Moving to Miami with two kids (Kendale Lakes, Weston: apartments, rental, condo)

[Denie Wick]

Dear Miami folks,

I am moving from Ohio in the summer and need to know a few things about Miami. My husband will be teaching at FIU and we have to live somewhere close by. I have two kids who are 8 and 4. The oldest is in an enrichment program and performs academically well. The little guy will be starting kindergarten soon. Both are Montessori kids. These are the things that are important to me:

* looking for a great public school that has enrichment programs with a diverse community. Can’t afford private schools.
* a walkable neighborhood to shops, cafes, markets (not a must but ideas will help a lot)
*will rent for a year and then consider buying a townhouse eventually.
* an artistic neighborhood or character filled neighborhood. Not looking for everything new, super modern living but big trees, well shaded and relaxed vibe.
* affordable storage company for long term storing things

I know renting is crazy there but I can’t live in high rise apartments. A condo, town house or even a single family house with a little outdoor space is all I need. I am moving from a 4 bedroom home and need to store most of my stuff in a storage unit. Your recommendations are highly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Denie

[ruski]

Doral.

Or if you don't mind a longer commute - Weston.

[Denie Wick]

Thanks so much !

[Marc Middleton]

FIU Main Campus?

If so, look at Palmetto Bay for a home or maybe an older town home in Dadeland area near Baptist hospital. Kendale Lakes is an option as well.

Doral is also a good option for schools but moving from Ohio to Doral will be quite the culture shock. I would stay in the communities South of the College.

[simonsaysFLA]

Originally Posted by Denie Wick

Dear Miami folks,

I am moving from Ohio in the summer and need to know a few things about Miami. My husband will be teaching at FIU and we have to live somewhere close by. I have two kids who are 8 and 4. The oldest is in an enrichment program and performs academically well. The little guy will be starting kindergarten soon. Both are Montessori kids. These are the things that are important to me:

* looking for a great public school that has enrichment programs with a diverse community. Can’t afford private schools.
* a walkable neighborhood to shops, cafes, markets (not a must but ideas will help a lot)
*will rent for a year and then consider buying a townhouse eventually.
* an artistic neighborhood or character filled neighborhood. Not looking for everything new, super modern living but big trees, well shaded and relaxed vibe.
* affordable storage company for long term storing things

I know renting is crazy there but I can’t live in high rise apartments. A condo, town house or even a single family house with a little outdoor space is all I need. I am moving from a 4 bedroom home and need to store most of my stuff in a storage unit. Your recommendations are highly appreciated. Thanks so much.

Denie

FIU is a great school. I received my BA from there. It is a very diverse school and I loved it. Please be a little more specific about which campus in Miami your husband will be teaching from and I can help out a little more in terms of schools, areas to live in and storage.

[Bobdreamz]

OP we need a budget rental range. That will dictate where you will wind up.

[TirantMartorell]

Doral is probably the most convenient and the public/charter school options there are pretty good.

However, some of the things on your list are incompatible in Miami. A good public school + walkable neighborhood + artst/charater neighborhood are usually not something you can get all at once in Miami.

Doral is a cookie cutter dense suburban neighborhood that's been altmost entirely built in the last 20 years. I'm personally not a fan because I like the more established walkable, character, historic neighborhoods closer to the urban core - however, those neighborhoods usually do not have the best public schools.

Miami has a lot of charter and magnet school options now and those are free so look into that before you settle on one particular neighborhood just because of the local public school.

[Denie Wick]

Hi! Thanks so much! He will be in Engineering. We like to live close by, I have been looking into Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. My budget is $2000 for a two bedroom with a small yard for the kids..

[meanmrmustard]

My wife and I moved recently to Miami Springs and have been very happy with our decision. You could probably find a 2 bedroom home with a large yard in your price range here.

[Denie Wick]

Originally Posted by Bobdreamz

OP we need a budget rental range. That will dictate where you will wind up.

I am thinking $2000 for a two bedroom..not sure this is posssible in Coconut Grove or Coral Gables. Thanks so much!