When (and how) to look for an Oct 1 apt move-in? (Miami: 2015, apartment complex)

[CaffeineNYC]

Hi all. My girlfriend and I are planning to move from New York City to Miami in October and I would love some advice. Two quick questions below, any help is deeply, deeply appreciated:

1) We are going to be looking for a rental in an apartment building, with an ideal move-in date of October 1st. When would the best time be for us to go down to Miami to look? In New York inventory usually lasts less than a month, so we were thinking it might be the same in Miami (and so should go the first week in September) but want to make sure the timeline is similar in both cities.

2) Right now we're focusing our search on the Brickell/Downtown/Midtown neighborhoods, most likely at the larger buildings with amenities. What is the best way to find available apartments in those buildings? It seems like most of the complexes don't have rental offices and so we should use an agent. Is that assumption right?

Again, thank you!

[hurricaneMan1992]

In the desirable areas of Miami, they usually won't hold an apartment for you for a full month. Maybe three weeks if you're lucky. I'd start looking in the first week of September and shoot for having a lease by the middle of the month. If there's a HOA approval, it is generally a week or less time frame.

Definitely use a Realtor, since the owner pays the commission here, and they generally have access to better properties. Right now it is generally better to rent a condo than a managed apartment complex, though there are some new managed buildings by the Metrorail in Brickell that are worth considering

If you plan to heavily use public transportation, Brickell or downtown would be better, but if you plan to drive a lot, Midtown and downtown would be better, as Brickell traffic is often gridlocked, and the access to I-95 is not efficient there.

[CaffeineNYC]

Thanks so much!

[Cubanchic]

To be on the safe side I would do mid to late August, remember here it is first, last and security which is three months, but going through the condo approval system.

Also availability is subject to what is open and available look do only a one year lease and look for more options late 2014 and summer 2015.
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[CaffeineNYC]

Thank you as well Cubanchic!