Looking for a urban, diverse county in Broward or Miami-Dade (Hollywood: real estate, apartment)

[SlowBurn]

Hi there. Originally from CA, so not that familiar with Miami nor Broward's neighborhoods. I have been here for 4 years, all of them in North Miami, and when my present lease agreement is up at the end of this year, I'm thinking about exploring other neighborhoods of Browad and Miami-Dade that suits my critierias.
I don't mind North Miami, it's rather actually quite awesome I think. I live east of US1 near Johnson Wales university, and the area is developing quite nicely. But now that I'm more established at my job and having been here a while, I thought I might become more adventurous and see what's out there.
Specifically, I am not looking for a vast, sprawling suburban-like atmosphere, where everybody locks themselves up in their own little 1 acre haven and keep to themselves. I'd much prefer more uban environments that will afford me the oppurtunity to people watch, walk to a store or grocery from time to time, basically not be living in an isolated castle. I'm single, don't have any children, don't fancy the idea of "impressing" anyone with my big house with 20 rooms stuffed inside a barricaded fortress.
But I don't want to live in crazy, noisy, disorganized atmosphere either. Perhaps a quiet street with a reasonably sized house that still has ready access to urban centers is more my thing.
If I were to go with a condo, I don't mind any neighborhoods sporting a Brooklyn/Queens style jibe, either.
When I first moved here from CA due to job, I was virtually clueless to the surrounding areas. Going strictly by Yahoo apt search, I was going to rent an apartment in Liberty City! Seriously, I learned a lot through the 4 years I've been here, but most of you have been here years longer, and would most likely have a better grasp of the "soul" of a neighborhood, you know what I mean? I don't want to hear real estate agent bull****, what I want to know is how does the neighorhood jibe?
Another requirement: I require diversity. Not intra-Latin diversity, although I am 110% for this too, but diversity meaning a little bit of white, black, yellow, green, you get? Let me stress this again, because diversity is HUGE to me. I grew up in a diverse environment, and for all intents and purposes, I would like to immerse myself in a similar one here as well. And please, I'll say it again: I'm not referring to INTRA-LATIN diversity!!!
Any other suggestions/comments, I'll gladly soak in. Thank you all in advance, I hope to learn so much from all of you.

[ruski]

got cliff notes?

[SlowBurn]

?

Originally Posted by ruski

got cliff notes?

[namomof3]

I actually read the whole OP and sorry but it's not gonna happen in soflo. All the diversity in latin/south american. No urban-ness here. Even miami proper is not really urban (I'm thinking chicago urban as that's where I am from). Communities will not have that soul you are looking for unless you want to be immersed in everything latino.

[SlowBurn]

Yeah, had a feeling that was the case...

But I have to make do with what's here and now, and the fact is, I'll be stuck here for the next how many years. I'm willing to settle for as close as I can get. I actually do not mind latin culture at all, I'm quite fascinated by it, as a matter of fact. It's just that I would prefer not to be 100% surrounded. A little caribbean, middle eastern, anglo, asian, etc thrown in would be nice, even if it's not in quantitatively large numbers. And I'm not talking about the food!

I know that no part of South Florida will have cities comparable to chicago or new york or san francisco. I guess what I'm asking for is this: I don't expection perfection or the ultimate idealized community. I don't expect to fufill 100% of my expectations, not even close. I'm simply looking for a neighborhood/community that may be able to offer in the ballpark of what I'm looking for.

I've heard promising news of Pembroke Pines. Some people say it's the most urban and diverse of the Broward areas. Any thoughts on this?

Originally Posted by namomof3

I actually read the whole OP and sorry but it's not gonna happen in soflo. All the diversity in latin/south american. No urban-ness here. Even miami proper is not really urban (I'm thinking chicago urban as that's where I am from). Communities will not have that soul you are looking for unless you want to be immersed in everything latino.

[hurricaneMan1992]

^Not true!!! There are probably more Jews where I live than Latins, and more Haitians and Caribbean peoples than Latins in the surrounding neighborhoods. A short drive from where I live there are numerous asian markets and restaurants, Indian-owned convenience stores (North Miami Beach), Kosher supermarkets (discount and upscale), and Russian/eastern European markets (Hollywood/Hallandale) The eastern/downtown areas of Broward are also more diverse, also the beach areas. Miami Beach is probably the most urban and diverse area with character that you will find (downtown Miami itself is still very much latin, but is gradually getting more diverse), Las Olas riverfront and Wilton Manors are also areas I hear good things about. Warning though: the places where you'd most likely be able to afford a house are also most likely to be sprawl communities with only "intra-latin" diversity. that said, I have seen some small, affordable houses and duplexes near the "city center" part of North Miami Beach and also in Hollywood, and these may be your best bet, if you really want a house.

[compelled to reply]

I agree with the above poster, northeast Dade probably has less of a Hispanic presence then even Broward does nowadays. Northeast Dade is more Haitian, Jewish, some anglos, even a few Asians mixed in there, with some Hispanics (mostly South American). Nearly anything east of US1 from the Dade/Broward County Line (Surfside, North/South Beach, Midtown, even Aventura or Sunny Isles but to a lesser extent) down to about Coconut Grove will meet the OP's criteria. Some areas in Hollywood may also be worth looking at.

[SlowBurn]

Interesting. What areas of Hollywood do you recommend? If it's affordable, I don't mind getting a condo near the water.

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

I agree with the above poster, northeast Dade probably has less of a Hispanic presence then even Broward does nowadays. Northeast Dade is more Haitian, Jewish, some anglos, even a few Asians mixed in there, with some Hispanics (mostly South American). Nearly anything east of US1 from the Dade/Broward County Line (Surfside, North/South Beach, Midtown, even Aventura or Sunny Isles but to a lesser extent) down to about Coconut Grove will meet the OP's criteria. Some areas in Hollywood may also be worth looking at.

[Rock Newman]

Originally Posted by SlowBurn

Hi there. Originally from CA, so not that familiar with Miami nor Broward's neighborhoods. I have been here for 4 years, all of them in North Miami, and when my present lease agreement is up at the end of this year, I'm thinking about exploring other neighborhoods of Browad and Miami-Dade that suits my critierias.
I don't mind North Miami, it's rather actually quite awesome I think. I live east of US1 near Johnson Wales university, and the area is developing quite nicely. But now that I'm more established at my job and having been here a while, I thought I might become more adventurous and see what's out there.
Specifically, I am not looking for a vast, sprawling suburban-like atmosphere, where everybody locks themselves up in their own little 1 acre haven and keep to themselves. I'd much prefer more uban environments that will afford me the oppurtunity to people watch, walk to a store or grocery from time to time, basically not be living in an isolated castle. I'm single, don't have any children, don't fancy the idea of "impressing" anyone with my big house with 20 rooms stuffed inside a barricaded fortress.
But I don't want to live in crazy, noisy, disorganized atmosphere either. Perhaps a quiet street with a reasonably sized house that still has ready access to urban centers is more my thing.
If I were to go with a condo, I don't mind any neighborhoods sporting a Brooklyn/Queens style jibe, either.
When I first moved here from CA due to job, I was virtually clueless to the surrounding areas. Going strictly by Yahoo apt search, I was going to rent an apartment in Liberty City! Seriously, I learned a lot through the 4 years I've been here, but most of you have been here years longer, and would most likely have a better grasp of the "soul" of a neighborhood, you know what I mean? I don't want to hear real estate agent bull****, what I want to know is how does the neighorhood jibe?
Another requirement: I require diversity. Not intra-Latin diversity, although I am 110% for this too, but diversity meaning a little bit of white, black, yellow, green, you get? Let me stress this again, because diversity is HUGE to me. I grew up in a diverse environment, and for all intents and purposes, I would like to immerse myself in a similar one here as well. And please, I'll say it again: I'm not referring to INTRA-LATIN diversity!!!
Any other suggestions/comments, I'll gladly soak in. Thank you all in advance, I hope to learn so much from all of you.

Weston is beautiful , safe and diverse ... it is approximately 45% Non Hispanic White ( many people from the NE ) 45% Hispanic to include Brazilians who are technically not Hispanic and 10% other meaning some Europeans , Asians and Indians ( Hindus ) .. note the Hispanic community is professional and well to do ... also mostly South American .. Argentina , Brazil , Colombia , Venezuela with some well off Mexicans as well ... very few Cubans ... thus no Cuban political talk 24 hours a day ... no Fidel talk , etc , etc ... very different from Miami .

[ruski]

Weston is always good.