Living in Sunrise Florida

Sunrise Real Estate Agent Insights

By Michele Noonan | Sunrise Realtor | Listing Specialist

Sunrise is one of Broward County's most centrally located cities — home to Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the country, and Amerant Bank Arena, home of the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. As a Sunrise real estate agent with more than two decades of experience in this market, I know what makes this city work for buyers and sellers alike. Whether you're buying, selling, or just trying to understand what makes Sunrise different, here's what you need to know about its neighborhoods, schools, and lifestyle, current market insights, and what it actually takes to sell here successfully.

Where is Sunrise FL Located

Sunrise sits in central-western Broward County, roughly 12 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and about 30 miles northwest of Miami. As of 2024, the city's population was estimated at 100,128, making it the 27th-largest city in Florida.

Sunrise is adjoined by Weston, Davie, Tamarac, Lauderhill, and Plantation, and its boundaries stretch from close to the Everglades on the west side east to just past I-95. The city is bordered by I-595, I-75, and the Sawgrass Expressway, with the Florida Turnpike also nearby — giving residents some of the easiest highway access of any city in Broward County.

A Brief History of Sunrise FL

Sunrise's story starts in 1960, when Iowa-born developer Norman Johnson paid $9 million for 2,650 acres of land on what was then the remote western edge of Broward County. He originally wanted to call the community "Sunset Village," but backed off the name after residents objected — "sunset" felt too final for the retirees developers were trying to attract. Sunrise Golf Village incorporated on June 22, 1961, with fewer than 350 residents and Governor Farris Bryant appointing Johnson as its first mayor.

To draw attention to the new community, Johnson and fellow developer F.E. Dykstra built an "upside-down house" — a fully furnished home built with the ceiling as the floor, complete with an upside-down car in the carport. It became a national attraction, drew thousands of visitors, and was featured in Life magazine. Many of those visitors ended up staying and buying homes.

The city grew from 4,300 residents in 1967 to an estimated 50,000 by 1984. In 1971, residents voted to change the name from Sunrise Golf Village to simply the City of Sunrise, and through annexation the city grew to its current 18-plus square miles. Today Sunrise is home to Sawgrass International Corporate Park — the largest corporate park in South Florida — along with major employers like Jazwares, Air France's U.S. reservations center, and CIGNA Healthcare.

What Makes Sunrise FL Different

Retail and entertainment anchor — Sawgrass Mills draws more than 25 million visitors a year to its 350-plus stores, and Amerant Bank Arena — home to the Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2024 and 2025 — is the largest indoor arena in Florida. Few cities this size in Broward County have this level of retail and entertainment gravity in their own backyard.

Central highway access — With I-595, I-75, and the Sawgrass Expressway all running through or bordering the city, Sunrise offers some of the fastest commute times to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach County of any city in the county.

Established, diverse housing options — Because Sunrise developed in waves from the 1960s through the 2000s, the city offers a genuinely wide range of housing — from original 1960s ranch-style homes in Sunrise Golf Village to golf course communities like Springtree to newer condo and townhome developments.

No shortage of jobs close to home — Sawgrass International Corporate Park and the surrounding business corridor mean many Sunrise residents work minutes from where they live, which is a real draw for buyers tired of long commutes.

HOA Considerations

HOA structures in Sunrise vary widely by neighborhood and era of construction. Older, established communities like Sunrise Golf Village were built without an HOA, which means lower monthly carrying costs but also less uniform enforcement of property standards. Newer and amenity-rich communities, including golf course neighborhoods like Springtree, carry HOA fees that fund shared amenities and common area maintenance. Buyers should always confirm whether a property has an HOA, what it covers, and current fee amounts before making an offer — this varies more block to block in Sunrise than in almost any other city I work in.

Sunrise FL Neighborhoods

Sunrise contains a genuinely wide mix of residential communities, from original 1960s subdivisions to golf course neighborhoods. These are the neighborhoods most relevant to buyers and sellers I work with.

Sunrise Golf Village

Sunrise Golf Village is where the city itself began — the original 1961 development founded by Norman Johnson. The neighborhood is full of Spanish-Eclectic, ranch-style homes with rounded arches, stucco walls, and canal views, with development continuing steadily since 1964. Unlike many newer Sunrise communities, Sunrise Golf Village has no HOA, which keeps monthly carrying costs lower for buyers.

Current Price Range: Homes in Sunrise Golf Village typically range from the mid $200,000s to around $800,000, with a recent median sale price near $565,000 in the West section. Most homes fall between 741 and 2,617 square feet.

Springtree

Springtree is built around Seven Bridges at Springtree Golf Club, a 67-acre, 18-hole executive course first opened in 1972 and fully renovated in 2010 with a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse. The neighborhood offers a more affordable entry point into golf course living without sacrificing convenience, and includes smaller subdivisions like Springtree Villas, a 54-home community with its own clubhouse and pool.

Current Price Range: Springtree covers a range of product types and price points — condos and townhomes generally start in the $140,000s to $280,000s, single-family homes in Springtree Lakes run roughly $285,000 to $480,000, and larger homes in Springtree Isles average around $540,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sunrise, FL a good place to live?

Sunrise offers a rare combination in Broward County — central highway access, major shopping and entertainment at Sawgrass Mills and Amerant Bank Arena, and a genuinely wide range of housing options and price points, all within a short drive of Fort Lauderdale.

What schools serve Sunrise, FL?

Sunrise is served by Broward County Public Schools, with 11 public schools located within city limits — eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Broward College, Barry University, and Nova Southeastern University are all nearby for higher education. School zone assignments should always be verified through the Broward County school locator, since boundaries can change.

What is Sunrise, FL known for?

Sunrise is best known for Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the country, and Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers — back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2024 and 2025. The city also hosts Sawgrass International Corporate Park, the largest corporate park in South Florida.

How far is Sunrise from the beach?

Fort Lauderdale Beach is approximately 20 to 25 minutes from most Sunrise neighborhoods, depending on location within the city and traffic on I-595.

Does Sunrise have HOA-free neighborhoods?

Yes. Established communities like Sunrise Golf Village were built without an HOA, giving buyers a lower monthly carrying cost compared to many gated or amenity-rich communities elsewhere in Broward County. Newer neighborhoods and golf course communities typically do carry an HOA, so this should always be confirmed property by property.

What is the cost of living in Sunrise, FL?

Cost of living in Sunrise varies significantly by neighborhood and era of construction — from original 1960s homes in Sunrise Golf Village to newer golf course and condo communities. Florida's lack of state income tax offsets some cost for buyers relocating from higher-tax states.

Sunrise Florida Real Estate Market Insights

Sunrise's housing market has moved meaningfully over the past year. The median sale price is running between roughly $392,000 and $405,000, up close to 19 to 20 percent year-over-year, and homes are typically taking 73 to 91 days to sell with an average of about 2 offers per listing. That's a healthier pace than a red-hot seller's market, but it's not sluggish either — pricing a home correctly out of the gate matters more here than in a market where almost anything sells fast. Because Sunrise spans everything from 1960s no-HOA homes to newer golf course and condo communities, the right asking price depends heavily on which of those categories your home falls into.

Want to know what your own Sunrise home is worth right now? Request a home valuation. And if you're comparing agents before deciding who to list with, my How to Choose a Real Estate Agent guide walks through exactly what to ask.

Thinking About Selling Your Sunrise Home?

Sunrise's neighborhoods range from HOA-free original subdivisions to amenity-rich golf course communities, and pricing a home here correctly means understanding exactly which category yours falls into. If you're considering selling, the right first step is understanding exactly where your home sits in today's market.

Request Your Sunrise Home Valuation or call me directly: 954.882.8900

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