University of Miami Area (Orlando, Miami Beach: to rent, condos, lawyer)

[neight]

Just wanted to hear opinions on where to rent as a student around the university. Reading the forums and talking ot people, it looks like Kendall, Pinecrest, or the Coral Gables area. And avoid anything west of highway 1 and the downtown area.

Unlike other people who seem to be locked in on reolcation to Miami, I can rescind my enrollment and opt out of attending the university this fall. The forums give me the impressions the area is not a desirable place to live. Anybody know of the quality of graduate level education there too? Thanks for your thoughts!

[bale002]

If you can afford Coral Gables (the real Coral Gables, with "named" streets), and are interested in Latin American culture (including the Spanish language), then you may have a pleasant experience.

They say Pinecrest is nice, but I am not so sure about the transportation links between there and UoM. In short, if you have to drive any significant distance to UoM, the quality of life will be hell. Forget Kendall, except perhaps the Dadeland area. You may consider South Miami or Coconut Grove, in short, the few spots with a Metrorail link. It depends most of all on what your housing budget is.

As for the quality of the graduate education, I suppose it all depends on what you are studying, your qualities as a student, and whether UoM has worthwhile professors that specialize in your area of interest. You should do your own homework for this type of question and pose it in a more proper forum, probably starting with a comparative analysis of academic departments in your field.

Good luck!

[doggiebus]

Pinecrest is great for married couples, not a place for college kids. I would suggest living around the campus. There are some nice places next to campus on Red Road, west of US1 that are in walking distance to campus. You should also look at apts across US1 from the University there are a few apts in that area.

For chaper rent look at East Kendall and South Miami. Coconut Grove is another idea. Miami Beach might also be another option if you are willing to drive a little, you will have to deal with parking however on campus. But that is where many of the college kids party.

As for the quality of education, UM is a great school in many ways. I am a believer of unless you are going in to a field like law, medicine, a field were you need the prestige of the UM name and contacts you will make while in school, it isn't worth the money (it is worth if if you need the UM name and contacts after graduation) For example someone going to UM to become a teacher, is going to have the same outcome as someone that went to a state school.

[CiXeL]

if you can afford to get into pinecrest. there seem to be an awful lot of people there who either can only live there because their family already had a house they could hand down or because they were there before property values went up. even still seedy people are starting to move in. we talked to this one couple who said theres a pornographer on their street (not something that phases us though coming from california) and how down the street someone burned to death when their house caught fire.
these are the stories we dont usually expect from well-to-do areas living in socal. sure, someones house may burn down but you never hear of anyone burning alive, they almost always get the people out.
there are almost certainly drug lords in those expensive houses too.
in coral gables i talked to one guy who was a lawyer who got decked in the face by his neighbor because he wanted to build a new house on a nearby property in the gables owned by his family. the guy didnt press charges because he was a drug lord or something shady and was afraid of retribution.
this is not a healthy place to live. i swear sometimes it feels like things only get worse here.

[doggiebus]

I agree, about 6 months ago something happened. Things I think really started getting bad, I could be wrong, but it does seem like things are getting worse than usual. My dad almost got mugged two nights ago and the place my sister is staying at right now (in her tansition to NYC) got broken into in the Gables last night. It is crazy in this city.

[JDMR09]

Yea only posting the negative as if thats telling the truth or doing justice!?!?
those are great neigborhoods but again on this forum dont expect the whole truth?!?!? Sad!

[doggiebus]

JDM - What is wrong with you? Yes Pinecrest is a great area, but not for a college student, Pinecrest is for married people and children.

[JDMR09]

Im not talking about Pinecrest?!

[at7815]

Originally Posted by neight

Just wanted to hear opinions on where to rent as a student around the university. Reading the forums and talking ot people, it looks like Kendall, Pinecrest, or the Coral Gables area. And avoid anything west of highway 1 and the downtown area.

Unlike other people who seem to be locked in on reolcation to Miami, I can rescind my enrollment and opt out of attending the university this fall. The forums give me the impressions the area is not a desirable place to live. Anybody know of the quality of graduate level education there too? Thanks for your thoughts!

I'm new to the forum, but came across it and just became a member to try and help you out with your questions. I have just finished law school at UM. Coming from Orlando, I must say I was shocked w/ property prices here! I ended up buying a condo in West Kendall. It's about a 20 min. drive w/out traffic and about an hour w/ traffic. So pretty painful, but the area is safe and I've lived there for 3 yrs w/out probs. If you're tight with money and willing to drive a bit, all you need to do is structure your class schedule so you avoid rush hour.

I'm not sure what your budget is, but I'd go to craigslist and look for places near the school, Coral Gables, the Grove, and a lot of my friends live at the beach, but it could be a bit of a drive and more expensive. Do your research; if you're willing to roommate then a house near campus would be very nice, but the condos across UM, on US-1 are pretty pricey just FYI.

As far as graduate school...sort of a subjective opinion. I liked law school and feel like I got a good education, but mainly if you want to stay in Miami, you make good contacts and a lot of people have a lot of respect for the school. To each its own though; it's ultimately up to you to decide.

Just by skimming through the posts on this forum though...people make it sound like Miami is the worst place on earth. You should get to check it out for yourself. The UM campus is gorgeous and I think you will enjoy your experience here.

Good luck