What is it Like to Live on Fisher Island? – The Richest and most Exclusive ZIP code in the USA
What is it Like to Live on Fisher Island?
The exclusive Fisher Island in Miami Beach, Florida has been announced to be the country’s wealthiest zip code in 2018 by a Bloomberg analysis. This ultra-luxury island is one of the only few places in the world where one can completely disconnect from the mainland while still being surrounded by high-end amenities and services and while still being close to a vibrant city core. The David Siddons Group will take you on a tour and explain you everything there is to know about this exclusive residential community and what is it like to live on Fisher Island.
How to Get to Fisher Island, Fl?
Fisher Island Miami is an exclusive 216-acre island located minutes off the coast of Miami, and is only accessible by yacht or private ferry. Once you arrive at the ferry terminal you can only access the ferry if you are a resident, a guest of a resident or a guest of the small luxury hotel on the Island.
The ferry leaves every 5 minutes and takes up to 7 and a half minute to reach Fisher Island. Ferries are available all year round and new ferries are expected soon with more capacity to transport residents and their guests. Commercial traffic to and from the island will be separated from residents’ transport. On the island you will see most transportation is done with golf carts, courtesy to the residents. An off-island parking lot and trolley is provided for employees.
Fisher Island Residents
It is said that around 700 families live on the 216 acre island. That is one family per 13,441 SF, speaking of privacy!! Although Fisher Island residents mostly use the island as a second, third or even fourth residence, in recent years more and more families have made it their primary residence. Many tax law refugees from states like NY and NJ are now flocking into the island, as well as many wealthy families from South America who value the safety and privacy.
How Self Sufficient is the Island?
When it comes to everyday needs on Fisher Island, one has access to a small bank, a post office, a grocery store, several dining facilities, a fire rescue station and emergency medical services. The island is also home to several playgrounds for kids, marinas and beaches. The island has no pharmacy however and although the supermarket offers a good amount of products, the variety of products is not as wide as on the mainland. The Fisher Island Public Safety Department and The Fisher Island fire station provide services 24 hours a day. There is no recorded/reported crime.
For children, there is a private accredited day school on Fisher Island; Fisher Island Day School is A-Rated and serves grades PK till grade 8. The school has currently over 80 students enrolled.
The Amenities at Fisher Island, Florida
Fisher Island is a resort-style island and offers the top class amenities;
The historic Vanderbilt Mansion
Built in 1935 to the design of famed Palm Beach architect Maurice Fatio, the historic Mediterranean Mansion is home to the Garwood Lounge, the City View Café, the Snooker Club, Café Tangier, the Library, the drawing room and the Ballroom.
- Garwood Lounge and Piano Bar, Fine dining
- City View Cafe, elegant restaurant
- Library Drawing room and Salon
- Grand Ballroom available for Club and Private functions
- Snooker Club billiards and dining room for equity members only
- Heated saltwater pool with attendant service
The Fisher Island Club Hotel
A member of “The Leading Hotels of the World”, this 15-room boutique property boasts four historic cottages, six courtyard villas and a guest house with five junior suites.
The Links
This par 35 championship nine-hole golf course designed by P.B. Dye includes a double-ended driving range, putting green, clubhouse, pro shop and the Golf Grill
The Tennis Center
This world-class tennis facility features 18 lighted courts, including 2 grass, 5 red clay, 2 hard and 9 Hydro Har-Tru courts, as well as a pro shop.
Spa Internazionale
The 24,000 square-foot Mediterranean-style spa retreat offers a full range of health and wellness services and body treatments, in addition to a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal training and aqua therapy.
The Fisher Island Marinas
Two surge-proof marinas with over 100 slips: one residents-only marina and one deep-water marina accommodating yachts up to 250 feet. Moreover the marinas offer a ship store, a seaplane ramp and there are yacht and fishing charters available
Beaches and the Fisher Island Beach Club
Fisher Island has over one mile of pristine white sand beaches with imported Bahamian white sand, with a full-service beach at the Beach Club. The beach club offers a casual beachside restaurant and seaside pavilions with beach attendant service
Dining Venues
Seven unique dining establishments range from casual to elegant, for every palate and occasion: Beach Club, Café Porto Cervo, City View Café, Garwood Lounge, Golf Grill, Sunset Bar, Sushi Bar and La Trattoria.
Town Center
A waterfront dining and retail destination set alongside the Island’s resident marina. Town Center includes the Island Market, La Trattoria, Porto Cervo, Regions Bank and Rey’s Dry Cleaners.
Conference Center
Located at the Tennis Center, this fully equipped corporate board room comfortably accommodates up to 40 people and is equipped with audio-visual technology.
Vanderbilt Park
There’s something for everyone to enjoy at this community park, including a children’s playground, exercise area, dog park, basketball court and volleyball court.
Real Estate on Fisher Island
Fisher Island real estate is pre-dominantly a condo market. All condo buildings on the island are built in the same style to keep a certain conformity. There are only 8 Fisher Island homes for sale, none of which are located on waterfront lots. Most Fisher Island condos offer large residences with 3,000+ sf and 3+ bedrooms. Many buyers of Fisher Island condos buy here because they feel it is the perfect replacement for a single-family home, but with more security.
Fisher Island is home to two brand new construction projects: Palazzo del Sol and Palazzo della Luna, both offering the highest standards in finishes, 3+ bedrooms and 3,700 SF or more of interior SF. These two ultra-luxury condos will be delivered in 2019 and are considered as one of the top Miami condos by the David Siddons Group
Membership and Cost of Living
The Equity membership is not mandatory on Fisher Island, however, it gives full accessibility to all the amenities Fisher Island has to offer. Equity Memberships are available to Fisher Island property owners and a limited number of non-property owners. Each Equity Membership represents an equity ownership interest in the Club. The membership entitles the Member and his/her immediate family (Member’s spouse and their unmarried children under the age of 24) to use the Club facilities and amenities and attend Special Membership Events. This accessibility includes the Beach Club, several fine dining restaurants, the social club, The SPA, 18 of South Florida’s finest tennis courts (red clay, grass, green clay and hard surface), golf course, and the lovely two marinas.
Not having the membership limits the resident to a small portion the island amenities. If you enjoy the “ club” lifestyle that the island offers, having all these amenities consolidated is a key benefit.
Fisher Island’s HOA fees, including reserves average at $1.15 per SF. Additionally, the FICA fee (Fisher Island Community Association) is a flat $2800 monthly fee, which adds as an additional $0.60 to $0.85 per SF depending on the size of the unit. The FICA fees are what maintain the beautiful landscaping and road upkeep of the 217 acres of this private island. This includes additionally, the transportation system, on island services such our on island fire department, security, administrative offices, banking services, dry-cleaning and super market and last but not least the private one mile long pristine beach, private health clinic and house of worship.
The HOA and FICA fees total to a maximum of $2.00 per SF. This is a lower fee than those of many Miami Beach luxury condos. (Please call us for more information on HOA price comparisons)
