What are Miami’s Best Neighborhoods?

Rather than waste time. Please click here and go to our updated 2023 version of this article titled: ‘The 11 Best Neighborhoods in Miami!’ Happy Reading!

What are the best neighborhoods in Miami? If you are moving or relocating, this article will prove to be the most useful you will find. Within our website, we will arm you with everything you need to find your perfect Condo or single-family home. Access all the listings and detailed analyses and reports. If you are reading this in the search for the right property, as realtors with 15 years of experience, we will be your best ally.
We have recently updated this blog to reflect current property values and to provide you with the most accurate information in this fast-moving market.

All the information below is pinned on the fact that most buyers are working with financial constraints. I feel there was no point telling home buyers how great a neighborhood is if they cannot afford to buy there. Of course, the right home means paying the right price. Our Smart Geek Analysis tools will help you recognize the right $ per sqft for the area and the type of home you want.

Miami Beach – Best Neighborhood in Miami for Beach life

Miami Beach is one of Miami’s most desired and best-known luxury markets. The most desirable Miami Beach homes are in the many gated communities. Some of the desirable Miami Beach communities are The Venetian Islands, Star, Hibiscus and Palm Island, La Gorce Island, the Sunset Islands, and Indian Creek Island. Other homes can be found on prestigious streets; North Bay Road and Pine Tree Drive.

Miami Beach is very desirable with tax refugees from the northeast and California, and during Covid, we saw the demand for single-family homes increase while inventory decreased rapidly. Many Hedge Fund CEOs and Tech entrepreneurs have found a new home in Miami Beach.

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Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and Pinecrest – Best School Neighborhoods.

The Grove and Gables are the fundamental robust primary markets for homeowners, outperforming every other neighborhood in Miami over the last 10 years. These two neighboring areas are brimming with great schools (Elementary, Middle, and High School), local restaurants, and an abundance of parks and beauty. It won’t necessarily come cheap if you want to be east of the US 1.

Coral Gables is much larger than the Grove and offers more diversity. If you are looking for a home on the Golf Course or water, then the Gables is your best bet. Not that Coconut Grove does not offer spectacular waterfront homes, but the Gables has more options. The most desired gated communities in the Grove are Hughes Cove, Entrada Estates, and the Moorings. While the Gables offers desirable communities such as Cocoplum, Gables Estates, Hammock Lakes, and Snapper Creek.

Pinecrest is known for its large homes on large lots. The area is one of Miami’s most desired neighborhoods with families as it is home to an A-rated public school and close to Miami’s best private schools. Compared to Grove and Gables, Pinecrest is more affordable per SF, although its prices have increased considerably since the start of Covid -19, its inventory has evaporated. Pinecrest is not a waterfront neighborhood, the top of the market stays far behind that of Coral Gables and Coconut Grove. The area has a great sense of community and offers many parks. All of the above are family-friendly and provide easy access to Miami International Airport.

Coral Gables Homes for Sale

Coconut Grove Homes for Sale

Pinecrest Homes for Sale

Ponce Davis – Best Luxury ‘None Waterfront’ Neighborhood.

Ponce Davis is nestled between east and west Gables and is often mistaken for Coral Gables. It’s a small area (not indexed nor officially part of Miami Dade County), and buyers do not even know it is called Ponce Davis. This community is now a favorite among luxury buyers, with good quality homes starting around $6M. While the Gables and the Grove still offer homes for $1.5M. In Ponce, those are all gone. Many developers have constructed ultra-luxury homes (on dry lots) in Ponce Davis, which broke record after record.
Ponce Davis is family-friendly and close to the best schools (elementary, middle, or high school).

Ponce Davis Homes for Sale 

South Miami and High Pines – Best Value

South Miami and High Pines are centrally located and are both desired neighborhoods. In the areas west of the highway, there is still a lot of value to be had. We see more developers buy land here to construct large, modern mansions. I have sold several multi-million dollar homes in the area, and luxury buyers are focused on this area as prices in Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and Coconut Grove have increased.

South Miami Homes for Sale

Key Biscayne – Best Neighborhood for Boating

Key Biscayne is an island community with a very laid-back atmosphere and several A-Rated Public Schools and Private schools! Want to live near a beach without the abundance of tourists? Key Biscayne is a perfect place to live. One of the best neighborhoods in Miami if you are looking for a family-friendly and safe environment.
This island community offers many waterfront homes located either on the open ocean or minutes away from the open ocean. Key Biscayne saw a 280% increase in sales during Covid-19 and an 80% decrease in available inventory. Like most of Miami’s luxury home markets, this market is on fire!

Key Biscayne Homes for Sale 

Surfside and Bal Harbour – Best Neighborhood for Beach Living.

Surfside and Bal Harbour are the most sought-after luxury beachfront neighborhoods. Close enough to the action, but not too full of tourists. Surfside is the new place to be for ultra-luxury condo buyers. The introduction of several new ultra-luxury Condos: Arte Surfside, Fendi, The Surf Club Four Seasons, and Eighty-Seven Park (officially still in Miami Beach) has not only raised the profile of the neighborhood but is ushering in a new era of retail for the area: The new Tracey Anderson Gym, new coffee bars and fashion stores planned for the next 12-24 months.

Bal Harbour has been a luxury market for much longer, with condos such as Oceana and St Regis being the top of the class in this area.

South of Fifth is part of the South Beach area and home to some of the best Condos in Miami: Continuum, Apogee, and 321 Ocean. This market much like the rest of the beach market is very much in demand right now. Prices at Continuum have gone up by 50% in some cases. While in 2020 a 2 bedroom could be yours for between $3M and $4M, today it starts at $5M or even $6M. South of Fifth provides easy access to Miami proper.

Surfside Condos for Sale
Bal Harbour Condos for Sale

Brickell – Best for Urban life

Brickell is the ‘Manhattan’ of Miami. The most densely populated urban area. Although Brickell is near the water, it does not offer a beach. Brickell is a great neighborhood to live in and have fun in. With so many shops and restaurants, it is ‘the life of the party. Downsides are the heavy traffic and a high rental base of inhabitants. This Manhattan-style living of drop the car and grab an Uber.

Brickell’s sales prices have gone up, and so did its rental prices. What used to rent for $3K is now renting for $5k what used to be $6K is now $9K. There are also many new condos in the urban core.

Brickell Condos for Sale