Relocating to South Florida (Miami, Hollywood: best city, rentals, condos)

[osg74]

Hi,

My family will be relocating to Florida in a few months. We have two daughters, the older of which will attend Pre-K. I'm interested in neighborhoods that are safe, have great public schools and daycares AND are within a decent commute to Aventura (where I will be working). Decent for me would be 30-45 minutes and less. In terms of housing, we're looking to rent and our budget is roughly $3k/month.

Would be greatful for any assistance into recommended neighborhoods, schools and daycares.

Many thanks.

[griffon652]

Based on your requirements Weston is the most ideal hands down.

Its considered the nicest city in Broward next to Parkland/Light House point. The public schools are excellent and the commute will be within the timeframe you prefer.

You can easily find a nice 3/2 or 4/2 for rent within your budget. As far as neighborhood; pretty much any part of Weston is nice. Just depends on if you want gated or not. The only area I can't help you with is daycares. But if you choose Weston, I highly doubt you will have a problem finding a quality local daycare in that area.

[ruski]

I just finished a 2-day / 20-house viewing marathon, helping an out of state client to find a rental house in Weston.

[herryjohn]

South Florida is a great place to live - from beautiful beaches, cultural diversity, exciting nightlife, fine dining and world class shopping. On South Florida neighborhoods, schools, employers or home financing, are much better. And there's homes, you can rent in your budget.

[osg74]

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm a little concerned about the commute from Weston to Aventura. Is the 30-45 minute timeframe doable even in morning or evening rush hour? If I need to pick up kids by 6pm, would I make it if I leave Aventura by 5pm?

Thanks again for your help.

[griffon652]

Originally Posted by osg74

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm a little concerned about the commute from Weston to Aventura. Is the 30-45 minute timeframe doable even in morning or evening rush hour? If I need to pick up kids by 6pm, would I make it if I leave Aventura by 5pm?

Thanks again for your help.

IMHO your looking at a 45-50 minutes on the best days. Add 10-15+ minutes on bad days or if there is an accident. Overall, Weston was the closest best city to Aventura that fit close to your commute. If you don't care so much for an overall good city; there are many areas that are closer to your work that have good communities within average cities that are closer to your work. However, the public school part is something you will have to sacrifice if you choose any of the other cities. The neighborhoods are mixed (especially the closer you get to Miami) so therefore kids from the bad neighborhood's go to the same school as the ones from the good.

You can look at Cooper City or parts of Pembroke Pines. Also I don't know if your open to condos or not. But you can find 3/2 condos that are in the best parts of Aventura in your price range. I'm not sure about the school system though. In the end you may have to decide between a very good environment for your family (better school, neighborhood etc) or shorter commute (but the neighborhoods are just "good" but not "great".

You can also get a place in Coconut Grove in Miami for a shorter commute. Its a great neighborhood HOWEVER its surrounded by bad neighborhoods and your kids will be in a school mixed with those kids. My wife used to live there and the neighborhoods and houses are very inconsistent there. She lived in a 700K house which was next to a $1.8 million mansion. Both were only .75 miles from the ghetto. And I'm talking about "you will see 45 year old drug dealers riding their bikes around to sell drugs" type of ghetto. The nicer parts of Coconut Grove (the ones that are at least 1 mile from the ghetto) are going to be too far out of your price range for a single family home.

[EdgeCity]

East Hollywood (Hollywood Lakes area) is a very beautiful neighborhood by the beach, and would be a super quick commute to Aventura, if you are interested in the magnet elementary school (a Montessori, I believe it is called Beachside). Coworkers send their children there, and speak highly of it.

Aventura also has a municipal charter school system that is highly regarded, and may merit consideration.

No doubt that the Weston-Aventura commute will be nightmarish.

[Tulippsy]

There is no easy way to get from Weston to Aventura. What's wrong with living in Aventura?

[OptimusPrime69]

Weston is gonna be a long a$$ commute, girl.
lemme tell you.

Weston is in the most western part of broward which can be developed, while aventura is in northeast Dade county. That commute is gonna get old real quick.

I suggest you try and live in Aventura. It's a great town, it's clean, it's convenient, it looks nice, decent schools, etc.

Also, consider some houses for rent in east Hollywood. There are tons of cute houses in east Hollywood, like those Spanish bungalow type houses and everything in between.

[ruski]

These are in a pretty nice area right near Aventura, and I was told they have good schools

Nice Rentals Near Aventura (2 pages)


It is off Ives Dairy Blvd, just west of US1.

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