DrWho

Interama Boulevard gives you easy access to the Oleta River State Recreation Area. You will never know you are in the heart of Miami. Surrounded by hiking trails, wooded areas and canals it is surreal to think how close you are to the masses outside the gates. You can kayak, have parties, BBQ’s, bike or just sit along the river and Intra-Coastal Waterway and watch the wildlife and boats pass. You can jump in for a cooling off dip or sit under the covered picnic table areas. You are so close to the beach that you enjoy the off shore breeze which keeps most of the bugs away that you will encounter in recreational areas farther in land. This is a very short hop from either Collins (A1A) or Biscayne (US1) so access is quick and easy. I believe that overnight camping is also allowed. I highly recommend this area to visit or live.

Sunny Isles Blvd shockingly takes you to the Sunny Isles Beach area. This is a relatively small beach town amidst the Collins Avenue shopping, dinning and gorgeous beaches. I found this area to be surprisingly affordable to live. I could be to South Beach in about 15 minutes if it wasn’t a Friday party night or in Aventura or the 95 Freeway in about the same time. Most of the condos are newer and have the amenities of many resorts. You are also surrounded by upscale resorts that offer great spas and dining as well. If you have family in town you will have no problem finding accommodations for them very close by. The grocery stores and pharmacies are within walking distance as is most of the shopping. I really enjoyed living here but if you have to commute during rush hour it can be a hassle because Miami is a busy area.

North East 125th Street may also be referred to as Route 922, that aside it offers a convenient shot from the 95 to US1 (Biscayne Blvd). The area is all businesses and rather “low end” as that goes. From the cheap liquor stores to the adult entertainment stores you may also find inexpensive clothing, shoes stores, etc. in the mix. I have traversed this for business purposes but have stopped off at the many thrift stores in the area to purchase books. They also have clothing and furniture for a family working to get its feet underneath. There are many neighborhoods right off of this street that would provide an adequate start but I would encourage after dark to not be strolling around. During the day you will find easy access to public transportation and virtually all your shopping needs.

The upside is that you are close to a hospital; you can practically walk across the street to get there. This is not an ideal area to live but is not as bad as most. It is close to a major freeway so you would have to factor in noise and dirt that results. For those that can’t afford to own a vehicle you are in close proximity to shopping, transportation, etc. There is no upside for tourists here and would be limited to a resident of the area. It is situated about one block from a very busy four lane street that intersects with the freeway so small children and pets shouldn’t be allowed to wander.

So right off the top. Go during daylight hours, don’t bring the children and keep the doors locked. This is in “the ghetto” of Miami (of which there are many). The area is largely industrial but crawling with homeless druggies. A good friend suggested I go find this amazing thrift store and so I set out to do just that. Well, I drove around a lot trying to locate it, rather tricky getting there. In my opinion there is absolutely no other legitimate reason to be in the area unless you are lost. This is not the place to get lost. Most of downtown Miami is not where you want to get lost to begin with. It doesn’t take more than a couple of blocks to go from trendy to ghetto.

If you want to get from Biscayne to the coast this is the way to go. Bal Harbor is an amazing area. Very upscale shopping, dining and housing. From Neiman Marcus to Louis Vuitton you will find it all. Broad Causeway crossed over the Biscayne Bay offering amazing views as you go over and then you end up on Collins (A1A). I love this entire area. It doesn’t have the party, club and scantily clad South Beach crew but more dignified while offering all you could want in an area. Personally, now that I’m in my late 30’s I prefer this atmosphere to South Beach. You will have to decide which is best for you. It is only a short hop down Collins to South Beach so you can always change your mind if you don’t find the area to your liking.

This street passes South Miami Hospital which is certainly one of the finest medical centers in the area. Also close by is the University of Miami and wonderful dinning and shopping. One of the inconveniences if you are coming from the north via the 95 is that you have to traverse a long stretch of US1 which is narrow and has many traffic lights. This is where the delay can become annoying. If there is road construction or an accident prepare for misery as there is really nowhere to go for a short cut. The surrounding areas seem to be lovely upscale old Florida neighborhoods and a great place to live particularly for families.

As you drop off of Biscayne to the William Lehman Causeway the first exit puts you on East Country Club drive which then transitions to West Country Club Drive. To your almost immediate left you pass the Aventura Mall and then plazas with everything from groceries, to dining and salons. What is also nice about this area is the public transportation. I’m not talking about dirty, ugly Metro buses but rather small new shuttle buses to transport you to the surrounding areas. This makes it convenient and more affordable for those traveling or retired on a fixed income. The housing is gorgeous. Great upscale condos and gated communities. Also close proximity to the golf course, horse track and much more.

This Causeway offers great views of the surrounding area as you cross over to the coast. It rises over the streets and Intracoastal Waterway below. It is not very long but a new road in excellent condition that is wide and gives easy access to the Aventura Mall as well. You also get to enjoy and expansive ocean view at the peak before the downward decent to Ocean Avenue.

So when I resided in Miami, this was my exit off of the 95 Freeway and I hated it. This is an exceedingly busy street and unfortunately one of the most direct routes to the Aventura Mall, Aventura Medical Center and the beaches of North Miami which is where I lived. Although it was a short hop that I had to be on this road, perhaps two miles it took often close to 20 minutes to traverse. There are schools on Ives Dairy which significantly slows traffic and since it takes you to Route 1 a lot of commercial vehicles as well. I would have hated to actually live on this street due to the noise and dirt associated with constant vehicular traffic and if I had children or pets I would barricade them from ever walking out of the front door. Definitely a place to drive but not live.

I lived on North Bay Road which is actually a rather short street that is comprised of newer condominium residences. The condos are nicely situated with the Intracoastal Waterway behind them and in front a short one block walk will put you right in the famed Ocean Avenue. Once there you are surrounded by many of the finest accommodations including Trump Towers and gorgeous Miami Beaches. This is an affordable area to reside in the heart of Miami without having to live in a low socioeconomic area.

Located off of Laurel Canyon you will be surprised at how quickly you feel you have entered a remote area. The trees are mature and shade many of the streets you are "in the mountains" this is despite being in the midst of a thriving metropolis

Okay, it doesn't get much nicer than this. The only real problem is that you will need anywhere from about 5-20 Million for a single family home. But, the schools are great, there is a wonderful sense of community and Malibu has a very small town feel which I found to be surprising. Two thumbs up if you can afford it.

North Oxford itself is not too bad in terms of affordabiliy in the LA area. That being said it is on the cusp of some not too nice areas. When I lived there I recall every night hearing the police helicoptors circling the surrounding areas. I would be reluctant to raise children here but for a young couple and a starter home you could do worse. It is close to the Freeway, shopping and dining.

Off of Trancas Canyon in Malibu you will find Anacapa. It is a very narrow and windy road that takes you to georgious 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean and much of Malibu. Of course being in Malibu it is not inexpensive to live here. Another draw back comes in the form of the potential for fires and flooding. It wouldn't be too hard to get "stranded" there. Georgous nonetheless

This is a picturesque street that in many parts has expansive views of the Pacific Ocean. It is however rural and you will find yourself surrounded by wildlife. For those who don't like narrow, windy mountain roads with steep drops you might find it a bit anxiety provoking. If you relish solitude and privacy this could be a great place for you.

This street is limited to part of the community. It is a grouping of nice townhomes although somewhat dated. You are however a shortwalk up the the San Gabriel Mountains if you enjoy hiking. There are paths to walk dogs or children or just yourself. This is a more affordable area than Monrovia yet very close.

Keswick Street is settled amidst a quite anclave of the San Fernando Valley. If you stray too far from the neighborhood you encounter a lowever socioeconomic group but within the neighborhood you find the pride of ownership and well maintained homes with friendly neighbors.

If you take Azusa Ave north you will find the name changing to Highway 39 as you drive into the Angeles National Forest. There is a myriad of wildlife from bears, fox to a variety of snakes, birds and all types of birds that you don't see in the Los Angeles area often. I recommend this drive for a scenic area to remove yourself from the hectic pase of city life.

Located in the San Fernando Valley, Nogales Drive is very close to Ventura Blvd which provides many areas to shop and dine. Additionally, there are areas to hike and have beautiful views of the valley especially at night where you see a carpet of lights below.

You would hardly believe you are in Los Angeles. This street and town in general has an almost Mayberry type of feel. It is quante with locally owned and operated businesses. From ice cream and movies to hobby shops this is an ideal area for families that want their children to grow up in a safe and comfortable community that still has the pride and sense of community we don't often see anymore, especially in Los Angeles.

Certainly as we moved into the new milineum there has been a reduction of drive by shootings which previously were very common in broad daylight on and around Huntington Dr in the East Los Angeles region. Primarily Hisptanic with a pervasive drug and gang culture. The improvements have been minimil and this is not a place to take your family

As mentioned in the title. St. Vincents Hospital is located on Alavarado and Third. If you don't have business at the hospital then you are probably on this street to buy crack cocaine or are lost. It is a seedy area, you will find McArthur Park, not a good place for the kiddies.