Where are the best schools in Miami area? (Miami Beach, Kendall: 2010, crime)

[finnjammer2010]

I need help with understanding Miami area for family living. I am thinking about moving down to the South East Florida (Miami-Ft Lauderdale) area and want to find the best area for my family.

I am a single mom, with a 7 and 14 year old kids. I can afford to buy a nicer home in a nicer area. I would like to live in a lively, elegant, near the ocean and culture neighbourhood! Schools are very very important. Safety is of concern, since I see a lot of talk about crime and such.

I am scandinavian and live in a wealthy all white boring Chicago suburb. I speak fluent spanish and many other languages, and wish to move to lively, diverse, international city. I have had enough of snow, high taxes and boring people. Also, I travel a lot to the Caribbean and Europe, so being near the international airport of Miami would be a plus.

Is Coral Cables/Coconut Grove the only good area? Or Dania or other Ft Lauderdale areas better? Thank you, Gracias,

[doggiebus]

Pinecrest has the best public Schools. And some of the better prep schools are close by. Some other areas to look at beside Coral Gables, Coconut Grove are Key Biscayne, The Roads, Brickell area, East Kendall, parts of Miami Beach.

[finnjammer2010]

Thank you very much for your reply, it is very helpful. I guess I must find a good, reliable and professional realtor in the area. Any recommendations?

[cjs08]

Originally Posted by finnjammer2010

Thank you very much for your reply, it is very helpful. I guess I must find a good, reliable and professional realtor in the area. Any recommendations?

I may have one for you. Please give me until tomorrow to get the contact info and I'll send it to you via a personal message!

[finnjammer2010]

Thank you cjs08. I appreciate any help I can get and finding reputable realtor is huge!

Can anyone recommend the ideal area to stay for a week when visiting to research the areas and schools and hopefully looking for a home with a realtor. An area that would be good for vacationing but also central and convenient for the job at hand. To really get a feel of what it would be like to live there.

Also, isnt there a school or township with good schools that really would stand out? Ideally public school. I hear that schools in general are not good in Florida, is that really true? Shame if it is.

[doggiebus]

The Village of Pinecrest like I already said has the best public schools in the county. From what I have heard the schools in Florida for the most part are behind schools in the Northeast. If you can get your kids in Pinecrest Schools or in a magnet school and one parent is very involved (doesn't work) in the childs schooling, friends, activites etc. You have a pretty good shot at getting a good education.

As far as location it depends on where you are going to look? Are you going to look at Northern Miami Dade or Broward County?

[MiamiHoo]

finjammer2010:
If you can afford it, Miami is a great place to be. I grew up in Miami Shores and went to the Ransom Everglades School, the best option in South Florida. Miami Shores is the best place to live in terms of community and affordability. I recently saw a listing for a 5000 sf home on half an acre in walking distance of churches, parks and the public Miami Shores Elementary School and the private Miami Country Day School for just under $1.6 mil. And that's probably the highest of asking prices in the village right now, save the waterfront listings. For me the commute to Ransom was rough (or rather rough on my parents until I got my driver's license) but ultimately worth it on both ends. My parents previously lived in Miami Beach and Coconut Grove but chose Miami Shores for the small town community feel and the great security and location.
Either way, money is key in Miami. If you have a few million to spend on housing then find something on the Bay and you won't regret it. The water is definitely Miami's best amenity and there are still some deals to be had North of downtown and South Beach.

[flyers29]

Originally Posted by doggiebus

The Village of Pinecrest like I already said has the best public schools in the county. From what I have heard the schools in Florida for the most part are behind schools in the Northeast. If you can get your kids in Pinecrest Schools or in a magnet school and one parent is very involved (doesn't work) in the childs schooling, friends, activites etc. You have a pretty good shot at getting a good education.

As far as location it depends on where you are going to look? Are you going to look at Northern Miami Dade or Broward County?

Palmetto Bay as well...still feeds into Palmetto High.

[ace587]

im also from Miami Shores, not the best schools but they are "A" schools

[finnjammer2010]

Thank you kind people of Miami. So really, one needs to have millions in the bank in order to have a successful lifestyle in Miami. That is not a suprise I guess, but a little disappointing. I am European and take pride in my comfort and ability to be able to live happily within my means and with both feet on ground. With the economy here in the US so bad and mainly caused by americans living beyong their means, I was hoping to find an area to live in, that would be lovely and affordable. Affordable so that come what may, one does not have to worry. But if Miami really is a place where money is the driving force, then I am not sure it is the dream area that I am looking for. HHHmmm.