When people call me at United Prime Van Lines and say, “We’re torn between Pembroke Park and Hollywood, Florida. Where should we live?” I smile, because I’ve heard this exact question a lot.
Both are in Broward County. They’re minutes apart. On the map, they look close enough that you’d think, “How different can they be?” In real life, though, the vibe, pace, and everyday experience are very different.
Let me walk you through what it really feels like to live in Pembroke Park vs. Hollywood, FL — not as a realtor, not as a tourist, but as someone who constantly helps families, retirees, and young professionals move in and out of both.
Pembroke Park, FL: This is a small, compact town that flies under the radar. It features a heavier mix of mobile home communities, apartments, and modest single-family homes. It’s built for “practical living” rather than “Instagram living.” If you care about budget, convenience to major highways, and a quieter, industrial-edged town with zero tourist traffic, this is your spot.
Hollywood, FL: This is a much larger, diverse city with distinct neighborhoods and lifestyles. It boasts Hollywood Beach, the Broadwalk, thriving restaurants, bars, and live music. The housing spans historic districts, high-rise condos, and luxury waterfront properties. It feels like a true “destination city” rather than a quiet bedroom community.
If you want the calmer, simpler, cheaper route, you’ll probably lean toward Pembroke Park. If you want energy, beach life, and options, Hollywood will likely win.
Pembroke Park is one of those places you mostly find out about from someone who already lives there. It’s only about 1.6 square miles, tucked between Hallandale Beach and West Park, right off I‑95.
The feel is working-class, practical, and unpolished. You won't find swarms of tourists—just locals who’ve been there a long time. The streets are functional, filled with mobile home parks, small apartment buildings, older homes, and commercial pockets. People here love that it’s “close to everything, but not in the middle of the craziness.” You can hop to Hallandale Beach or Miami Gardens quickly, but coming home means coming back to calm.
If you’re curious how moving into or out of Pembroke Park looks from a service standpoint.
Hollywood is much bigger and more layered. Walk down the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk on a Friday evening and you’ll hear three languages in five minutes, smell grilled seafood, and see families and tourists sharing the same space. It’s lively but still more laid-back than South Beach.
Living in Hollywood gives you direct beach access, a city with its own distinct identity, and incredible variety. You can choose the coastal charm of East Hollywood, the artsy nightlife of Downtown (Young Circle), or the suburban, family-friendly feel of West Hollywood.
To get a feel for how we work with people moving around Hollywood (beach condos, single-family homes, apartments, you name it).
Pembroke Park tends to be more affordable than Hollywood. It’s a solid choice if you’re on a tighter budget and okay with sacrificing luxury amenities for price. You’re not paying for beachfront views; you’re paying for access and practicality. For some of my clients, Pembroke Park is their “smart move”—they work in Hollywood or Aventura but live in Pembroke Park to save a few hundred dollars a month on rent.
Hollywood offers a massive range of options, from older, affordable inland houses to luxury waterfront properties on the Intracoastal. Because you’re getting the beach, a real downtown, and developed commercial zones, you usually pay more than in Pembroke Park. Many clients call us after a rent increase and say they need to move farther west to keep things reasonable, while others gladly pay the premium to be steps away from the ocean and nightlife.
You get immediate access to I‑95 and easy routes to Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and Aventura. Because it’s small, you’re never more than a couple of minutes from a main road. The downside? You still sit in the same I‑95 rush-hour traffic as everyone else, and the town isn't walkable to "fun" places, meaning you will be driving for shopping and dining.
Hollywood gives you access to I‑95, US‑1, the Turnpike, and options like Tri-Rail and Brightline. If you live on the east side, you’ll likely drive west for shopping and battle coastal congestion. If you live on the west side, your drive to the beach is longer, but you’re closer to inland job hubs. A major difference: Pembroke Park residents accept driving everywhere, while Hollywood residents often choose neighborhoods specifically so they can walk or bike to cafes and the beach.
Pembroke Park is quieter, less built around entertainment, and more about practical living. You’ll have local grocery stores nearby, less noise at night, and zero seasonal tourists. It’s ideal for people who work hard and just want a calm home base, without needing to be ten minutes from a crowded bar.
Hollywood is a true lifestyle city. You have the Broadwalk, ArtsPark at Young Circle, big-box shopping, and endless local dining. There is always somewhere to go, whether it's brunch on the water, a sunset walk, or happy hour downtown. For many of the people we move, Hollywood is a “we made it” destination—they’ve always wanted to live in a vibrant Florida beach town, and now it’s happening.
Safety & Noise: Pembroke Park is small, so block-to-block differences matter. Some residential streets are incredibly peaceful, while others bordering industrial zones get noisier with truck traffic. Hollywood is larger and highly varied. The beach areas are loud and lively, while inland neighborhoods range from busy to whisper-quiet.
Schools & Family-Friendliness: Hollywood offers more choices for public, magnet, charter, and private schools simply because it’s a larger city. Pembroke Park has fewer direct options within its borders, so families often utilize schools in adjacent municipalities. Pembroke Park appeals to parents prioritizing quiet affordability, while Hollywood appeals to families wanting parks, beach days, and nearby activities.
Choose Pembroke Park if you:
Choose Hollywood if you:
Once you decide where to live, the next step is dealing with the reality of moving. Whether you pick Pembroke Park or Hollywood, here’s how my team at United Prime Van Lines can help:
No matter which side of the city line you choose, our job is to take the heavy lifting off your plate so you can focus on settling into your new life—finding your new coffee shop, your new gym, and your new favorite place to watch the sunset.
