Thinking about Homestead (Miami, Pembroke Pines, Kendall: relocation, real estate, gated)

[windy08]

My husband and I are looking at relocating to the Homestead area from Chicago IL. I have heard both positive and negative things about the city, and would really appreaciate any honest information anyone can give me. I would really love to hear from anyone who does live or has lived in the area to get a feel for what it is really like. We are torn about the area and are planning on visiting in June, but need to know where to look and where to avoid. Any advice?

[sunrico90]

Originally Posted by windy08

My husband and I are looking at relocating to the Homestead area from Chicago IL. I have heard both positive and negative things about the city, and would really appreaciate any honest information anyone can give me. I would really love to hear from anyone who does live or has lived in the area to get a feel for what it is really like. We are torn about the area and are planning on visiting in June, but need to know where to look and where to avoid. Any advice?

The best approach is to visit the area to get a feel for it. I was stationed @ Homestead AFB, but this is way back and everything has change. I know that we have a few members that can provide information (please do) and give up today advise.

Also do a search and visit the Miami forum.

City of Homestead - Online
Welcome to the Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce
Homestead, Florida (FL) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders
City of Homestead, Florida : Information Resources for Homestead Residents and Visitors.

[doggiebus]

I grew up in the Redlands, right next to Homestead. After Andrew the city took a hit, but has started to come back. The last few years with the real estate boom, Homestead has seen a huge increase in new townhomes. The area is lower middle class to poor pretty much. There really isn't a mall close by, you will need to drive 20-30+ minutes north. There is a Walmart not to far in Florida City. Restaurant wise, not much there. If you are looking for a cheaper place to live that is the place. But there is always reasons why its cheaper. I really wouldn't suggest living there. But when you come down, you can make this decision on your own.

Do you know where you will work? Are you looking to buy or rent? If you are buying what is your price range, maybe I can suggest another area. Schools are not good down there anymore.

[jmesa2212]

I used to live in Homestead and the main reason that took me there was the price of the properties, I got a brand new single family for less than 150k but that was back in 2003. The Keys Gate area is the most beautiful area in Homestead, though prices have increased since I moved to Atlanta, they are still way cheaper than anywhere else in Dade county, I am actually thinking about going back to South Florida and since I had a great experience in that area I would recomend sticking to Keys Gate all the way, especially North Gate or East Lake, the area has changed alot, they have built tons of new development and is not the country paradise I left 3 years ago. People are right, there's not much to do in the area but you got the highway right there and if you don't mind driving 20 mins to go to Miami then you'd be fine. Now, schools are the biggest problem in the area, they are very bad except for the Keys Gate Chater School but I don't know how hard it is now to get there, my daughters went there and it was a great experience for them. I haven't checked the commute but it is another thing to take into consideration, maybe with all the new developments the highway might have gotten crowded, maybe someone else can tell us. I don't know, I have mixed feelings about the area, but I just checked prices for new housing and let me tell you, prices have dropped dramatically and is much more affordable now.

[tonya38506]

I am considering at moving to Homestead looking at a job in Miami. Do you recommend a closer town but not in Miami. We are a family of 4 with two children and leaving a small Tennesse City. Schools are important. We will be renting

[mrs1885]

Originally Posted by tonya38506

I am considering at moving to Homestead looking at a job in Miami. Do you recommend a closer town but not in Miami. We are a family of 4 with two children and leaving a small Tennesse City. Schools are important. We will be renting

Hi Tonya - I think I spoke with your husband today at my house??

I gave him the info I had. I've not been in Florida for 2 years now. When I left I know it wasn't the greatest area. I guess my memory of it is what doggiebus posted. My ex did a lot of the reconstruction down there after Andrew. It wasn't a place I'd ever want to raise my kids.

Don't get me wrong. Florida has some beautiful areas and some great beaches. But it's very expensive to live in them. And you'll spend a good bit of your time working to afford to live there so you really don't get to enjoy it.

Your kids are the most important thing now. Keep them in the smaller schools up here for now would be my suggestion. And when they are moved out and it's just you and hubby, if you still want to try it I say go for it!!

I've been fortunate enough to live in Florida on a very small little island in the Gulf of Mexico and in rural TN. Short of getting the island back to how it used to be, I'd not go back to FL. But that's just me!

I certainly hope you guys can find the best option for your family and enjoy your lives together!!!

[crisp444]

Originally Posted by tonya38506

I am considering at moving to Homestead looking at a job in Miami. Do you recommend a closer town but not in Miami. We are a family of 4 with two children and leaving a small Tennesse City. Schools are important. We will be renting

I would recommend other towns closer to Miami and not Homestead itself. Although there are nice areas of Homestead, overall it is one of the least desirable suburban areas in South Florida. If you want to live in an area with decent schools within one hour (during rush hour) commuting distance of downtown Miami, I would recommend Kendall, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Coral Gables, South Miami, Kendale Lakes, The Crossings/West Kendall, Aventura, Doral, Country Club/Palm Springs North, Miami Lakes, or maybe even West Miramar.

What is your budget... In all of these places there are both condominiums/townhouses and single family houses available; some cost a lot more than others.

[doggiebus]

I have to agree with the places crisp listed. I drove through Homestead this weekend, you can see that the new areas are getting much better. But the other areas of Homestead are just depressing to see. I would look at the areas crisp suggested.

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by tonya38506

I am considering at moving to Homestead looking at a job in Miami. Do you recommend a closer town but not in Miami. We are a family of 4 with two children and leaving a small Tennesse City. Schools are important. We will be renting

I agree with doggiebus and crisp444, don't move to Homestead. The public schools are terrible in that area.

If you have money, move to:

- Pinecrest / Palmetto Bay: very good neighborhoods, good schools, safe and 25/35 minutes ( without much traffic ) from Downtown Miami.

- South Miami / Coconut Grove ( East of SW 32nd Ave ) / Coral Gables: good neighborhoods, fair to OK schools, safe and about 15/25 minutes from Downtown.

If you don't have much money:

- Miami Lakes: good neighborhood, fair to OK schools, safe, about 30/35 minutes from Downtown.

- Kendall: good neighborhood, fair to OK schools, relatively safe, 25/35 minutes from Downtown.

- Doral / Miami Springs: OK neighborhoods, fair to OK schools, relatively safe, about 30 minutes from Downtown.

- Pembroke Pines / West Miramar: good neighborhoods, OK to good schools, safe, about 40/55 minutes from Downtown Miami.

[monicalo]

Keys Gate is a resort style gated community offering world class amenities such as a golf course, tennis courts, clubhouse, pool and spa, carpentry shop, meeting and party rooms, outdoor bbq area and so much more! Keys Gate is situated within 30 miles of either the Florida Keys or Downtown Miami in the City of Homestead. Over the past couple of years, Homestead business has flourished with the addition of a new Baptist Hospital, Lowe's, Costco, movie theatres and many new franchise restaurants.

Consider North Gate and East Lake (broken link)with it's mature tropical landscaping and beautiful lakes. You can now buy a 3 or 4 bedroom home in these gated communities with gorgeous lake views for $200-300K!