Coral Gables, S. Miami, and Coconut Grove: Help Needed

[Shane BBros]

Twiggers, the date is currently APRIL 21, 2009. I live in the Coral Way area- which I think is superior to either living in the Coral Gables or Grove area. South Miami is safe, but it is extremely boring. There is no beach, it is very sprawled out, and doesnt have nearly as many bars or clubs as the north does. I will tell you why I think my area wins.. I live at south west 25th street, and 35th avenue, by the way. Yes- its true that its lower middle class.. but its not ghetto, run down, dumpy looking or dangerous. Just residential. Houses are very well kept and maintained- no broken down cars or hoodrats hanging around.. Just simpler houses, not in the millions, but around 300K.. but, its walking distance to all the hot spots, and a few minutes to the beach. I dont need a car- I can walk to Coral Way- tons of high end boutique shops, clubs, restaurants, bars clothing, retail outlets, gyms and supermarkets, (Venetian Pools, gorgeous) Coconut Grove- some of the hottest bars, public parks, waterfront sailing and several public use beach Islands near the Dinner Key Marina. There are also a handful of 24hr stores in my neighborhood. Furthermore, rents are very affordable. I have an efficiency at 500 a month, with EVERYTHING included, washer dryer, and pets. The Coral Way area may not be superior in any ONE area, but as far as being the most well rounded in terms of value, location, safety and fun all at the same time- it tops all others combined.. you dont need a car at all.. Im 33 and grew up in Miami- all parts of it. I honestly have no loyalty to any particular neighborhood, and I am being as objective and fair as possible..

[Leovigildo]

Twiggers

I lived in the area mentioned by Shane many years ago.
Yes, 25 st and 25 or 27 ave.
I remember that there was a German restaurant, Zum Alten Fritz a Dairy Queen and a Winn Dixie, you could walk everywhere, good transportation.
Most people living there were middle class Cubans, some Americans and Many Libanese Cubans and Greeks. Way back that area was inhabited by greeks.
There's no crime, good police protection.

[suzannef]

I woud not recommend Doral area - South Miami/Grove or Gables only....

[anmarie727]

South Miami is where I live, ANd I LOVE it, I wanted to find something low in crime when I came here, and not so populated with traffic. Although, you will find traffic everywhere, Pinecrest, Palmetto bay and Cutler bay are extremely nice areas!!!

[tpfjen]

Wow all of the info on this thread has helped me loads too - thanks! And I'll be looking out for the latest version of the map

[angelo7221]

Bird Ave west of Mcdonald St is not good...where the Busy Bee car wash is
Anything west of 27 ave bordering S Dixie is not good
Anything on Douglas before you hit treeline (Franklin Ave is actually the borderline) not good...but there is a gated community of townhome villas that is okay...
Charles Ave is not good..and this dumps into Main Hwy
But south of the playhouse/Charles Ave is good
Just after the playhouse and the wooden clapboard real estate office there is this cool little dirt-roaded cul-de-sac that is worth checking out...very much a throwback as to what the Grove was like when there were hippies
I always stop and wander around Plymouth Congregational....and the streets around there are some of the most beautiful down here
As far as the Gables is concerned, I don't like the part of salzedo street that runs near the trail..this is a congested apt row. Also the part of the Gables that runs between 8th and flagler (ponce de leon extension I call it) is very much like Miami
In South Miami, stay away from sw 64 st and east of 62 ave and any of the neighborhoods around commerce ave warehouse district....roughly 68 st and about 58 ave
67 ave by the junior high? elementary schooL? is nice
sw 80 st east of us1 is nice...there is this one apt house on the corner though which is a halfway house for drug rehab people. I would recommend the 2-story walk up structures situated east of 57 ave....very charming in my opinion

Hope that helps..though my knowledge is more west of there than in and around.