Finally in the area and trying to figure out the communities... (Miami: houses, schools)

[MrsGHenderson]

I've seen housed in Riverstone, Saddlebrook, Stonebrook, Westridge, Woodbridge Ranches, Imagination Farms & The Islands. Trying to make sense of the differences. Can anyone offer me some insight? Thank you!

[StilltheSame]

Its been a while since I was in Imagination Farms, but it didnt have many community options (tennis, pools, parks) but the houses were nice and most have pools and abundant land. Riverstone is nice (despite being a former dump) and has all those amenities. It depends on what is important to you and if school/traffic/commute etc matter.

[MrsGHenderson]

My husband will be working in Miami. Commute is important. Schools most important. Riverstone used to be a dump?!?!

[StilltheSame]

Riverstone is next to an old dump (I think). There is a post on that entire situation here. I have a close friend who is very tuned into the environment and she lives there and loves it.

For a Miami commute - the closer to the required highway the better and the farther south the better.

[jhlcomp]

Clarification - Riverstone is at the foot of a landfill that was sealed some years ago and followed very stringent guildeines set forth by the EPA. This former landfill is now a beautiful park that is just completing a major expansion - truly a beautiful park.

As a longtime resident, I wouldn't be too keen on living near or next to a former landfill, because I do remember the black charred skies resulting from burning rubber tires, the odor, etc., but the community is lovely and well located to I-75.

Take your time finding the right community. Ask lots of questions of the residents and not necessarily this forum where you might not always get first hand information.