stylish couple with kids moving to Miami Beach? (Coral Gables, Pinecrest: condos, neighborhood)

[parklifemedia]

We are a cool couple 30 and 29 that owns are own marketing company. We travel to New York frequently (at least once a month) and currently reside in the neighborhood of Silver Lake in Los Angeles. We have children that are 7 and 5 and can afford private school. We've lived in Beverly Hills, San Francisco (6 yrs), and, Cincinnati, and New York previously and have visited Miami a few times, and now considering moving there. Is it completely ridiculous to have children and live in South Beach? Is Coral Gables at all fun if you enjoy style while having a family? We are looking for something stylish and aesthetically pleasing.

[mariecug]

My opinion is that South Beach is not a place for kids. The restaurants aren't family friendly. I remember going out to eat w/ my friend and her kid and there were no other kids there. She actually ended up moving from South Beach to Coral Gables. Plus there are tons of tourists = Lots of drunk / drugged out / lookin' for some action people. In addition, there are a lot of women there who are really into the way they look, commenting about being skinny enough, etc; not sure if that's the message I'd want to send.

Coral Gables is a better option. It's still stylish but more low-key and family-friendly. The style is more latin-vibe, wealthy, more taste. South Beach is super-trendy, more wild.

On the plus side, you guys can afford private school and to live in a nice area (check out Cocoplum). On the negative side, I will say that many people did/do not like actually living in Miami, including me. Check out other postings (esp. this one): http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami...ome-miami.html

[kevinkagy]

I'd try Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, South Miami, or Downtown Miami (Brickell). All very stylish, upscale areas close to very good, prestigious private schools.

[tpitner]

I would not recommend South Beach if you have children. We ourselves just recently moved out of South Beach as my wife and I are expecting our first child.

There are many couples with children living in SoBe (mostly living in the expensive high-rise condos south of fifth or west of Alton, and some families living in the art deco condos around Flamingo park), so you would not be alone if you do decide to live there. But I agree with everything that Mariecug said, and those are the main reasons we decided to leave. We will live in North Beach for one year, and then reassess where to move for good.

If you really want to live in Miami-Dade, I would vote for all the locations that Kevinkagy recommended (except Brickell/Downtown Miami - I think it is too pedestrian unfriendly). I would put Coral Gables at the top of the list, though, as it has more of a sophisticated yet hip vibe that South Beach sorely lacks.

However, as much as I like living in South Florida for personal reasons, I'm not convinced it's the best place to raise children.

TP

[illini84]

I think the other comments sum it up well. South Beach isn't really for children, but if you must, live in the South of Fifth (south of Fifth Street, that is) area. It's VERY trendy and exclusive. Otherwise, I'd recommend Coral Gables (dubbed "City Beautiful"--very aesthetically pleasing and still trendy). It's arguably the best area around Miami, although it's pricey. There are tons of upscale shops, restaurant, and night life. My third suggestion would probably be Brickell or the Brickell Key. It's mostly high-rise condos, so it has a much more "urban" feel. Mary Brickell Village opened not long ago and is one of Miami's best places to be and be seen, aside from Lincoln Road on South Beach.

[parklifemedia]

The welcome to Miami post seems like the welcome to LA post, but perhaps LA is even worse than LA? LA may actually have a little more culture, but let me know how jaded is that post? A lot of people describe LA in a similar fashion, yet there is much redeemable about the city if you're not tired of it and have a stylish/cool/rich setup, is it the same with Miami?

[fauve]

The obvious answer is to check out mid-beach (about 2 miles north of South Beach) on Miami Beach. Lots of families - great place to grow up. And, we took our kids when they were small to South Beach all the time to eat out - so totally not an issue.

[himain]

I would have to agree about the whole kid friendly on SOBE..If you have the money, I would definitely check out Pinecrest.

[mariecug]

Well, I would say that I would *never* have believed that post before I lived there. I had visited several times, I actually had friends already down there. But these posts are basically true in my opinion. Now, granted, I was not wealthy when I lived there and I lived on Miami Beach, not in Coral Gables, Pinecrest, etc. But my friends were pretty wealthy and they were also miserable and trying to get out.

My BIG piece of advice is pay close attention to the posts of people who have actually lived there, not someone from NYC who is sick of the cold and dreaming of moving to "paradise" (no offense New Yorkers - love ya! ).

Also check out these threads: http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami...ers-forum.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami...out-miami.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/miami...-much-why.html

I guess I would say 1) avoid moving to Miami and 2) if you are going to move there, go to Coral Gables, and bring money, patience and a "let it roll off your back" attitude.

[himain]

I actually in here in Miami (born and raised) and unless you have money and/or speak Spanish, it sucks!!