Key Biscayne opinions please (Miami, Hialeah: rental, house, high school)

[JimKing]

We have a business opportunity on Key Biscayne. A decent rental house comes with it so housing is not an issue.

Anyone know about lifestyle, schools, raising kids there? We are a tennis family, anyone ever play at the Crandon Park Tennis Center? We have a 4 and a 11 year old. I see the population is 50-50 white and hispanic. We do not speak Spanish.

Any experiences living year round on Key Biscayne would be appreciated.

[305guy]

You don't need to speak spanish to live anywhere in Miami (although it helps!) But regardless you'll be perfectly fine living in Key Biscayne not knowing any spanish. It's very beautiful out there, kind of an oasis away from Miami but still close enough to be in the middle of it all in a sec. All the beaches there are geared toward families so you're not going to get the debauchery that is SOBE. The view is great from anywhere on the island and you'll be close to Miami Beach and Downtown. If I had boku bucks that's one of the places I'd reside.

Just my 2 cents....

[PBCboy]

Originally Posted by 305guy

You don't need to speak spanish to live anywhere in Miami

Try living in Little Havana or Hialeah without speaking Spanish...

[JimKing]

Originally Posted by 305guy

You don't need to speak spanish to live anywhere in Miami (although it helps!) But regardless you'll be perfectly fine living in Key Biscayne not knowing any spanish. It's very beautiful out there, kind of an oasis away from Miami but still close enough to be in the middle of it all in a sec. All the beaches there are geared toward families so you're not going to get the debauchery that is SOBE. The view is great from anywhere on the island and you'll be close to Miami Beach and Downtown. If I had boku bucks that's one of the places I'd reside.

Just my 2 cents....

Thanks for the info. We are really into parks, beaches, and tennis so it looks like there is plenty of that there. I looked at some of the City Data information, seems like 35% of households there speak English only. Of the 65% that speak Spanish as their primary language, over 90% report that they can speak English either fluently or well.

[angmarti]

I've been living in Key Biscayne for the last 20 years. My 10 years old son and 7 years old daughter were born and raised in "the island". Parks and beaches abound. I'm sure you have googled KB and seen Bill Bags State Park to the South and Crandon Park to the North. Both parks have very good beaches, besides the beach to the east of KB.

KB is very well run by elected Mayor and Council members, with active participation from the residents. In case you have not seen it, all council meetings are played live on a local channel, and then on demand at the Village's web site.

Unfortunately the island has been overbuilt. Particularly in the early and mid 90's, when the Ocean Club resort was built while the island was still a part of the City of Miami. There is a strong sentiment now against any new concrete project, which should help in controlling further growth.

KB has shifted from being a kind of vacation and retirees community to a much younger crowd. This shift is bringing some challenges, such as a the lack of a high school and after school activities for the approximately 620 kids in high school age. We are trying to find a solution to this issue, but lack of open space is the major challenge and need to think out of the box to resolve this issue.

Housing has become extremely expensive, but I understand this will not be an issue for you.

I'm sure you'll enjoy living in this great community.

[crisp444]

Originally Posted by JimKing

We have a business opportunity on Key Biscayne. A decent rental house comes with it so housing is not an issue.

Anyone know about lifestyle, schools, raising kids there? We are a tennis family, anyone ever play at the Crandon Park Tennis Center? We have a 4 and a 11 year old. I see the population is 50-50 white and hispanic. We do not speak Spanish.

Any experiences living year round on Key Biscayne would be appreciated.

BEAUTIFUL, great area. Undoubtedly one of the most pretigious places to live in Miami-Dade. Good schools, virtually no crime. Almost everyone there speaks English, so don't worry about that. Though 35% of households may speak English only, many Hispanic households in Key Biscayne, though bilingual, speak primarily English. Almost everyone in Key Biscayne are professionals, affluent, and well-assimilated regardless of whether they are Hispanic or not. You don't need a lick of Spanish to find yourself at home in the area.

[earthly6]

I too have thought about moving to Key Biscayne as I have read som many good things about the area and also need to be close to nature. The main concern with my wife are mosquitoes and no- see -ums. Are the biting insects bad everywhere in Key Biscayne?

[CJFlorida]

We are also considering a move to Key Biscayne. Thanks to all who posted the great information on this thread.

My question would be about the dog friendliness of the island. I understand the lots are small so it would be nice to have a place for them to exercise. Are dogs allowed in the Key Biscayne parks?