Brickell vs. Downtown (Miami, Edgewater, Bal Harbour: apartment, lease, condo)

[cityKing]

Thinking of moving to either Downtown or Brickell very soon, can anybody give me any differences and insights to both?

[OyCrumbler]

Yea, it'd be interesting to see if people's opinions on the two have shifted in the almost five years since this was last posted in.

[pierrekid]

The lines have blurred now. They are so close to one another in price, appeal and everything else. I personally like downtown because of the traffic situation in brickell. I actually live in the riverfront complex directly across from the city center being built. That way I get easy access to the highway, people mover and a minute walk to brickell. Best of both worlds.

[elchevere]

and now downtown, by the River, has the Whole Foods people asked for.

Any thoughts on Met One building?...as far as new buildings, I like the look of Millicento in Brickell.

[Coconut1]

There's still a definite difference between Downtown and Brickell.

While Downtown has improved, it's still very dead at night.

I like Millcento, but it's Related, so cheap construction.

[elchevere]

speaking of construction, how are the condos built as far as noise?....are there other cheaply constructed projects where you can hear your neighbors through the wall or their subwoofers through your floor?....if you are within a block or two of MB Village, do you hear the noise and/or traffic at night?....any condos to avoid if you are noise sensitive and other ones that are recommended?

[pierrekid]

I would have to disagree with the dead downtown. We were just out last nigh and it was very busy, especially around the bay side area. If anything I would say brickell has taken hit due to the construction( obviously that will change). We ate at Rosa mexicana in mbv last night before heading in downtown for drinks. Again I live directly across from the city center and MB village on the downtown side. I don't hear any noise at night because of the hurricane glass.

[pierrekid]

I've heard pretty bad things about the neo vertika and lofts. I would stay away from them. For the most part the building that are up to code have pretty decent noise protection due to the hurricane glass.

I think your making a great choice of moving here. In the next year or two this place is going to be unbelievable!

[elchevere]

I stayed just across the bridge at Hyatt Regency and took more of a liking to Brickell this time...maybe because I have no imagination and was unimpressed on prior visits; this time, I got to see actual development in progress.

Don't get me wrong--my first choice would be to live at Continuum or Murano Portofino in SoBe; unfortunately, my bank account tells me that is not possible.

Curious how Brickell might be for me in 5 years when I am retired and in my early 60's--for someone of my age or more for someone working in their 30's and 40's ....perhaps some place in Brickell Key might give me some tranquility that I desire yet proximity to the action....either that or Met One looks like it could fit the bill as well.

Reopening this thread could not have come at a better time as I was debating the merits of downtown v. Brickell....also, not a patient person and hate traffic....would living on the downtown side give me easier access (i.e. less congestion/traffic) to SoBe, I-95, and other areas (Wynwood, etc.) when I wanted to escape just by being on the other side of the bridge from Brickell??

[Coconut1]

Originally Posted by pierrekid

I would have to disagree with the dead downtown. We were just out last nigh and it was very busy, especially around the bay side area. If anything I would say brickell has taken hit due to the construction( obviously that will change). We ate at Rosa mexicana in mbv last night before heading in downtown for drinks. Again I live directly across from the city center and MB village on the downtown side. I don't hear any noise at night because of the hurricane glass.

Bayside is different- it's filled with tourist.

If you go up the city streets, even Flagler, it's very, very quiet.

Yes, you can definitely hear your neighbors in some building. As I said, Related is notoriously cheap. As PK pointed out, street noise isn't a huge problem when you have your balcony door shut, but IMO that defeats the purpose of living in Miami.

I think at this point it's too hard to say how it will suit you in five years. So much construction is going on, and it's forever changing the dynamics of the urban core.

Although you can't afford the big names at the Beach, you might also consider other options- an Art Deco building, or just a cheaper high rise. There is something very soothing about it out there.