Yet Another Post About Moving to MIA w/ Kids (Miami: to rent, condo)

[vagabondsquirrel]

Hi all, I have searched through the threads and see several posts about this subject but all seem pretty out of date and not necessarily the best answer for my particular situation....

So we are moving to the Miami area for work (yes I have a job already lined up). I do not have to work at a specific office, as I will be working from home and I will be working all over the South Florida area. Therefore, location is based on desire and traffic (I understand that there is traffic everywhere, but I would prefer not be stuck trying to get out of South Beach for two hours).

We are open to both the Miami area and the Ft. Lauderdale area.

Here are some details to help with the suggestions:
1. As stated above location is totally a free for all (obviously within reason financially, while my salary is decent, we are not outlandish and would prefer rent under about $1800 - is $1800 a ridiculous attempt?)
2. We would like to rent at first to get a feel for the city and the areas that "fit" us.
3. Yes my wife and I both speak Spanish
4. We are not party all night people
5. We are moving with a toddler and a dog
6. We will be moving with only one car and therefore, my wife would like an area where she can walk, bike etc during the day
7. We will likely be in another city before our child is in school, so that it not a concern as well

Please save all of the Miami hating comments ......... We know Miami is Miami..... it's rude, crowded, and miserable to a lot of people, but there is no question about it, we ARE moving there for my job and we will make it home and we will make the best of it. We are both from large cities and are used to city life and international living....

Thanks!!!!

[doggiebus]

Since you are only going to be here for two or three years by the looks of your posts. You should probably live in the Brickell area or in South Beach.

[FlyMIA]

If you want walking to places Brickell or Miami beach south beach area is the place to go. I am not sure how Walkable Downtown Fort Lauderdale is but maybe you could look there too. Another area I would keep in mind is South Miami near sunset place/downtown south Miami.

[vagabondsquirrel]

Thanks for the advice so far!! Greatly appreciated!!

Is it ludicrous to be looking into renting in the large condo buildings?

Like do families with kids and dogs rent in these types of places?? BTW the dog is small. We have lived in several countries so we are totally able to run with punches, but we have never not had our own green space so to speak....

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by vagabondsquirrel

Thanks for the advice so far!! Greatly appreciated!!

Is it ludicrous to be looking into renting in the large condo buildings?

Like do families with kids and dogs rent in these types of places?? BTW the dog is small. We have lived in several countries so we are totally able to run with punches, but we have never not had our own green space so to speak....

No, it *IS* a good idea to look in the big condo buildings. Newer ones will be pricier, but that makes older ones more of a bargain.

Your concern about two hours to get out of MB is unfounded. It's an island, and it is a reverse commute. It generally took me about ten minutes from Collins Ave. Only problem really is the occasional draw bridge open.

When you're talking walkable, you can only really talk about the island or Brickell. If you're a wilder person, South Beach. If you're a milder person, North Beach.

Brickell and the beaches are the mildest places to live in Dade. I strongly recommend one of those places for your first year anyways. There are moderate suburban places like Kendall and South Miami that are fine, but they are so dull and total car dependent. I'm more of a beach/ocean breeze/ cooler weather type of guy thus rec the beach over Brickell. But if slick new building, great view, hipsterism trumps the above, you might prefer Brickell.