South Florida Babies
moving to Miami - family friendly places to live?
Hi, my husband will probably be taking a (non clinical) job at Miami Children's Hospital. We know NOTHING about Miami at all. Where are some areas/neighborhoods that are family friendly that we could consider? We will have a kindergartener and a 2 year old when school starts. I won't have a job right away so we will have to keep budget in mind. I would also appreciate advice on how the schools are rated and how to learn about which schools are good. I would also like to know if there are neighborhoods where great families live but maybe send their kids to private school instead of the local public school. thanks so much for any advice!
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Re: moving to Miami - family friendly places to live?
Miami Children's is a great hospital. It is located in Coral Gables, which is a very nice (ritzy) neighborhood. Not sure what public schools are in that area, but a few options for private schools. Pinecrest is a bit further south, and is another very nice neighborhood. Both are established and are family friendly.
Miami is very big, and has a lot of school choices, public, charter, private. Perhaps some of the teachers on the board can help with narrowing things down. If you choose private, most private schools are affilited with a religion.
"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane" -- Jimmy Buffett
thanks, i will check out pinecrest too! which board are you referring to? the hospital board?
Ohthanks, i will check out pinecrest too! which board are you referring to? the hospital board?
thanks, i will check out pinecrest too!
BFP #3: 01/28/12, EDD: 09/23/12, MMC (BO), D&C 2/16/12 at 6.5 wks
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BFP #5 on 09/10/12 (11 DPO). HCG #1 @ 14DPO = 131.6 HCG #2 @ 16DPO = 509
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"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane" -- Jimmy Buffett
Camryn Grace ~ July 6th, 2009 ~ 7lbs 9oz, 20.5"
Brayden Richard Drew ~ December 20, 2010~7lbs 9oz, 20"
Like others have said, MCH is in Schenley Park which is a fantastic neighborhood. My mom lives there now just 2 blocks away. Homes are in the $300-500,000 range. I bought my house in the City of West Miami which is just a couple blocks north of Schenley. Its a tiny quiet city with a private police department, 3 different family friendly parks, and an A elemantary school. We LOVE it here. Very safe, I see the police drive by at least once a day. Homes are in the $200-$400,000 range.
South Miami is another great option but it tends to be kindof dark at night and I've always worried about safety because of its proximity to some bad areas although in recent years, South Miami has really cleaned up its less desirable areas.
Schenley Park, Coral Gables, South Miami and West Miami are all GREAT, family-friendly neighborhoods right by MCH but none of them are exactly cheap. South Miami and West Miami are probably the more affordable options compared to the other two. Unfortunately the public school system in Miami is not the greatest, so a lot of families who can afford to do send their kids to private schools. Having said that, the area near the hospital probably has some of the better public schools in Miami. There's Sylvania Heights in West Miami like Laura mentioned and there's also David Fairchild right in South Miami (bordering Coral Gables). Both are excellent elementary schools, as is Ponce Elementary in Coral Gables.
The point is that the hospital is in a great area with a lot of great neighborhoods and great schools, but the cost of living is high, so it's a trade off. There are other really nice areas in Miami that aren't quite as expensive but it would mean more of a commute for your husband and the public schools in those areas probably aren't as top tier.
Cool beans! We must be - b/c we are walking distance to DFE too! Playdate sometime?!
I would suggest Weston. Little bit of a commute but well worth it. We live in Plantation and husband commutes to Miami Airport. We really like Plantation and find it VERY family friendly. I work in Fort Lauderdale so Plantation is a good middle ground for us. Plus ...i like the open feeling of Plantation/Davie area. We have only been here 3 yrs. So right there with you on the whole "i know nothing about the area".
Work with a RE agent to find rentals.
Hi! I feel your pain. My husband and I are moving to Miami in a month and we know nothing about the area (being relocated for his job.) Good luck in your search, I would hate to steer you in the wrong direction. When are you moving there?
Meghan
You didn't mention the price range you are looking for. Although the Gables, South Miami, Schenley (SP?) Park and Pinecrest areas are WONDERFUL, they are VERY expensive. I also live in Country Walk (like BritishBride) and I love it!!!! Very quiet, peaceful, family oriented, best bang for your bucks as far as size of house and size of land you can get. Easy access to the turnpike which will get you anywhere in a flash.
Good luck!