Moving to Miami in 6 weeks. Where could a frugal family live?! (Homestead: townhouse, living in)
MiamiMiami-Dade County
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I know it's none of my business, but I have to ask. Where do you live in the Pacific Northwest? An inner city or a rural area? Are you moving for a better job or for the weather/adventure? Do you have family in Miami?
I live in a rural coastal town of Oregon. Moving to Miami because of a job, the weather and adventure for the family.
Not sure if you have seen a map some of our members did. It will give you a little better idea of what areas are better to live in. Miami-Dade County - Google Maps
Basically, if you are familiar with that area, the neighborhood, or school system, I would appreciate your input. Due to logistic reasons (closest to work: >30 min.), I think they are what I am looking for. I have asked a couple of realtors about it, who expressed no real concerns (they did say they are populated mostly by blacks and hispanics - not that it is a problem for me at all) - but I weigh in the opinion of the people here even more :-)
Hi there,
#1 appears to be in an average area known as Fountainebleau, I'm not sure about the school system in that area but it should be about average as their are not that many bad areas nearby. #2 I would say would also be okay, although I find the area is a little bit overrated on safety and the school systems might be mediocre as their are a bunch of bad areas up north.
How about in the North/NE/NW part of Miami? Is that an option?
joe, ***MOD CUT*** Why dont you come down to Miami for a weekend without your family and do some leg work. Look at apartments, research schools in that area, area for crime.
Having said that, Miami is lousy place to raise a family. I have a 1 bedroom condo in South Beach and Winter home in West Palm Beach. Both we rent out. Everyone we know in Miami sends their kids to private schools. Go an hour 20 minutes outside of Miami and you can get a home for rent in Palm Beach County for 1200-1500 a month and not be cramped as if your living in a third world country.
Last edited by doggiebus; 06-12-2012 at 11:08 AM..
Reason: Attacking.
Mostly hispanics, but then again there is no decent place in Miami that doesn't have hispanics. Great A+ elementary school there. Large high rises called Fontainebleau.
NE 167th ST, between NE 19th Ave and W Dixie HWY
Mostly blacks, but with mixture of other nationalities. I wouldn't live here and I'm hispanic.
Basically, if you are familiar with that area, the neighborhood, or school system, I would appreciate your input. Due to logistic reasons (closest to work: >30 min.), I think they are what I am looking for. I have asked a couple of realtors about it, who expressed no real concerns (they did say they are populated mostly by blacks and hispanics - not that it is a problem for me at all) - but I weigh in the opinion of the people here even more :-)
Thanks!
You really should consider Doral or Miami Springs. However you may have to pay more than you are accustomed too in rent.
You really should consider Doral or Miami Springs. However you may have to pay more than you are accustomed too in rent.
Good luck,
Joe
Yeah, I thought about it. However, Doral puts me further away than where I want to be (adding more commute time). Miami Springs, well honestly I have not found anything decent for $1500 (not even in the fountainebleau area) .
Another factor that might be limiting my search is that I am looking for a town home and not an apartment (we wouldn't have enough space in an apt). Also, I keep on reading that most of the ones available are horrible, and the good ones have a year waiting time :-(
Basically, if you are familiar with that area, the neighborhood, or school system, I would appreciate your input. Due to logistic reasons (closest to work: >30 min.), I think they are what I am looking for. I have asked a couple of realtors about it, who expressed no real concerns (they did say they are populated mostly by blacks and hispanics - not that it is a problem for me at all) - but I weigh in the opinion of the people here even more :-)
Thanks!
I live about 5-7 minutes north of #2, off of 19th and 186th. For a bit of background:
I am a white American, raised by a mid-western family in Palm Beach County and Tampa for most of my life. I have lived in 4 places in Miami in 6 years, most recently with my wife, a Brazilian, who was raised here, close by where option #1 is. Got that all? Needless to say, we know the area well and with a unique perspective, being neither Cuban or black (which is what it seems to always boil down to, like it or not...)
For our situation, North Miami Beach is where we want to live. Having lived and worked in other areas of Miami more dominated by predominant cultures (Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan or otherwise), NMB is generally a more diverse area where knowing Spanish or inside jokes specific to Cuban culture aren't necessary. On a typical day, I see Orthodox Jews, Haitians, Peruvians, Colombians, Cubans, white-Anglos, Brazilians, Dominicans, Russians, African-Americans all sharing the same spaces, parks, stores, malls, etc... This is near impossible in other areas of the county, much less the other options you were looking at.
When I lived in Kendall (and the rest of SW Dade), I had a hard time establishing relationships or even simply being understood in the checkout line at the grocery store. This never happens in NMB. Plus, your access to parks (Greynolds is AWESOME!) and beaches (less than 2 miles away) are unmatched in Kendall.
If I could recommend one thing, it would be to find something just a tad bit farther north from 167th. Try anything between 170th-200th. You will probably save time driving to I-95 from there, anyway, as 167th has A LOT of stop lights the others don't have.
I live about 5-7 minutes north of #2, off of 19th and 186th. For a bit of background:
I am a white American, raised by a mid-western family in Palm Beach County and Tampa for most of my life. I have lived in 4 places in Miami in 6 years, most recently with my wife, a Brazilian, who was raised here, close by where option #1 is. Got that all? Needless to say, we know the area well and with a unique perspective, being neither Cuban or black (which is what it seems to always boil down to, like it or not...)
For our situation, North Miami Beach is where we want to live. Having lived and worked in other areas of Miami more dominated by predominant cultures (Cuban, Haitian, Venezuelan or otherwise), NMB is generally a more diverse area where knowing Spanish or inside jokes specific to Cuban culture aren't necessary. On a typical day, I see Orthodox Jews, Haitians, Peruvians, Colombians, Cubans, white-Anglos, Brazilians, Dominicans, Russians, African-Americans all sharing the same spaces, parks, stores, malls, etc... This is near impossible in other areas of the county, much less the other options you were looking at.
When I lived in Kendall (and the rest of SW Dade), I had a hard time establishing relationships or even simply being understood in the checkout line at the grocery store. This never happens in NMB. Plus, your access to parks (Greynolds is AWESOME!) and beaches (less than 2 miles away) are unmatched in Kendall.
If I could recommend one thing, it would be to find something just a tad bit farther north from 167th. Try anything between 170th-200th. You will probably save time driving to I-95 from there, anyway, as 167th has A LOT of stop lights the others don't have.
I agree about Greynold's Park. it is the most beautiful park in Miami Dade. However he wants to be within 30 minute drive from work. 170th to 200th street is Aventura. The only City to be named after a mall and one of the most expensive cities in Miami Dade County. There are no townhouses there that he could ever afford. Now he can check out the Ojus area or Highlands area. Ojus is cheaper for good reasons. The Highlands is also out of his budget.
OP most affordable townhouses are located in Doral and West Kendall area. West Kendall being way to far for your 30 minute commute. You're going to have to reconsider your commute time.
good luck,
Joe
Last edited by joeandmich; 06-14-2012 at 12:45 PM..
Reason: typo
I agree about Greynold's Park. it is the most beautiful park in Miami Dade. However he wants to be within 30 minute drive from work. 170th to 200th street is Aventura. The only City to be named after a mall and one of the most expensive cities in Miami Dade County. There are no townhouses there that he could ever afford. Now he can check out the Ojus area or Highlands area. Ojus is cheaper for good reasons. The Highlands is also out of his budget.
OP most affordable townhouses are located in Doral and West Kendall area. West Kendall being way to far for your 30 minute commute. You're going to have to reconsider your commute time.
good luck,
Joe
Joe,
You're right about the location of Aventura, if he stays east of US-1. You can stay west, where I live, and it is much more affordable. There a quite a few apartment buildings on or around Miami Gardens Dr between US-1 and I-95, especially around 18th to 14th. OP might also be lucky and find an affordable house in that zone, as well, especially south of Miami Gardens Dr and west of the park.
But one thing is clear: Living close to Key Biscayne, without either paying out the nose or living in near poverty, is near impossible.
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Needless to say, we know the area well and with a unique perspective, being neither Cuban or black (which is what it seems to always boil down to, like it or not...)
