Considering offer for 60,000-75,000? (Miami, Kendall: real estate, apartment complexes, for rent)

[Indy2SoFlo]

Hello, I'm interviewing currently for a job in Miami area with a salary range of 60,000 - 75,000. They are flying me down for in person interviews in the next couple of weeks. If offered / accepted then it will be myself and my teenage son and I want to be in a safe area, walkable, within 20-30 minutes of the Mercy Hospital area with 2BR and 2BA and a pool.

Any suggestions? Someone mentioned Four Quarters Habitat in Kendall? Just checking things out at this point and seems like people in these forums really give expanded opinions.

(Don't worry...I already see right through the strategy of this employer and will try not to be wooed by the WOW factor and glamour of the place! They are trying to recruit me from the middle of an Indiana winter where it's snowing, icing, and 15 degrees outside to a tropical paradise vacation type of interview. Who wouldn't be happy to see Miami for a few days for free and escape the cold?)

[doggiebus]

Kendall is a good area to look into as it has a lot of apartment choices. The City of South Miami, Coconut Grove (stay away from the western part of Coconut Grove) are other areas to look into. You might want to look at the Brickell area as you may find some good deals (not sure how the schools are though) Pinecrest has a few apartment complexes, Pinecrest has the best schools that are non magnet or charter. As for you living in Indiana and moving to Miami that is another topic. Miami is not like Middle America...

[hurricaneMan1992]

Four Quarters Habitat in Kendall is NOT walkable, nor is most of Kendall. I suggest using Google Maps, turn on real estate (for rental/sales prices), and look up a walkability score for each location. Just be careful, check the satellite imagery, since being within walking distance of a strip mall across a 8-lane major road will still give a high walkability score.

Try Pinecrest/east Kendall near the Dadeland Mall, or downtown South Miami. Coral Way between Goral Gables and downtown may also work, and it would be the easiest commute. Unfortunately, a 2/2 in Coconut Grove or Brickell is probably still out of your budget.

[ConeyIsBabe]

I'm partial to Coral Gables, within walking distance to Miracle Mile ~~ very walkable

[Indy2SoFlo]

Thanks, Everyone for your help. I'm having sticker shock at the prices in areas close to the hospital, but I already hate my commute so I won't move if I have to live far away from work. The whole point of Florida for me would be to have some time to enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities...NOT commuting for 2 or more hours per day.

Wish me luck...if I can convence them to go $80,000 - $85,000 I may make the move.

[cixcell]

Hope its's not a managerial position

[hurricaneMan1992]

Originally Posted by ConeyIsBabe

I'm partial to Coral Gables, within walking distance to Miracle Mile ~~ very walkable

Very walkable, but very expensive for 2/2 as well.

Most of those in the OP's position would probably end up in west Kendall or Doral with painfull commutes on US1 or the Dolphin. An offer of $60-75k here will probably end up being closer to $60k with the "no income tax and paid in sunshine" argument.

[popcorn247]

There are some apartments just north of Dadeland Mall. I lived in that area when I first moved down from Lafayette, Indiana many years ago.

[Indy2SoFlo]

Thanks again, for the info. I'll check it out. I simply won't accept the offer if I have a painful commute, they can keep the no income tax and paid in sunshine argument. I'm only moving if i can be within a 20-30 minute drive of the hospital.

[jasper12]

You could try some other hospitals, Baptist and South Miami are easy to get to from pinecrest. And the train goes downtown to UM, Jackson, VA and Bascom Palmer. I have taken the city bus to Mercy, it is not a bad commute from pinecrest/ south miami. 2 bedrooms run about 950 in this area.