Moving to Miami Area W/ 3 Great Danes... Advice Needed! (Hollywood: for sale, foreclosed)

[lowcountryC&D]

We may be moving to Miami area within 1 to 2 months. We have some hesitation due to our "children" - 3 Great Danes & 1 Chihuahua. We are in our late 20's professional interracial couple. Since the only research we are able to do is online, looking for places to rent is looking like it could be quite expensive with the cost of rent, deposits, 1st & last month rent. - it isn't looking like the ideal idea... We almost feel that it would be better to buy a house(pay less then rent, less the hassle with a landlord). Currently, we are home owners on 2 acres, so the dogs are very spoiled and we have enjoyed the "country" style living. Moving to Miami will be a big change for us, as well as the kids.

We would like to get some advice from people that already live in the area, what are area's to completely stay away from, drive time during rush hour(7:30am & 5:30/6:00pm). Since we cannot locate any property for sale on the west side of Miami, is this more of a sub division area, country area,or exactly what it looks like... nothing! We currently are used to driving 45 minutes to work, with very minimal traffic, we are find to continue driving 45 minutes, but are unsure what the traffic is like in the AM. The new job location would be located on Miami Beach.


Any feedback would be appreciated.

[jasper12]

Kendall area, Pinecrest area, depends on how much you want to spend...maybe North Miami Beach area,

[doggiebus]

wow with a job in Miami Beach, you are going to have a loooonnnggg commute if you live out west. You can do East Kendall, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, South Miami, Coral Gables those are all expensive. Then you can go further south or west to Cutler Bay, Perrine, Redlands (country), Homestead, West Kendall things get cheaper but your commute will get longer (tolls and gas you will need to factor in, one guy on here we figure is paying $1000 a year in tolls alone and he isn't driving to Miami Beach). You might look at Aventura, Surfside, Hollywood, there are some nice place that are "country" southern Broward County but you will have a hell of a commute. The three great danes will need some room, so a commute of over an hour if not an hour and a half is probably what you will be looking into if you want a decent yard in a not so expensive area.

[roadtrip75]

Originally Posted by lowcountryC&D

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Stay where you are.

[amIayankee?]

I would recommend you try to find a foreclosed property. You will have to stomach a longer commute.

[xS☺B☺s]

Miami Beach is one of the densest areas in the USA. Since you've enjoyed the country living, to say that it will be a bit of a change is a whopping understatement. It will be hard to find a place to house your dogs. Miami's traffic is a certified hell and just general day to day life has been described here at length by various people from every background as challenging to utterly nightmarish.

Me - I was made for that city and worked it optimally - single guy 20 something living on South Beach job on the Beach no pets no responsibilities reasonable Spanish. I left after about three years. Too crazy for me. Fun. Great memories. Even under the best of circumstances - TOO MUCH!!!

[himain]

Depends on your budget to purchase a house. If you tell us what that is, we would be able to help you better..

[JPSellsMiami]

There are opportunities for everyone!
For you situation, the best option would definitely be to purchase a property. Most landlords (or developments) will allow one pet, and that pet must weigh less than 20-30 pounds. Exceptions are sometimes made, however, if additional security deposits and/or pet fees are paid.
Also, if you will be working on the beach, definitely look for a home North rather than South. This would be the most time-effective option, allowing you to avoid the US1 traffic during your commute. The areas West of Miami do have more space as the advantage and once you have been on the road at a couple of different times you will figure out when is the ideal time for you to commute to/from work.
Good luck!