Broward County to North Miami Commute (Pembroke Pines, Miramar: work, houses, crime)

[patomiamibound]

I am planning a move to Miami area, working on Biscayne Blvd. by the Julia Tulle Causeway. What type of commute would I be looking at from Broward County, say the Pembroke Pines area/Mirimar? I will be moving a family of 4 down, children under 5, so any comments on the Pembroke Pines/Mirimar areas would be helpful.

Thanks.

[fauve]

It would be a long unpleasant commute from PPines/Miramar area. I also wouldn't recommend the public schools in the Pines/Miramar area. Very overcrowded and very hispanic.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by fauve

Very overcrowded and very hispanic.

I bet the former probably wouldn't matter if it weren't for the latter. The schools are best west of 75/ Dykes Rd, which actually has the most Hispanic students in the Pines, although there isn't a majority ethnic group in the schools. The further east you go it gets less Hispanic/Black (still no dominant group) but the schools actually decline. They are very crowded however, although not as crowded as Weston schools (which has the most Hispanic students of them all), but I suppose there is more parent involvement in that area which in turn leads to better school performance. The elementary schools are fine in the Pines/Miramar though, even the high school isn't that bad (and West Broward High looks promising), but their middle school is terrible out there in Miramar, although Silver Trail middle is decent on the Pines side. And the English learner population is very low out there, so although yes there are many students of various backgrounds (not just Hispanic), the kids come from middle to upper middle class backgrounds and know English, so most of the schools actually have ESOL populations below the state average.

To the OP, do some research on GreatSchools.net.

Depending on where they are moving from, all of the schools might seem inferior. Florida schools are 29th out of 50 states. If they are coming from somewhere up north in a top notch suburb than the schools are going to be a letdown.

Also the Free/Reduced lunch rate is much higher east of Palm Ave. Hmm...

Anyway, how about looking into Miami Shores and applying for some of their local charter schools? Those neighborhoods are WAY easier to commute and have something Pembroke Pines will never have; charm. Yes the crime rate is higher and it's close to some seedy neighborhoods and no, Dade County probably does not resemble the America you are used to as much as W. Broward, but I think its worth looking into that area in order to spare yourself an hour of misery every day.

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by fauve

Very overcrowded and very hispanic.

Very nice commment. Apparently "Hispanic" is synonymous with bad. Anyways, I'd suggest you look into somewhere closer to North Miami. It's a long drive if from Broward.

[patomiamibound]

Thank you for your comments, very insightful. I am heading down from PA and was hoping the Pembroke/Miramar commute wouldn't be bad, sounds like it will. I do about 40 to an hour now, was hoping to improve on that when I get down there.

Thanks again.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by patomiamibound

Thank you for your comments, very insightful. I am heading down from PA and was hoping the Pembroke/Miramar commute wouldn't be bad, sounds like it will. I do about 40 to an hour now, was hoping to improve on that when I get down there.

That's about how long it would take. You can take Miramar Pkwy to Red Rd to the turnpike extension and you don't have much traffic until you hit the Golden Glades on 95. Then it gets bad. On a bad day it could push you to an hour and 20 minutes if there are accidents. We have a "Drama queen" situation here that would have you believing we live in some kind of Atlanta or DC for traffic but I'm not a big fan of living far from work.

[patomiamibound]

I am looking at Miami Shores now and my wife will research the schools. Goal is for a good quality of life for the family and an easier commute for me. This could be the spot although homes seem a bit more expensive than Miramar. Thanks again for the information.

[fauve]

I would also take a look at Surfside. Bay Harbor Elementary is terrific and houses in Surfside are walking distance to the beach. Miami Shores is a bit too much city and on the edge of not so great neighborhoods, so the schools may be a bit iffy.