Hello Palm Beach! Original Floridians here, looking to return and need your advice! (Miami: apartment complex)

[HavePassportReadyToGo]

Hello all! We've set our sights on south Florida as our next stop in life. Husband is an early, young retiree (law) and I can WFH (education and tech) so we're ready to hightail it out of New York City. (Background info: we're both native Floridians and have lived in lots of places, so we understand the heat.) We don't need glitz and glamour.

But here's the thing... we want to be cautious and rent before committing to a purchase, since we're not even sure the east coast is the perfect fit for us (grew up in Tampa area.)

We would like a luxury 5-star (if there is such a thing) upscale apartment complex for the next year (outside of the downtown area/preferably with lower density) After renting several dumps in Manhattan over the years, what I mean by luxury is having nice, new appliances, a terrace or lanai, a resort style heated pool and tennis court. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths would be ideal for the two of us, somewhere between $1,500 and $2,000. I know, sounds pretty high maintenance, right? Anyway, if this working from home gig works out, we'd then look at buying for the long term. We're still carrying our Co-op on the UWS, and will be travelling back and fourth, so our budget may pose a challenge.

Frankly we haven't lived in an apartment complex before. Concerned about noise and crime.
Since I work from home, we want a quiet place as I'm on the telephone or Zooming all day long. As having noisy neighbors would be problematic, we want to steer clear of student housing areas or family complexes as kids love to scream when playing and having fun and we don't want to be the grouches, but otherwise pretty open.

The only other serious deal-breaker would a poor internet connection. You've probably seen those teleconference calls where the audio cuts out or the picture freezes. Annoying and can be a real problem in business so any advice here would be especially helpful.

We also put an emphasis on low crime rate. Any former New Yorkers out there will understand that we are over the uptick in crime and violence. First the pandemic. Then the anti-police movement has led to hundreds of NYPD officers leaving the city, so lawlessness is on the rise. Who needs it!

Lastly, knowing how rush hour on I-95 can be rough, do you think it is reasonable to think one can occasionally commute to downtown Miami on the VirginTrains? The website makes it seem convenient enough.

Sorry for babbling but if you can mention a few complexes by name I would very much appreciate the lead!
On Google maps, not so easy to separate the really nice and safe places from those that are in .... well,... errr.... less desirable neighborhoods. And who knows, maybe Broward or Dade will be where we eventually land so nothing is off the table.

Many, many thanks for your time.

PS. yes, we once even considered coastal Maine (in the winter!) but you can guess why we let that dream slip away. Ha!

[Lillie767]

I think you have to rethink your budget if you are looking for a luxury rental.

[grassroots]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

I think you have to rethink your budget if you are looking for a luxury rental.

Yeah, and for 3/2 in particular. That's not even close to reality, unfortunately.

[wizrap]

Originally Posted by Lillie767

I think you have to rethink your budget if you are looking for a luxury rental.

I just did a quick Google search and rent for a nice 3/2 apt is about $3500 a month in WPB. Would either have to rethink budget or location, or apartment size/amenities.

[HavePassportReadyToGo]

Ouch. Well that puts a cold, wet blanket on this planned "homecoming." Guess it's not the FLA of my youth. Thanks everyone for your feedback.

[ChristineT1024]

Florida prices have def gone up a lot . However , you can find a 3 bedroom nice apartment/condo to rent for 2000-2300 (with good credit). I’m looking at one now in the MLS in Hypoluxo on the intracoastal for $2200/mo (Yacht club on the Intracoastal it’s called). There are some in Flagler Pointe Condos in West Palm for around that price as well. I am a Realtor so if you need help or have questions , I will be more than happy to answer/assist. Have a blessed day

[HavePassportReadyToGo]

Very nice, thank you. FICO is in low 800's so that's good. There are always extra expenses that will bump the rate even higher but I'll check it out and will reach out to you if we go that route. Best to you as well!

[blueherons]

Originally Posted by HavePassportReadyToGo

Very nice, thank you. FICO is in low 800's so that's good. There are always extra expenses that will bump the rate even higher but I'll check it out and will reach out to you if we go that route. Best to you as well!

You MAY find a one bedroom in a luxury building for $2000. A 3/2 is going to run you up to five grand.