Coconut Grove (Miami, Coral Gables, South Miami: apartments, leasing, condos)

[burgler09]

I am thinking about renting out an apartment in Coconut Grove for the school year. Just wondering if Coconut Grove is a pretty safe place to walk around at night and what not. Obviously I will always be alert no matter where I am, but for the most part is it safe? Are there any addresses or parts that I should be cautious of? Any particular condos/apartments that I should avoid or known to be bad? Thanks!

[doggiebus]

Yes and no, if you stay on the main streets where the people are you are safe, but once you go a block or two where there are less people you are taking your chances. I have known people that have parked on the side streets a few blocks from the action, and have mugged, robbed or even beaten up. If you do rent a place make sure its not on the west side of Coconut Grove (the bad side). And you are close to the bad area still, so you will need to make sure you are aware of your surroundings still.

[illini84]

SW 32nd Avenue is widely known as the divider between the "good" Coconut Grove and "The Black Grove" (I hate that term because it sounds racist, but it's thrown around very commonly). Anything west of SW 32nd Avenue is in a pretty bad neighborhood. Like doggiebus said, people have been mugged robbed, etc. there and I believe a tourist was actually killed there when he got lost. Anyway, a good rule with the Grove is to stay EAST of SW 32nd Avenue. I live in the Grove and can't really think of any bad areas besides what I just mentioned. If you don't have much of a budget, get as close to the Cocowalk as you can. This is a really fun, lively area, but rent can get a little expensive (upwards of $1500/mo. for a 1 BR). Most of the apartments are either near the Cocowalk or down SW 27th Avenue. There are some new ones just opening at SW 27th Ave. & Bird Road that look pretty nice. I think Tigertail Realty is the leasing company if it's of any interest to you.

[burgler09]

She said the apt is right behind cocowalk, so after looking i'm pretty sure that seems like a pretty safe area. Is there much I have to worry about around cocowalk or are the tourists usually out late around there?

[illini84]

Just make certain that the apartment is not west of SW 32nd Ave (even just a block) and you'll be fine. From what I've experienced, the Cocowalk is really safe. Tons of restaurants and shopping that's open late. I've gone through there many times around 11PM or so and it's been pretty crowded still. If you haven't seen it in person, I'd be more than happy to take some pictures of it and the area if you wanted. I tried to rent an apartment here while living in St. Louis and know what a hassle that can be.

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by burgler09

She said the apt is right behind cocowalk, so after looking i'm pretty sure that seems like a pretty safe area. Is there much I have to worry about around cocowalk or are the tourists usually out late around there?

A friend of mine parked behind Cocowalk and got mugged and beated while walking to his car there, safer yes, totally safe no. FYI.

[gtmv]

It's great, you'll love it. Their's plenty of nightlife, shopping, restaurants and things to do. The Grove is next to the water, their are several great parks around and it's a very desirable area to live in. The only problem is West of 32nd Ave on Grand Ave. It is a dangerous area and no one should really go into that area. However, it is easy to avoid and just by realizing it is a bad area and not going by it you'll be fine. It is off to the side and really does not impact the main Grove area. I work in the Grove and have been in the Grove for over 20 years and I've never had a problem. I do suggest that you first come to the area to see it and determine if it's right for you. Like anywhere else, DO NOT RENT any apartments without physically coming down and checking them out. A far as the Grove is concerned I think you'll love it and it's the preferred area to live for UM students.

[gtmv]

You'll be fine ... from your description it sounds pretty nice and I'm sure it's OK. As far as I know their is nothing like that in the bad area.

If it's real close to Cocowalk your fine. However, I would still check out anything before signing a lease. If you want, let me know when you get the address and I'll pass by after work. I can take a picture for you and at least let you know in what area it is. Coconut Grove is really nice and very close to Coral Gables, South Miami, Brickell/Downtown and South Beach. Good luck !!!

[kevinkagy]

The Grove is really nice if you stay on the east side. The west side, as stated before is pretty bad and I would not recommend it to anyone to buy or rent on that side. But the east side is very nice and very quaint. There's always a lot of people there, tons to do, lots of activity, you're right on Biscayne Bay, it's a very nice area. It's a little college town too, as many of the people who go to the Grove are mostly all college students from FIU and UM.

[miamiblue]

Originally Posted by burgler09

She said the apt is right behind cocowalk, so after looking i'm pretty sure that seems like a pretty safe area. Is there much I have to worry about around cocowalk or are the tourists usually out late around there?

Let's just put it this way, there are no gates on Grand Ave when you enter Cocowalk to keep the crime out. Make of that what you will.

My boyfriend lived on Day Ave. right behind Cocowalk, a few doors down and across the street from the Hare Krishna Temple. The first night he lived there his truck got broken into, and a few months later his bike was stolen off of his terrace where it was locked up (second floor, large dog inside the apartment with tons of windows). This happened inside a fenced off "commune" of residences, so the bike was not necessarily out there on the side of the street for an easy taking. The neighborhood was mostly a mix of college students and young professionals (and the Krishnas of course), as well as a few high end homes.

We felt relatively safe walking home from the bars at night, but were always very much aware of our surroundings. As a young female, I would not have done that walk alone at night.