Miami Beach

Author:	Lucas Jones
Source:	Homes Discovered
Date:	March 24, 2006

Miami Beach exemplifies the complete South Florida lifestyle. Sun, sand, beautiful people, partying, and plenty of water sports. Located across beautiful Biscayne Bay from Miami, Miami Beach is an independent island municipality complete with local government, police and fire services, hospitals, shopping, parks, and marinas. Most of the real estate on Miami Beach consists of expensive single family homes on the west side of the island and condos and apartments on the east side. North Beach, the area around the 79st street causeway, is a bit cheaper. North beach currently is undergoing major changes so expect the area to improve and the rents to increase as well. If you have the money, Million Dollar Mile, the area between 41st street and 59th street is an option. This region contains a wide variety of apartments and high-rise condos with amazing city and ocean views. Jobs on the beach mainly revolve around the local hospitals and tourism; unless you're self employed, in the service industry, or a medical professional, chances are you'll probably work somewhere else in the Miami area. The entertainment industry is the fastest growing industry on the beach. Public transportation links Miami Beach with the mainland and destinations further north for those without a car. The population of Miami Beach is 87,933 with a median age of 39 (vs 35 for the US as a whole). 34% have a bachelor's degree or higher vs. 24% for the US as a whole. 56% are foreign born vs. 11% for the US as a whole, and 68% speak a language other than English at home vs. 18% for the US. The median commute time is 26 minutes, and the median household income is $38,514 vs. $41,994 for the US. 47% of housing units are renter-occupied. Single-family owner-occupied homes have a median value of $334,400 vs. $119,600 for the US. Median monthly owner costs are $2,555 with mortgage, or $878 without mortgage. Median rent is $803. Residents primarily work in management, professional, sales, office and service related industries. Miami Beach has so many advantages that its hard to list them all. It's close to Miami and the major highways with several causeways linking the city to the mainland. Miami International Airport is 10 miles away and the Miami Seaport is less than 5 miles away. The city itself is small and it's the only local beach community where you get that "city" feel. Miami Beach is a little over a mile at its widest and about 10 miles long, it's flat terrain makes it ideal for jogging, bicycling or roller blading. There are 7 miles of beaches, 3 golf courses, and 20 parks. Shopping is abundant as are the restaurants and, like everything else on the beach, both will be within walking distance of your home. The two biggest disadvantages to Miami Beach are the crowds and the lack of parking. Many people (3.5 million annually) go to Miami Beach for vacation. South Americans come in the summer, the Europeans, Canadians and Americans in the winter, and the rest of South Florida visits Miami Beach on Friday and Saturday night. For a quieter area on Miami Beach, look for a home north of 23rd street. Parking is the second biggest disadvantage of Miami Beach. It's extremely limited and the local government is very aggressive when it comes to enforcement of the local parking restrictions. Parking is mainly street side unless you're willing to pay more to get an assigned space. While shopping for an apartment, concentrate on units with assigned or restricted off-street parking. Street side parking north of 23rd street is easier than south of 23rd street. Another disadvantage to Miami Beach is the overall age of the dwellings. The housing stock is generally old and unless you get into a unit that's been updated, don't plan on central air, a dishwasher, or a disposal. Most of the large high-rise apartment buildings west of Alton road are more modern than the low-rise buildings farther east. Be prepared to pay extra for an updated unit.

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