Miami’s nickname, “The Magic City,” says it all.
Almost everything this jewel of South Florida has to offer is nothing short of magical. The exclusive nightlife, the Latin-American flavor, the party scene, the golf courses. This list can go on and on, and we didn’t even mention beaches, the primary factor of Miami’s popularity.
Home to one of the most famous beaches in the world, the 305 is a place many homebuyers dream of calling home. And not just those who want neverending spectacle and nightlife.
Multiple neighborhoods in Miami stand out for their residential charm, luxurious decor, and community feel. Some boast mouthwatering Spanish Revival-style homes, while others are covered in vibrant greenery and feel more like resorts than neighborhoods.
Choosing where to live in Miami is no easy task.
That’s why the team at Prevu Real Estate set out to make it as fun for you as heading to the white sands of Miami Beach. Below are the top neighborhoods you need to know before moving to Miami.
Best neighborhoods in Miami
- South Beach
- Brickell
- Downtown Miami
- Coconut Grove
- Coral Gables
- Little Havana
- Bal Harbour
- Wynwood
- Key Biscayne
South Beach
The undisputed heavyweight of Miami nightlife, South Beach is notorious for its party scene.
Spring Break transforms South Beach into an outdoor college dorm room with bass-busting techno and rivers of booze.
But that’s about it when it comes to cons. South Beach is a hotspot that never stops being a desirable destination for aspiring homeowners. Spring Break may bring a raucous crowd, but South Beach’s nightlife scene extends far beyond college kids’ party fantasies.
Some of the most exclusive nightclubs in the country, along with an impressive line-up of highly-rated bars and restaurants, separate South Beach from the rest. It’s safe to claim that you will never run out of entertainment options if you move to South Beach.
But what’s it like to actually live here?
Believe it or not, it’s not that hard to escape the hustle and bustle of South Beach. Locals have long since developed routines that allow them to enjoy the beauty of South Beach without the congestion. Avoid the rush of Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue and head to South Pointe Park. There you can take in the luxurious condos of South of Fifth while enjoying a more tranquil beachfront experience you wouldn’t expect to find in South Beach.
Take the time to appreciate the vast display of timeless Art Deco Architecture, and you’ll soon realize South Beach is more than just nightlife.
Brickell
Brickell may not have sandy shores and pleasant waves upon demand, but it is the undisputed financial capital of Miami.
Some of the most renowned banks and international companies maintain offices here, while amenity-packed condo buildings make up most of the area’s housing stock.
Even if beachside living is a must for you, don’t be quick to cross Brickell off your list.
To make up for its lack of direct beach access, Brickell offers the Brickell City Centre. Over one billion dollars helped create the green-minded shopping and dining attraction, complete with a cinema and mini golf course.
Brickell also takes Miami’s chic dining and entertainment scene to the skies. Top-of-the-line eateries like LPM and Crazy About You have made their nests in the dramatic high-rises overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Undoubtedly, Brickell will attract buyers whose hearts lie with a metropolis. Gleaming buildings, concrete streets, and endless shops and restaurants might even make you forget you’re in a beach city. That is until the Atlantic breeze reminds you that a beach is just a stone’s throw away.
Downtown Miami
Speaking of a metropolis, Downtown Miami is a breed of its own when it comes to illustrious skylines and a big-city feel.
The neighborhood more than deserves the mantle of “Downtown.” Yet amid the museums, theaters, restaurants, banks, and skyscrapers, the gentle, sea-side breeze makes it clear you are still within range of a tropical vacation whenever you desire.
The perks of moving to Downtown Miami are all about having access to, well, everything. You’ll find no shortage of curious museums, such as the Peréz Art Museum and Frost Museum of Science. You can spoil yourself at the local mom-and-pop shops that take prevalence here over big-box retailers. You’ll have access to transportation, a wealth of decorated restaurants and bars, and (the cherry on top) you’ll be within a 20-minute drive of Miami Beach.
Sports fans will also favor Downtown. The Miami Heat play at the FTX Arena (likely to be re-named soon), which sits right on the water off Biscayne Boulevard.
Coconut Grove
If you’re the kind of buyer who wants “something special”, consider visiting Coconut Grove.
Take a 15-minute drive down I-95 from Downtown Miami, and soon enough, you’ll realize you’ve found “something special.”
You might notice the herd of bobbing boats on the water, a telltale sign that the waterfront lifestyle takes precedence here. Or you may take in the lush canopy that envelopes Miami’s oldest neighborhood, insulating it from the hustle and bustle of its neighbors.
Coconut Grove traces its roots to 1825. It steadily grew to attract local artists and soon became the epicenter of Miami’s counterculture movement in the 70s. That free-spirit ambiance remains today, found in the local cafes, home-grown shops and bookstores, and in the laid-back atmosphere that is as mesmerizing as the neighborhood’s natural beauty.
Some of the most iconic architecture in Miami is found in Coconut Grove. From extravagant villas hidden away in their own private jungles to the famous Vizcaya Museum Gardens, which hosts farmer’s markets and live events, the historic charm of old-school luxury is prevalent on almost every street.
Boatowners will be hard-pressed to find a more attractive neighborhood. Coconut Grove’s marina is one of the largest in the city, and few locales can offer the same carefree air of hopping on a boat and taking in the charm of your hometown.
Coral Gables
Some of Miami’s most expensive neighborhoods have difficulty competing with Coral Gables.
Flush with luxury estates and celebrity homes, Coral Gables defines the meaning of “upscale” in almost every way and is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in all of Miami-Dade County.
It was one of Miami’s first planned communities, and the meticulous design is visible in every manicured corner of this historic neighborhood. Almost every tree and exotic plant seem perfectly placed, and charming scenery surrounds every nook and cranny of Coral Gables.
Designed to be serene, Coral Gables blends peace and quiet with an abundance of entertainment and dining that mysteriously never break the prevailing calm of the area. Famous restaurants and bars line Ponce de Leon Boulevard, while Miracle Mile easily lives up to its name with the abundance of shopping options amid easygoing outdoor cafes.
Homebuyers with a penchant for the “best of the best” will find plenty of options to explore in Coral Gables. Spanish Revival and Mediterranean Revival styles dominate the exclusive housing stock. Luxury condos with top-of-the-line amenities and exquisite views are on offer for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with the upkeep of a single-family home.
Little Havana
Cafe con Leche, salsa, Cuban sandwiches, Cuban cigars, and a flood of colors and flavors you’ll have no difficulty falling in love with.
This is just a taste of what Little Havana has to offer.
The centerpiece of Miami’s Cuban community, the neighborhood was designated a National Treasure in 2017. An influx of Cubans in the 1960s laid the roots for what was soon to become one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Miami.
Understandably, Little Havana is a magnet for tourism and locals alike. But the richness of Cuban culture on display and the vibrant energy of its local eateries, bars, dance clubs, and live music venues are irresistible, no matter the number of people wandering the streets.
If you choose to settle in one of Miami’s liveliest neighborhoods, you’ll soon be able to distinguish the tourist traps from the authentic experience, and that’s where the legendary magic of Miami comes alive.
Calle 8 may be the most well-known part of Little Havana, lined with everything a wide-eyed tourist may want to sample of Cuban culture, but a closer look will reveal salsa clubs, bakeries, cafes, and cigar shops that quickly make it obvious you’ve stepped into something special.
Head to the Cubaocho Museum & Performing Arts Center and let your jaw drop as you find guided museum tours and ticket booths replaced with a stunning Cuban bar with an extensive rum collection. This is a well-known gem among locals and never fails to deliver authentic Cuban culture.
Interested buyers can expect to choose from single-floor bungalows, a swathe of condo options, and Mission Revival-style homes.
Bal Harbour
Wondering what it would be like to enjoy Miami Beach without the airport-like crowds? Then head to Bal Harbour.
Situated in the northern reaches of Biscayne Bay, Bal Harbour is a dreamy getaway that offers all the beach-themed pleasures of Miami, untouched by city chaos. Balmy weather keeps the tiny neighborhood in a perpetual loop of laid-back days and low-key nights.
On the surface, Bal Harbour seems like a sleepy beach town with tucked-away homes and condos. But as you start exploring, you’ll quickly realize an affluent layer of luxury that sets Bal Harbour apart as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Miami.
Upscale boutique brands like Prada and Versace line the exotic streets of Bal Harbour Shops. The open-air shopping mall can easily serve as a walk through the park if you’re not interested in spending, thanks to the generous greenery and sleek palm trees.
Bal Harbour’s pride and joy is Bal Harbour Beach, one of Miami’s most pristine beaches. The famous white sands of Miami Beach extend to Bal Harbour while leaving the crowds behind. As a local, you’ll likely spend most of your time here. It’s one of the neighborhood’s most coveted perks and a significant driver of home prices.
Palatial estates, many in the Mediterranean or Spanish Revival style, can be found within exclusive gated communities, while beachside condos strive to offer the zenith of luxury in Miami.
Wynwood
A dream come true for any hipster, Wynwood should satisfy anyone that holds the words “edgy” and “craft” in high regard.
Miami's hip, art-filled mural capital is the centerpiece of the city’s art scene with a side of craft breweries. Not surprisingly, it donned the mantle of Miami’s “Art District”. Wynwood’s history is similar to many neighborhoods that eventually decorate their avenues with street art while attracting craft brewers: it was once an abandoned-warehouse wasteland.
But development transformed Wynwood into one of Miami’s most exciting neighborhoods, with plenty of bars and restaurants, eclectic menus, the Wynwood Walls open-air museum, and countless murals of international acclaim.
Life in Wynwood can be a cure-all for the easily bored. Bar hopping is a local pastime, and countless top-notch breweries like Wynwood Brewing Co. keep the beer culture alive in Miami.
Key Biscayne
By now, most buyers will have likely picked out a few neighborhoods they’d want to call home. But if you’re still on the fence, then maybe an island paradise should do the trick.
Key Biscayne is connected to Downtown Miami via the FL-913. The 15-minute drive is the only connection between the outside world and one of Miami’s most desired island wonderlands.
As isolated as it may seem at first glance, Key Biscayne is a hotspot for international events. It hosts the Miami Open and the Miami International Boat Show, and its oceanfront restaurants always draw a crowd.
Beachgoers have the luxury of choosing from multiple options. Head to Crandon Beach and rent a cabana to enjoy a postcard scene of white sand and picture-perfect palm trees. Or travel to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park to discover a nearly 200-year-old lighthouse and outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.
The prestige of Key Biscayne is naturally reflected in its home prices. Conjure the most opulent beachside property in your mind, and you’ll likely find it in Key Biscayne. And the island’s exquisite condo buildings with unparalleled views of the Miami skyline are some of Miami's most coveted real estate.
