Where to live near Kendall (Miami, Miami Beach: apartment complexes, rentals, homes)

[homesweethome09]

Hi there,

I am a recent college grad who may move to Miami-Dade County in July. I'm completely unfamiliar with the area and could really use some advice figuring out what area to live in.

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Close commute to Kendall and Doral- that's where I'll be working
- <$1400/month for a 2-bedroom
- safe
- a lively atmosphere- young professionals, night life, shopping, restaurants nearby
- healthy living types of stores/environmentally friendly would be a plus
- having the beach nearby would be amazing but certainly not necessary

Any thoughts? Please let me know!

Thank you so much!

[crisp444]

Kendall is a nice, middle and upper-middle class suburban area. The Kendall area is large so some neighborhoods are within ten minutes of the beach and some are over a half-hour from the beach. There are many rentals on the main streets and avenues. I would recommend living in the Dadeland area (east Kendall) because it has lots of rentals, a good amount of young professionals, shopping and dining options, and the MetroRail to bring you downtown. A commute to other places in Kendall won't be bad because they will either be close or to the west (going against traffic) and a commute to Doral wouldn't be that bad either because you'd just take the Palmetto Expressway straight north. You will be going WITH rush hour traffic to get to Doral, but even in rush hour I wouldn't think it would take more than thirty minutes. Your budget will be fine for Kendall. South Miami and Coral Gables are other options, but your budget may be a little low for that. Regarding entertainment, you can find that in addition to Dadeland in downtown South Miami, Miracle Mile area of Coral Gables, Coconut Grove, Brickell, and South Beach. For health-conscious supermarkets, there is Whole Foods Market (down US1 in Pinecrest) and Fresh Market (Coconut Grove).

Please let me know if you have any more questions!

[homesweethome09]

Thank you so much- that's very helpful! Do you know of any specific apartment complexes that tend to attract a young, professional crowd?

[Leovigildo]

Briarwood.
I lived there, just next to The Falls.


Briarwood Apartments

13841 SW 90th Ave
Miami, FL 33176-6903
(305) 251-1767

[EnjoyTheSilence]

Originally Posted by homesweethome09

Hi there,

I am a recent college grad who may move to Miami-Dade County in July. I'm completely unfamiliar with the area and could really use some advice figuring out what area to live in.

Here's what I'm looking for:
- Close commute to Kendall and Doral- that's where I'll be working
- <$1400/month for a 2-bedroom
- safe
- a lively atmosphere- young professionals, night life, shopping, restaurants nearby
- healthy living types of stores/environmentally friendly would be a plus
- having the beach nearby would be amazing but certainly not necessary

Any thoughts? Please let me know!

Thank you so much!

Traffic is bad in both, but if (like me), you can be relatively flexible with your working hours, you can avoid the worst of the traffic.

Personally, I would look around the Dadeland area (well east of the turnpike). I wouldn't move anywhere too far west, because of the traffic issue. East Kendall is definitely better than West Kendall, although slightly more expensive. Still, for $1,400 or less, it's a renter's market right now and you should be able to find something half decent.

Just bear in mind though that Kendall (at least for me anyway) feels like it's a long way from the beach. There are quite a few restaurants dotted around, but nightlife wise, very little (you'd have head to Miami Beach for that stuff, if that's your scene).

[doggiebus]

I usually suggest working close to were you live or vice-versa. But for a recent college grad, or young people, I would suggest living close to where you will be hanging out. South Beach, Coconut Grove, Brickell, or South Miami. If you don't plan on enjoying the party scene in Miami well then live close to your work.

[gymbuff]

Isn't there a beach around that area? Bill Baggs or something like that?

[doggiebus]

Matheson Hammock is probably the closest beach, its an atoll. Bill Baggs is at the tip of Key Biscayne.

[305guy]

Check out South Miami (east of US 1), East Kendall, Coconut Grove and even Brickell South. I wouldn't suggest Kendall west of the 826 as you're gonna be far from everything you want to do. Traffic congestion in Kendall is rampant and the further west you go the worse it gets.