Coconut Grove Condo Options (Miami, Key Biscayne: real estate, HOA, mover)

[jr8999]

I'd like to preface my questions below by saying I consider myself lucky to have any of these options.

I'm looking to purchase a condo in Coconut Grove, possibly in the next couple of years. Originally I was looking at Brickell but after researching we've decided that The Grove would be more suited to our lifestyle. I'm finding CG to be a bit more pricey than Brickell so my options may be a bit more limited at the pricepoint I can afford.

My dilemma is: Do I look for something in a newer building such as Grove at Grand Bay, Park Grove Club Residences etc. or do I look for a condo in an older building such as Grove Towers. I would just barely be able to afford "a less desirable" unit in the newer buildings but would be able to afford one of the larger units with a bay view in an older building. One of my concerns is the common area in the older building feels extremely dated with older decor and looks as if it has not been updated in decades. I'm specifically referring to Grove Towers. It makes me wonder about the financial health of the HOA or is the lobby decor not a priority?

Any feedback from anyone that has any real estate knowledge of CG would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Marc Middleton]

One of the best parts of the grove are the Townhomes, which should be well within your budget.

Do you specifically want a condo lifestyle/amenities?

[MelanieB1980]

Originally Posted by jr8999

I'd like to preface my questions below by saying I consider myself lucky to have any of these options.

I'm looking to purchase a condo in Coconut Grove, possibly in the next couple of years. Originally I was looking at Brickell but after researching we've decided that The Grove would be more suited to our lifestyle. I'm finding CG to be a bit more pricey than Brickell so my options may be a bit more limited at the pricepoint I can afford.

My dilemma is: Do I look for something in a newer building such as Grove at Grand Bay, Park Grove Club Residences etc. or do I look for a condo in an older building such as Grove Towers. I would just barely be able to afford "a less desirable" unit in the newer buildings but would be able to afford one of the larger units with a bay view in an older building. One of my concerns is the common area in the older building feels extremely dated with older decor and looks as if it has not been updated in decades. I'm specifically referring to Grove Towers. It makes me wonder about the financial health of the HOA or is the lobby decor not a priority?

Any feedback from anyone that has any real estate knowledge of CG would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Things can change a lot in a couple of years, but you don’t say your price range. You’ll find a wide range with a good sized inventory some as low as $500,000 in a older building.

[blueherons]

The newer the building the more amenities, the higher the HOA.

I'd go with an older building with a view.

We absolutely love Coconut Grove.

[jr8999]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

Marc - one of the appeals to me in a high rise is a view of the bay
My range should be roughly 800-1M

Any additional feedback about CG real estate and lifestyle would be appreciated
Thanks in advance

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by jr8999

Thanks to all for the feedback.

Marc - one of the appeals to me in a high rise is a view of the bay

Ritz Residences are an option for you, depending on how big you want. Some units have 2-3 balconies with Bay views not very far off with no obstructions (for now of course, never know with Miami).

Yacht Harbour isn't bad, but it is older like you mentioned.

Grove Isle of course will get you as close to the water as possible and in your price range.

Park Grove sure is nice though!! but like you said, you'll be getting a 680sq ft 1 bedroom vs a 2 or 3 bedroom in these other buildings.

2 Bedrooms in Grove Tower on a high floor with water views are in the 700k range, could be an option.

Grove is a great place to live - much different than most of Miami. Lots of people outside walking, Yoga, dog parks, volleyball, boating with some nice restaurants. Major renovation happening at the old Cocowalk will bring new flair and businesses to the area. Gorgeous Trees surround old Florida homes and mansions, peacocks abound on the interior streets, and a real community vibe with long time residents

[Jcceleste]

These posts are a couple of months old (and I can’t for the life of me figure out how to start a new thread) but I’m also looking to move to Florida. My aging uncle lives in Key Biscayne and wanted me to move there, too, so we could be close, and because it was very safe, walkable, and a warm community. He also said that with traffic being so bad, he almost never went to the mainland so if I moved there, even if it was only 9 miles away on the map, it would be a bear.

However, Key Biscayne is expensive and it seems a little too isolated - I don’t see a major hospital, and I frequently go to different doctors, and it’s walkable but it’s also smallish, so I might walk the whole island in like four days.

I’m thinking of Coconut Grove, either Northeast or Southwest. I work from home, so my only commutes would be to my uncle, to grocery shopping, the library, the hospital, and cultural places like museums and gardens. I assume because Coconut Grove has a high walkable rating, it is a relatively safe neighborhood? I wouldn’t walk down alleys at night or do anything obviously stupid, but I should be able to walk around by myself at sunrise or sunset or ride the metro on the weekend sort of thing?

Please advise, thank you so much! Some things you really need to ask people on the ground, though I will go see things before I buy.

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by Jcceleste

I’m thinking of Coconut Grove, either Northeast or Southwest. I work from home, so my only commutes would be to my uncle, to grocery shopping, the library, the hospital, and cultural places like museums and gardens. I assume because Coconut Grove has a high walkable rating, it is a relatively safe neighborhood? I wouldn’t walk down alleys at night or do anything obviously stupid, but I should be able to walk around by myself at sunrise or sunset or ride the metro on the weekend sort of thing?

Please advise, thank you so much! Some things you really need to ask people on the ground, though I will go see things before I buy.

Yes, you are right on Coconut Grove, and with the re-vamp of Cocowalk, its only getting better. They just put up the first luxury high rise in the last year (first time in a long time they've built a tower in that area). New boutique restaurants are coming to the area, lots of great little shops, etc.

Key Biscayne is a lifestyle, so people who walk it in 4 days don't feel that way. They drive their golf cart around the island, go to the beach a lot, probably own a boat, have a size-able savings, or send their kids to the A-Rated MAST school. Its a great place to live, but yes its more isolated. However, its an easy drive off the island and people love to run/bike the island. Once you're over the bridge, you're a short drive from the VERY busy Brickell area. That could be a great option for you as well and you can take the Metromover/MetroRail all over Miami (including to the main hospital district).

Brickell will have nicer, newer high rises & tons of options to pick from where as the Grove will be more limited and has either very expensive condos or smaller/cheaper ones and lots of $600k+ townhomes & $ 1ML+ homes.

Which of that sounds more like what you're after while in Miami?

[elchevere]

I would exercise some caution walking at night in the Grove as it is does border some questionable areas. In fact, a security guard was shot and robbed at the Courtyard by Marriott on Bayshore Drive last week. Not a regular occurrence but not an isolated event either nor something that should scare you from the area if that is where you have your heart set on.

What is your age, status?...I like the Grove and welcome the further development as the immediate local neighborhood has only a few blocks of interest to me (restaurants, bars, coffee shops) at the present time. It does tend to attract an older, well to do crowd (you might even run into Arod at Greenstreet Cafe or Coach Spoelstra at Lulu) since it’s an expensive area. If you are looking for a more/larger social area with a younger demographics you should consider Brickell, which is only 12-15 minutes away via surface streets and is also highly walkable.. Good that you are working from home as entrance to, exit from, and proximity to the highway can get backed up at times in the Grove. Street parking can be a PITA in the Grove, unless you are living there and walk to most of the places that will serve your daily needs.

[SanyBelle]

Marc, where is the main hospital district in Miami?