Miami, FL is one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the United States. With such a large, city, however, it can be hard to pick out the exact right place to live. There are dozens of suburbs to choose from, and finding the one that is just the right fit for you and your family can be difficult. While you're looking, though, there are a few Miami Suburbs that you should definitely consider putting on your short list.
This section of the city was the first place that many immigrants from Cuba would settle in when they came to Miami. Today, it has a lot of the same feel and charm as it did in the 1960s, but it also is a lot more diverse. Housing is affordable, with a median home price of $135,700 as of 2015, and there are a large variety of units available. You'll find everything from large homes meant to house several generations to brand new condo complexes with just about every modern amenity you can think of.
As the city grows and the economy becomes more stable, home prices and rents in Little Havanna are increasing. Investors are becoming very interested in this section of Miami with unique shopping and entertainment.
Why not live and work in the same place? A development boom has brought a lot of new housing units up for sale in the middle of downtown Miami. You'll find high-rise condo complexes with just about every amenity and activity you can imagine. These units are geared towards young singles, couples and families who want access to swimming pools, sports facilities, great shopping, good restaurants, and social activities, but they don't want to drive all over the city for everything. If you don't want to be bothered with a car, jump on a train, bus, or trolley. MetroRail and Metromover have over 22 miles of lines that go all over the city.
While the entire school system of Miami is part of Miami-Dade schools, there is a big variety in the quality of education that kids receive throughout the county. While the state-wide school rankings system can help to sort through all the choices, it can be difficult to pick out the best school for everyone. Silver Bluff schools have been A ranked for several years, and many of their graduates have gone on to slots in the best magnet programs in the county. Some of these magnets are the highest ranked high schools in the country, producing graduates who go on to many top elementary schools.
It's important to note that while admission in the magnet programs is open to everyone in the school district, each school has different admission requirements to get in. That means that many parents look for the best elementary schools that can prepare their children for the entrance exams.
Coral Gables is one of the oldest suburbs in Miami, but it also has some of the most beautiful homes. There's a combination of older and newer properties in this area, and practically all of them have been upgraded to luxury homes. In fact, the median home price for the area is $742,700 as of 2015. You'll find a lot of homes with private swimming pools, chef-designed kitchens, and huge closets, bathrooms, and bedrooms. There are a also a number of new communities that feature amenities such as landscaping services and community activities. It's also close to everything that makes Miami great. You're just a short drive away from great shopping, beaches, and restaurants
While it isn't technically part of Miami, it is a city in it's own right. That means you'll have all the benefits of a city, such as great shopping, schools, and restaurants, but you don't have to deal with the crowds and traffic. When you want an even bigger city experience, downtown Miami is only a short drive away down the interstate.
Living in Boca Raton really does give city people the best of both worlds. It's school district is one of the best in the country, with high schools that offer IB, AP, and Dual Enrollment programs. Because of the high-income demographic that lives in this area, the town is full of high-end retail shopping and great entertainment. You'll find stores such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Saks 5th Avenue.
Many residents feel as if they don't have to leave their community in order to experience the things they love the most about living in a city. At the same time, they get to leave behind everything they don't like. Traffic is lower, and residents in Boca Raton are one third as likely to be the victim of a crime than residents in the rest of Florida.
Source: flickr.com
Miami Lakes is just a twenty minute drive from areas such as Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and South Beach, but it has a wonderful small town feel. In fact, the community has been featured on the Travel Channel several times as a "hidden gem" in South Florida. Miami Lakes has a relatively low cost of living in comparison to other areas of Miami (particularly the urban areas), but it's also a beautiful place to live. There are parks strategically placed every few blocks, and major boulevards are lined with palm trees. The area also has a number of springs and lakes that are public lands for all residents to visit. Some of them even allow swimming.
