From Ny To... Coral Gables Or Doral?? (Miami, Davie: apartments, condo)

[B2008]

My husband and I are moving to Miami in 3 months! We live in NY and we're tired of this cooooold weather . I'm going to attend FIU and he'll comute to the Int. Airport... Can anybody help us to decide on what would be the safest area (Coral Gables or Doral) also which traffic would be better?! Thank you very much!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by B2008

My husband and I are moving to Miami in 3 months! We live in NY and we're tired of this cooooold weather . I'm going to attend FIU and he'll comute to the Int. Airport... Can anybody help us to decide on what would be the safest area (Coral Gables or Doral) also which traffic would be better?! Thank you very much!

Doral doesn't feel dangerous, but it has a lot of property crime, and the traffic is not good. Actually, it's unbelievably bad. It also has a lot of VERY cookie cutter condo/townhome type housing that makes Weston look charming (and that's saying a lot), not many trees, and it feels kind of Latin American. I'm not saying the latter is a bad thing, but just be ready for that.

Coral Gables is safer, way prettier with charming Spanish-style homes and a neat downtown area, beautiful shade trees, and generally all around pleasant. Here is the problem though; Coral Gables is kind of far from FIU and the airport, while Doral is centrally located to both. Decide which is more important; a more attractive place to call home, or an easier commute. Doral is mostly "fine" if you took the shorter commute, but you have to prioritize.

[B2008]

Compelledtoreply, Thank you very much for your help! Just one more question...Is Coral Gables much more expensive than Doral?! Would you suggest any other area?! Thanks again!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by B2008

Compelledtoreply, Thank you very much for your help! Just one more question...Is Coral Gables much more expensive than Doral?! Would you suggest any other area?! Thanks again!

Probably a bit more expensive due to the desirability. I'm trying to think of if someplace in Kendall might be an OK commute, but that would probably be too much of a drag due to the traffic. Also, which FIU campus?

[B2008]

South campus!

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by B2008

South campus!

In which case, Doral is the most central location. Living there is kind of...meh, but not a total penalty.

[spyderman33]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Coral Gables is kind of far from FIU and the airport,

I usually agree with most of your comments but have to disagree on this one.. Coral Gables is not far from either, probably the same in drive time due to the horrible traffic in Doral... It takes no longer than 15-20 min from my house (close to UM) to 836 on ramp during rush hour... Someone working at the airport could go perimeter road all the way in and it wouldn't take longer than another 10 min.

My wife went to FIU for years and no issues with traffic because everyone is going east while she was going west... Bird Road to 107 Ave, make a right and you're there..

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by spyderman33

I usually agree with most of your comments but have to disagree on this one.. Coral Gables is not far from either, probably the same in drive time due to the horrible traffic in Doral... It takes no longer than 15-20 min from my house (close to UM) to 836 on ramp during rush hour... Someone working at the airport could go perimeter road all the way in and it wouldn't take longer than another 10 min.

My wife went to FIU for years and no issues with traffic because everyone is going east while she was going west... Bird Road to 107 Ave, make a right and you're there..

A far commute to me is 15 minutes, lol. Only under grave circumstances do I recommend commuting (like family with two kids moving from rural Iowa, job at Bird Road and the Palmetto, scared, I send them to Davie) I think it's all a matter of personal opinion...

I wasn't sure about the airport thing. I was picturing myself on Le Juene Rd sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, but I don't know what that road is like during peak times.

[Chelito23]

I would go with Doral because it has the airport and FIU closer. Traffic is bad, but you can leave early to avoid it...and plan shopping and trips around rush hour. It would also be cheaper. Things tend to be newer in Doral, there are lots of stores, shopping and it is true that the housing is cooki cutter, but sometimes if you are coming from NYC this may be what you are looking for, a nice pool with palms and tropical landscape (within the grounds of the apartments). Parking is easy here as well, there are many gated communities...and tons of options for housing.

Long term I would perfer Coral Gables....but the apartments in the gables are more expensive or are way old with street parking, and are not located in the "special" areas of the gables. UNLESS you want to be near downtown Gables, which again, isn't a true downtown coming from NYC, but is much more of a city feeling than Doral.

Traffic wise it is a tradeoff, both places have the pros and cons. Compelled's post was pretty accurate.

[tallrick]

Don't be sorry. If you are going to FIU you want to live close to it. The airport commute will be the breaking point though. It's on the northeast side of the "miami crossing". Only 3 streets go from Doral to the airport area, NW 12st, NW 36 st and NW 58st. The 836 expressway is often backed up. Timing is everything. The best location for you is probably between 87 Ave and the palmetto, Coral way to the 836 expressway. It's not an aesthetically pleasing area, and is often full of traffic but reasonably safe. Coral Gables would be the WORST place fo you to live due to traffic hassles. It's also extremely overpriced. If you were going to UM I would suggest the Gables.