Moving to Miami? With rising property values, a large availability of condos for sale, and diverse neighborhoods with proximity to white sand beaches, Magic City is a hot spot for both first-time and established home buyers. Here are the five best places to buy a home in Miami!
Aventura
- Home Price: $354,100 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 37% of Florida cities
- Perfect for: Families, retirees
With beautiful waterfront views and tons of fun Miami activities, Aventura is one of the best places to buy a home in Miami! While most properties on the water will cost you a pretty penny here, there are also plenty of budget-friendly Aventura homes and condos for sale. Beyond quick access to the beach and fun recreational activities like Tidal Cove Waterpark, families in particular will love living in this Miami suburb for its proximity to top schools like Ojus Elementary School and Aventura Charter School. Plus, it’s easy to get to Aventura Mall, various local parks, and everything else the suburb has to offer thanks to roadways like US-1 and public transit like the Brightline high-speed rail—which can even take you down the coast and into Downtown Miami!
Things to Do in Aventura
Shop ’til you drop at Aventura Mall—one of the biggest malls in the U.S.—featuring a wide range of retailers and cool attractions like the 93-foot Aventura Slide Tower. Find fitness programs, an easy walking trail, a community garden, and a sprayground at Founders Park. Grab your clubs and head over to the driving range at Turnberry Isle Country Club—a luxurious 300-acre golf resort that offers convenient membership options. Take in a show like The Nutcracker or We Will Rock You at Aventura’s waterfront performing arts center, Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Grab a Manhattan Omelette, Greek Avocado Toast, or Egg Croissant Sandwich for breakfast at La Boulangerie Boul’Mich. Order dishes like Miso Soup, Grilled Shrimps & Scallops, and Chicken Teriyaki at Asaka Japanese Restaurant. Sample Argentinian dishes like Handmade Chicken Empanadas, Rosso, and Vacio at Novecento. Or chow down the Center Cut Filet Mignon while sipping on a Strawberry Kush or Guava Spritz at Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar.
Coconut Grove
- Home Price: $592,500 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 84% of Florida cities
- Perfect for: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Known as “Miami’s original neighborhood since 1873,” Coconut Grove is one of the best places in Florida for homebuyers of any age. For families with kids, this area boasts great schools like Coconut Grove Montessori School, Coconut Grove Elementary School, and Ransom Everglades School—plus it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami. Additionally, Coconut Grove offers a laid-back vibe that suits a younger crowd of singles and young professionals. Popular events in the area include the weekly Vizcaya Village Farmers Market and the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival, where acclaimed artists come together to share their work every February. With spacious Mediterranean-style homes, close proximity to the islands of Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, and a convenient Coconut Grove Metrorail station, this neighborhood is an ideal spot to settle down!
Things to Do in Coconut Grove
Escape from city life and enjoy the tranquility of the ocean by booking a Full Day at Sea or a Sunset Sail at Sailing Adventures Miami. Wander through the nine-acre Peacock Park, where you can use the outdoor sport courts, look over Biscayne Bay on the boardwalk, or play ping-pong in the recreation building. Take in local history in the pioneer-era home and observe two 19th-century sailboat replicas at The Barnacle Historic State Park. Visit the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, a historic landmark with ten acres of formal gardens and featured collections dating back to Ancient Rome. Stop in for Nutella Filled French Toast or a Spinach & Feta Omelette with a Bloody Maria at Greenstreet Cafe. Looking for the best Italian pizza in Miami? Try the Diavola, Parma, or Ossobuco Pizza at Farinelli 1937. Have dinner where fresh seafood like Seafood Ceviche and Lobster & Shrimp Risotto meet waterfront views at Monty’s Raw Bar. Or finish off your night with a tasty scoop of gelato in flavors like Blue Milk Cookies & Cream, Coconut, and Pistacchio at Bianco Gelato.
Coral Gables
- Home Price: $856,600 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Florida cities
- Perfect for: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
About 20 minutes outside of Downtown Miami, Coral Gables feels almost totally removed from the hustle and bustle of city life. Known to be one of the best Miami suburbs, this area is home to high-quality schools for kids like Sunset Elementary School, as well as one of the best colleges in Florida—the University of Miami! Additionally, as part of Sister Cities International, Coral Gables has established great relationships with a range of international cities and offers job opportunities at over 100 multinational companies. But it’s not all about school and work in this suburb! In the spring, you can shop local vendors and stroll the stalls at the Farmers Market at Merrick Park. There’s also the family-friendly Carnaval on the Mile festival, where you can enjoy art, music, and food on the famed Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables. Or you can simply stroll through the area’s lush, tree-lined streets, dotted with charming Mediterranean-style houses, to see why Coral Gables has earned the nickname “The City Beautiful!”
Things to Do in Coral Gables
Attend arthouse films, guest lectures, and international film festivals at The Bill Cosford Cinema. Appreciate permanent art collections like Art of the Ancient Americas, Art of Africa, and Art of the Caribbean at the Lowe Art Museum. Meet famous authors, shop for books, or grab a Shava Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea from the cafe at independent bookstore Books & Books. Make the most of the warm weather in Coral Gables by swimming in natural spring water at the one-of-a-kind Venetian Pool. Visit one of the best bagel shops in the Miami area and taste the Smoked Fish Platter or Chicken Cordon Blue at Bagel Emporium & Grille. Order a Papaya Milkshake, Cubanito, or Churrasco Tacos at Havana Harry’s. Sample the Beef Kabob, Khoury’s Kafta, or a Falafel Sandwich at Khoury’s Mediterranean Restaurant. Or taste the BBQ Lamb Sandwich, Burger with the Lot, or Mediterranean Salad at the Australian-inspired Bay 13 Brewery & Kitchen.
Miami Gardens
- Home Price: $216,500 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 30% of Florida cities
- Perfect for: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Looking for affordable homes in Miami? Check out Miami Gardens! This suburb is one of the best places in Miami to buy real estate, with homes that are over $100,000 less than the median Miami home price. On top of that, green spaces like Dr. Lester Brown Park and Scott Park offer sport courts, playgrounds, walking trails, and other fun ways for residents to enjoy the outdoors. There are also plenty of great schools for all ages, from Miami Gardens Elementary School and Crestview Elementary School for younger kids, to Miami Norland Senior High School and St. Thomas University for teens and young adults. But perhaps most of all, Miami Gardens is known for being a sports fan’s paradise. Not only is this suburb home to top football teams like the Miami Dolphins (NFL) and Miami Hurricanes (NCAA D-I) and popular events like the F1 Miami Grand Prix, but it has also previously hosted six Super Bowls and was even chosen to be a host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
Things to Do in Miami Gardens
Watch the Miami Open or attend a concert from touring artists like Taylor Swift at Hard Rock Stadium. Walk the exercise trail, shoot hoops, and play a pick-up game of soccer or football at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. Browse the shelves for your next read, see an art exhibition, or head to the auditorium for T.G.I.F. Movies at North Dade Regional Library. Soak up the sun, ride the lazy river, and take on the wave pool just outside Miami Gardens at McDonald Water Park. Get a taste of New York in a Miami restaurant with a Four Cheese, New York Special, or Pepe’s Pesto Deluxe Pizza at Tony’s Pizza and DraftHouse. Sample signature egg rolls like the All BBQ Pulled Pork EggRolls, All Chicken Parmesan EggRolls, or All Cubano EggRolls at World Famous Miami Gardens. Or order Caribbean cuisine like Conch Fritters, South Beach Lobster, and Stuffed Shrimp at Lovely’s Urban Fusion.
Pinecrest
- Home Price: $938,600 median purchase price
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Florida cities
- Perfect for: Families, retirees
Pinecrest is one of the top places to buy real estate in Miami, thanks to its variety of Spanish-style houses, ranches, and luxury condos. Beyond the great selection of Pinecrest homes, this area is also simply an excellent place to live! Pinecrest offers exceptional private schools in Miami like Gulliver Preparatory School, as well as public schools like Palmetto Middle School and Miami Palmetto Senior High School, making it an ideal Miami suburb for raising a family. Not to mention, this area is surrounded by all kinds of green space—including Flagler Grove Park and Evelyn Greer Park—and offers popular community events like the weekly Pinecrest Gardens Farmers Market. There are even multiple Miami Metrobus stops if you want to head into Downtown Miami for some big-city fun!
Things to Do in Pinecrest
Explore natural streams and caves while admiring more than 1,000 varieties of rare and exotic Miami flora at Pinecrest Gardens. Sign the kids up for Super Soccer Stars Camp or invite your friends out for a game of tennis at Coral Pine Park. Pamper yourself with a Spa Pedicure, Lash Lift, or Mini Facial at BloomBar Salon. Head a few minutes out to the coast to go Kite, Reef, or Troll Fishing with Miami Sailfish Charters. Order dishes like the Greek Rice Bowl, Gyro Sandwich, and Moussaka at Middle East kitchen Daily Bread. Devour dishes like Risotto “ai Porcini,” “Calamari e Zucchini Fritti,” and Gnocchi “al Pesto” at Trattoria Luna. Head out for Lobster Night every Tuesday or dine on everyday meals like the Seafood Medley, Grouper Oscar, and Paella at Captain’s Tavern Restaurant. Or sample popular items like the Banana Goddess Smoothie, Avocado Veggie Panini, and Ground Beef Phyllo Pie at Greek-influenced Miami restaurant Elia Cafe at Pinecrest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Miami
Is Miami a good place to live?
Miami is a great place to live if you want unique culture, beautiful weather, and oceanside living! Not only does Miami offer beachfront recreational activities, but the city is also home to the Little Havana Cuban district, amazing Art Deco architecture, and some of the best dining and entertainment in South Florida!
Is it expensive to live in Miami?
It can be expensive to live in Miami, especially if you live closer to the beach or city center. The cost of living in Miami is 26% higher than the Florida average and 24% higher than the national average.
Is Miami a safe place to live?
Miami is safer than 36% of U.S. cities and offers a number of safe, affordable neighborhoods throughout the metro.
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Neighborhood and suburb statistics from AreaVibes