recommended suburbs of miami (Kendall, Coral Gables: lofts, neighborhoods, buy)

[paprik11]

I am a non- spanish speaker looking to move to Miami area. I see many negative comments on Miami itself, but what about the surrounding suburbs? Are they just as bad or is there a huge difference in lifestyle/way of life vs. Miami?

[cixcell]

mostly same. most cities are good with pockets of bad. miami is bad with pockets of good.
the problem is the pockets of good are usually expensive.

[Marlin331]

Originally Posted by cixcell

mostly same. most cities are good with pockets of bad. miami is bad with pockets of good.
the problem is the pockets of good are usually expensive.

Hmmm. So as a relative newcomer, you've traveled extensively enough through the entire metropolitan area to say that most of it is bad? Interesting.

OP: Most areas are fine. I can recommend suburbs, but what matters is where you will be working. Traffic is an issue in Miami and I imagine that you wouldn't want to be in your car for 2+ hours per day.

In general, most people would say that the nicest suburban areas are Coral Gables, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall (especially the eastern part of it), Palmetto Bay, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, and Aventura. There are plenty of "good" areas that are safe and family-friendly. However, as cixcell has said, the nicest areas can be pricey.

[cixcell]

7 years is a newcomer?

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by paprik11

I am a non- spanish speaker looking to move to Miami area. I see many negative comments on Miami itself, but what about the surrounding suburbs? Are they just as bad or is there a huge difference in lifestyle/way of life vs. Miami?

Miami is not for everyone and some people just cannot handle it for many reasons. Just like some people cant handle NYC or living in a rural town.
For us to help you find a place we need to know price range and where you are going to commute.

[Marlin331]

Originally Posted by cixcell

7 years is a newcomer?

I apologize for assuming it had been less time than that, but many of your posts just lead me to believe that you're not familiar with many areas in Miami. Everyone is entitled to his opinion, however; it's just that some of your characterizations of Miami and different neighborhoods surprise me.

[cixcell]

if you dont have family here / cant get along with mean/rude people / cant speak spanish
you essentially live a life of isolation.
my experience stems completely from visiting businesses/stores/restaurants and work locations and their surrounding areas.

[stat3man]

[quote=crisp444;19311993]Hmmm. So as a relative newcomer, you've traveled extensively enough through the entire metropolitan area to say that most of it is bad? Interesting.

Good point. I don't think I've read a single positive comment about Miami from this person. He or she must be extremely miserable here.

[stat3man]

The areas mentioned by crisp444 are all excellent suggestions, and some are pricier than others. The city of Miami proper itself has some very desirable areas (Coconut Grove, Morningside, Belle Meade, Brickell, The Roads), and there are many non-A-list suburban neighborhoods that are very nice. It all depends on where you're working, what your budget is, etc. I will say, though, that no matter where you live in metropolitan Miami, there is no way you will avoid Spanish.

[abstravel]

Point is...
1. What do you do work-wise/or study?

This will shrink down the multiple areas where it'd be best to move to, in Miami. No sense driving for 1+ hours in traffic, if you can avoid it.

Just like any metropolitan city, Miami has its ups and downs. In NYC, you wouldn't want to walk alone on some of the Canal side streets after 10PM, even though it's in Manhattan. In LA, you wouldn't do the same after 10PM off of Hill Street near the Angels flight; even though it's a hustling and bustling financial/commercial area during the daytime.

Many areas in Miami have gone down in recent years, but some have gone up. Some of you remember South Beach in the late '90s. Run down slum buildings where some would go and buy drugs from, which are now stores and upscale lofts.