Not so long ago, Miami-Dade was a story of east — the sprawling Beach — and a mainland of undifferentiated suburbs, centered by a central business district that shut down at 5 p.m. Today the county increasingly is coalescing around a series of urban villages or centers — compact, pedestrian-friendly places where people can live, shop or dine out, even work or go to school, with few or mercifully short trips by car. Here's a look at South Florida's burgeoning neighborhoods and classic destinations, from Miami-Dade north to Palm Beach.
Allapattah: Warm & Welcoming
This city is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Miami because of its strong sense of community and distinct Latin flavor. It is home to Jackson Memorial Hospital and the Rubell Museum, one of the biggest private contemporary art collections in North America. On Northwest 7th Avenue you will find a delightful mix of sandwich shops, thrift shops, botanicas and hipster bars in close proximity, ready to be explored.
Known for its 'authentic barrio' feel, Allapattah is making way for increased development in this burgeoning district northwest of Downtown Miami.
Aventura: Sleek High-Rises & Luxury Single-Family Homes
An upscale community with a mix of waterfront condominiums, mid-rise apartments, and spacious townhomes, Aventura is the highly accessible halfway point between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It is also home to the world-renowned Aventura Mall – one of South Florida’s top shopping destinations, but also a fantastic spot for casual dining, trendy bistros, movies, entertainment, and more.
With its convenient location along Biscayne Boulevard/US1 and proximity to major highways, Aventura is also a thriving business location with Class A office space and retail space throughout. Outside the epicenter of the Aventura city center, a secluded beachy lifestyle awaits with yachting, boating, sunbathing, and outdoor sports all regularly enjoyed in and around the waters of the Intracoastal and Atlantic Ocean.
Bal Harbour: Designer Living & Top Shopping Meets Ocean Views
A luxurious coastal town, Bal Harbour and the nearby Bay Harbor Islands offer peaceful beachside living and internationally famous shopping. Bal Harbour is situated at the northernmost tip of Miami Beach, with the Bay Harbor Islands lying just west in Biscayne Bay.
Fashionably fun and casually elegant, Bal Harbour is a quiet and exclusive beachside oasis. It is a pedestrian-friendly community of beautiful homes, world-class resorts, and upscale shops.
Bay Harbor Islands: A Vibrant Island Town
The Town of Bay Harbor Islands, located in Miami-Dade County, is a waterfront community of fine homes, luxury condominiums, and apartments. Bay Harbor Islands is home to a K-8 school, retail shops, restaurants, professional offices and other businesses. The community's location near South Beach, The Bal Harbour shops, Aventura Mall, and other areas in Miami-Dade has made it an ideal place to live and work.
Boca Raton: The Beverly Hills of Florida
Boca Raton, familiarly known to locals by its first name "Boca," truly has it all. Beaches and golf courses; fine hotels and wondrous art museums (and the Festival of the Arts BOCA); jazz clubs and concerts at Mizner Park; the glittery Town Center at Boca Raton shopping mall, with 220 upscale and elite specialty shops; and, elsewhere around town, countless family-owned boutiques.
Boca Raton is located in Palm Beach County in the heart of Florida's Atlantic Ocean Coast.
Boynton Beach: Palm Beach County
Boynton Beach is a city located in Palm Beach County, which is known for its tropical lifestyle, waterfront dining, outdoor shopping centers, regional mall, and water-sports activities. With the city's abundance of restaurants, shops, and lively entertainment, it truly offers a quality way of living.
Brickell: Wall Street South
The undisputed hot-spot for business, high-end hotels, fine dining, and ultra-luxury condominiums, Brickell is the new heart of Miami. The downtown destination offers walkable convenience to many of the city’s best attractions, with great proximity to Miami Beach, Coconut Grove, and other points of interest throughout the city. Condominium properties dominate the dazzling skyline here, with captivating views of Biscayne Bay and the lights of west Miami. It is also home to dozens of consulates and the largest concentration of financial institutions in the U.S. outside of Manhattan, which earned it the nickname 'Wall Street South.'
Coconut Grove: Miami's Oldest Neighborhood
Artsy and eclectic, Coconut Grove is a world of bay-view condominiums, secluded townhomes and duplexes, historic single family homes on tree-lined streets, dog parks, vast green outdoor spaces, marinas, great public and private schools, and an easy-breezy atmosphere.
Anchored by Cocowalk and the Shops of Mayfair, the shopping, dining, and entertainment scene is a mix of casual and upscale with great waterfront eateries and frequent street fairs and festivals throughout the year.
Coral Gables: The City Beautiful
Designed by the famed George Merrick to be an ideal city within the city – Coral Gables is known throughout the area as one of Miami’s most lovely and centrally located residential neighborhoods. Quiet winding streets lined by Banyan and Oak trees are home to oversized lots, Mediterranean style architecture, and excellent public and private schools, including the acclaimed University of Miami.
Design District: Innovative Fashion, Design, Art, Architecture and Dining
The world’s cultural spotlight has been focused on the Miami Design District for more than a decade now. It continues to be the capital of Art Basel Miami Beach – the worldwide modern art fair and design exhibition that is an extension of the famous Art Basel Switzerland. More recently, however, it has become a chic residential destination known for avant-garde interior design, internationally acclaimed architects, and a small collection of historic bungalow-style homes.
Doral: Fastest Growing City in Florida
Downtown Miami: International Gateway
Just north of Brickell along the famous Biscayne Boulevard Corridor, Downtown Miami remains the “capital” of The Magic City – where government offices, courthouses, and community headquarters all reside. Other residents here are some of the area’s newest ocean-view condominiums, including Aston Martin Residences Miami, Natiivo Miami, One Thousand Museum, Paramount Miami World Center, and Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences, among others.
Edgewater: Crossroads of Art & Entertainment
Alongside one of the most historically significant thoroughfares in South Florida – Biscayne Boulevard – the emerging community of East Edgewater is adding new dimension to the downtown skyline and experience. The recent development of towering waterfront condominium communities have created a sleek, sophisticated atmosphere that blends the breezy spirit of Biscayne Bay with the sparkle of the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), the American Airlines Arena (AAA), and the glamour of neighboring downtown Miami.
Fisher Island: Luxurious Private Island
It simply doesn’t get more exclusive than a private island retreat that can only be reached by boat or ferry. And that is precisely what residents of Fisher Island love about living there. Less than five minutes from the heart of Downtown Miami and Brickell, and seconds from South Beach, Fisher Island boasts the best of everything – Atlantic and Bay views, an 18-hole golf course, yachting, tennis, world-class spa, and peaceful serene beaches.
It also is home to impressive luxury real estate with condominium homes that are enormously spacious and private, and a number of villa-style homes – all of which come with access to the Fisher Island Country Club. Cruise around on golf courts, or simply stroll around in the barefoot elegance of this tropical hideaway.
Fort Lauderdale: The Yatching Capital of the World
Soon to become one of the most advanced and connected cities in the entire United States, Fort Lauderdale is surging with new opportunities these days. Major expansions of both the Fort Lauderdale International Airport and Port Everglades are bringing more jobs, business, tourism, and investment to the area than ever before. As well, the new All Aboard Florida high-speed rail will soon make travel between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Orlando faster and more convenient.
Golden Beach: Family Lifestyle
Golden Beach is minutes away from the excitement of Miami Beach, the region’s finest malls, and an array of cultural activities, offering a quiet, suburban-type living along the ocean. Over the last decade, the demographics of the town have changed. The population has transitioned from the older retired snowbird that only spends six months a year in town to the family with young children who live in town all year long.
Hallandale Beach: Resort Style Living
What used to be a forgotten stretch of sand between Miami and Fort Lauderdale is now one of the area’s hottest new destinations for young professionals and urbanites eager to enjoy the luxuries of South Florida at an attractive value. Major hotel and resort brands have brought a new level of sparkle to these pristine beachfront shores along with high-end amenities, beach clubs, dining, and entertainment.
True resort-style living is now the name of the game in Hallandale Beach with condo hotel ownership on the rise, and a number of brand-new designer condominium towers for full-time residents. Just minutes away from the beaches, top restaurant brands, shopping, live music, live horse racing, and casino action beckon at the chic and inviting Villages of Gulfstream Park – adding even more to enjoy in this new center of city living.
Hialeah: The City of Progress
The City of Hialeah is the fifth largest municipality in Florida, serving over 224,000 residents living in approximately 20-square miles. "All Ways Lead to Hialeah" one of the city’s first slogans is well suited given that Hialeah sits in the heart of northwest Dade, and has access to every major thoroughfare (I-75, Palmetto Expressway, Florida Turnpike, US 27 (Okeechobee Road). In Hialeah you are about 20 minutes away from anywhere in the county. Hialeah borders Opa-Locka, Miami and Miami Lakes and provides direct business access to both Opa-Locka Airport and Miami International Airport. Hialeah is served by the Miami Metrorail and Tri-Rail/Metrorail Transfer stations. The City also provides its own transit buses that enhance transportation services City-wide to make it easier for residents to commute.
Hialeah Gardens: One of Florida's safest cities
Hialeah Gardens is a city in Miami-Dade County, with a population of 21,744. The city's nationally well-known for its historic sites such as the Hialeah Park Racetrack, built in 1925.
Hollywood Beach: One-of-a-kind beach boardwalk
Hollywood Beach, located in Broward County, is known for its Atlantic Ocean-facing beaches and "Old Florida" charm. Hollywood Beach features live entertainment, tiki bars, seafood restaurants, shopping centers, and luxury hotels including the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, Diplomat Resort & Spa, and Trump Hollywood.
Hollywood: Hometown Atmosphere
As one of South Florida’s original suburban communities, Hollywood is an excellent destination for established neighborhoods with large trees, quiet streets, great schools, and friendly neighbors. It also happens to be the ideal place to enjoy the thriving arts, culinary, and business scene that centers around Young Circle, in the middle of town. Young families and professionals adore Hollywood for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful parks and playgrounds, while chic city dwellers are equally pleased with the dazzling nightlife and ultra-luxe resorts just minutes away on Hollywood Beach. Single-family homes are abundant here, many with ample yards. Recent development has also brought a selection of trendy lofts and condo offerings to both the city center and its beaches.
Indian Creek: Exclusive, Private, and Secure
Indian Creek is a wealthy village on the northern end of Miami Beach. Indian Creek is one the smallest incorporated municipalities in the United States, with a recorded population of 38 as of the 2004 (U.S. Census Bureau). Indian Creek is and has been home to many celebrities and wealthy people, which helped earn its nickname "Billionaire's Bunker."
Kendall: South Dade
Kendall is suburban neighborhood located in the southwestern part of Miami-Dade county. In additional to its residential offerings, it features a variety of hotels, shopping, dining, and entertainment hubs. The city is known for Dadeland Mall, one of the nation’s busiest suburban shopping malls.
Kendall offers a lot of enjoyable, family friendly experiences such as its restaurants, golf courses, roller rinks, ice skating rinks, skate parks, and arcades. Kendall is home to the Miami Metrozoo, a well-known facility showcasing animals with the freedom to roam within 300 acres of jungles, forests, and trails surrounded by moats. In Kendall, there is a lot of restaurants, coffee shops and parks.
Key Biscayne: Island Oasis
A short 8-minute bridge ride away from Brickell and Downtown, and home to the iconic Cape Florida lighthouse, the island of Key Biscayne is beloved for its beaches, boating, marinas, and the Crandon Park Tennis Pavilion. Neighbors zip along on golf carts and scooters in the residential core – which is comprised of single-family homes and bay-front estates on the south and west, and high-rise condominiums and townhome properties on the north and east.
Little Haiti: The Heart of Miami's Haitian Community
Known for its creative global restaurants, colorful street murals and fruit stands, Caribbean-style Little Haiti also has a flourishing art scene centered on small, indie galleries. The Little Haiti Cultural Complex showcases Afro-Caribbean art, dance and theater, while the large covered Caribbean Marketplace sells produce and locally made handicrafts.
The area's record stores and dive bars draw a hip crowd to the city. On the northern edge of Little Haiti is Miami's Little River neighborhood, one of the oldest to be established as an agricultural zone. However, it has recently attracted a younger demographic since artists and developers transformed Little River into one of Miami’s most vibrant commercial and residential areas.
Little Havana: Miami’s Vibrant Cuban Heart
Little Havana is a neighborhood directly east of Brickell, within proximity to the downtown core. Home to many Cuban immigrant residents, as well as many residents from Central and South America. Little Havana is named after Havana, the capital and largest city in Cuba.
Miami Gardens: The Third Largest City in Miami Dade County
Miami Gardens is a suburban city located in north-central Miami Dade County. The city is home to the Hard Rock Stadium and Calder Casino. Many entertaining events are hosted in this city such as Jazz in the Gardens and the International Music & Food Festival. Beginning 2022, Miami Gardens will host the Miami Grand Prix Formula 1 racing event. This suburban city is fun and undeniably alive.
Miami Shores: Northeast Miami-Dade
The lush, residential village of Miami Shores, developed in the 1920s, is a great bastion of art deco architecture. The city features bayfront vistas, quaint churches and wide, tree-lined streets that are all part of its small-town charm.
Mid-Beach: South Beach-cool & North Beach-calm Intertwine
Mid-Beach is a section of the city of Miami Beach. It is portion of the city which encompasses the area north of 23rd Street and the Indian Creek and south of Surprise Lake and 63th Street. It collectively refers to neighborhoods including Oceanfront, Bayshore, and Nautilus.
Midtown: Artsy Up-and-Coming District
The newest homes in the area are in modern, trend-setting condominium developments – which offer both traditional condo units as well as multi-story condo townhomes. However, just on the edges of Midtown, and hidden in little corners, are several historic single-family homes with eclectic styling and character. Many are quickly grabbing up these homes, restoring them, or reinventing them for a truly unique living space.
Morningside: Miami's First Historic District
The most lavish bayside estates and Mediteranean-style homes, in this upscale suburb. Morningside is a single family home neighborhood located north of Downtown Miami and within the general Upper East Side area. Morningside Park hugs along the beautiful Biscayne Bay and provides scenic views.
North Bay Village: Three Island Paradise
North Bay Village is a city located in Miami-Dade County, with a total population of 7,137. The city is a three-island community situated in Northeast Miami-Dade between the cities of Miami and Miami Beach that used to be underwater. The three islands- North Bay Island, Habor Island and Treasure Island- are linked by the John F. Kennedy Causeway which is extended from Biscayne Bay from Miami to Miami Beach.
North Bay’s attraction is its pristine views of Biscayne Bay and its multitude of restaurants and shops. Several decades ago, North Bay Village was a nightlife hotspot where Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra might be seen and where Dean Martin opened his own club.
North Beach is a section of the city of Miami Beach. It is the northernmost section of the city, roughly bound by 63rd Street and Indian Creek Drive to the south and 87th Terrace to the north. It collectively refers to neighborhoods including Isles of Normandy, Biscayne Point, and La Gorce.
In this largely residential area, you won’t see the Art Deco buildings that characterize South Beach. Instead, the striking architectural style is Miami Modernism (MiMo) architecture. The broad beach is just as alluring – and chances are you’ll have fewer people with which to share it.
North Miami Beach: Urban Oasis with a Historical Foundation
North Beach is most famous for its Collins Avenue high-rises and hotels that allow residents to walk straight from building to beach. Away from the shoreline, North Beach is a diverse and vibrant community with a distinctive small-town feel.
Palm Beach: Upscale and Serene Living
Palm Beach, originally established as a resort by visionary Henry Flagler, has become an enchanting resort with European sophistication of inimitable style and grace. Its famous Worth Avenue is said to be one of the poshest shopping venues in the country. Its glitzy oceanfront mansions include Mar-A-Lago, vacation home of President Trump.
Across the Lake Worth Lagoon, neighboring West Palm Beach features avant-garde high-rise residential condominiums and is known for its bustling retail and nightlife district filled with restaurants, shops, bars, and clubs that attract a diverse mix of people from around the globe.
Pinecrest: Beautiful Homes & Family-Friendly Lifestyle.
Second only to Coral Gables in terms of loveliness, this quiet residential community offers both exclusivity as well as connectivity to Kendall shopping and dining. Quiet streets, extra-large lots, and a friendly community atmosphere have long made Pinecrest the “it” destination for Miami natives as well as newcomers seeking an established neighborhood feel.
Public schools in Pinecrest are among the best in the county and young families also enjoy the many parks, the large Pinecrest Library, The Fairchild Tropical and Botanic Gardens, and Pinecrest Gardens nature park complete with splash zone, playground, and petting zoo.
SoFi: The exclusive Miami Beach enclave
At only about 2 square miles in size, the South of Fifth (SoFi) district of Miami Beach is one of the smallest neighborhoods in all of South Florida. It also happens to be one of the most prestigious and in-demand, with Ocean Drive, Washington Avenue, and South Pointe, all elements of this unique community. Ultra-luxury beachfront condominium towers, multi-million-dollar penthouses, designer villas, and mid-rise condos and apartments are neighbors with Joe’s Stone Crabs, Prime 112, Nikki Beach, Smith & Wollensky, Fogo de Chao, and chic hotels.
To the East, nothing but gorgeous white-sand beaches and Atlantic Ocean vistas. To the South, views of Fisher Island and departing cruise ships create a unique scene. And to the West, stunning Bay and city skyline views prove that everything in SoFi is nothing short of spectacular.
South Beach: Urban Glamour in a Tropical Resort
The South Beach neighborhood of Miami Beach offers a unique combination of tropical resort lifestyle and cosmopolitan glamour that can only be found here. It is trendy, charming, and overall a fun place to be - after all, it is one of the most iconic destinations in the world.
For this reason, South Beach attracts the rich and famous and youthful. Enjoy the beach, South Beach's historic Art Deco architecture, fine oceanside dining – or all of it in a single day.
South Miami: Family-Oriented Area with a Casual Miami Vibe
Conveniently close to University of Miami and Coral Gables, South Miami is another top pick by long-time Miami residents and natives. Residential neighborhoods are established and casual and are typically single-family homes, though a number of townhomes and condominiums exist as well. Very centrally located with excellent access to US1, highways and South Miami Hospital, South Miami is a great home base for work throughout Miami and access to superior public and private schools.
The dining and entertainment scene is strong here as well, with gourmet bistros and chef-run establishments co-existing side-by-side with national restaurant brands. Similarly, the independent boutiques for fashion, children, and home design create an eclectic counterpart to the major mall retailers at Sunset Place.
Sunny Isles Beach: The City of Sun and Sea
Just north of the Haulover Inlet, on either side of AIA, the established community of Sunny Isles is experiencing a renaissance in luxury living. With some of the finest, white sand beaches in all of Miami and convenient access to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, new resorts and condominium developments have been flocking to the area lately. Along with them are some of the hottest new restaurants, beach club experiences, and sophisticated entertainment options to hit South Florida in many years.
Residents here like the “best kept secret” ambience of the neighborhood, which sees far less traffic than other Miami hot spots. Choose from state-of-the-art condo living to sample the latest lifestyle trends, or experience the freedom of spacious townhomes and gated communities of single-family homes.
Surfside: Charming Oceanfront Community in a Subtropical Paradise
Surfside, located along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, in southeast Florida, is the perfect community for your permanent residence, seasonal retreat, family vacation, or relaxing escape. Gorgeous, pleasant, safe, convenient, with all the amenities that you would expect in a tropical paradise. All of the homes, apartments, condominiums, hotels and resorts in Surfside are within walking distance of world class shopping, fantastic public beaches, a number of public parks, playgrounds, tennis courts, and recreational facilities including a new Community Center and Aquatics Facility.
The Town of Surfside encompasses the area from 87th Terrace to 96th Street, and it is situated between the City of Miami Beach to the South and the Village of Bal Harbour to the North. Surfside has earned a truly superb reputation as a family community and destination, offering a wide range of accommodations, resort facilities, shopping opportunities and leisure activities.
Venetian Islands: Up-scale Family Homes
Prevailing over all other residential communities in South Florida, the Venetian Islands are a string of barrier islands lapped in luxury and engrained in history. Located off the shores of Biscayne Bay, the Venetian Islands represent six man made islands running from west to east including Biscayne Island, San Marco Island, San Marino Island, Di Lido Island, Rivo Alto Island and Belle Island.
Connected to the mainland via the Venetian Causeway, this pristine neighborhood is conveniently situated in between Downtown Miami and Miami Beach.
West Palm Beach: Vibrant Tropical Energy
West Palm Beach represents coastal city living at it’s finest. This lively, artsy, downtown scene is always booming with activity. Driving through the historic downtown neighborhoods you’ll be greeted with beautiful streets lined with tall palm trees, vibrant colors, and a city of people who truly love where they live.
The city is surrounded with condos and houses that outline the skyline and overlook the beautiful intracoastal waters of West Palm Beach.
Weston: Family-Oriented Suburban Lifestyle
Weston is a master-planned suburban community in Broward County, Florida, United States. It is located 31 miles northwest of Miami. Its quality of life, family-friendly atmosphere, and pristine gated communities help Weston consistently rank among the best places to live in America.
In 2008, Money magazine ranked Weston as the 73rd best place to live in America, making it the best place to live in the state of Florida. In 2012, Weston moved up eleven slots to the 62nd best place to live in America, once again topping the list in the state of Florida. It was recently named by Family Circle Magazine one of the Ten Best Towns for Families for 2015. In February 2018, the City of Weston was ranked #8 in the Top 100 Safest Cities in the U.S. by NeighborhoodScout.
Wynwood: Non-Stop Energy and In-The-Moment Style
Just north of downtown Miami, the urban artists’ village of Wynwood has been rapidly expanding over the past decade. Colorful, bold murals and street art figure prominently throughout the entire neighborhood, popularized by some of the world’s most famous urban artists and their contributions to the Wynwood Walls – an outdoor, rotating exhibit. Unsurprisingly, galleries, design agencies, and warehouse-style studios are popular here, home to many of Miami’s emerging names in art, home design, furnishings, fashion, and more.
At the same time, creative cuisine is a staple in Wynwood, featuring influences from all over the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, and inventive fusion. Several local microbreweries, live music, and regular community events keep Wynwood in the spotlight and are drawing new residents to the quaint historic homes and new condominium developments in the area.
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