CoCo Grove in Decline? (Miami, Miami Beach: neighborhood, movie theaters, living)

[dothrakirider]

Originally Posted by Krokodill

The Grove was a lovely place with its head shops, theaters, seaside bars and cafes, hippyish atmosphere, the bounty and adam's apple. The only really livable place near to the sea at that time. The only inconvenience was the hood just besides. The houses are also impressive, home of wild parties at that time.

The Grove 'was' or 'is' a lovely place...? Judging by your email, the best days are in the past.

[Krokodill]

The Grove had no competition at that time, back then MB was out of the question, downtown was obnoxious.

By I bet that still is number one, with those condos, hotels, high class visitors.

[blueherons]

I'm a big fan of Coconut Grove and spent a lot of time visiting and researching it for a move from Fort Lauderdale to Miami because of my husband's job.

He left that position so we didn't move to Miami but I'd live there in a heartbeat.

We often go to Miami so we can hang out at Montys in the grove.

[elias9193]

The problem with the Grove is that it got over commercialized and that village type atmosphere was lost.
I don't think you can ever capture the Old village type Grove of the 70's but its still has a lot of potential.

[Wild Style]

I lived in the grove up until 2 years ago. It is bar none my favorite neighborhood in Miami. IF I HAD to move back to Florida, it is the only area I would consider.

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

I lived in the grove up until 2 years ago. It is bar none my favorite neighborhood in Miami. IF I HAD to move back to Florida, it is the only area I would consider.

We have missed you. Where did you go?

I can't speak to the so-called hippy era of yesteryear, but in the context of the past decade or so I agree with those who say it's not so much that Coconut Grove has declined as competing neighborhoods, such as Brickell and downtown, have been on the rise.

Still, for those who prefer a more urban environment the area around Main Hwy, Grand Ave, McFarlane Rd and Bayshore Dr is okay and improving somewhat, while, as already mentioned, the residential neighborhoods further south straddling Main Hwy are still hard to beat and better, in my view, than Coral Gables and Pinecrest overall, the best private school and others are also located there, as well several historic buildings.

I would live there too under the right circumstances, would prefer the more urban part.

Wild Style, what part did you live in?

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by bale002

We have missed you. Where did you go?

I can't speak to the so-called hippy era of yesteryear, but in the context of the past decade or so I agree with those who say it's not so much that Coconut Grove has declined as competing neighborhoods, such as Brickell and downtown, have been on the rise.

Still, for those who prefer a more urban environment the area around Main Hwy, Grand Ave, McFarlane Rd and Bayshore Dr is okay and improving somewhat, while, as already mentioned, the residential neighborhoods further south straddling Main Hwy are still hard to beat and better, in my view, than Coral Gables and Pinecrest overall, the best private school and others are also located there, as well several historic buildings.

I would live there too under the right circumstances, would prefer the more urban part.

Wild Style, what part did you live in?

Bale,

Moved back to NYC. Been back for two years now.

I lived on Tigertail and 27th Avenue, in the condos next to the Marriott or whatever that hotel is. I LOVED LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that area. If I EVER moved back to florida (which I never will), it would ONLY be to the Grove. That place was soooo beautiful and the people were exceptionally nice. You had to be careful at night though. One lady was raped right in front of CG Elementary. But generally, it was absolutely a beautiful area. I would walk every evening for about 2 hours around center Grove. On the weekends we would walk to the movie theater, or grab something to eat etc. It was just really nice. I can't think of any other place in South Florida that even comes close to that place. Density, lots to do, beauty, nice people.

The ONLY complaint I had was the idiots who would walk their dogs off leash. One of them actually almost bit me.

[Astral_Weeks]

Originally Posted by Wild Style

Bale,

Moved back to NYC. Been back for two years now.

I lived on Tigertail and 27th Avenue, in the condos next to the Marriott or whatever that hotel is. I LOVED LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that area. If I EVER moved back to florida (which I never will), it would ONLY be to the Grove. That place was soooo beautiful and the people were exceptionally nice. You had to be careful at night though. One lady was raped right in front of CG Elementary. But generally, it was absolutely a beautiful area. I would walk every evening for about 2 hours around center Grove. On the weekends we would walk to the movie theater, or grab something to eat etc. It was just really nice. I can't think of any other place in South Florida that even comes close to that place. Density, lots to do, beauty, nice people.

The ONLY complaint I had was the idiots who would walk their dogs off leash. One of them actually almost bit me.

Which movie theater or area with restaurants are you taking about being in walking distance? Because when I envision that intersection I think of some mid-to high rise residential/hotel buildings and not much else with regards to retail, etc.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by Astral_Weeks

Which movie theater or area with restaurants are you taking about being in walking distance? Because when I envision that intersection I think of some mid-to high rise residential/hotel buildings and not much else with regards to retail, etc.

The only movie theater in the grove

[Krokodill]

The mythical and once psichodelic Playhouse.
Tigertail, that's the best area of Miami with no exception.
You were lucky.
I remember Coral Gables when it was like a town with very strange shops, music shops, old libraries and those European-like terraces serving conch fritter taps, wine and cheese bars.
Coconut Grove reminded me a lot to a cozy med resort-boutique town like my own.
Were was that place that showed the rocky horror show once a year?