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Moving to a new city is always challenging. That’s why we’ve researched the best neighborhoods for families in Miami for you, so you don’t have to.
This list is a more in-depth guide meant to examine what it’s like living in each of these highlighted areas, with links to popular destinations, as well as available houses for sale and apartments for rent (and by way of introduction, we’re Bellhop —Miami movers and beyond).
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A Little About Raising Families in Miami
Despite its party-centric reputation, Miami is a great place for families. It has a diverse Latino population, with residents from Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico, all with different cultures and customs. The city also has a substantial Bahamian, Jamaican and Haitian population there as well, among other nationalities. And Miami’s LGBT population is pretty large as well, all making for rich experiences that children can learn from.
The Miami metro area also has more than 150 public parks for families to explore, many with playgrounds and splash pads. And there are plenty of kid-friendly attractions to help keep your little ones entertained and educated, with places like the Miami Children’s Museum, Gold Coast Railroad Museum, Crandon Park Amusement Center, the Miami Book Fair, and the Miami-Dade County Youth Fair, among others.
And Miami is close to the ocean, of course, with access to lots of beaches, but also to the Everglades, which means families can go hiking, camping, canoeing and kayaking, and see alligators and crocodiles on airboat tours. There’s also Jungle Island, Zoo Miami, the Miami Seaquarium and the Monkey Jungle, where you can see all sorts of other animals.
Miami is very walkable, with many people able to run errands on foot. It is ranked as the 6th most walkable large city in the U.S.
And now, let’s talk about the neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking to live in the city or one of Miami’s suburbs, rest assured you’ll find a neighborhood that’s just right for you and your family. And don’t worry, we’re here to help. So, just for you, here are some of the best neighborhoods for families in Miami.
Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is not only Miami’s oldest neighborhood, but it’s one of the city’s most popular, especially for families. Founded in 1873, The Grove is located in the heart of the city. It isust south of the Brickell and The Roads neighborhoods, east of Coral Gables and just under four miles from downtown Miami You can hop on the MetroMover, a free train that loops around popular attractions, or travel on foot. Coconut Grove has a high score of 90 for walkability.
This seaside village has a bohemian vibe and is distinctly different than a lot of other Miami neighborhoods, with tall oak trees, plenty of parks and even an occasional roaming peacock (I told you it was bohemian). It’s also bike-friendly and very walkable. And don’t worry—it’s also one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami, with 24/7 police surveillance.
What’s Happening in Coconut Grove
One of the kid-friendliest neighborhoods in Miami, Coconut Grove has plenty of things to do for families. CocoWalk serves as the heart of the neighborhood, with a health club, a Starbucks, a movie theater and shops.
There’s also Silly Monkeys Playhouse, a place where kids can take art and music classes, play and explore. There’s also the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, which features 2,500 pieces of art and historic furnishings, along with 25 acres of scenic views and hedge mazes. And for book lovers, there’s the local bookstore, Bookstore in the Grove, which has books for young and old readers alike.
Schools in Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove has some of Miami’s best private schools including Carrollton and Ransom. There’s also the Coconut Grove Montessori School, Frances S. Tucker Elementary and George Washington Carver MIddle School.
Homes in Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove has mostly single-family homes but also has ultra-luxury condos. Home prices range in this area anywhere from $255,000 to $2.2 million.. Rentals average $3,198 per month.
Weston
Weston has been ranked in CNN Money’s “Best Places to Live in America” and in Family Circle’s “Ten Best Places for Families,” and there’s a good reason. Weston has 14 parks for families to explore, 46 miles of marked bike lanes for family bike rides, and plenty of shopping and dining.
Located along the edge of Florida’s Everglades National Park, this exclusive master-planned community was established as a city in 1996 and was developed by the same firm that developed Disney World. Needless to say, this neighborhood has one of the lowest crime rates in the Miami area. Downtown Miami is about 40 miles south of Weston. Depending on the time of day, traffic can increase your travel time to downtown from Weston.
Crime in Weston is 80% lower than the national average, and one of the safest places to live near Miami.
What’s Happening in Weston
Weston is a very family-minded community where everything seems to revolve around the family. For example, take Little Java’s Family Fun Center, a 12,00 square foot indoor playground with colorful inflatable houses, rock climbing, ropes courses, and an arcade.
Then there’s Sawgrass Recreation Park, where you can board an airboat and tour the Florida Everglades, where you can see birds, fish and alligators. You’ll also be able to visit the Exotic Wildlife Exhibit, where you can see leopards, panthers and other wild creatures.
Of course, there are plenty of things to do with adults in mind, such as Weston Town Center, the place to go for a wide range of shopping and dining options. There are also a number of golf courses and sports clubs, as well as the Bella Vita Mediterranean Spa, where you can relax after a long day of adventure.
Schools in Weston
Part of the Broward County Public School System, Weston has seven elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools, along with four private schools and two schools of higher and continuing education.
Homes in Weston
Filled with a number of different neighborhoods, Weston offers a variety of houses with a median sales price of $800,000 and rentals for $2,820 per month.
Parkland
Located about 45 miles from downtown Miami in Broward County, Parkland has 22 neighborhoods and was incorporated as a city in 1963. At seven square miles, the city of Parkland is mostly residential, with many homes situated on multiple acres of land with horse stalls in the back because of its equestrian-loving residents.
Though the city is quickly growing, it still maintains its small-town flavor. This city is known for its zoning laws, which are designed to maintain and protect the unique character of the city.
What’s Happening in Parkland
Tthere were no stores in Parkland until the early 2000s, but all of that changed with the Shoppes of Parkland, a small shopping center anchored by BJ’s Wholesale Club. But Parkland isn’t overrun by shopping or attractions, for that matter.
For family fun, there are places such as Monkey Joe’s in nearby Coral Springs, Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton and Coconut Cove Water Park, also in Boca Raton.
Schools in Parkland
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School serves almost all of Parkland, though there are small sections that are zoned from Coral Springs High School.Majory Stoneman Douglas High School suffered a tragic school shooting in 2018, and the community is still grappling with the trauma of that event.
As far as high schools, there is also Pompano Beach High School. Westglades Middle School serves almost all of Parkland, but there are small sections that are zoned for Forest Glen Middle School in Coral Springs.
And Parkland has three public elementary schools and one private school, Mary Help of Christians School.
Homes in Parkland
The average home price in Parkland is just over $1 million, while the average rental price is around $2,455.
Brickell
This urban neighborhood is located in the downtown area of Miami, directly south of the historic Central Business District. It is a great area to explore by bike or on foot and has a score of 94 for walkability and 83 for biking. Brickell is Miami’s and South Florida’s major financial district and one of the largest in the U.S. It was founded in the mid-19th century and grew to become Miami’s “Millionaire’s Row,” lined with lavish mansions.
Now, many of those mansions have been replaced by office towers, hotels, and apartments. Brickell is one of the city’s fastest-growing and most dense neighborhoods, with a total residential population of around 56,000 people. The crime rate in Brickell is 66% lower than the Florida average, and it is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami.
There are quite a few schools in the Brickell neighborhood amidst all the new construction that abounds there, with new hotels, state-of-the-art shopping complexes and plenty of condos going up at great speed. What else makes Brickell family-friendly? All of the museums, play areas and entertainment options, which we’ll get to in the next section.
What’s Happening in Brickell
If you’re looking for some family fun, there’s the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, The Learning Nest, Sprout Kids Yoga, and Silly Monkeys Playhouse, among other attractions.
For a parents’ night out, Miami’s best rooftop bars, like Whisper Cocktail Lounge and Sugar, are close by. And the Brickell City Centre is a luxury mall with retailers such as The Apple Store, Saks Fifth Avenue and other famous swanky brands.
Schools in Brickell
There are quite a few schools in the area, such as Southside Elementary, Key Point Academy and KLA Schools of Brickell.
Homes in Brickell
Brickell has high-rise condos, apartments that rent for $3,063 a month and a few single-family homes with a median listing price of $750,000.
Pinecrest
A suburb of Miami with a population of around 19,000, Pinecrest was incorporated as a city in 1996 and is within the Miami-Dade metro area and about 18 miles from downtown. Covering about eight square miles of land, it’s recognized as one of the most beautiful residential areas in South Florida.
Labeled as a village, Pinecrest was first founded as a staging area during the construction of Overseas Highway, which connects the mainland to the Florida Keys. As Miami expanded in the 1960s, the area became more popular andfamous for its tennis, schools and relaxing way of life. There are a lot of young professionals that live in Pinecrest.
What’s Happening in Pinecrest
In Pinecrest, the main road is US1, which has grocery stores, strip malls and car dealerships. The neighborhood does offer a lot of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Family-friendly things to do in the area include Just 4 Fun, Evelyn Greer Park and All-Star Party World.
Schools in Pinecrest
Schools in and around Pinecrest include Saint Louis Covenant School, Pinecrest Elementary and Miami Palmetto Senior High School.
Homes in Pinecrest
Pinecrest is home to the priciest mansion in the county, with architecture that varies from neo-Colonial plantations to Mediterranean Revival. But also, many of the houses in Pinecrest were custom-built by the owners, so there are styles that don’t quite fit into a category. The current average price of homes in the area is around $2.4 million , and the average rent is around $2,119 per month.
There you have it: the best neighborhoods for families in Miami
Neighborhoods are about location and lifestyle, to be sure. But more importantly, they are about the people who live in them. These neighborhoods offer a variety of lifestyles to meet almost anyone’s needs. We hope this guide to the best neighborhoods for families in Miami helps you make the right choice to fit your lifestyle. We also help coordinate moves for nearby cities such as Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa should you be interested!
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