Many people dream of living in a city like Miami. With a population of over 5.5 million people, the area is a haven for commerce, the arts, international trade, culture and entertainment. While there are many choices of places to live in Miami, one of the most famous is the southernmost point of Miami Beach, also known as South Beach. Nicknamed SoBe, this neighborhood is made up of the barrier island of Miami Beach south of Indian Creek. There is always something happening here, and this 2-mile stretch of beach is populated by nearly 40,000 residents. If you have dreams of living the Miami Vice lifestyle in the Florida sun, our South Beach real estate guide will fill you in on this exciting neighborhood.
As did much of South Florida, South Beach had its humble beginnings as farmland in the 1800s - coconut farming to be exact. It was in 1912 that investor and developer John Collins decided to build a bridge from Miami to Miami Beach. The bridge was completed just a year later, and the Miami Beach land boom soon followed. In the 1930s, the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne architectural revolutions hit the area and shaped the look that still resonates today.
South Beach caught the eye of the rich and famous as early as the 1920s when millionaires began snapping up land for private homes and hotels. Jackie Gleason brought his weekly variety show to the area for taping in 1964. In the 1980's, South Beach was featured in both the Miami Vice television show and Al Pacino's Scarface. Once a mix of criminals and retirees on fixed incomes, the area became revitalized in late 1980's with an influx of fashion industry and construction developments.
The types of homes in South Beach run the gamut, from new construction luxury condos to historic Art Deco single family homes. As this is a barrier island and one of the hottest places in the city in terms of activity, residents know that they are paying for location just as much as their four walls and a roof. Despite this, there are some surprisingly affordable choices in South Beach.
The median sales price of homes in Miami Beach is $403,500, and the average sales price is $919,284, indicating there is a pretty wide range of choices for buyers. There are condos for sale in South Beach in various developments that are foreclosures listed below $100,000 to the low $100's. These are generally very small 1-bedroom, 1-bath condos but would be perfect for a single occupant. Larger condos range from the mid-$200's to over $20 million. Single family homes in South Beach start in the mid-$400s and can go as high as $40 million. The age of the homes here varies considerably. While rejuvenation has brought new construction, there are many homes and condo buildings in the Miami Beach Architectural District that are considered historic and that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Having a 2-mile stretch of white sand beaches outside your front door either makes one want to live a healthy lifestyle or go looking for trouble. South Beach is quick to offer residents easy access to both but healthy living is a simple matter here with open spaces and eight parks to choose from in the community. South Pointe Park is the largest of these. A 17-acre park at the southern end of South Beach, there are 360-degree ocean views, a beach, picnic areas and walking paths in this scenic park. If running on the beach or in the park isn't enough, be sure to check out Barry's Bootcamp in South Beach. You may run into one of the Kardashians there or another famous member such as Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake, or Carrie Underwood. If a round of golf sounds like more your speed, the Miami Beach Golf Club is located just north of Dade Blvd. in Miami Beach. While recovering from Saturday night or your Sunday morning workout at Barry's Bootcamp, be sure to hit the weekly Lincoln Road Farmer's Market. Every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., the market features fresh produce, plants, and baked goods. The Market is located on Lincoln Rd. between Washington Ave. and Meridian Ave.
Entertainment and nightlife in South Beach are what this neighborhood is all about. With hundreds of shops, restaurants, and bars, the activity here is non-stop. If shopping is your pleasure, you will join people who have come from all over the world to visit South Beach and sample its unique offerings. From world-recognized haute couture fashion houses to luxury goods to unique artisan creations, the shops in South Beach can't be replicated anywhere else. Many shops are located in the well-known shopping district on Lincoln Road., between Washington Ave. and Alton Rd.
There are many dining choices in South Beach, but you would be missing out if you didn't visit Joe's Stone Crab on Washington Ave. in South Pointe. Open from October-May each year, this Miami Beach icon has been in business since 1913 and is considered to be one of America's highest-grossing restaurants. The stone crab claws are favorites here, of course, as are the barbecue ribs. Beyond Joe's Stone Crab, be sure to visit other local favorites like Lure Fishbar, Macchialina, and Yardbird.
People flock to South Beach because of its nightlife. Staying out until the wee hours of the morning is commonplace here, and the neighborhood has many bars and nightclubs that remain lively seven days a week. Story is one of the city's top nightclubs and entertainment venues. Located on Collins Ave., the club has 30,000 square feet of party space and often hosts some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. Other popular clubs in South Beach include Wall Lounge, LIV at the Fountainbleau Resort, the tourist favorite Clevelander.
If you want to live in Miami yet feel as if you are on vacation 365 days a year, South Beach may be the perfect spot for you. While many people may think that this opulent neighborhood is out of their reach, there are a wide range of options in South Beach real estate that makes this a great choice for singles and professionals looking for an exciting life in the Florida sun.
