North Grove vs. South Grove (Miami, Miami Beach: crime, houses, safe area)

[straight shooter]

I am well aware that West Grove is not a good area but out of North Grove and South Grove which is considered the better of the two.

[JacobMAX]

The best area, in my opinion, is northern Coconut Grove in that area almost exclusively residential from around SW 22nd Ave (east of SW 27th Ave) between US-1 and the bay until the border with Brickell and The Roads (that area near the Viscaya Museum). It's a great area, with very easy access to Dowtown/Brickell and not far from the amenities and stores/supermarkets of Coral Gables and South Miami.

But the area around Cocoplum is very very good as well, it's mostly similar to the northern Grove area, but it just doesn't have as much of an easy access to US-1 and Downtown. And additionally, both areas are very family friendly.

[Wild Style]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

I am well aware that West Grove is not a good area but out of North Grove and South Grove which is considered the better of the two.

What criteria are you using to determine "good" from "bad"?

Crime? Walk-ability to shops? Access to roads? Can you be a bit more specific?

[straight shooter]

If you get two identical houses on same size lots and put one in North Grove and the other in South Grove which will bring a higher price. Also out of the two areas which one has lower crime.

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by straight shooter

If you get two identical houses on same size lots and put one in North Grove and the other in South Grove which will bring a higher price. Also out of the two areas which one has lower crime.

Similar on both issues. The further away you get from West Grove (and nearer to Gables by the Sea / or the Vizcaya - Brickell Hammock area if in the North Grove), generally there's less crime and higher property values.

[soulsea]

One of the homes we're looking at is on Crawford Ave. between Solana and S. Douglas Rd.

Not sure which section of the Grove that falls into but I was wondering if it is a safe area?
One of the things that struck me is that most of the houses in proximity are walled and gated.

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by soulsea

One of the homes we're looking at is on Crawford Ave. between Solana and S. Douglas Rd.

Not sure which section of the Grove that falls into but I was wondering if it is a safe area?
One of the things that struck me is that most of the houses in proximity are walled and gated.

It's in the southern part of Coconut Grove and it's a pretty nice area, but it's fairly close (within about 4 blocks I believe) to the West Grove (which is basically a ghetto). It's safe for the most part, but you'll get some spillover crime from the ghetto; burglaries happen every now and then (not much), and other transgressions as well (mostly minor issues).

[soulsea]

So if the mrs wanted to walk from there to Coco Walk, would it be unadvisable?

Thank you btw.

[JacobMAX]

Originally Posted by soulsea

So if the mrs wanted to walk from there to Coco Walk, would it be unadvisable?

Thank you btw.

You're welcome.

It's fine, but it's a long walk, actually.

It's two routes from that location to CocoWalk; you can go through Douglas Rd and Grand Ave (through the ghetto, which I would strongly advice against doing so at any time of the day, as it's a crime ridden area). The other would be the doable and safe route; is to go through the neighborhood eastbound through the residential streets towards Main Hwy and proceed northwards until you get to CocoWalk.

[soulsea]

I see what you're saying.

I dunno, it seems somewhat incongruous to me to pay $1mil+ for a home and worrying if I turned down the wrong street. Of course that's the case in many cities, including Manhattan where I used to live, but we're moving to Florida from DC to relax a little, not have to worry about the neighborhood.

Of course Miami Beach is much the same way, where very expensive areas are bordered by small somewhat dangerous neighborhoods.

It seems the best fit for us is either going to be the Coral Gables area near the Miracle Mile, otherwise somewhere like Boca/Delray/Ft. Lauderdale it shall be.

Much will reveal itself next week when we're down there.

Once again, I really appreciate the guidance.