Moving to MIA, what about Doral???? (Miami, Coral Gables: crime rate, schools, live)

[AskingaLot]

Any help or recommendations if moving to Doral? THe good, the bad and the ugly?

Thnx.

[Schrodinger's Kittens]

I've lived in Doral for a few years and it's a fairly pedestrian bedroom community. Crime rate is low, I'm told schools are good for south Florida (don't have kids so no direct knowledge), and it's easy to get around. It doesn't have the charm of, say, Coral Gables but the parks system is decent, there are some large-ish employers in Doral, and of course you've got the golf course if you play the game or are considering taking it up. It's also easy to get to the Keys.

Lots of Spanish-speakers, of course---there's a reason the city's nickname is Doralzuela--but you can get around fine without speaking Spanish. I don't and I have no problems.

Doral PD is aggressive on policing small nuisances, on the theory that it keeps larger crimes from happening, and they do a good job. Between DPD and Metro-Dade PD, which is headquartered in Doral, the area is thoroughly patrolled.

If you want art, music, nightlife, beaches, or good restaurants, you willl have to drive to them, because Doral doesn't have any of that. It does have a couple of OK malls, the Dolphin Mall and the International Mall. Since you have to drive to anything fun, it's a good thing that Doral is roughly bordered by the Florida Turnpike on the west, State Highway 826 aka the Palmetto Expressway on the east, and State Highway 836, aka the Dolphin Expressway on the south.

So to summarize: It's a safe, dull bedroom community with decent schools. You could do a lot worse.

[FinallyReady]

It's also close to Miami International Airport.

[MiamiRob]

I think the worst thing about Doral is the traffic.

[AskingaLot]

Thank you all for your input!