Best areas to live around Miami Beach/Coconut Grove etc? (Coral Gables: rent, condo)

[rose77]

Hi

My husband and i are considering moving to Miami. Safety is a primary concern for us with a baby on the way so we're looking for a safe neighbourhood on the ocean within walking distance to shops and restaurants. From my research I've thought that Coconut Grove seems like the best option for us. Any thoughts on safety and whether the Grove is a nice place to live? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!

[305guy]

You should search through alot of past posts here in reference to Coconut Grove. The Grove has it's shady parts but if you stay in certain areas you should be ok. I know a City commissioner lives in the Grove right off Virginia Street so the that area is safe, I also have some friends that live down there and they love it.

You can walk to the Cocowalk shops and there are lot of restaurants in that area. There is a dog park on Virginia, a public park that is very busy as well (Peacock Park) and a library all within walking distance. The Grove is composed of young families, students and yuppies. The bad part of town that surrounds Coconut Grove has government low-income housing which is pretty high in violent crime. But just get a realtor and they should how you the area. Hope this helped...

[burgler09]

I hear living in Coconut Grove is nice as long as you aren't west of the SW 32nd Ave. There are some nasty parts of the grove and that is probably not the place you want for a baby. Although I'm not too much help, because I don't live there yet.. I just thought I'd at least tell you to look for anything east of that street.

[rose77]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm going to do a search on the site as 305 Guy suggested. I suppose it's hard to really know an area without first visiting it and staying there for a while. Yes, I'm gonna get an agent today and see what i can find, and thanks to Burgler09 for your advice too.

[heydade]

I would go to Miami Beach in the "South of 5th" area...a nice 1 mile stretch south of 5th street in Miami Beach. Very nice area....there is a elementary school right there and some very good restaurants and other stuff. Definitely the most sought after and exclusive area of SoBe. My sister and her hubby rent a 3-story 2/2 for 3,000/month and they love it. I love the area too ! coconut grove is too shady in my honest opinion.

http://www.kevintomlinson.com/area-condo-map.php?a=9

[kevinkagy]

Nice areas to live:

Coconut Grove (eastside)
Downtown Miami (great transit: Brickell, Biscayne Blvd area, or Arsht Center area)
Coral Way (west of downtown, nice, historic single family homes)
South Beach (plus: you don't need a car, you can walk everywhere)

[RileySmith]

Coconut Grove is a great place to raise a family. I have an 18 month old daughter and there are great parks and plenty of things to do with a baby. Not only that, you are 15 minutes from Miami Beach and 10 minutes from Coral Gables and South Miami. If you want to live within walking distance to the Center Grove, there are many townhouse options that range in price from $400,000 to $700,000. There are a few gated communities consisting of single family homes that are also within walking distance to Coconut Grove's center. These include Camp Biscayne, Abitare, Cloisters on the Bay and the Anchorage. Pirces in these areas however, begin at around $1,000,000. You also have the option of a condo building if you want to live in the center of town. The most popular is Yacht Harbor because of its large terraces. Prices in here begin at about $500,000. Our two most luxurious condo bulidings are The Grovenor House and The Ritz Carlton Residences. You can also find prices in these beginning at about $500,000.

[singlemom44]

Thanks for all the suggestions in this thread. I am thinking about leaving the cold foggy Bay Area to go to the warmer climate in Miami. I'm not sure how different the lifestyle will be since SF is pretty hip and liberal. I am looking for a little nightlife, but also need good schools to raise my kids. I don't necessarily need to be on the beach just driving distance works for me.

Oh yeah, I just got my teaching credentials so teaching opportunities would be a plus.