Moving to Miami, job in Doral: where to rent? (Hialeah: construction, quality of life)

[point80]

We have a daughter who is 16 months old. We're looking to rent and our price range is 2200-2400. We'd like something around 2000 sq ft. Things that have caught my eye so far (based on internet research): Doral, Pembroke Pines, Coral Gables, Brickell, and Miami Beach.

Any advice for us? What is best in terms of quality of life and commute time to Doral?

We'd really like a place that is pedestrian friendly. We'd prefer to be within walking distance of a nice park and maybe a good restaurant or two.

Thanks

Mouzon

[doggiebus]

Depending on where you live, you can be in the opposite flow of rush hour traffic, for example Brickell, and Key Biscayne. There are not to many parts of Miami-Dade that you can find that are in walking distance to a park and restaurants. So that should cut you list down. Brickell, South Miami, Coconut Grove, South Beach, Coral Gables all have a walkable area with restaurants and some parks near by that you may be able to walk to. Key Biscayne may be another idea you may want to look at.

[Miami Vice]

I would look into Doral itself. There are parks, restaurants, and you won't have to commute.

[cfenn006]

Only place on your list is Coarl Gables. It's easier drive than heading that far North or West unless you plan on unrelenting traffic.



Check out areas around Doral, Miami Lakes, Miami Springs, Sweetwater and Kendall, all reasonable drives, and your budget will get you the best in those areas.


There are nice patches in Miami Gardens, and Mirmar, but there are some rough areas too... proceed with caution there.

[himain]

Live where you work. Look in Doral

[WilliamInMiami]

Of the areas mentioned, Brickell, South Miami, Coconut Grove, South Beach, Coral Gables, Miami Lakes, Kendall and Miramar are just too far away, especially if you will be driving during the rush hours.
If it were me I would be looking at Miami Springs and parts of Doral. Sweetwater can be ratty with a fairly large trailer park population and a corrupt police department. Hialeah is close but is mostly ratty too. Avoid the expressways as much as possible due to heavy traffic and nonstop construction.
And from another ex-Chicagoan welcome to the hood...no need to bring your bullet proof vests with you.

[Marc Middleton]

Originally Posted by WilliamInMiami

Of the areas mentioned, Brickell, South Miami, Coconut Grove, South Beach, Coral Gables, Miami Lakes, Kendall and Miramar are just too far away, especially if you will be driving during the rush hours.

Why are those areas bad for Doral? The traffic is FROM Doral to a lot of those areas. There isn't any real traffic from Brickell to Doral and the Gables traffic is just people on 37th or Le Jeune/42nd with red lights. Its not bumper to bumper.

Worst traffic in Miami is coming from the North like Aventura/North Miami Beach down I-95 to the Downtown/Brickell area or to the Gables. 2nd worst would probably be using the 826/Palmetto in and around Hialeah exits without using the express lanes.