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Old 02-10-2013, 06:26 PM
 
117 posts, read 175,335 times
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I am very well informed, but I appreciate your concern.
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Old 02-10-2013, 07:23 PM
 
11,179 posts, read 16,055,690 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justme305 View Post
Newfrontalex, you should consider looking at homes in the Miami Beach area. Maybe the North Beach section or the Mid Beach section. I have a cousin who used to live in a very nice restored 1930s-style home in North Beach in the early 2000s. She had a small child (under 5 yrs old) at the time. I do remember seeing a walkable shopping area on a main street (71st street I think?) near her home with several shops, restaurants and other establishments that looked similar to Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. You said you were interested in proximity to your office near 50th and Biscayne, so a commute from Pinecrest or Coral Gables to your job would just be way too long.
You're selling North Beach short. The walkable retail area runs north/south for 10 blocks along Collins Avenue from 65th Street all the way up to 75th. Numerous restaurants of all ethnicities, several pubs and bars, multiple supermarkets and drug stores, gyms, a couple of parks, a bank and a public library. The shopping area of 71st Street runs east/west from the beach itself all the way across the island and onto Normandy Isle. In addition to more shops, restaurants, and bars, there's also a playhouse theater, a post office, and other commercial establishments such as laundry and dry cleaners, dog groomers, hardware stores, banks and offices.
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Old 02-10-2013, 07:39 PM
 
117 posts, read 175,335 times
Reputation: 65
MMB, I gotta be honest, North Beach looks really run down (to me). I liked Surfside but it just felt hollow. I really disliked Normandy, so I am pretty sure this area is out of the question. Maybe I'm wrong and it's a fantastic place to raise kids. I just didn't feel like I could belong there. Weird, I suppose.
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Old 02-10-2013, 07:51 PM
 
3,848 posts, read 9,341,982 times
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When you come back make sure you bring your walking shoes. It will be the best way to really get a feel for an area.

I used to be really into certain areas and against others simply from what I had read online or saw out of the car window. Once I pounded the pavement it really gave me a lot better perspective. I must have trekked hundreds of miles throughout Miami- no joke.

I wouldn't say Surfside is hollow. It isn't as bustling as some downtown areas, but I like it. Up until a few years ago there were some real steals in that area. Single family 3/2 homes, just a few blocks from the beach going for in the $300's. It is a slower pace so maybe that's why you aren't too fond of it.

I'm not sure if this would work but have you considered a high rise condo? I'm sure you could find a unit next to or on the same floor as the grandparents.
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Old 02-10-2013, 08:35 PM
 
11,179 posts, read 16,055,690 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newfrontalex View Post
MMB, I gotta be honest, North Beach looks really run down (to me). I liked Surfside but it just felt hollow. I really disliked Normandy, so I am pretty sure this area is out of the question. Maybe I'm wrong and it's a fantastic place to raise kids. I just didn't feel like I could belong there. Weird, I suppose.
Yeah, the area away from the beach (basically west of Harding) is nothing to write home about. Normandy is especially dreary. I know nothing of the schools here on the beach (I was raised in the City of West Miami, went to South Miami High & then the U) and didn't mean to imply that you should move here. I was only replying to JustMe about the walkability aspect of North Beach. I think it is great for couples, seniors, and snowbirds who want to live in a condo right on the beach with the added benefits of being able to walk to almost anything you could want. However, I wouldn't recommend the area for someone wanting a SFH or looking to raise a family. I should have been clearer in my response.

We looked at both Surfside and the Millionaires' Row section of Mid Beach, but liked the area of North Beach along Collins Avenue up to 75th St. best of all because of the added amenities here. I couldn't be happier here, but agree that it would not be suitable for you and your family.
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Old 02-10-2013, 11:05 PM
 
117 posts, read 175,335 times
Reputation: 65
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coconut1 View Post
When you come back make sure you bring your walking shoes. It will be the best way to really get a feel for an area.

I used to be really into certain areas and against others simply from what I had read online or saw out of the car window. Once I pounded the pavement it really gave me a lot better perspective. I must have trekked hundreds of miles throughout Miami- no joke.

I wouldn't say Surfside is hollow. It isn't as bustling as some downtown areas, but I like it. Up until a few years ago there were some real steals in that area. Single family 3/2 homes, just a few blocks from the beach going for in the $300's. It is a slower pace so maybe that's why you aren't too fond of it.

I'm not sure if this would work but have you considered a high rise condo? I'm sure you could find a unit next to or on the same floor as the grandparents.
Agreed on all points, but condos are no-go (toddler thing). I was born (and raised) on the 14th floor of a communist building....*shudders*. Not my cup of tea, brings back interesting memories. TMI, I know.

I think Surfside is very nice and clean but looks...boring. And sort of...old, without the old...um, charm, I suppose. People in Surfside (downtown) were extremely nice (great Jewish cafe there on the corner (tiny tiny tiny one, I think the owners were French Jews...maybe)). Now for the name of it...

Again, sorta boring. It's not even boring, it just looks....sleepy. I don't know. We'll have to revisit it. Plus... I really like Mediterranean architecture, i.e.:
3714 SEGOVIA ST, Coral Gables, FL, 33134 - Duplex/Triplex/Fourplex Property for Sale on LoopNet.com

but really dislike whatever this architecture style is called (which, there is a ton of in SoFL):
1150 101 Street, Bay Harbor Islands, FL, 33154 - Duplex/Triplex/Fourplex Property for Sale on LoopNet.com

For some reason, example 2 reminds me of a retirement community-type feel. Crazy, I know.

Back on topic:

Surfside was nice, not many (read: none) multi-family nor large homes + guest (in-laws) quarters.
Normandy-ugh. No. Just no.
North Beach/Mid-beach: looks old (read: not in a good way old)
Coral Gables-expensive, dumb laws, but rather nice, clean architecture, crappy high school, but sort of a low-crime area?
Coconut Grove-funky version of Coral Gables, stay away from the "West Grove"?
Pinecrest-huge lots, great schools, no multi-family, someone's gotta cut all the vegetation on these big-ass lots (can I say, big-ass?)?
Upper East Side: nice homes but too close to gangs and crap for comfortable living?
Key Biscayne: out of my price range
SoBe: I'm not rollin' on 26z so I haz nothing to do right thurr?
Lil Haiti: ha.
West Little Havana: no.
West Kendall: no. Say no to neverending Suburbia.

Am I getting this right so far (sort of a way to summarize our convos so far everyone)? Please feel free to copy/paste my list above and add your own opinions. Great info btw. Except the Little Haiti comment. Ha.
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Old 02-11-2013, 01:10 AM
 
Location: Miami
1,821 posts, read 2,907,388 times
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If you haven't checked S. Miami, it would be a good idea. Don't know about the multi-family housing though. I think that's going to be the toughest thing to find.
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Old 02-11-2013, 03:48 AM
 
Location: USA
38 posts, read 67,943 times
Reputation: 80
Raising kids in Miami? Are you form Europe? Ever heard or seen the Miami Zombie? You're either living in a Fantasy World, or you're just plain uneducated, or you're desperate. Most Americans, born and reared Americans would NEVER, ever raise kids in Miami or even Broward! Now, if you are Latino/a coming form the 3rd world dump, corrupt infested sh*thole like Colombia, then Miami would be a paradise for you! It all depends on where you're coming from!
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Old 02-11-2013, 03:50 AM
 
Location: USA
38 posts, read 67,943 times
Reputation: 80
I live here in Loco Land hence my name. Local news? Ever see it? Crime galore every night! Traffic almost as bad as L.A. !!!!
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Old 02-11-2013, 06:43 AM
 
117 posts, read 175,335 times
Reputation: 65
I am neither uneducated nor desperate. I already stated I was from Europe originally. Yes I've heard of the Miami Zombie and yes I have heard of the crime and seen the congestion and felt the heat and all that. I am well equipped to handle zombies, crackheads, drug dealers, wanna-be thugs,and all the rest of the low-life sludge that may come my way. You probably don't understand that I laugh at majority of the "issues" facing Miami....you haven't seen loco until you go to places like Kosovo, Bosnia, etc.
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