyle
This condo is located in an over-55 gated community within Colonial Manor East Apartments, according to the listing. That setting will be a major factor for the right buyer.
An over-55 community can offer a quieter, more age-focused environment than a typical beach condo building. These communities often appeal to seasonal residents, retirees, and buyers who want a calmer residential feel near the coast. Buyers should review the association’s age requirements directly, since communities that operate under housing for older persons rules have specific occupancy policies.
The building style is listed as a garden apartment, and the unit has a garden view along with courtyard exterior features. That can feel more relaxed than a high-rise setup. First-floor access, a courtyard setting, and a community pool all support the easy in-and-out lifestyle that many beach buyers want.
The association pool is a key part of the appeal. Even when the beach is close, a pool gives residents another way to enjoy the weather without packing a beach bag or crossing busy roads. It’s especially useful for quick morning swims, quiet afternoons, or days when the ocean conditions aren’t ideal.
There is one tradeoff buyers should know early. The listing says pets are not allowed. For some buyers, that’s a dealbreaker. For others, it may be a plus if they prefer a community with fewer pet-related concerns. Either way, the rule should be confirmed in writing before making plans.
This isn’t the kind of property aimed at buyers who want a large entertaining space, a short-term rental play, or a pet-friendly building. Its strengths are different:
A manageable footprint
A furnished setup
First-floor convenience
Assigned garage parking
Beach-area walkability
A pool community
A flexible guest arrangement
A location close to daily essentials
That combination can be hard to find at a sensible scale near Fort Lauderdale Beach.
The value comes from comfort, access, and simplicity
In South Florida Luxury Real Estate, attention often goes to waterfront estates, new towers, and high-amenity buildings. Those properties have their place. But the more interesting question for many buyers is simpler: what place will actually be easy to use?
This condo answers that question in a grounded way.
The listing points to a home that’s already furnished, maintained, and designed for low-stress use. The beach is nearby. Errands are close. The pool is on site. Guests can stay without needing a second bedroom. The first-floor entry removes a layer of hassle. The assigned garage space takes pressure off parking.
That kind of convenience can be more valuable than extra square footage that sits unused.
The 1.5-bath layout also gives the condo a more livable feel than many 1-bedroom units. For a couple using it seasonally, the half bath makes hosting easier. For a solo owner, it adds comfort and resale appeal. For guests, the Murphy bed makes visits possible without turning the home into a cramped sleepover space every day.
The furnishings are another practical benefit. A furnished unit can reduce the time and cost between closing and enjoying the property. Of course, buyers should confirm exactly what conveys with the sale, including furniture, décor, kitchen items, window treatments, and any exclusions. “Fully furnished” should always be backed up by a written inventory.
The location also supports long-term usefulness. Being near groceries, pharmacy access, cafés, parks, shopping, and the beach gives the property appeal beyond vacation weeks. It can work for extended stays, winter escapes, or everyday living in a walkable coastal area.
What a smart buyer should look at next
The listing gives a strong first impression, but the next step is careful review. Condo buying is never just about the unit. It’s about the building, the association, the rules, and the long-term cost of ownership.
Start with the condo documents. Look at the budget, reserves, insurance, meeting minutes, maintenance history, and any notices about future work. Since the community was built in 1968, building upkeep deserves real attention.
Then look at lifestyle fit. Make sure the over-55 rules work for the intended occupants. Confirm the no-pet policy. Ask about guest stays, parking procedures, pool rules, and rental limits. If the plan is seasonal use, ask how the association handles vacant units, access for vendors, and hurricane preparation.
Finally, inspect the unit with coastal conditions in mind. Have the A/C checked. Look at windows and doors. Check plumbing fixtures, electrical panels, appliances, and signs of moisture. A furnished condo can look move-in ready, but inspections help confirm what’s behind the presentation.
This Fort Lauderdale Beach condo has a clear lane. It’s not trying to be oversized or overcomplicated. It offers 806 square feet of furnished, first-floor beach-area living with practical features and a walkable location near some of Fort Lauderdale’s most useful spots.
For a buyer who wants a simple coastal retreat, close to the sand and close to daily conveniences, that’s a compelling mix. The right next step is to verify the details, read the association documents, and decide whether this easy beach lifestyle fits the way the home will actually be used.
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