Miami is a world-renowned vacation destination offering an unbeatable mix of sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and exciting nightlife. But far from its party-centric reputation, “The Magic City” is a fantastic place to raise children; it all depends on finding the right neighborhood. Choosing a Miami suburb is no easy task because of the many factors involved.
While not all families seek the same attributes in a neighborhood, location and safety are typically deal breakers for those planning to relocate to Miami with the whole family. Most parents also pay close attention to the quality of schools, the area’s walkability, parks and outdoor spaces, and the availability of amenities and activities designed for all ages.
Another important consideration before starting to search for Miami real estate for sale is the budget. Luckily, it is possible for families to find Miami homes in a wide range of prices and styles, from smaller entry-level family-size properties in the city’s more affordable suburbs to oceanfront mansions in upscale suburban neighborhoods with amenities like private pools, boat docks, and tennis courts.
If you have decided what your definition of “family-friendly” is, here’s our list of the best suburbs for families in Miami to help you choose the right one for your needs. But first, let’s answer a critical question…
What Makes Miami A Family-Friendly Place To Live?
What exactly makes Miami Metro a good area for families? This brief list only scratches the surface of everything this great city has to offer:
- Miami Metro is home to more than 280 parks with playgrounds, splash pads, recreational facilities, and greenways. That’s over 23,000 acres of parkland where families can enjoy 200 tennis courts, 19 swimming pools, six golf courses, baseball fields, marinas, beaches, water sports, and natural areas.
- Children have great educational opportunities in Miami with open enrollment in Florida and 13 different school districts across Miami-Dade County. For public education, check Florida’s District Report Card before choosing a school and home-shopping in a neighborhood. Miami also has many high-quality magnet, charter, and choice school options.
- While the urban face of Miami is car-dependent with heavy traffic, many suburbs offer quiet tree-lined streets with ample sidewalks suitable for toddling and walking to school or to the bus stop. Check WalkScore and talk to your real estate agent about your specific needs.
- Miami has several nearby areas considered exceptionally safe for children and families, with crime rates far lower than both city and national averages. Before choosing a suburb, check with your Miami real estate agent to discover what crime rates are like in the towns and neighborhoods you’re looking into.
- Miami’s beach-centric lifestyle and family-friendly activities and venues are desirable perks for families relocating to the area. Top-class museums, animal sanctuaries, cultural experiences, water sports, and visiting state and national parks are among the options. In addition, each neighborhood has its provision of events, attractions, parks, and things to do, so check sources like Parks 305, where you can search per area and your preferred kind of activity.
What Are The Best Suburbs To Live Near Miami?
1. Coral Gables
One of the first planned communities in South Florida, Coral Gables, was founded in 1920 and is a calm oasis in the midst of a bustling metropolis. Safe, family-centered, and filled with canopied avenues, sparkling fountains, and charming parks, Coral Gables has a European charm with its 19th-century Spanish architecture and idyllic canals and waterways. This city is a 20-minute drive west of downtown Miami.
The Coral Gables real estate market is scorching hot, with sky-high demand and extremely limited housing supply. As a result, prices keep skyrocketing in this desirable Miami suburb. Mature families, established professionals, and wealthy retirees can expect prices over $1M for three-bedroom homes for sale in Coral Gables. The Coral Gables real estate for sale ranges from exquisite condos and apartments to townhomes for sale and single-family Mediterranean Revival-style houses and waterfront mansions of up to $39M.
Coral Gables has zoning regulations and quaint limestone street signs marking its lush Spanish-named streets and avenues. The area offers families green spaces, upscale amenities, high-quality public and private schools, and the main campus of the prestigious University of Miami. The exclusively residential pockets are walking distance from the high-end shopping and dining, coffee shops, and entertainment in places like Shops at Merrick Park or Miracle Mile.
- Top Attractions: Venetian Pool, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Lowe Art Museum.
- Distance from Miami: 5 miles
- Median Sale Price: $979K
- Zip Code: 33134
2. Kendall
Kendal is a sprawling Miami residential area highly sought after due to its relative housing affordability, leisure-focused lifestyle, and peaceful suburban environment. Located east of Pinecrest, Kendall is a 29 minute drive from Miami’s downtown, but its boundaries are not strictly marked. However, the census-designated place roughly borders Snapper Creek to the north, former Rockdale to the south, The Everglades to the west, and Old Cutler Road to the east.
The Kendall real estate market comprises mostly apartments in mid-rise buildings and single-family detached houses of various sizes and price points. Oversized Ranch-style properties in large lots abound in this suburb, many of them with three to four bedrooms and spacious living areas in quiet, leafy cul-de-sacs. Backyards, driveways, and well-manicured gardens are standard features in Kendall. While prices in some Kendall areas can reach (and surpass) the $1M mark, families with smaller budgets can purchase a two-bedroom home for less than $500K.
Kendall real estate owners live close to public and private schools and nurseries, family-friendly amenities, and recreational areas like parks, and golf courses. The area also boasts several commercial zones scattered around and two large malls (Dadeland Mall and The Falls) offering stores, restaurants, and services of all kinds. Kendall is also home to the top-ranked Baptist Hospital and a Miami Dade College campus.
- Top Attractions: Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, Kendale Park, Continental Park.
- Distance from Miami: 21 miles.
- Median Sale Price: $476K
- Zip Code: 33173 | 33176 | 33183
3. Key Biscayne
The paradisiac town of Key Biscayne lies on an island just below Miami Beach, FL tucked between Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, the waters of Biscayne Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. Home to an undisturbed, vibrant, and laid-back island vibe and upscale real estate for sale, Key Biscayne is community-centered, accessible, and friendly.
Located only 18 minutes by car from downtown Miami, homebuyers can expect a vast supply of luxurious condos in Key Biscayne, especially in the northern portion of the town. The majority of the units have resort-like amenities and services. The area also offers comfortable single-family detached residences and villas for families and seniors. Most homes for sale in Key Biscayne have open floor plans, modern design, and features like private boat docks, pools, idyllic grounds, and manicured gardens. The prices in this area fall just under $1M and commonly reach the multi-million dollar range.
Families relocating to this suburb are close to everything Miami Dade offers, but they rarely need to leave their island since the community is equipped to fulfill all their needs and wants. There are good schools, medical facilities (including a children’s hospital), and plenty of shopping and fine dining in the commercial areas along Crandon Blvd. Key Biscayne Beach and Village Green Park provide local recreational opportunities for all ages, including a soccer club and a kid’s playground. Residents move around in golf carts and bikes in Key Biscayne. They are also used to exploring the surrounding waters in motorboats, kayaks, and jet skis.
- Top Attractions: Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Miami Seaquarium, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, Crandon Park, Key Biscayne Beach.
- Distance from Miami: 8 miles
- Median Sale Price: $2M
- Zip Code: 33149
4. South Miami
South Miami, “The City of Pleasant Living,” was established in 1927 and has seen incredible growth and development over the last decade; and now is one of Florida’s finest places to live. Centrally-located and lively but also calm and suburban, South Miami real estate borders the main campus of the University of Miami and the cities of Pinecrest and Coral Gables. It is home to a walkable and vibrant downtown area, well-regarded schools, and clusters of leaf-covered residential areas with evident pride of ownership.
The South Miami real estate market is almost entirely composed of single-family homes, many of them carefully renovated. Families can live comfortably in one of the city’s three, four, or five-bedroom single or two-story houses. Many of the residences offer spacious floor plans and family-focused features like pools, covered terraces, lounge and barbecue areas, and expansive backyards. For more modest budgets, there are townhomes and condos for sale in South Miami, FL, ranging from $200K to the multi-millions.
Centrally located at only 26 minutes by car from downtown Miami and less than 10 minutes away from beaches, natural preserves, and beautiful gardens, South Miami provides its residents with a quiet lifestyle and plenty to do. The Shops at Sunset Place, the local mall, is a hub for everything shopping, dining, and entertainment in the area. Homeowners also enjoy living within walking distance from several city parks, a plethora of local businesses and service providers, and great schools like South Miami Senior High School and Our Lady of Lourdes Academy.
- Top Attractions: Tropical Park, Miami EcoAdventures, A.D.(Doug) Barnes Park & Pool.
- Distance from Miami: 8 miles.
- Median Sale Price: $899K
- Zip Code: 33143
5. North Miami Beach
North Miami Beach, formerly known as Fulford-by-the-Sea, is a lovely and quiet Miami suburb of around 43,000 people, around 30 minutes north of downtown Miami. Located at the doorstep of Oleta River State Park, on the Intracoastal Waterway, North Miami Beach is well-rounded, low-key, and with close proximity to the ocean, an ideal place to settle far from Miami’s hustle and bustle.
Homebuyers can find plenty of real estate in North Miami Beach, but condos for sale are the most abundant form of housing. Young families looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle in the area can purchase a new construction condo overlooking the bay with amenities like private pools, indoor playgrounds, and valet parking. For single-family detached homes, one of the best neighborhoods is Eastern Shores. Houses here are typically waterfront, with four or more bedrooms and amenities like private boat or jet ski docks, gourmet kitchens, and sizable swimming pools.
North Miami Beach families spend their days relaxing at the crystal-clear beaches of Haulover Park, golfing at Greynolds Golf Course, or exploring Oleta River State Park. They also take advantage of the shopping and dining options of nearby Aventura Mall and its surroundings. Schools in the area include BridgePrep Academy of North Miami Beach and the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University (FIU).
- Top Attractions: Oleta River State Park, The Ancient Spanish Monastery.
- Distance from Miami: 18 miles
- Median Sale Price: $450K
- Zip Code: 33162
6. Pinecrest
Pinecrest, situated 32 minutes south of downtown Miami, is one of the best spots to purchase Florida real estate for sale. The affluent community is recognized for its outstanding tennis, top-ranked educational institutions, and peaceful ambiance. Pinecrest became increasingly popular among individuals trying to escape the city center during Miami’s expansion throughout the suburban boom of the ’60s.
The Pinecrest real estate for sale is known to be high-valued. Traditional, secluded, and coveted, this Miami suburb provides a slow pace of life on private streets filled with sizable suburban homes on spacious lots. Most of the properties are large single-family detached homes with four or more bedrooms in varying architectural styles, including Mediterranean Revival and Neo-Colonial. Standard features in this Miami suburb include backyard, pools, well-groomed lawns, ample driveways, and polished landscaping. Pinecrest real estate prices can range from $1M to $2.5M on average.
Pinecrest’s major road is US1, which provides residents with grocery stores, car dealerships, and shopping plazas to run everyday errands. Far from the commercial buzzing is the residential Pinecrest, a network of winding, secluded tree-lined streets, long driveways, and spectacular mansions. Locals enjoy strolling the community’s farmers’ market for some fresh produce, having a family picnic, or playing tennis at Dante Fascell Park. Other popular activities include visiting the nearby beaches for swimming and kayaking or catching a jazz concert at the Pinecrest Gardens’ amphitheater.
- Top Attractions: Pinecrest Gardens, Evelyn Greer Park, Coral Reef Park.
- Distance from Miami: 21 miles
- Median Sale Price: $2.5M
- Zip Code: 33156
7. Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is a traditional waterfront Miami neighborhood just a few miles from downtown, around 14 minutes away by car. ‘The Grove,’ as locals lovingly called it, is considered Miami’s oldest neighborhood and draws families, creatives, entrepreneurs, and anybody interested in boating, sailing, or yachting. The city is bordered by several beautiful parks, a picturesque downtown boulevard, and numerous yacht clubs and marinas.
The real estate for sale in Coconut Grove is mainly composed of typical South Florida-style single-family residences and newly built seaside mansions in private gated communities. The area is as diverse as can be styles-wise with Mediterranean, old Spanish, bungalows, and modern homes for sale. Coconut Grove also boasts old and new construction condos for sale and small duplexes, most of them in the downtown area. There are also high-rises currently under construction in the bay area.
The lifestyle in The Grove is very outdoorsy, and the atmosphere is relaxed. Families love to spend their free time out on the water, grab a yummy seafood lunch to enjoy al fresco, or at one of the many restaurants with terraces overlooking the ocean. Afterward, it’s either hit any of the local parks for some sports, go biking, or have a quiet stroll along the waterfront taking in the breathtaking vistas. The day can close with a casual family dinner and a movie at picturesque Cocowalk shopping mall.
- Top Attractions: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, The Kampong Botanical Garden, The Barnacle Historic State Park, Peacock Park, David T. Kennedy Park.
- Distance from Miami: 4 miles
- Median Sale Price: $1.7M
- Zip Code: 33133
Pristine beaches, family-friendly, and perfect warm weather. It’s a no brainer why families, retirees, and more are moving to Miami. If you want to know more about The Magic City, here are 12 reasons to relocate to Miami and why more and more people are choosing this city.
