How is this part of Coral Gables? (Miami, North Miami: sale, to rent)

[Breaking_Good]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

Anyone that spends $400,000 on a house like thank needs to undergo a mental evaluation. Small lot, small house, original kitchen and bathrooms, nothing says luxury, breakfast squeezed in the kitchen, very blah outside, needs work throughout, no room to expand and build a pool, and the area is not one of the better areas of Coral Gables.

Coral Gables is one of the nicest areas but I would not spend that kind of money for a house like that. In my opinion the only way that I would consider a house in Coral Gables is if I was looking to spend 1 million + for a nice home. With $400,000 you can buy a much nicer home in Palmetto Bay or the Falls area and still be in a good area.

Thanks for the reference to Palmetto Bay. and the Falls area. I found Palmetto Bay on a map. Looks/sounds pretty good. I will take a look at that area. The only issue I'd have with that is IF I make the move I'd be working for my firm's office in Brickell. So Coral Gables has better proximity.

Where is the Falls area? Thanks again.

[ghettoivory]

LA and OC are the two most overvalued housing markets in the nation. The median home costs 12 times the median income there.

In Miami, the median home is 3.5 times the median income.

That place you pointed out isn't anything special, nor was it a particularly good deal. Quite average, actually, the place is actually dumpy by Florida standards (although it's in an ok-ish 'hood).

[straight shooter]

Originally Posted by Breaking_Good

Thanks for the reference to Palmetto Bay. and the Falls area. I found Palmetto Bay on a map. Looks/sounds pretty good. I will take a look at that area. The only issue I'd have with that is IF I make the move I'd be working for my firm's office in Brickell. So Coral Gables has better proximity.

Where is the Falls area? Thanks again.

If you have children Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay have better public schools than Coral Gables.

[Breaking_Good]

Originally Posted by ghettoivory

LA and OC are the two most overvalued housing markets in the nation. The median home costs 12 times the median income there.

In Miami, the median home is 3.5 times the median income.

That place you pointed out isn't anything special, nor was it a particularly good deal. Quite average, actually, the place is actually dumpy by Florida standards (although it's in an ok-ish 'hood).

Just to be clear: in my view that house was dumpy by almost any standards. It needs works, etc. It was the price tag that caught my attention.

[ghettoivory]

Originally Posted by Breaking_Good

Just to be clear: in my view that house was dumpy by almost any standards. It needs works, etc. It was the price tag that caught my attention.

Like everyone said, there are a billion other options for that kind of money in South Florida.

Coming from LA your mind will be completely blown, especially when driving through these neighborhoods. For example, the few good areas out there cost a decent amount of coin: Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, etc. Here, you can literally have the same quality of life for a tiny fraction of the cost.

Plus, nobody is on the california kumbaya nonsense, all the scumbags/undesirables/illegals you guys welcome with open arms aren't tolerated around here. At the end of the day we're still a Southern State, run by normal, sane people up north. So everything isn't in complete shambles, crime-ridden, trashy, etc., quality of life is simply outstanding.

What's $400k in LA these days? Some 900sqft. shack in a really bad part of LB?

[hurricaneMan1992]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

Coral Gables is one of the nicest areas but I would not spend that kind of money for a house like that. In my opinion the only way that I would consider a house in Coral Gables is if I was looking to spend 1 million + for a nice home. With $400,000 you can buy a much nicer home in Palmetto Bay or the Falls area and still be in a good area.

True, my sister bought a large 4 br with large yard in Palmetto Bay for around $350k. But she has to drive 40+ minutes each way to go anywhere that's not a Winn Dixie, Home Depot, or a Target. Homestead is even cheaper and further out, though it's "close" to the Keys and the everglades, still that "close" is still a good 30 minutes - several hours depending on where exactly you want to go. Many people value their time over their square footage.

[ThomasMatthews]

Try Miami Springs or Spring Garden. You can have a bigger house in a nice neighborhood for the same price.

[Breaking_Good]

Originally Posted by ghettoivory

Like everyone said, there are a billion other options for that kind of money in South Florida.

Coming from LA your mind will be completely blown, especially when driving through these neighborhoods. For example, the few good areas out there cost a decent amount of coin: Bel Air, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, etc. Here, you can literally have the same quality of life for a tiny fraction of the cost.

The "few good" areas in the LA area you mention are among the most exclusive and expensive residential neighborhoods in the entire country. They are expensive for a reason...they are highly desirable and people with the means are willing to pay for it. But there are plenty of other middle class areas that are desirable. Granted they are more expensive than Miami.

To each their own, but to be quite frank, the majority of LA residents would view a move to Miami as a step down. Don't get me wrong..I like Miami and the real estate is clearly cheaper. No doubt about that.

Originally Posted by ghettoivory

Plus, nobody is on the california kumbaya nonsense, all the scumbags/undesirables/illegals you guys welcome with open arms aren't tolerated around here. At the end of the day we're still a Southern State, run by normal, sane people up north. So everything isn't in complete shambles, crime-ridden, trashy, etc., quality of life is simply outstanding.

And of course there are absolutely no illegals or scumbags in Miami or So. Fla.

LA's homicide rate is LESS than Miami's...at both the city and county level. So let's keep a little perspective here.

With regard to Fla.'s "Southern State" status...for me there are many "southern" charms (music, food, hospitality, etc) but Southern + Politics = very, very bad in my view. So that is not a selling point for me.

[Breaking_Good]

Originally Posted by ThomasMatthews

Try Miami Springs or Spring Garden. You can have a bigger house in a nice neighborhood for the same price.

Thanks Thomas, i appreciate the suggestion.

How about Miami Shores? I know some of the surrounding areas are not so nice.

But what I like about what I have heard/read about it: it is not a cookie cutter suburb and it is centrally located. I am willing to give up square footage and lot size to gain proximity to the center and at least SOME character/charm.

[ace587]

Originally Posted by Breaking_Good

Thanks Thomas, i appreciate the suggestion.

How about Miami Shores? I know some of the surrounding areas are not so nice.

But what I like about what I have heard/read about it: it is not a cookie cutter suburb and it is centrally located. I am willing to give up square footage and lot size to gain proximity to the center and at least SOME character/charm.

I'm a Miami Shores resident. Raised here since I was young. Its not as modern as other neighborhoods but it definitely has character. I live next to Biscayne Blvd. I love living here because its centrally located. I have 79th street or 125th to go to the beach, and I go to Haulover when i want to go to the beach. Midtown is only 10 min away south on Biscayne. Nobody tried to break in our house ever since i lived here *knocks on wood*. You got the soccer grounds and basketball courts in the middle. Majority here are diverse families. We got A schools, Miami Shores Elem and Doctors Charter (Magnet). Good option if you want to raise a family. Brickell is a 15 min drive on I-95. Downtown is less than 20 min away on US1. We got a Whole foods less than 2 miles away. Aventura Mall is 15 min away.I wouldn't live anywhere else. I'm close to everything within 15 minutes. Most important thing we don't get Kendall like traffic here!