nice areas close(ish) to SOUTHCOM (Miami, Pembroke Pines: rent, crime, houses)

[poquitomas]

We're moving to the area and have no idea where to start looking. We have a 6 year old and want a good school and a nice (safe) neighborhood. We (& our child) are fluent in Spanish and we have lived in South America, so I think we'll be somewhat used to bad driving, the Spanish, etc.

Can anyone recommend neighborhoods/areas with bilingual elementary schools that are somewhat within the commuting area of SOUTHCOM?

I found the link for Springview in Miami Springs. Is that a good area to live? Safe?

[ace587]

Miami Springs is pretty good. Isnt SOUTHCOM in Doral?

[doggiebus]

I believe Southcom is in Doral. If it is Doral would be a nice place to live for you. Rent for years first before you buy. This gives you the opportunity to get to know the area.

[NCtoMiami]

Yes Southcom is in Doral. My husband commute from Homestead to Doral. A good place will be Davie some of his workmate live in Davie.

[teamDoral]

In your quest to find the right neighborhood, I think you'll find the City of Doral to be one of the top, if not the top. It's one of the best run cities in the United States (Have won numerous awards), and more importantly all the schools in Doral are "A" rated schools. It's a 15 square mile city with a population of about 42K, 10 minutes to the Airport and surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants and parks.

[point80]

I would recommend either Doral or Miami Springs. There are also areas just to the south of Doral across the Dolphin expressway that are fairly nice too I think. Miami Lakes just to the north might be another area to look at. We live in Doral. It's a great area. I don't know too much about schools though...mine are all toddlers. Miami Springs would be very close. It sits on the north side of the airport. It's an older community. More second generation or even third gen Miami people (unlike Doral and other areas west where most are from somewhere else). There may be a bit more petty crime. But it seems to have more of a community feel. And it's closer to the beach. And the traffic lights along 36th are very forgiving because it's just the airport on the other side, so for me 36th is the ultimate shortcut to get around. If you're in Miami Springs, Doral is very close, so it would be a great commute, especially if can get out of work a few minutes before 5, which is when Doral gets fairly congested with people driving east.

Why the interest in bilingual schools? All of Doral and areas just to the south, spanish is the primary language of 99% of people over the age of about 20 and probably about 50% of kids. Seems like the one place in the US where a bilingual school would be unnecessary (?). Just wondering.

[joeandmich]

I love Miami Springs more than Doral because there is less traffic and it more family friendly.

[straight shooter]

Originally Posted by joeandmich

I love Miami Springs more than Doral because there is less traffic and it more family friendly.

I agree, it is also has less warehouses and commercial retail mixed in with the residential areas.

[amIayankee?]

Doral is well put together, it does have some bad traffic though.

[poquitomas]

Yes, Southcom is in Doral, but I had heard not to live in Doral. I am happy to hear some positive comments on here about Doral! (Had heard that there's crime and that the schools weren't so great).

I was looking at bilingual schools so that my son can keep up with his Spanish. He is currently in a full day entirely Spanish program. We speak English at home, so it would be nice if he can continue with it at his new school. It's great that the community is Spanish-speaking, but I'm afraid he'll lose what he's learned if he doesn't use it for part of the day every day.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look at the other areas such as Miami Springs and Davie.

Does anyone know anything about Weston or Pembroke Pines? It looks like a longer commute, but people keep recommending the areas.