Can anyone suggest subdivisions or areas in Coral Gables (Miami: apartment, to rent)

[mpr19]

My wife, our small baby, and I are moving to Miami for job related reasons. We have lived in South FL for many years, just not in Miami. We would like to find an apartment/ home to rent in The Gables/ Westchester/ Pinecrest areas, we have been told that these are good areas to live in. Can anyone suggest specific communities/subdivisions/zip codes in these areas that we should concentrate on. Thanks in advance for your feedback!

[doggiebus]

33156, 33176, 33134, 33146, 33133, 33134

I wouldn't suggest Westchester (mostly hispanic area and looks dirty in my opinion) unless you work at home or like sitting in rush hour traffic.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

33156, 33176, 33134, 33146, 33133, 33134

I wouldn't suggest Westchester (mostly hispanic area and looks dirty in my opinion) unless you work at home or like sitting in rush hour traffic.

Doggiebus, you wrote 33134 twice, but did not include 33143 (basically South Miami, Dadeland). Is that just a typo? I would add 33143 to your list which is otherwise perfect. Ditto about Westchester, I've never heard it was a good area.

Also, be careful about 33133, it has some spotty areas. Finally, in Coral Gables itself, concentrate on the "named streets" (named after mostly Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese cities and regions) and, generally speaking, avoid the numbered streets.

Good luck!

[doggiebus]

yep it was I typo, thanks for the catch but that is exactly what I meant 33143. (sometime I type to fast...)

[mpr19]

Can you or anyone else give some input on other areas like Weston, Pembroke Pines, etc. My wife is also considering a job in Weston and we are tring to see if it'd be better to live in the outskirts of Miami. Some place in btn Weston and Westchester. A place that's safe, of course. Thanks again for your input

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by mpr19

Can you or anyone else give some input on other areas like Weston, Pembroke Pines, etc. My wife is also considering a job in Weston and we are tring to see if it'd be better to live in the outskirts of Miami. Some place in btn Weston and Westchester. A place that's safe, of course. Thanks again for your input

This is where I can pitch in. I'm going to factor in schools as well.

If you live and work in Weston, you have pretty much have zero traffic, a community with top notch schools (including blue-ribbon rated Eagle Point Elementary), although the high school is overcrowded, and the enrollment cap has the new kids being sent to the also-good schools in Davie. Also one of the lowest crime rates for its size in the entire nation, a very well educated and culturally diverse population, and yes, a better life than Miami. Search for some of my past posts for more info about Weston.

Other communities to consider are the often overlooked Cooper City and Davie. Very friendly communities, good schools that aren't crowded, and a real sense of community, something most of South Florida lacks.

Pembroke Pines is...bleh. It's really not bad, but the schools aren't great, and it's kind of crowded and congested. Not a bad place to live if you don't have kids.

Also if you don't have kids Plantation and west Sunrise are nice areas to look into that bring you a little closer to the action in Fort Lauderdale. You will probably never go to Miami if you live and work in W. Broward.

All of these communities make the safest community in Miami-Dade look dangerous.

[doggiebus]

The only thing bad I can say about Weston is its location, its just so far west (next to the Everglades). Other than that Weston is a really pretty place to live.

[jeffw]

i live in pembroke pines and drive to hialeah for work each day, if you can leave before the rush its a 15 min ride for the 19 miles, catch the traffic and its a solid hour due to how slow people drive here, yes its 70 mph in all 5 lanes if your lucky. how i miss the fast lane of the north and the orderly lane if your slow you stay right, doesnt go here.

oh anyway west of 75 pines is nice weston is great as well davie and cooper is between both and miramar is just below pines which is also nice.

ill drive to mia anyday to avoid living there. i 75 is great i 95 is rought for traffic.

[mpr19]

How early would one have to be on the road to beat traffic going towards miami on the turnpike and around the westchester area?
I guess my question is, what time is consider peak for traffic in the am and in the commute from Pembroke Pines to Westchester.