Moving to Miami? Wondering what the best neighborhoods in Miami to live in might be? You’ll want to read this!

Life in Miami, and all of South Florida, is colorful! From our beaches to nightlife, art to diverse cultural activities, multidimensional cuisines to shopping options, Art Deco to dramatic high-rises – everything adds up to create a vibrant global city. Top that with a welcoming attitude towards different cultures, businesses, investors, plus tax-friendly policies, and it’s no wonder the world wants to move to Miami.

Just like there’s no one-size-fits-all in life, every neighborhood in Miami carries its own distinctive flavor and vibe. There’s something for everyone here, and more importantly, a neighborhood that would feel like home for every kind of individual, whether you want laid back and beach front, historic buildings, lush parks, or an eclectic mix of everything.

Regardless of whether you’re planning to move to Miami or within one of the sub neighborhoods in the city, picking the right neighborhood can be a tough choice. To make life easier, we’ve put together this quick guide to help you zoom into the best neighborhoods in Miami that would make the right choice for you (and your loved ones).

MIAMI'S BEST NEIGHBORHOODS AT A GLANCE

MIAMI NEIGHBORHOODS  - MAINLAND MIAMI

• Brickell
• Brickell Key
• Downtown Miami 
• Edgewater
• Midtown & Design District
• Wynwood
• Upper East Side / MiMo
• Coconut Grove
• Coral Gables 

MIAMI NEIGHBORHOODS - THE MIAMI BEACHES

• South Beach 
• SoFi or South of Fifth 
• Sunset Harbor, Belle Isle & Venetian Islands
• Mid Beach
• North Beach
• Surfside and Bal Harbor
• Sunny Isles Beach
• Key Biscayne
• Fisher Island
  

Mainland Miami's Best Neighborhoods

Brickell

What you’ll love: Fast-paced urban lifestyle, close to work, plenty of trendy restaurants, high-end shopping at the Brickell City Centre and Mary Brickell Village.

This is the “Manhattan of the South” and the city's central business district. Miami’s metropolis with a big city vibe and full of luxury high rises, all with diverse cultures intermingling. You’ll love living in Brickell, if you seek absolute city life in a high-density urban area with lots of restaurants, bars, entertainment, and public transportation options within walking distance. Basically, the best Miami-area neighborhood for live-work-play and going car-free. 

Mostly home to the business-savvy and young professionals, Brickell is a great pick for those who enjoy a fast-paced lifestyle with great neighborhood parks, some of Miami's best restaurants, and urban conveniences available within walking distance. And it's super close to Key Biscayne if you want to escape to the beach or Coconut Grove.

Brickell Key

What you’ll love: Island living, water views in every direction, scenic promenade outlining island, close to work and entertainment

Right after Brickell, its island neighbor deserves a mention. Connected to the heart of mainland Brickell via a walkable bridge called Brickell Key Drive, you’ll enjoy private island living while being minutes from everything in the popular business district next door. One of the few gated communities in the area, Brickell Key is a little island paradise. 

A walker’s dream, you’ll love the island’s mile-long, tree-lined baywalk outlining its perimeter, which is often frequented by cyclists, joggers, and nature enthusiasts from around the city. Besides romantic water views in every direction, Brickell Key has its own mini marketplace, a park on its southernmost tip, and a children’s playground.

Downtown Miami

What you’ll love: Urban core, hot arts, culture, dining & entertainment scene, iconic Pérez Art Museum Miami, Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park with live music, maximum public transportation

If you want something similar to Brickell but more up-and-coming, a little edgier, and a little softer on the price tag, Downtown Miami is for you. This urban core puts you in the middle of a happening arts, culture, and entertainment scene with maximum public transportation options at every turn. And if you're a Miami Heat fan, this is your neighborhood, as you can walk to the arena where they play.

Miami’s ever-evolving urban core, Downtown Miami is brimming with parks set on Biscayne Bay, museums, restaurants, bars, nightlife, and historic architecture and buildings, as well as the government buildings for Miami Dade County and Miami Dade Community College. This pedestrian-friendly neighborhood is a popular pick among young professionals as well as families looking to live closer to work. 

Edgewater

What you’ll love: Family-friendly, big on water sports options at the Margaret Pace Park, central to Arts & Entertainment, Miami hotspots

Wrapping the best of urban, waterfront living in a compact residential neighborhood, Edgewater is wildly popular among couples and young families. Big on serving fun-for-all-ages, this quaint neighborhood features a diverse collection of eateries and is anchored by the expansive Margaret Pace Park with multiple courts, a children’s playground, a dog park, and endless water views, as well as a nearby Marina.

If you wish to live in a premier waterfront neighborhood that's the most central of Miami neighborhoods, typically for less than what you’d pay in Miami Beach with access to great schools, Edgewater is THE best Miami neighborhood for you.

It's also very walkable, including to the Metromover and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and has easy access to South Beach via the scenic Venetian Causeway.

Midtown & Miami Design District

What you’ll love: Trendy, walkable, The Shops at Midtown Miami, best of luxury shopping, dining, and entertainment 

One of the best Miami neighborhoods for retail therapy, with creative inspiration around every corner, you’ll find various condo and luxury rental options in Midtown. Anchored by The Shops at Midtown Miami, Midtown is where you’ll find a grand mix of big box stores, on-trend retail, amazing restaurants, artisanal brews, and outdoor movies.

The Miami Design District, on the other hand, is home to a covetable and grand collection of 120+ flagship stores of major luxury brands, architecture and interior design showrooms, public art programs, an award-winning parking garage called Museum Garage, and exquisite restaurants. The Miami Design District is also a favorite of art enthusiasts with the de la Cruz Collection and the Institute of Contemporary Art here.

Best part – everything’s a few steps or easy bike ride away from home.

Wynwood

What you’ll love: By, for and of the art lover, Wynwood Walls, art galleries, coffee shops, eclectic bars and eats, very walkable 

Miami’s best neighborhood for art lovers and foodies, Wynwood is known as the incubator of street art and artists. Home to the world-renowned Wynwood Walls (a collection of mural-adorned warehouse walls), the vibrant neighborhood is brimming with art galleries, avant-garde museums, and event hotspots.

You’ll love living in this trendy neighborhood if you'd like to have eclectic bars, artisanal restaurants, food trucks, experimental event venues, and artsy inspo within walking distance, along with a cool collection of artists, designers, and creative types for neighbors.

Finally, this is one of Miami's best neighborhoods for creative food. If you're a foodie, even if you don't choose to live here, you'll be dining here a lot.

Upper East Side / MiMo (Miami Modern)

What you’ll love: Biscayne Bay views, Miami Modern historic architecture, legendary Vagabond Hotel, unique shopping and dining at Ironside

You’re not mainstream but still want a nice waterfront area loaded with history and old-world charm, then Upper East Side is the best Miami neighborhood for you. You’ll find trendy stores plus a variety of new cafes and restaurants lined up alongside a beautiful collection of recently restored boutique hotels, 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes, 1930s Art Deco architecture, and 1950s Miami Modern buildings.

This waterfront neighborhood is especially popular among families and professionals of all ages looking for a rather affordable, quiet, suburban community. It's quieter than most other neighborhoods of Miami, and still offers hidden gems of cafes and boutiques.

Coconut Grove

What you’ll love: Waterfront, yachting lifestyle, tropical greenery, tree-lined streets, peacocks, best collection of schools, CocoWalk (open-air mall), Vizcaya Museum, Barnacle Historic State Park

You’ll love living in Coconut Grove if you’re a boating enthusiast, nature lover, like peacocks in your backyard, or simply enjoy a slower, tropical lifestyle. A top choice among families and empty nesters, Coconut Grove is an idyllic neighborhood with a nice village vibe, breezy waterfront parks and a world-class sailing scene.

Set along Main Highway, its tree-lined streets offer a safe community life and family lifestyle, a quaint downtown area featuring the newly renovated CocoWalk, some nice retail, great restaurants, art galleries, and walkable streets.

This is also Miami’s oldest community with the historic Peacock Park, Woman’s Club, Coconut Grove Library, and The Barnacle house offering a gateway into its charming past.

Coral Gables

What you’ll love: Suburban, historic charm, canopied streets, canals and waterways, Biltmore Country Club, award-winning theater, Fairchild Botanic Garden, Shops at Merrick Park, Miracle Mile, University of Miami, historic Venetian Pool

If you’re looking for suburban charm, Spanish-inspired architecture, canopies of lush tropical greenery, plenty of historic attractions, and an overall idyllic vibe, you’ll love living in Miami’s City Beautiful, also known as Coral Gables.

Teetering between the old and new, you’ll find upscale retail at the Shops at Merrick Park, boutique finds at Miracle Mile, a huge collection of new to established eateries scattered across town, art-house cinema, museums, award-winning theater, world-class golf courses and tennis, iconic Mediterranean architecture, and a downtown buzzing with business. All in all, Coral Gables is a great place to build a family and put down roots.

Not much for reading? Watch this 1-minute video for a quick introduction to All of Miami's Best Neighborhoods!

Best Of Miami Beach & Other Oceanfront Neighborhoods at A Glance

South Beach

What you’ll love: Destination beach neighborhood, international vibe, LGBTQ+ friendly, legendary nightlife, iconic restaurants and clubs, Art Deco hotels and Ocean Drive, Lummus Park & Beach, Lincoln Road (open-air shopping mall), Wolfsonian-Florida International University

Nothing compares to South Beach when it comes to beachside living. If you want to be where it’s at, with a name and address everybody knows, South Beach is the best Miami neighborhood for you. Living in Miami’s vacation central, you can walk, bike or catch a free trolley to world-renowned beaches, nightclubs, iconic restaurants, and shopping with a side of people-watching at Lincoln Road.

A popular pick among staycationers, work from home folk, and second home buyers, a South Beach address certainly puts you on the map. If you wish to avoid tourists, living in the more residential West Avenue is recommended.

South of Fifth (SoFi) in South Beach

What you’ll love: High-end luxury, family-friendly, old-beach vibe, 5-star restaurants, Joe’s Stone Crab, South Pointe Park & Pier, safer end of South Beach

If you’re looking for high-end living in a beach lifestyle with utmost exclusivity, then you’ll love South of Fifth. Miami Beach’s southernmost point, South of Fifth is less touristy and big on community vibes. It’s almost like New York’s Tribeca, as in both neighborhoods went from nothing to an upscale residential area with fine dining and a tranquil vibe. The collection of restaurants here is critically-acclaimed - you’ll also find Art Deco gems, upscale bars, art galleries, a marina, and a pier.

Again, South of Fifth is an address you can flaunt and is a top pick for living with the family.

Sunset Harbor, Belle Isle & Venetian Islands in South Beach

What you’ll love: Island feel, marina, sandwiched perfectly between city and beach, very walkable

If quiet, island-living tops your list while having the best of both worlds (beach and city) a quick bike ride away, then Sunset Harbor-Venetian Islands is your best bet. Surrounded by water, you’re on the much quieter, far west side of South Beach. A great pick for executives, families, and boaters, this far west pairing of neighborhoods features nice shopping, dining, and a marina. Also, the Venetian Causeway makes for one of the most scenic walks or drives into the city.

Mid-Beach, Miami Beach

What you’ll love: Oceanfront, upscale, less touristy, collection of world-class resorts, well-preserved gems of MiMo-style architecture, La Gorce Country Club, Faena District

If you want to be close to everything South Beach but want something more upscale, family-friendly, and a little less crazy, then Mid-Beach is the best Miami neighborhood for you. The oceanfront Millionaire’s Row along Collins Avenue here is often compared to Uptown’s Park Avenue in New York.

Most of the resorts come lined against the ocean, making the sugar sand beaches here much classier and exclusive. Faena District with its bazaar, unique art scene, and theater helps energize this otherwise quiet beachfront.

North Beach, Miami Beach

What you’ll love: Laidback, quieter oceanfront, community feel, live concerts at the Miami Beach Bandshell 

If you’re looking for something a little more affordable on the beach, with a nice small-town community feel, and tons of potential, then you’ll love living in North Beach. The most family-friendly part of Miami Beach with a great oceanside park, golf course, and concerts on the beach (at the Bandshell), this up-and-coming beach neighborhood is now on the radar for developers.

Surfside & Bal Harbour

What you’ll love: Beachfront luxury, tight-knit beach town community, community center, walkable retail, world-renowned Bal Harbour Shops

This pairing of coastal towns carries some amazing, walkable retail between themselves - the internationally famous Bal Harbour Shops. The oceanfront Bal Harbour offers beachfront luxury and boasts some of the most peaceful stretches of sand in Miami. On the other hand, Surfside is a tight-knit community with a great community center and the nesting grounds of choice for the Florida Loggerhead Sea Turtle.

Of the two suburbs, Surfside makes a great choice for empty nesters, while Bal Harbour is great for families with its proximity to schools. 

Sunny Isles Beach

What you’ll love: Oceanfront, branded luxury condos, great (mostly reserved for condo residents) beaches, better priced than Miami Beach

With prices reducing as you move up the beach from South Beach, Sunny Isles makes the perfect (more affordable) slice of oceanfront luxury to own. A great pick for families, this beachtown sits away from the chaos of Miami Beach and closer to the sprawling acreage of Aventura. If you’re looking to for large luxury, branded condo units on the beach with well-maintained parks in a community setting, then this is the best Miami neighborhood for you. 

Did we mention a wide variety of world-class restaurants? Yes, that’s the icing on the cake here.

Key Biscayne

What you’ll love: Oceanfront island-living, village feel, sandwiched between two state parks, low-traffic streets, golf at Crandon Park, highly rated schools, Miami Seaquarium

If you cherish a village feel with the bonus of a quiet beachfront, national parks, great schools, and want your kids to be able to bike around town without a worry, then Key Biscayne is the best Miami neighborhood for you. With only one road in and out, you know you and your loved ones are safe.

Off the beaten path, just a 15-minute scenic drive from Brickell, Downtown Miami and Coconut Grove, this laidback island-village has plenty of watersports and features an incredible community center with an Olympic pool, jungle gym, gym for adults, indoor basketball court, ping pong & pool tables, volleyball, year-round programming, and more.

It's also a nature and fitness lover's paradise with Biscayne National Park here, along with an historic lighthouse, multiple tennis complexes and a golf course.

Fisher Island

What you’ll love: One of the most expensive zip codes in America, ultra-exclusive island, handful of high-net-worth neighbors, golf cart around town

One of the most luxurious zip codes in the country, living in Fisher Island is as exclusive as it gets in Miami. Only accessible by private boat, helicopter, or ferry, and with an extra layer of tight security, you are in one of the safest, most private islands in the world. There’s also a handful of restaurants, a gourmet market, the historic Mediterranean-style Vanderbilt Mansion for recreation, a coveted seaside golf course, and the recently renovated Fisher Island Club for residents to enjoy.

Besides easy access to tranquil beaches and intricately-designed homes, expect to be living with captains of industry, celebrities, and other high-net-worth residents for neighbors.  

Did we miss a key neighborhood? Did you find a match? Do you have a different take on any of these neighborhoods? Let us know in the comments. And as always, if you want a tour of one of these Miami areas, or need advice on the best condos for your lifestyle, call or email us anytime.

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