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Best Places to Buy a Home in Miami

Moving to Miami? Rising property values on single-family homes, a large availability of condos for sale, and diverse neighborhoods with proximity to white sand beaches make Miami a hot spot for both first-time and established home buyers. Here are the five best places to buy a home in the Miami area!

Aventura

  • Home Price: $310,300 median purchase price
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 35% of Florida cities
  • Perfect for: Families, retirees

With waterfront views, lively clubs, and a major mall, 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, Aventura does have a wide range of budget-friendly single-family homes and condos for sale among the mix of its luxurious real estate. Families in particular will love living in this Miami suburb, thanks to its quick access to the beach and incredible schools like Aventura City of Excellence School!

Things to Do in Aventura

Shop till you drop at Aventura Mall, one of the most-visited shopping malls in America. Find seasonal movie nights, fitness bootcamps, an easy walking trail, a community garden, and a splash ground at Founders Park. Grab a bucket and head over to the driving range at Turnberry Isle Country Club, a luxurious golf resort that offers convenient membership options. Cool off at Tidal Cove Waterpark on attractions like the Lazy River, Aqua Drop, and the Master Blaster. Take in a show like The Nutcracker or Women at War at Aventura’s waterfront performing arts center, Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. Grab a Croquette Madame or Huevos Rancheros for breakfast at La Boulangerie Boul’Mich. Order dishes like Miso Soup, Grilled Shrimp and Scallops, and Chicken Teriyaki at Asaka Japanese Restaurant. Or sit down for dinner at Tap 42, which serves up specialties like Southern Fried Chicken & Waffles and Center Cut Filet Mignon.

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Coconut Grove

  • Home Price: $592,500 median purchase price
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 58% of Florida cities
  • Perfect for: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Known as Miami’s original neighborhood, Coconut Grove is one of the best places in Florida to buy a single-family home. Along with a stable real estate market and a number of spacious Mediterranean-style homes, the area boasts great schools, waterfront views, close proximity to Virginia Key and Key Biscayne, and it’s one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami. All in all, Coconut Grove is an ideal spot for home buyers of all lifestyles!

Things to Do in Coconut Grove

Escape from city life and enjoy the tranquility of the ocean by booking a sailing adventure at Biscayne Bay. Wander through Peacock Park, where you can find roaming peacocks and Miami attractions like the Coconut Grove Arts Festival. Take in local history and observe two 19th-century sailboat replicas at The Barnacle Historic State Park. Visit James Deering’s former villa at the Vizcaya Museum & Garden, a historic landmark with ten acres of formal gardens and shoreline. Pick up fresh produce and hand-crafted goods at the Vizcaya Village Farmers Market in Vizcaya Village. Stop at Greenstreet Cafe for a Bloody Maria with Nutella Filled French Toast, or a Spinach & Feta Omelette. Grab lunch at Lulu in the Grove, which serves up Shrimp Tacos and Herb Crusted Salmon. Sit down for dinner at Monty’s Raw Bar, where fresh seafood like Tuna Ceviche and Lobster & Shrimp Salad meet waterfront views. Or finish off your night at Bianco Gelato with a tasty scoop of gelato in flavors like Blue Milk Cookies & Cream and Pistachio.

Coral Gables

  • Home Price: $696,000 median purchase price
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 54% 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. With its distinct banyan trees, excellent walkability and bike-friendly streets, and beautiful Mediterranean-style houses, this Miami suburb has the appeal of a small European city. In addition, Coral Gables is home to one of the best colleges in Florida, the University of Miami!

Things to Do in Coral Gables

Attend arthouse films, guest lectures, and international film festivals at Cosford Cinema. Appreciate permanent art collections like the Art of the Native Americas, Art of Africa, and Art of the Caribbean at the Lowe Art Museum. Find more galleries, culture, and endless places to wine and dine on the Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables. Meet famous authors, shop for books, or grab a Raspberry Iced Tea from the cafe at independent bookstore Books & Books. Make the most of the weather in Coral Gables and swim in natural spring water with a visit to the one-of-a-kind Venetian Pool. Learn from plant society experts or attend the annual gala at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. Visit the #1 bagel shop in the Miami area and taste the Avocado Toast or Bagel Chips at Bagel Emporium & Grille. Order a Papaya Milkshake, Cubanito, or Churrasco Tacos at Havana Harry’s. Or check out Bay 13 Brewing & Kitchen‘s spirit flights and craft beers on tap.

Miami Beach

  • Home Price: $398,600 median purchase price
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 3% of Florida cities
  • Perfect for: Families, retirees

Vacation never has to end for residents of Miami Beach! Surrounded by water, Miami Beach is one of the best places to live in Miami—and its hot real estate market means home buyers can find all kinds of housing options from luxury high-rise condos and cozy bungalows to vacation homes. On top of that, this Miami suburb has a booming art scene, offering residents all kinds of cultural festivals, art galleries, and museums to explore right in their own neighborhood!

Things to Do in Miami Beach

Enjoy the saltwater, pack a picnic, or fly a kite at Haulover Beach Park. Visit a tropical oasis and learn about Florida’s natural flora at Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Experience the white sand beaches of North Beach Oceanside Park. Stroll through the nation’s largest concentration of Art Deco architecture in the Art Deco Historic District, where you can take guided walking tours to see 800+ historical buildings. Order breakfast from 11th Street Diner, a train car-turned-diner that dishes out Crab Florentine Benedict and Waffle Royale. Try a delicious Cuban sandwich or a Whole Fried Red Snapper at Puerto Sagua, one of Miami’s best restaurants. Savor creative eats like Avocado Pizza, Summertime Rolls, and Artichoke Caprese at Necessary Purveyor. Or end your night with classic, spicy, or boozy ice cream flavors like Sweet Cream, Cinnamon, or Champagne Sorbet at The Frieze.

Pinecrest

Smaller Ranch-Style Home in Pinecrest, Florida. Photo by Instagram user @yanerealtor

Photo via @yanerealtor

  • Home Price: $840,900 median purchase price
  • Crime Rate: Safer than 64% of Florida cities
  • Perfect for: Families, retirees

Pinecrest is one of the top Miami suburbs for buying a home, thanks to its variety of Spanish-style houses, ranches, and luxury condos. Beyond the local real estate, it’s also just an excellent place to live! Pincrest offers exceptional private schools like Gulliver Preparatory School, making it an ideal place to raise a family in the Miami area. Not to mention, the suburb is surrounded by all kinds of green space and local parks, including Matheson Hammock Park, Flagler Grove Park, and Evelyn Greer Park.

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. Shop for produce from local vendors at the Pinecrest Farmers Market. Take the family to the tot lot in the Coral Pine Park recreation center. Pamper yourself at Studio 55 Spa & Boutique with wellness and relaxation treatments like a Gel Manicure or a Sleek on Fleek from the Blow Out Bar. Order dishes like the Greek Rice Bowl, Gyro Sandwich, and Falafel Fries at Middle East kitchen Daily Bread. Devour dishes like Risotto ai Porcini, Calamari e Zucchini Fritti, and Gnocchi al Pesto at Trattoria Luna. Head to Captain’s Tavern for Lobster Night every Tuesday. Or sample popular items like the Banana Goddess and the Phyllo Pie at Greek-influenced restaurant Elia Cafe.

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 is 11% higher than both the Florida and national averages.

Is Miami a safe place to live?

Miami is safer than 10% 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