Bonaventure - Weston, FL

Fairly glossy and new, Weston has officially been in existence since the early ‘80s. Comprising 15,000 acres of land, the area was first purchased for development in the 1950s and separated into two developments – Indian Trace and Bonaventure. In 1984, Indian Trace was renamed Weston but remained unincorporated until 1996 when it proved to be self-sustainable and its residents voted for it to become a city. A year later, the Bonaventure community was given the choice on whether to join the city of Weston or Sunrise. The vote came in at an almost two-to-one margin to become part of Weston. The city continues to grow with the annexation of new land for conservation and development.

Take your taste buds on a tour of the Americas with Argentine fare, Peruvian cuisine and good old American comfort food. Weston offers something for everyone, even the strict veggie/organic crowd.

Ease into your morning at Primetime Restaurant and Bar with their old-fashioned belgian waffles topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream and Vermont maple syrup drizzled on top. The place might seem trendy, but you can definitely dress casual. Brunch is served on weekends so you can sleep in late and still enjoy a delicious meal. However, make sure to go early for happy hour, which the restaurant offers seven days a week.

Set against a beautiful lake view, La Rural Argentine Grill invites you to sink your teeth into a perfectly seasoned premium cut of certified Black Angus beef. The locals rave about the empanadas, so make sure to place an order for the table as appetizers. Before leaving, make sure to pick up something from the butcher shop and gourmet market for home cooking and gift-giving.

When the night calls for fusion, Ceviche Arigato Restaurant is your answer. A surprising combination of ingredients from classic Peruvian and Japanese dishes will bring out the gourmand in you. Highly recommended are the octopus/Pulpo a la Parrilla; a house specialty, Ceviche Arigato; Lomo Saltado; and Yucains: fried yuca. The meals are moderately priced, so feel free to mix it up as much as you want.

Get an energy boost at My Organic Corner. For the health-conscious foodie looking for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free meals, this is the place to grab your green juice and go. Natural, sugar-free smoothies and juices get blended on the spot, and the Black Bean Burrito is to live for. The regulars rave about the homemade almond and coconut milk and the all-organic ingredients.

While not known for a loud bar and club scene, Weston does have a few places to kick back and enjoy the night life.

Cigar aficionados will feel like they've found paradise at Smoke on the Water Cigar Bar. Over 250 brands of cigars call the 1000-foot humidor home. You can choose to share a hookah (30 flavors) and a drink from the club's well-stocked bar with friends.

Step into your finest boots and call out your inner cowboy or country girl at Round Up. Located in the neighboring town of Davie, the place is known as the best country western club in South Florida. You'll find fairly priced drinks with specials on almost every night and free dance lessons offered nightly so you’ll know what you’re doing when the party really gets going.

Weston has two main highways as options for travel: I-595 and I-75. Most residents choose to travel by car because of the long distances between locations. If you plan on staying fairly close to home, a nice walk or bike ride will do just fine. Weston is a designated bicycle-friendly community composed of 46 miles of marked bike lanes for rider safety. Public transit can be a challenge and as such is rarely used by the locals; however, Broward County Transit does have one bus route that travels into and around Weston with the most popular stop being at the Sawgrass Mills Mall in the neighboring city of Sunrise.

You can call for a cab in Weston if you choose to have someone else do the driving, and Uber does provide ride-sharing service through South Florida.

Most residents head to Weston Regional Park, but the city offers over a dozen free parks with many ways to get fit and have family-friendly fun. Go for a picnic, enjoy an outdoor workout at a number of fitness trails and running tracks, take in a game of sand volleyball or watch the local athletic teams play on the fields. For some downtime, you can go for a stroll down the boardwalk of Peace Mound Park, or take the kids to one of the shaded playgrounds.

The City of Weston Community Center also has a number of activities and events such as movies at the park, artistic shows, classes for both children and adults, and special programs available every year. Dogs on a leash are allowed at all parks, with the exception of Weston Regional Park, Town Center Park and Vista Park.

The cost of living in Weston is higher than the Florida average, with housing, food and entertainment being the most costly items. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom rests at $1,390 a month. A tank of gas costs roughly 4 percent higher than the national average. A one way fair on the Broward County Transit system will set you back $1.75 with all-day passes available for $4. While you can always get a good Happy Hour or 2-for-1 special, the average beer will run you about $3.50 a mug.

Located in the heart of Weston, you'll find the appropriately named Weston Town Center, giving you access to all your shopping needs. The center contains banks, doctor’s offices, and even an Urgent Care Center for common health issues, along with shops and boutiques . If you’re planning a special night out on the town, then start your day by getting ready at Applewoods Spa and Salon or Ike’s Barber Shop. Continue with a visit to Marcella’s Boutique, always ready to outfit the ladies with something fabulous, while Fiorelli offers only the finest in men’s Italian apparel.

For weekly grocery runs there's always your local Publix ready and waiting. Residents looking for something home-grown or unique can always venture 15 minutes out to Sunrise, Davie or Hollywood for a trip to their farmers markets.