Weston real estate

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Neighbors out for a walk in a Weston neighborhood.

Weston is a young city, but it is already into a new phase of life.

As growth has slowed, city government changed its emphasis from building a physical infrastructure, such as fire stations, to providing a "social infrastructure," such as leisure-time programs that enhance the quality of life for residents.

The city of 25.5 square miles with 2,000 acres of interconnected, man-made waterways and a 1,185-acre wetland mitigation area, the largest in the United States, is unusual in many ways.

More than 90 percent of the residents live in communities governed by citylike homeowner associations created by the developer, Arvida/JMB Partners. Another 8.5 percent live in homeowner associations created by other developers or condominium associations. Only 350 houses aren't in a development controlled by an association.

The associations have the power to control the appearance of every house in their individual communities in addition to their common areas, assuring that property values will be maintained. In addition, city officials have not only been caretakers of the abundant landscaping along the public streets been adding to it every year, adding to the city's unique appearance.

Between the power of the associations and the city, Weston will continue to have a neat, manicured, lush look for years to come.

It does carry a price tag. Homeowners pay dues to their individual associations in addition to city property taxes and assessments to one of two city-run development districts. The total, however, comes out to less than the cost to live in many other cities.

The city has rapidly grown to its current population of about 61,000. Weston's estimated population when it became a city in 1996 was 24,910.

In 2000, when the total population was 49,286, the median age of residents was 34, according to the U.S. Census. About 30 percent of the population was Hispanic and more than 50 percent of the households had children. About 23 percent of households were married couples. The city had 2,077 residents 65 or older.

Weston has a city manager form of government.

The city commission consists of four commissioners and a mayor. All are elected citywide, but each commissioner must live in a specific geographic district. The commission appoints the city manager. City commission meetings are at the Weston Community Center, located in the Weston Regional Park, at 20200 Saddle Club Road.

The largest taxpayers include the owners of time-share projects, rental apartment complexes, shopping centers and the Cleveland Clinic Hospital.

The city has 41 miles of public streets, 1,323 streetlights, 243 acres of parks, 127 miles of public sewers and 95 miles of public storm sewers.