Relocating for work - workplace@South Miami - apt rentals pl advise (Kendall: apartments)

[PutAGoodSpin]

Hello all, I am relocating to Miami next month for work and have workplace in South Miami. I can pay upto 1200 for rent.
But also want to stay in a relatively safer area, not too far from work either. In most of the related threads, everyone says Coral Gables is a nice place to live, but is also expensive. Any advise on the area to live in? if possible any apartment names you can suggest?
(Other threads about ghetto areas, and safer areas being too expensive has left me a little nervous abt my move - i wish i coudl avoid it, but i can't. Hoping to get some advise from good souls of miami!! )

[doggiebus]

If you are going to work in South Miami, Kendall has many apartments along Kendall Drive you should be able to find something in your budget. There are some apartments in South Miami but I don't know if they will be in your budget, you should check though. There are a lot of condos in downtown dadeland (East Kendall) that are empty, not sure what their prices are. The further east you can stay the better traffic to work will be, fyi.

[PutAGoodSpin]

How safe is the Kendall area? I read traffic is bad. How are pinecrest and coconut grove areas? anything i can afford?

[doggiebus]

Kendall is relatively safe compared to other areas. There are some home break ins and car burglary issues in that area. Just don't keep anything of value in your car, lock your doors and use common sense and you should be fine.

Traffic wise, yes traffic in Kendall can be pretty bad during rush hours, thats why I said stay as east as you can afford. I am not sure what the rents in Pinecrest and Coconut Grove are, probably out of your budget but you should check you never know you may find something.

Have you check the downtown dadeland condos? There are apartments in South Miami too, not sure about pricing though?

[Sniper]

PutAGoodSpin, I own a 1/1 condo in Downtown Dadeland and I rent it for $1,200 per month, so this seems to be within your budget. As doggiebus suggested, based upon what you've posted, I would definitely check this area out. I think you should find yourself a realtor that dedicates his or herself to this area and have them find the right place for you, since there are a few different buildings within this area that you can choose from. The Downtown Dadeland area is safe and within walking distance to anything you might need. Depending upon where you're actually relocating to, you might be able to take the Metrorail to work, which should help you.

Best of luck!

[Marlin331]

Downtown Dadeland is a good rental area for a person with your budget: it's literally across the street from Dadeland Mall, at the termninus of the Metro Rail line (quick trip to Downtown Miami), a mile or so from Downtown South Miami (more shopping, movies, restaurants), not far from Downtown Coral Gables (nice shopping, playhouses, restaurants). It's a nice, upper-middle class area that is quite safe and is convenient for driving as well, since it's right where US1, Kendall Drive, 878, and 826 converge.

Also, as doggiebus has suggested, look in Downtown South Miami (area east of US1 where Sunset Drive and Red Road intersect) and along Kendall Drive in Kendall, especially east of 874- there are some nice complexes where 1 bedrooms probably rent for $1200 or so.

[PutAGoodSpin]

thank you guys. I will defn check out Kendall, Downtown dadeland and south Miami...crisp444, i am not sure if you are the one who created that google map with areas marked as nice areas, average areas etc, but if you are, then thanks a ton. It helped me quite a bit understanding where i should look. And based on advices from you kind people, i will be concentrating on downtown dadeland and Kendall areas

[mommygarcia]

South Miami has a lot of large 1/1's & 2/2's for under $1300. Good luck.

[patricemendo]

PutAGoodSpin: i recently moved from south miami and over the course of 5 years i lived in 2 different apts both under 1,000 per month. depending on the location of where you will be working, you might be able to live very close to where you work. it depends on how much space you need. are you looking for 1 or 2 bedrooms? what area in south miami will you be working?