5 Great Neighborhoods in Miami
By Amy Driscoll and Larry Lebowitz, FrontDoor.com | Published: 11/19/2008
South Beach is a pedestrian friendly neighborhood consisting mostly of condos.
Miami is lush and green all year round. Although summers are steamy, an ocean breeze pushes temperatures down a few notches, making Miami a great place for windsurfing, cycling, golf, boating and tennis. The city is part of the South Florida region, with Fort Lauderdale to the north and the Florida Keys to the south. To the west, suburbs run from the edge of the city to the Everglades, and the Atlantic Ocean borders Miami to the east.
East
South Beach and its lesser known neighbor, North Beach, have a village feel with its bodegas, boutiques and lots of Art Deco architecture.
Flagship Neighborhood: South Beach
South Beach, also known as "SoBe," sits on the barrier island between the ocean and downtown on the mainland. It's a pedestrian friendly locale with the added plus of being low-maintenance since housing consists mostly of condos. You can park your car for the weekend and walk to shops, restaurants, nightclubs, parks and the beach.
South Beach has easy access to the mainland and Interstate 95 with two major bridges. Ocean Drive, which runs along the beach, is the main tourist drag. But locals dominate the area just a few blocks away.
The historic Art Deco district is central to SoBe, while farther north, a few of the classic Miami Modern (or MiMo) hotels dot the landscape. Single-family homes tend to be pricey, but condos can be reasonable, especially as the housing bubble has deflated.
The Neighbors: Young professionals, childless couples and celebrities
Also Consider: North Beach is more popular with families and people who want something a little quieter at night.