Thinking about moving to Miami? Though this Florida city is a well-known tourist destination, it’s also an excellent place to settle down. If you’re seeking family-friendly areas with highly-ranked schools, affordable housing, green spaces, and fun things to do with kids, check out these five best family-friendly neighborhoods in Miami!
Coconut Grove
- Home Price: $592,500 median purchase price; $1,401 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 84% of Florida cities
Families who love the beach will love living in Coconut Grove! Miami’s oldest neighborhood—also known as “The Grove” by locals—is located along the breathtaking Biscayne Bay. Along with being one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami, it’s also home to some of the best schools in Miami-Dade County, including Coconut Grove Elementary School and Ransom Everglades High School. Beyond The Grove’s variety of waterfront attractions at hot spots like the Bayshore Landing Marina, families can enjoy other outdoor recreation opportunities at green spaces like Peacock Park and The Barnacle Historic State Park. The outdoor shopping center known as Cocowalk is another top attraction, featuring a host of independent boutiques and top restaurants surrounded by beautiful greenery. Families can choose from a variety of housing options here as well, ranging from Contemporary to Mediterranean Revival-style homes, all in close proximity to the neighborhood’s many amenities!
Things to Do in Coconut Grove
Tour a refined Italian garden lined with beautiful roses and orchids, get involved with artist exhibitions, or check out events like the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market at the historic Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Take your dog for a walk, have a family picnic, or enjoy sunny Coconut Grove weather on the boardwalk bridge at David T. Kennedy Park. Listen to live music, get your face painted, and try some new food at the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Pick up fresh produce or sample handcrafted pizzas, pies, salads, and more at the Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Farmers Market. Sip on Raspberry Iced Tea while eating a Teriyaki Chicken Wrap or Roma Spicy Panini for lunch in Miami at Berries in the Grove. Get fresh Miami seafood like Florida Stone Crabs and Fried Shrimp while taking in beautiful bay views or listening to live music at Monty’s Raw Bar. Experience flavorful Indian food like Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Vindaloo, or Garlic Naan at Bombay Darbar. Or grab hot slices of Miami pizza like the Short Rib, Spicy Pepperoni, or Mushroom Truffle pizzas from Harry’s Pizzeria.
Coral Gables
- Home Price: $856,600 median purchase price; $1,794 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Florida cities
Surrounded by beautiful gardens and offering proximity to the coast, Coral Gables is a favorite among Miami families! Whether you’re splashing around waterfalls at the Venetian Pool, shopping along the Miracle Mile, strolling through trees at Montgomery Botanical Center, or attending a performance at the Actors’ Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a family outing in this Miami suburb. Residents also benefit from a strong community, with regular gatherings like Gables Gallery Night and Giralda Live or annual events like the Bike & BBQ. On top of all that, Coral Gables is home to some of the best schools in Miami—including Coral Gables Preparatory Academy, George Washington Carver Middle School, and Sunset Elementary School. It’s also located near the University of Miami, so older kids can get their degrees close to home! Plus, as one of the best places for buying a home in Miami, families in Coral Gables can enjoy large Spanish and Mediterranean-style estates with excellent resale value.
Things to Do in Coral Gables
Head over to the UM campus to watch the Miami Hurricanes (NCAA) score game-winning baskets against their D-I rivals at the Watsco Center. Beat the heat during Miami summer days by taking a dip in the specially-made atoll saltwater pool at Matheson Hammock Park. Tee off at public Miami golf courses like the Granada Golf Course or get a membership to the Riviera Country Club. Walk through a tropical rainforest, visit a butterfly garden, and discover plant ecology with your kids at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Stop in for cold or toasted Italian subs like Tartufo Pesante, Mrs Jholano, or The Aram Classic at Jholano’s Deli. Have your fill of delicious Asian stir noodles with Pad Thai, Lo Mein, or Yakisoba at Ohho Noodles Market. Take a seat of one of the premier Cuban restaurants in Miami for Grilled Salmon Fillet, Arroz Con Pollo, and Shrimp Fajitas at Havana Harry’s. Or taste Cuban dishes like the Cubano Sandwich, Tostones Rellenos, and Churrasco at CASACUBA Restaurant.
Kendall
- Home Price: $389,700 median purchase price; $1,543 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Florida cities
Located in South Miami, the suburb of Kendall is recognized as one of the best places to raise kids in Miami! The area offers affordable ranch-style houses and bungalows on spacious lots, kid-friendly activities, and top-notch schools like William Lehman Elementary School, Kendale Elementary School, and the School for Advanced Studies—which is one of the top high schools in Miami. Kendall is a tight-knit suburban getaway and the community is on the quieter side, making it an excellent option for those just starting their family. It’s also a hub for shopping, so residents can spend free time browsing local boutiques and trying new restaurants at lively Miami malls like The Falls and The Palms at Town & Country. And despite being a bit removed from the city, it’s easy for working parents to commute into Downtown Miami via the Metrorail!
Things to Do in Kendall
Spend the day shopping with family at luxury retailers like BOSS and Montblanc, followed by outdoor dining with Aoki Teppanyaki at Dadeland Mall. Play a round of disc golf, go for a walk, or teach your little skateboarder how to ollie at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park. Lounge on the green space while your kids roam the playground at Snapper Creek Park. Compete with your family to get high scores in classic arcade games like Asteroids, Burger Time, and Crazy Taxi at Arcade Odyssey. Have delicious Japanese-style meals like the Dynamite Tempura, Sunset, or Volcano Rolls for lunch at Inari Sushi Fusion. Grab some Cali Fries or a Churrasco Burrito and share Chicharron with your family at Tacos & Tattoos. Pull out a chair for mouthwatering Miami BBQ options like Brisket and Turkey with a side of Corn Bread from Apocalypse BBQ. Or order Hawaiian Pizza, Chicken Marsala, and the Kids Fettuccine Alfredo Chicken at Di Papa’s Italian Restaurant.
Pinecrest
- Home Price: $938,600 median purchase price; $1,599 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Florida cities
If you’re looking for one of the best places to live in Miami for families, consider moving to Pinecrest! This Miami suburb is a go-to destination for families and retirees alike, thanks to its tree-lined streets, friendly community, and high-quality Pinecrest schools like Palmetto Elementary School, Palmetto Middle School, and Miami Palmetto Senior High School. This upscale spot gives families access to excellent programming for kids and adults through the Pinecrest Community Center, as well as regular markets like the weekly Farmers Market and monthly Hermarket. There’s also ample green space to take advantage of at nearby parks like Flagler Grove Park, Gary Matzner Park, and more. And for families looking to buy large Miami-Dade homes with good-sized yards and extravagant pools, Pinecrest is a great place to settle down!
Things to Do in Pinecrest
Spend a day in Pinecrest wandering through botanical gardens, playing on splash pads, or attending events like Family Garden Day, the Art & Design Fair, or the Chili Cook-Off at Pinecrest Gardens. Have a fun family outing and play a few rounds of pickleball on the courts at Coral Pine Park. Exercise on the outdoor gym equipment and the athletic fields, or turn the kids loose on the playground at Evelyn Greer Park. Book independent tee times or take the whole family to Mini Golf at Palmetto Golf Course. Wake up with Avocado Toast, Nutella Croissants, or Banana Bread Waffles while sipping handcrafted coffee at Brewing Buddha Cafe & Arthouse. Try appetizing ten-ounce burgers like the Flanigan Burger and Caribbean Burger, or grab Surf and Turf specials from Florida staple Flanigan’s. Order New York-style pizza pies like the Vegetarian, Meat Luva, or Grandma Tookit at Apizza Brooklyn Resto + Vino. Or build your own liquid nitrogen ice cream by combining classic flavors like Cake Batter and Coffee with add-ins like Hot Fudge or Graham Crackers at Chill-N Nitrogen Ice Cream.
Wynwood
- Home Price: $156,805 median purchase price; $1,296 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Florida cities
Want to settle down in a trendier neighborhood with an abundance of things to do? Wynwood might be for you! A vibrant spot just north of Downtown Miami and bordering the iconic Miami Design District, Wynwood is great for those who want to stay active while raising a family in Miami. Also known as the Wynwood Arts District, this neighborhood has a thriving arts and culture scene and is home to the Museum of Graffiti—which offers drawing classes for kids every Sunday! Residents have access to a variety of shops, exhibits, and food trucks at major malls like The Shops at Midtown Miami and Wynwood Marketplace. You’ll also get proximity to kid-friendly parks like Moore Park and Dorsey Park—and parents can enroll their kids at high-quality area schools like Eneida M. Hartner Elementary School and CARE Elementary School. To top it all off, Wynwood offers affordable Miami housing, with a mix of apartments and single-family homes in styles like Spanish, Craftsman, and Mid-Century Modern.
Things to Do in Wynwood
Play games of baseball and basketball, or have a family picnic at Roberto Clemente Park. Line up for awesome attractions like Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, and Duckpin Bowling at FunDimension. Appreciate Martin Z. Margulies’s growing collection of 20th and 21st-century art from renowned artists like Isamu Noguchi, Roy Lichtenstein, and Tom Wesselman at The Margulies Collection at the Warehouse. Take a guided tour through cutting-edge graffiti galleries in Wynwood from more than 100 street artists and muralists at the iconic Wynwood Walls. Chow down on signature smash burgers like the Classic Burger, Applewood Bacon Burger, or Skinny Louie Cheeseburger at Skinny Louie. Savor Miami vegan food like the Cuban Burrito or Veggie Pizza, or order a Love Life Slider from the kids menu at Love Life Cafe. Pick a slice from the Margherita, Meat Lovers, or Pepperoni Pizza at Pummarola Midtown. Or chow down traditional Puerto Rican-style food like Chuletas, Alcapuria, and Palomilla Steak at El Bajareque Restaurant.
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Neighborhood and suburb statistics from AreaVibes
