Is it really that bad? (Miami, Hialeah: best neighborhoods, real estate, condos)

[SheWroteIt]

I'm heavily considering a move there, but is it really that bad? Actually, I am looking at Miami Beach, not Miami: is there a difference? What is it like to live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles? Tell me something nice!

[neverbackdown407]

Hi! I live in Miami and actually am attempting to relocate. Let's put it this way...Miami is and isn't for some people. Miami Beach is still considered in the Miami area but it's way more ''glamourized'' then Miami's Kendall or Westchester area. The beach is set up to attract tourists with its restaurants, lavish condos, etc. There are some nice places on the beach like appartments but it costs some money lol. But all in all, it depends on who you are and your preferences; you might like it!

[bale002]

Originally Posted by SheWroteIt

I'm heavily considering a move there, but is it really that bad? Actually, I am looking at Miami Beach, not Miami: is there a difference? What is it like to live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles? Tell me something nice!

Nothing is that bad if you have a good attitude, live in one of the best neighborhoods, and have a lot of money, roughly in that order.

To be sure, you listed some of the best that Miami has to offer.

What you don't tell us is whether this would be for vacation, retirement, or a residence while working, say, downtown Miami.

If, between wealth and work, you have around $100k income or better and you work downtown/Brickell, the commute from Miami Beach, Bal Harbor, Sunny Isles is not that bad at all, it could actually be pleasant along the coast.

Get a good map of the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County to see the different neighborhoods and municipalities: it can be confusing because there is, for example, Miami, Miami Beach, North Miami Beach, South Miami, etc., all separate municipalities ... Kendall and Westchester are in western Miami-Dade County, either part of the municipality of Miami or unincorporated parts of Miami-Dade County.

In any case, Miami Beach is a separate municipality from the city of Miami and the two entities are separated by the body of water known as the intercoastal, access is by bridge.

Hope this helps and good luck!

[iminer]

Live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles,this ideas seem so exciting.
wether on a vacation or a residence while working.but maybe for vacation is so good,live that place long time is lonely.
one day,I　ｃａｎ　ｈａｖｅ　ａ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｌｉｖｅ　ｓｕｃｈ　ｐｌａｃｅ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｓｈｏ ｒｔ　ｔｉｍｅ，ｓｏ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ

[planetsurf]

Originally Posted by SheWroteIt

I'm heavily considering a move there, but is it really that bad? Actually, I am looking at Miami Beach, not Miami: is there a difference? What is it like to live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles? Tell me something nice!

Is what really that bad? Some people hate Miami, obviously others love it. I think most people are in the middle, they like it to varying degrees. Traffic, crime, costs, all those negatives are pretty normal for a largish city. Nothing crazy, nothing too easy. You'll hear tons of Spanish, but to me I like it! I thinks it adds to Miami's flavor (sabor). Other than that, I can't think of anything specifically negative to Miami (other than the heat!).

Miami Beach is part of the Metro area of Miami, not the City of Miami. MOST of "Miami" is NOT the City BUT (just to confuse things) the county is called Miami-Dade County.

The best parts of Miami, IN MY OPINION, are the beach - Aventura to Sunny Isles (incl Bal Harbour), then North Beach to South Beach AND the Brickell/Coconut Grove/Coral Gables/S Miami/Pincrest/E Kendall corridor.

Many other parts of Miami are fine/safe areas (Doral & W Kendall come to mind) but not really my cup of tea.

That being said, not sure who you are; income, kids or single, partier or quiet walk-on-the-beach type, job type/location, etc. Bal Harbour is great if you like a little higher income area and can afford it. Being on the water is ALWAYS great and I think there are some great buildings there, lower/older places on the intercoastal side and higher ones on the beach.
For a slightly lower income area (still expensive, it's all relative) look at North Beach. Cute little communtiy full of a mix of Orthodox Jews, Argentinians, ex-New Yorkers and the assorted, typical "Miami Mix."
Getting to I-95 is easy from there (the main N-S artery) and you are central if working S Beach, Dwntwn/Brickell, CGables/Blue Lagoon or even driving up to Broward.

We love living down here. Suits us. I think the best advice for you is to come down during an "off" time (August or September) before it cools off and the 'season' (Oct-April) and it's assorted madness (like Art Basel) starts -- check out rents, drive by places, "commute" at 8 am (or 5:30 pm), go to a Publix and Target and do a "test drive" ... I think a lot of people rightfully love it for vacation, but day to day life is less fun (obviously) and becomes not worth it to some.

Good Luck!

[doggiebus]

Originally Posted by SheWroteIt

I'm heavily considering a move there, but is it really that bad? Actually, I am looking at Miami Beach, not Miami: is there a difference? What is it like to live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles? Tell me something nice!

Yes Miami is that bad. Miami Beach is better in some ways because its slightly isolated away from the bad. If you can live, work, and play all on Miami Beach you have it made (if you like heat and humidity). If this tells you anything, I have watch about 15 people not including spouse and children leave Miami in the last 2 years. I just had another friend move her family out of Florida this weekend. Right behind a friend that left three weeks ago with his family. My single friends have moved to NYC mostly. I will soon be the last of the mohicans.

People I know are not staying here, if that tells you anything. These people btw are highly educated, payed well or even very well, and they are still leaving. Most of the people that I have met that have moved here in the last few years have all ready moved away. Well I know one person that moved here 7 or 8 years ago thats still here, but they just sent resumes up north, so they will probably leave soon too.

But like others have said you can only be the one that can say if you will like it here. Come and visit and figure it out on your own.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by SheWroteIt

I'm heavily considering a move there, but is it really that bad? Actually, I am looking at Miami Beach, not Miami: is there a difference? What is it like to live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles? Tell me something nice!

Why not come here and visit many times? I think that would be your best bet. Depending on strangers who do not share your same personal views isn't the best way to make such a decission.

[noland123]

Miami-Dade has a lot of beautiful city suburbs and way more nice areas than bad areas. The nice areas are very expensive such as : Coral Gables, Coconut Grove,Miami Lakes ,Miami Springs,Miami Shores , Key Biscayne Kendall, Fisher Island(Billionaires Row), Kendall, Aventura, Doral, Pinecrest(village),the Brickell area, Blue Lagoon area,South Miami.The Miami Beach side would be Sunny Isles, Bal Harbour, Normandy Isles and South Beach

The middle -class areas would be Hialeah ,Hialeah Gardens, Miami Gardens,Virginia Gardens and North Miami

[itlchick]

Originally Posted by SheWroteIt

I'm heavily considering a move there, but is it really that bad? Actually, I am looking at Miami Beach, not Miami: is there a difference? What is it like to live on the water in South Beach, or Millionaire's Row, or Bal Harbor or Sunny Isles? Tell me something nice!

Yeah, it really is that bad. I lived in Miami Beach and well, it was riddled with problems (see my other posts or I can DM you b/c I'm sure everyone is sick of my opinion) Basically, bring money. Lots of money.

So, nice things....yes, it is great to live on the water. Millionaire's row is a fine place to live (Bal Harbor is pretty darn snotty). The food and shopping are fantastic.

But even with that, it's a really bad place to live. (except if you are wealthy w/ no kids).

[mathwhiz]

I mean it's not like LA, SF, DC, NY, etc.

Many people from those cities consider Miami cheap.

What makes people feel that it's so expensive is the local job market sucks. The economy is dominated by low-wage service sector type jobs. And much of the lucrative jobs in real estate and finance, banking, are disappearing because of the housing downturn.

Miami right now is a great place to live if you are a bankruptcy attorney or have a lot of northern money to blow for a little while.

It's not a good place to make a life for yourself, let alone raise a family. The schools suck.