Aventura
One big draw of the area is Tidal Cove Waterpark, with seven water slides and a surf simulator. Also in the area is Gulfstream Park, a thoroughbred horse racetrack with onsite shopping, dining, and a casino. There’s also a Liberal Arts theater, multiple golf courses, and the popular running route, the Aventura Circle.
Nearby is Florida’s largest urban park, Oleta River State Park, where the sparkling high rises of the city fall away into the serene world of the local mangroves and wading birds protected in this local estuary. You can spend the day kayaking along the shoreline or biking along the many miles of scenic trails. There’s also a fishing pier and picnic area for tranquil day trips.
Bal Harbour
The real estate in the area is amongst the most expensive in South Florida, with large single-family homes in gated communities and a collection of ultra-luxury oceanfront condos.
Its most famous for the Bal Harbour Shops, which began as an al fresco mall opened in 1965, expanding into a plaza of beautiful luxury shops surrounded by breezeways, towering palm trees, luscious tropical flowers surrounding koi ponds, and limestone fountains. It has been reported that there is more foot traffic to these luxury retailers than any others in the country per square inch, making it a veritable shopping mecca for many.
After shopping, you can go to many sophisticated dinner locales, including high-end Italian, modern sushi, and inventive French cuisine. It’s considered one of the most exclusive areas in all of South Florida.
Brickell
The iconic neighborhood is considered a lifestyle for many, aptly nicknamed the “Manhattan of the South” for its density of money, shopping, and nightlife.
There are many great luxury properties in the area that offer panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, surrounded by the glittering and dynamic city skyline.
Coconut Grove
One of the best places to get a single-family home in South Florida, with many Mediterranean-style homes. It boasts high levels of safety and lots of great schools in the area.
Its Bahamian roots go all the way back to the 1870s. You’ll find beautiful art galleries, farmer’s markets, and many historic churches.
Often called “The Grove” by locals, there are two major historic estates in the area – the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens and The Barnacle Historic State Park. In addition, there’s the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, the Peacock and Kennedy parks, and countless sidewalk cafes. The area is highly walkable, with the CocoWalk shopping, dining, and entertainment area.
Coral Gables
Less expensive than some of the more central and beachfront areas, its quiet and beauty make it a wonderful investment.
Coral Gables is also home to the University of Miami and two outdoor shopping centers. However, the area is best known for its lush greenery and landscaping, with many parks, golf courses, and some historical landmarks such as the beautiful Venetian Pool.
Being only 10 minutes from Downtown Miami, condos in Coral Gables are an excellent investment, with many developments in the area.
Design District
The Design District is a small area just north of Midtown Miami, specializing in grand displays of creativity. The shopping and arts district is full of trendier, edgier stores for those looking for something a bit different. It was developed by the art collector Craig Robins, becoming an international destination for art and design.
While the luxury stores may be the main draw, the captivating public art is its most prominent unique feature. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA) forms the central nervous system of the area, focusing on the exchange of contemporary art and ideas.
Property prices in the area have been a great investment, as they have been on a steady climb in the area due to the ever-growing SoHo vibe.
The area is also home to some of Miami’s most celebrated restaurants, such as Schwartz’s farm-to-table style cuisine or Harry’s Pizzeria. It has now become home to countless great restaurateurs.
Downtown Miami
The area has deep historical roots, starting as a settlement along the Miami River. Just strolling or cycling along the boardwalk on Biscayne Bay, all the way to Downtown Miami. A development boom started in the 1900s, with iconic buildings such as the beautiful Art Deco
DuPont Building and the Freedom Tower, which is now home to the Museum of Art and Design (MOAD).
The newest great buildings are the American Airlines Area (home of the Miami HEAT), Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), and the Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science – featuring a wonderful aquarium and planetarium. There’s also the Skyviews Miami observation wheel for panoramic views of the Bay.
Edgewater
Property developments in Edgewater are focused on the waterfront condos being built in the area.
There are a variety of high-rise apartment buildings and luxury condos along the water view of Biscayne Bay. Living in Edgewater offers residents easy access to many local businesses, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
Fisher Island
The ultra-luxe community has a private beach club, yacht marina, exclusive spa, and a ninehole golf course. There are also many good restaurants, an aviary, and an observatory. Some celebrities who have lived on the island include Oprah Winfrey, Julia Roberts, and Mel Brooks.
Key Biscayne
Key Biscayne is just across the Rickenbacker Causeway, a subtropical paradise just offshore from the mainland. There’s everything to love with sandy beaches, nature reserves, and restaurants with panoramic views.
Being just far enough away from the downtown commotion, the island is known for its marina, golf course, and tennis center, all tucked between mangroves and lush forests.
Crandon Park centers the area, with over 800 acres of natural splendor. The Historic Viginia Key Beach Park is just down the road, which holds the Miami Seaquarium. The whole area is a nature lover’s paradise, where you can hike a nature trail, climb the historic lighthouse, or go boating.
Miami beach
Miami Beach is famous for its pristine beaches, palm trees, ocean views, nonstop nightlife, and warm weather. Combining the best qualities of neighborhood and city, Miami Beach is a place where the list of cultural touchstones is endless, lots of culinary and entertainment options, and life is just a little more than tantalizing.
You can find everything from luxury high-rise condos to cozy bungalows in the area in its burning hot real estate market.
The beach offers world-renowned art galleries, wellness centers, first-class hotels and second-to-none dining. The area also has a lot of unique architecture in the Art Deco style which makes it one of the world’s most visually distinctive regions.
Midtown
Midtown is tropical and busy, located on Biscayne Bay and featuring that distinctive pastel color palette Miami is so famous for. Midtown Miami is the collective name for the Wynwood and Edgewater areas, but also more specifically the center area directly south of the Miami Design District, slightly north of Downtown. It is home to the colorful and creative Art Miami Art Fair. It’s also home to the Shops at Midtown Miami, a huge outdoor shopping district.
North Bay Village
North Bay Village condos are best for those looking for a luxurious living experience close both to the beach and the mainland. The three islands that make up the North Bay Village are connected by the John F. Kennedy Causeway, connecting Downtown Miami to Miami Beach.
Historically, North Bay Village has attracted celebrities such as Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, and by the 1960s had nightclubs and other entertainment opened up.
Both condos and single-family houses are available on the different islands, just 5 minutes from the beach and 10-15 minutes from downtown.
South of Fifth
South of Fifth, or SoFi, is a neighborhood within South Beach that runs from Fifth Street to South Pointe Park. It’s surrounded by water with breathtaking views in every direction. It’s a peaceful sanctuary just off the tourist’s path, allowing you to get anywhere quickly while still having your peace and quiet.
It’s one of the most exclusive and luxurious areas of Miami, with some of the most remarkable luxury condos being built up in the past decade.
South Pointe Park is a large waterfront park with many family and pet-friendly amenities. Some celebrities have lived in the area, including Pat Riley and Michael Caine.
Sunny Isles Beach
Sometimes called Florida’s Riviera, Sunny Isles Beach boasts many opulent condo resorts along its two miles of white-sand beach. The uniquely South Florida mix of luxury living and the laidback atmosphere is at its height here, with stunning natural beauty all around. There’s lots of seaside dining, poolside cabanas, and plenty of space on the relaxing beachfront.
There’s a sparkling skyline of oceanfront condos available in the 2-square-mile neighborhood, with buzzing activity from day to night. It’s a very walkable, exciting area.
Located just north of Haulover Park, Sunny Isles Beach has the Atlantic to its east and the Intracoastal Waterway flanking its west. Many oceanfront parks, most notably the Samson Oceanfront Park, host concerts in the area periodically. The beach is also host to the
Newport Fishing Pier, Miami’s only public fishing pier spanning 700 feet.
Surfside
Surfside is a small community nestled between Miami Beach and Bal Harbor, known as Miami’s uptown beach community. The Surfside condos are conveniently located along the Atlantic Ocean with easy access to Downtown Miami and Miami beach.
The charming little oasis is decidedly retro, with small-town appeal. For example, Harding Avenue has lots of old-timey facades.
Its also home to the Four Seasons Hotel, housed in a 1930s-era club, which now hosts the Lido Restaurant and Champagne Bar, with a Michelin-star chef over at The Surf Club Restaurant.
The area’s white-sand beaches offer plenty of tanning room and are great for families and friends looking for a relaxing day near the water. Keep an eye out for the Surfside sea turtle sculptures, created by local artists in the area for nesting season.
Wynwood
Wynwood is formerly an industrial district that’s now been converted into a hip, up-and coming area. Just north of Downtown Miami, it’s full of eclectic restaurants, bars, and shops. The area is well known for its international contemporary art community and is most famous for the murals that cover the walls of many of the buildings.
There are lots of new luxury condos being built in the area, with relatively low costs compared with some of the more exclusive luxury areas of the city.
The growth of Wynwood came in part by creating a mecca out of the already present graffiti. In 2009, Developer Tony Goldman commissioned artists to create the Wynwood Walls. This outdoor exhibition of rotating street art is located in the Wynwood Art District.
Finally, there are also craft breweries like the Wynwood Brewing Company and Cerveceria La Tropical that make great destinations alongside the many boutiques, food halls, and other laid-back bars and pubs in the area.