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City of Miami Neighborhood Guide

Guide: Moving to Miami, FL

At Goldman Residential Group, we understand that finding the right property is only part of a successful residential real estate transaction. We pride ourselves on helping our clients find the best fit for them and their families in this large, diverse city. We hope you enjoy this neighborhood guide curated by Hazel and Evan!

Introduction to Miami, FL

Miami is a cosmopolitan metropolis located in southeastern Florida.

With its gorgeous weather, vibrant culture, world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, and unique geography, it’s a world-class city to reside in. It’s no surprise that people are flocking to Miami from all over the country and world.

Miami’s made up of many neighborhoods, each with its own aesthetic, personality, characteristics, and vibe. Selecting the right neighborhood is as important as finding the right home. Hazel (a former math teacher and guidance counselor, in Miami since 1974) and Evan (a Miami native and excellent Spanish speaker) have a deep understanding of the city and can help you identify which area is the best fit based on your priorities. They will help you analyze both the home requirements to meet your needs as well the your schools, commuting, and financing options to best serve you.

Things To Do In Miami, FL

Each Miami neighborhood offers unique experiences. There is a neighborhood for every type of lifestyle. Here is just a taste of the premier experiences available in some of Miami’s most coveted neighborhoods:

In Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay, residents can enjoy Pinecrest Gardens, a lush 20-acre park, event venue, and the site of a fabulous farmer’s market, or the Deering Estate, a cultural asset, and historic site.

Residents of Coral Gables and South Miami can spend time on Miracle Mile or Sunset Drive, charming streets full of shopping and dining, or Giralda Plaza, a pedestrian walkway lined with delicious dining. Outdoor activities include Old Cutler Trail, a magical tree-lined bike path that leads to Matheson Hammock Park, and Fairchild Tropical Garden, both beautiful outdoor destinations. The Venetian Pool is another fantastic outdoor destination for local swimmers: it’s an aquatic facility with two waterfalls and cave-like grottos. Its Mediterranean architecture, lush palm trees, and whimsical waterfalls make this an iconic Miami landmark at your fingertips. Residents of this area are also near one of the city’s most luxurious destinations, the Biltmore Hotel & Resort, where they can enjoy exceptional dining, world-class golf, unparalleled service, and stunning architecture among other amenities.

Downtown Miami houses many landmarks and experiences such as the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts which hosts many types of entertainment including the Miami City Ballet, Miami Opera, Miami World Symphony, Broadway performances, regular performances of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as a jazz concert series, dance series and Summer Short plays. Wynwood and the Design District, two of the city’s most popular neighborhoods, are located in Downtown Miami. Both are known for their outdoor art installations, incredible dining, and shopping. Also in Downtown Miami, Museum Park, Bayside Marketplace, and Bayfront Park all hug Biscayne Bay and are open for everyone’s enjoyment. 

On Miami Beach, residents can enjoy access to Lincoln Road Mall, a world-famous shopping street and event venue, and major annual events such as Art Basel, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, and the Miami International Auto Show.

An emphasis on art and experiences is consistent across all of Miami’s most desirable neighborhoods, and even the most utilitarian of spaces are used to make areas more vibrant and resident-friendly. For example, The Underline project is transforming the land below Miami’s Metrorail — from the Miami River to Dadeland South Station—into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, and public art destination.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find Miami and its surrounding areas thrilling because of its beautiful beaches, countless local parks and gardens, and national parks such as the Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. The Everglades National Park in particular is incredible because of the variety of activities it offers residents and visitors, making it perfect for a day trip. Activities include:

  • Self-guided and ranger-led tours
  • World-class fishing
  • Backcountry camping
  • Tram tours
  • Biking trails
  • Wildlife observation
  • Beautiful views from a 65-foot observation tower

Sports In Miami

Miami is perfect for sports fans of all kinds. With so many sports teams and athletic events, there is no off-season.

The city is home to five major league sports franchises:

Fans of college sports can cheer on the University of Miami’s Hurricanes or Florida International University’s Panthers during football, basketball, and baseball season.

Other notable sporting events include (in chronological order*):

The Life Time Miami Marathon and Half-Marathon take place annually (January) and draw thousands of runners to the city each year.

Miami Sailing Week is an annual (March) international regatta that brings hundreds of sailors from all over the world to Biscayne Bay.

The Miami Open also takes place annually (March-April). It’s one of the biggest, most exciting tennis tournaments in the world and draws world-class tennis talent to Miami.

The Mercedes Benz Corporate Run is an annual 5K (April) that brings countless workplaces together for a good cause. Over 25,000 people participate, making it the largest 5K in the state of Florida and one of the largest in the country. Proceeds benefit local charities.

The World Polo League Beach Polo Cup takes place on Miami Beach each year (April-May) and is the largest and most notable Beach Polo event in the world.

*Dates subject to change.

Best Schools In Miami, FL

We recognize that evaluating the nearby schools is an important part of choosing a new neighborhood.

Miami has some of the best public, private, and charter schools in the country. Miami also has many specialty and magnet public schools, as well as special programs in many public schools, to accommodate special needs of different children.

Palmetto High School, which services the communities of PInecrest and Palmetto Bay, is the only Florida school consistently ranked on the yearly U.S. News & World Report 25 top school rankings.

For a list of schools per neighborhood, please visit our neighborhood guides:

Best Restaurants In Miami, FL

Miami offers dining options for everyone. As a resident, you’ll have the opportunity to let your taste buds explore. Below are some of the best restaurants you can find in Miami:

Amal Miami offers a modern Lebanese culinary experience in the heart of Coconut Grove. Guests can enjoy generous, shareable dishes and hand-crafted cocktails infused with Lebanese flavors.

Chotto Matte, located off Lincoln Road, is a Japanese-Peruvian fusion restaurant known for its delicious food and South Beach chic ambiance.

Kiki on the River is a modern Greek restaurant inspired by the Miami River, on which it’s located. At night, it transforms into a nightclub-like atmosphere, perfect for an evening out.

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink is one of the Design District’s most popular restaurants. It’s owned by acclaimed chef Michael Schwartz, and the food is known for being upscale but approachable.

Swan, located in the Design District, is an indoor/outdoor dining destination from hospitality mavens David Grutman and Pharrell Williams. It serves refined rustic cuisine and communal plates. Its menu is centered around seasonal and market-driven ingredients.

Uchi Miami is an award-winning Japanese restaurant located in Wynwood. Condé Nast Traveler describes the nigiri and sashimi as “ sublime.”

Zuma is another top-rated Japanese restaurant in Downtown Miami. Guests can enjoy chef Rainer Becker’s internationally acclaimed style of modern Japanese izakaya dining.

There is no shortage of Cuban food in the city but one of the top-rated Cuban restaurants is Cafe La Trova in East Little Havana. It’s the result of a partnership between James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, her chef/restaurateur husband David Martinez, and nationally acclaimed cantinero Julio Cabrera.

Additionally, residents also have access to countless food festivals during the year, such as the South Beach Seafood Festival and South Beach Food & Wine Festival.

Your Dream Home Is Closer Than You Think

We partner with each client to find, not only the best property, but THE dream home that perfectly fits their lifestyle. With 59 years of combined experience and as life-long residents of South Florida, we have a deep understanding of the most coveted communities in this vibrant city. We are also client-centric in our approach, reducing the stressors that accompany residential real estate in a competitive market. We can help you and your family find the best home in the perfect neighborhood as well as painters, decorators, stagers, marble installers, landscapers, insurance options, plumbers, etc., to make your home exactly what you want it to be. We can offer you many options for anyone in any field who can assist you in getting your home up to the standards you want. Get in touch with us today.

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