Potential move to FL - Job opportunity Miami, Brickell (Miami Beach: house, private school tuition)

[2Tiny]

I may have a good opportunity to work in Miami on Brickell. I started doing research and alot of what I am looking for is pointing to Weston, except the obvious commute. I would like to have an average commute of an hour each way. I need to be at work 9:30 - 9:45am and leave work 6:30pm (leave my office, so prob on the road around 6:45)

I am married and have 3 children so safety and school district is very important to me. My budget would be 700-850k range.


Is this commute doable? I don't know Florida at all, but I don't mind paying for express options if there are any.

Cheers

[logybogy]

Why are you commuting from west Broward? That is CRAZY and INSANE. Live in miami shores, coral gables, Miami Beach. There are nice places much closer to downtown within your budget.

[2Tiny]

Originally Posted by logybogy

Why are you commuting from west Broward? That is CRAZY and INSANE. Live in miami shores, coral gables, Miami Beach. There are nice places much closer to downtown within your budget.

But how is safety and schools in those areas?

[logybogy]

These are very upscale areas with homes that can be in the millions to tens of millions especially on the water. Safety and schools are good. There are also many private school options if the public schools are a concern.

They are all very desirable places to live. The main issue is budget and affordability. You'll get much more house for your money in Weston but youll be hating your life every day with that commute.

[2Tiny]

Originally Posted by logybogy

These are very upscale areas with homes that can be in the millions to tens of millions especially on the water. Safety and schools are good. There are also many private school options if the public schools are a concern.

They are all very desirable places to live. The main issue is budget and affordability. You'll get much more house for your money in Weston but youll be hating your life every day with that commute.

Thanks for your input

This may be difficult to answer, but a rough guesstimate what it would cost per kid for private school in miami?

[logybogy]

Look up Miami country day school. It is in miami shores. Very good school. The cost varies by grade level. I think $17k for elementary and over $30k for high school.

[ruski]

Originally Posted by 2Tiny

I may have a good opportunity to work in Miami on Brickell. I started doing research and alot of what I am looking for is pointing to Weston, except the obvious commute. I would like to have an average commute of an hour each way. I need to be at work 9:30 - 9:45am and leave work 6:30pm (leave my office, so prob on the road around 6:45)

I am married and have 3 children so safety and school district is very important to me. My budget would be 700-850k range.


Is this commute doable? I don't know Florida at all, but I don't mind paying for express options if there are any.

Cheers

Live in Brickell and send the kids to MAST or International Affairs?

[2Tiny]

Originally Posted by logybogy

Look up Miami country day school. It is in miami shores. Very good school. The cost varies by grade level. I think $17k for elementary and over $30k for high school.

yikes, with 3 kids that commute looks better.

have to weigh my options

[Enigma777]

Originally Posted by 2Tiny

I may have a good opportunity to work in Miami on Brickell. I started doing research and alot of what I am looking for is pointing to Weston, except the obvious commute. I would like to have an average commute of an hour each way. I need to be at work 9:30 - 9:45am and leave work 6:30pm (leave my office, so prob on the road around 6:45)

I am married and have 3 children so safety and school district is very important to me. My budget would be 700-850k range.

Is this commute doable? I don't know Florida at all, but I don't mind paying for express options if there are any.

Cheers

Almost any commute involving Miami and Brickell is not fun. But--leaving at 6:30 pm is fine--that is after the worst of rush hour. If you could leave your home at 8:45 or 9 am, you would avoid rush hour in the morning, but if you are in a non-reserved parking garage space--you'll be climbing to the top levels.

Personally, you could not pay me to commute to Brickell--it can get gridlocked pretty badly in season. What about Coral Gables or Brickell area in general--there are residential areas south of Brickell.

But, if you are looking for suburban lifestyles and schools, you will have a commute. I would try it before opting for Weston. I read of a man in Miami who decided to retire rather than deal with commuting--which really struck home as I was commuting from Miami to FTL at the time--the opposite of most commuters--but still a nightmare.

It's not just the drive time--it is the idiots on the road also commuting, that make for a rather stressful drive. If you like audible books, you might be fine.

[logybogy]

Yeah, it's one thing if you are commuting an hour on a peaceful low traffic rural highway. That's not Miami. You are going to be experiencing the most insane level of road antics anywhere in the country and literally put your life on the line every day.

I would negotiate private school tuition in your salary. If they want you badly, they may give up a bump, especially if you are in finance or in demand.

Also, I know from friends the public schools on Miami Beach are pretty decent. North beach elementary is an A school. Nautilus and Miami Beach High are good as long as your kids are in the honors and college tracks. They have a Cambridge academy track, AP classes. The kids can do really really well and get into some great colleges if they apply themselves.

There's also Pinecrest in southern Miami dade that is also a very nice area. But then you are getting into a rougher commute again.