Possible Relo to Miami: Info on great areas to live (Hialeah: low crime, house)

[newmommy7890]

Hello All,

My husband has a possible job opportunity in Miami (I believe it's Medley). We currently live in Sebastian, Florida and are considering the areas in which to live in Miami.

We have a 2.5 year old and are expecting our second child soon so we would like to live in an area that is very family friendly, great schools and low crime. We would consider private schools but of course cost is a factor so we might need to go public in which case this would be a huge factor in our location.

We are looking for a 4 bedroom home and are used to living in 'developement'/'subdivision' type communities. We like the feel of developments that are 'deed restricted' but it doesn't need to be a gated development. We just don't want the value of our home to go down due to a messy neighbor with his car parked on the lawn. (coming from the northeast this has always puzzled me...) Anyway, we have been researching the Coral Gables and Pinecrest area but my husband would be willing to travel up to 45 minutes to work so we could consider other areas.

These are some things we would like in a town.

• Family Friendly area
• Great schools (we'd be looking for preschools at first)
• Safe Area/Low Crime
• Middle to higher income families
• Family type things to do (nice parks, kids events, etc.)

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[newmommy7890]

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

[tankev]

My husband works in Miami. When we were looking for a home we focused on Palmetto Bay. According to all the reports they have great schools. It is just south Pinecrest. Palmetto Bay looks like a very nice town. Most homes are on the older side but well kept. There were some very nice parks in the town.
After much consideration we ended up in Broward Co. (Weston). My husband's commute is 45 minutes to an hour. There are a lot of areas that your are describing in Broward Co. We didn't find that many in Miami.
Kendall might be an area to consider. Coconut Grove and Coral Gables might be areas to focus on also. I am not sure about their public schools though. Other posters can tell you more about these last 3 areas. Good luck with your move

[ISOnewplace]

What is your price range for housing? A nice 4 BDRM in a good (relative term) school district will cost you. (Unfortunately, there will still be cars...albeit luxury cars...parked on the lawn...I don't get it etiher)

[crisp444]

Considering the criteria of good schools, safe, and well-kept within a 45-minute drive of Medley, I would suggest:
-Coral Gables
-Pinecrest
-Palmetto Bay
-Miami Lakes
-Kendall
-The Hammocks/West Kendall
-South Miami
-Doral
-Aventura
-Miramar (west)
-Pembroke Pines
-Weston

[newmommy7890]

Originally Posted by ISOnewplace

What is your price range for housing? A nice 4 BDRM in a good (relative term) school district will cost you. (Unfortunately, there will still be cars...albeit luxury cars...parked on the lawn...I don't get it etiher)

Well, the lower the better but I think we're looking to be in the $500K-$650K price range. I can't beleive the price difference between here (Sebastian/Vero Beach) and south florida. WOW!

[planetsurf]

$650k will get you a really nice house is most of the best Dade --- I really like the neighborhoods south and east of US1 between Coral Gables and Perrine. There are some smaller homes (well, pretty big but smaller than the mansions near there along closer to the bay) with nice lots & VERY family friendly. Technically they might be in Pinecrest, S Miami or Kendall but it all kind of blends together.

VERY good elem school around there. Drive around Red Rd south, back & forth to US1. Maybe just W of US1 too, I'm just less familiar there.

CGables is great, more central and a little older neighborhoods (so more character TO ME) but the elem schools become more hit & miss b/c you are zoned for 3 of them, 2 are lottery. Living in CGables or S Miami and kids going to Sunset Elem? Fantastic situation. Kids going to Carver? Not so much.

I wouldn't discount Broward, but commutes mean a lot to me. We would MUCH rather "suffer" with Miami vs losing an hour every day to a commute. Take a drive around there, up & down a bit. REALLY nice neighborhoods that people from all walks of life (middle class, rich, hispanic, gringo, jewish, christian, etc.) live in. You WILL get more house for the $$ in Broward ... what's important 2 u? SqF or location? Neighborhoods with lots to do or less but quieter?

Good luck!

[newmommy7890]

Thanks everyone!

Anyone know anything about Palmetto Bay? Is that just as nice as CG and Pinecrest (low crime/good school wise)?

[nicsma2002]

Miami Springs. Right next to Medley. It meets all the criteria on your list. I wouldn't raise my family anywhere else in Miami.

Originally Posted by newmommy7890

Hello All,

My husband has a possible job opportunity in Miami (I believe it's Medley). We currently live in Sebastian, Florida and are considering the areas in which to live in Miami.

We have a 2.5 year old and are expecting our second child soon so we would like to live in an area that is very family friendly, great schools and low crime. We would consider private schools but of course cost is a factor so we might need to go public in which case this would be a huge factor in our location.

We are looking for a 4 bedroom home and are used to living in 'developement'/'subdivision' type communities. We like the feel of developments that are 'deed restricted' but it doesn't need to be a gated development. We just don't want the value of our home to go down due to a messy neighbor with his car parked on the lawn. (coming from the northeast this has always puzzled me...) Anyway, we have been researching the Coral Gables and Pinecrest area but my husband would be willing to travel up to 45 minutes to work so we could consider other areas.

These are some things we would like in a town.

• Family Friendly area
• Great schools (we'd be looking for preschools at first)
• Safe Area/Low Crime
• Middle to higher income families
• Family type things to do (nice parks, kids events, etc.)

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[somebodymiami]

Originally Posted by nicsma2002

Miami Springs. Right next to Medley. It meets all the criteria on your list. I wouldn't raise my family anywhere else in Miami.

yous ure about that? ms is right near liberty city/brownsville, and Hialeah. so it might not fit their criteria