Miami (Coral Gables/Brickell) vs Palm Beach Area (Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach: transplants, to rent)

[GlobetrottingGirl]

I am a New Yorker fed up with the cold, seeking a home to buy in South Florida to live in for at least half the year.

I am considering places in the Miami Area: Brickell, Coconut Grove, Key Biscane and also the Palm Beach area (haven't settled on a specific location yet).

In an ideal world this is what I would want:

1) Convenient to the PBI or MIA airports (either myself or my family will be traveling back/forth at least two times per month)
2) Under 500k
3) A house with a private pool where I could plant a garden.
4) Safe neighborhood. Ideally with other New York transplants.
5) Walking distance to the beach
6) Lots of good restaurants nearby, movie theatre, organic grocery store, etc.

I know that is a lot to ask. Thought I would see if you guys could recommend a place where I could get most of it, if not all.

I lived on SoBe for three months and though I liked the weather, I didn't feel particularly safe when walking around at night. I have visited WPB a lot and like the clean look/feel of Clematis street and that area.

I'm in my early 30s, my boyfriend is in his late 40s. We will likely start a family in the next few years. We can both work remotely

[doggiebus]

Have you thought about a condo? The only reason I would suggest this is since you won't be living in the home during hurricane season, it will be easier to find someone to close up your place. Or you can close up the condo when you leave in April. Also you won't have to deal with a lawn guy and a pool guy as the condo association deals with it.

[Coconut1]

I would agree that a condo would fit you guys better. There is always maintenance that needs to be done regardless of the time of year, and if you're gone for 5 or 6 months, you're really going to have to find somebody trustworthy to make sure everything is kept up.

You might try Surfside, but that is really getting expensive. Just a few years ago you could buy a 3/1 house just two or three blocks from the beach for in the $300's. These days it's more like $600K.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by GlobetrottingGirl

I am considering places in the Miami Area: Brickell, Coconut Grove, Key Biscane and also the Palm Beach area (haven't settled on a specific location yet).

In an ideal world this is what I would want:

1) Convenient to the PBI or MIA airports (either myself or my family will be traveling back/forth at least two times per month)
2) Under 500k
3) A house with a private pool where I could plant a garden.
4) Safe neighborhood. Ideally with other New York transplants.
5) Walking distance to the beach
6) Lots of good restaurants nearby, movie theatre, organic grocery store, etc.

I know that is a lot to ask. Thought I would see if you guys could recommend a place where I could get most of it, if not all.

I lived on SoBe for three months and though I liked the weather, I didn't feel particularly safe when walking around at night. I have visited WPB a lot and like the clean look/feel of Clematis street and that area.

I'm in my early 30s, my boyfriend is in his late 40s. We will likely start a family in the next few years. We can both work remotely

As mentioned, in the Miami-Dade beach towns, from Miami Beach up to Aventura, you will be able to find most, if not all, of what you list in a nice 2 bedroom condo.

West Palm Beach - City Place and Clematis Street - is not on the beach. For that you have to go to Palm Beach where I don't think that $500k will cut it for a single-family home.

If you insist on a single-family home, then try Boca Raton or Delray Beach, though even there you may have to sacrifice walking distance to the beach for under $500k, but possibly within a very short drive and more New York transplants - at least per capita - than in Miami-Dade County.



Good Luck!

[FlyMIA]

Walking distance to the beach and under $500k for a home will be almost impossible to find. Suggest you take the walking to the beach requirement off. Or go with a condo.

[Sugah Ray]

Originally Posted by GlobetrottingGirl

I am a New Yorker fed up with the cold, seeking a home to buy in South Florida to live in for at least half the year.

I am considering places in the Miami Area: Brickell, Coconut Grove, Key Biscane and also the Palm Beach area (haven't settled on a specific location yet).

In an ideal world this is what I would want:

1) Convenient to the PBI or MIA airports (either myself or my family will be traveling back/forth at least two times per month)
2) Under 500k
3) A house with a private pool where I could plant a garden.
4) Safe neighborhood. Ideally with other New York transplants.
5) Walking distance to the beach
6) Lots of good restaurants nearby, movie theatre, organic grocery store, etc.

I know that is a lot to ask. Thought I would see if you guys could recommend a place where I could get most of it, if not all.

I lived on SoBe for three months and though I liked the weather, I didn't feel particularly safe when walking around at night. I have visited WPB a lot and like the clean look/feel of Clematis street and that area.

I'm in my early 30s, my boyfriend is in his late 40s. We will likely start a family in the next few years. We can both work remotely

Yeah the price is low. If you really want a house by the beach then you need to go further North like Melbourne.

[ruski]

I doubt you will find anything within a walking distance to the beach for $500K.

Have you considered Fort Lauderdale? There is a also a very nice airport there. Easy Jet Blue flights to JFK or White Plains.

And MIA is not THAT far from Fort Lauderdale.


Check out this place:

http://www.floridamoves.com/property...1&AgentID=7800

[GlobetrottingGirl]

Originally Posted by bale002

As mentioned, in the Miami-Dade beach towns, from Miami Beach up to Aventura, you will be able to find most, if not all, of what you list in a nice 2 bedroom condo.

West Palm Beach - City Place and Clematis Street - is not on the beach. For that you have to go to Palm Beach where I don't think that $500k will cut it for a single-family home.

If you insist on a single-family home, then try Boca Raton or Delray Beach, though even there you may have to sacrifice walking distance to the beach for under $500k, but possibly within a very short drive and more New York transplants - at least per capita - than in Miami-Dade County.

Good Luck!

Thanks for your suggestions. So I think the consensus is that a condo makes more sense. I had my heart set on a garden (not even having a window planter in NYC) but I agree it's more logical considering I won't be there all year.

So for a condo, do you think I am better off in the Brickell area or in WPB? I think the overall quality/cleanliness of the area is more important that being able to walk to the beach. I want to feel like I'm living in a community (that has people my age) and that my daily routine is pleasurable. Also,I want the place desirable to rent out when I'm not there (have a good view and/or beachy feel). I realize these may lead to different conclusions.

Where do you think my $ and resale value would go further?

[GlobetrottingGirl]

Originally Posted by FlyMIA

Walking distance to the beach and under $500k for a home will be almost impossible to find. Suggest you take the walking to the beach requirement off. Or go with a condo.

If I took the "walking to the beach" requirement off, what area do you think would be best?

[FlyMIA]

Originally Posted by GlobetrottingGirl

If I took the "walking to the beach" requirement off, what area do you think would be best?

I don't know Palm Beach at all. For the Miami Area $500k is not much these days. It can get you a nice home but in the suburbs like Miami Lakes, and the more distant suburbs. For a condo though there are plenty of good areas and even close to the beach. If you have a condo in mind you can look just about anywhere. You could even get a small condo on the beach for $500k.