Casa del Mar #27A

The Best Miami Neighborhoods: Key Biscayne vs Fisher Island

Two of Miami’s most private and exclusive coastal neighborhoods are Key Biscayne and Fisher Island. These neighborhoods share a number of similarities, as both are affluent island communities separated from the mainland Miami Metro area, and each island is designed as a private enclave for the finest in luxury living. But the two also differ in many ways, due to their locations, lifestyles, and communities.

Miami Neighborhood Comparison: Key Biscayne vs Brickell

One of the key advantages of living in Miami is its wide variety of neighborhoods to choose from. From luxury towers overlooking secluded beaches to modern skyscrapers in the heart of the urban jungle, there’s a place for every need and desire. Two Miami neighborhoods that best exemplify both ends of this spectrum are Key Biscayne and Brickell. Not only do they differ in the housing options and price points they have available, but their particular dynamics also offer vastly different lifestyles, perks, and sceneries. And yet they are very close to each other. In this blog, we'll compare both locales in several categories so you can make an informed decision when choosing to buy or rent a property if you’re considering Key Biscayne vs Brickell.

The Most Luxurious Condo Buildings in Key Biscayne

Key Biscayne is a coveted neighborhood offering the best of South Florida living in an intimate, family-focused island setting. With uncluttered and semi-private beaches, acres of lush national park space, lots of greenery, tennis facilities, golf courses, and family-friendly safety, this island is a harmonious suburban community with quick access to Miami’s best. Residents rate this tropical paradise as one of the finest places to build a life and raise a family. It is so desirable that even stars like Lionel Messi, Lenny Kravitz, Cher, Andy García, Latin pop star Juanes, former president Nixon, and tennis superstar Mary Joe Fernandez have decided to call Key Biscayne home at some point. So, if you’re curious to know what the very best of island living in Miami is like, we’ve got all the insider details. Here’s our expertly curated list of the five best condos in Key Biscayne and why each deserves its position. ###### _Ranking is based on the average price per square foot of listings at the time of this blog post._ --- ## — Why Choose Key Biscayne? Key Biscayne offers residents the utmost privacy and a strong sense of community. With only about 15,000-20,000 full-time residents, it’s an affluent enclave with a median household income of more than $172,000 and many guard-gated condo buildings. The island's unmatched recreational offerings include a fabulous golf course right on the island, two world-class tennis facilities—one formerly home of the Miami Open Tournament—and Miami's best crowd-free beaches. Plus, it offers the natural beauty of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and all is accessible by golf cart! It is also home to some of Miami’s top-rated public schools, making it great for families. And it has plenty of restaurants and conveniences, which make trips to the mainland less of a necessity. If you do need to head inland, all it takes is a very scenic 15-minute drive, which drops you right between Coconut Grove and Brickell, with very easy access to I-95\. Mesmerizing ocean views and a drive through nature’s lap at Crandon Park make commuting from home a special affair. If you want to get a closer look at what living here is like, watch our exclusive video where you’ll learn all about Key Biscayne. ## — The Best Condos in Key Biscayne ### 5\. Ocean Club - Ocean Tower One **Address:** 799 Crandon Boulevard **Average List Price:** $1,534 per square foot With panoramic water and/or nature views available from each of its 93 luxurious units, this 16-story building is one of the three beachfront towers present at the iconic Ocean Club development in Key Biscayne. Built in 2002, this tower is set within a 52-acre community, offering 1,000 feet of picturesque frontage and access to several high-end amenities including a private 20,000-square-foot beach club, a tennis club with six clay courts, two padel courts, a beachside bar and grill, a gourmet restaurant with outdoor dining, expansive pools, a salon and a boutique, and more ### 4\. Ocean Club - Ocean Tower Two **Address:** 791 Crandon Boulevard **Average List Price:** $1,636 per square foot Part of the same 52-acre condo complex as Ocean Tower One, Ocean Tower Two is a classically designed condo building, rising 20 stories with 100 luxury condo units. Like its sister tower, it is one of the best condos in Key Biscayne on the beach. Residents of this gated community get access to high-end amenities such as 1,000 feet of pristine beach frontage, tennis courts, private beach access, a beachside bar and grill, a 20,000-square-foot beach club, a private health and fitness spa, a gourmet restaurant, expansive pools, and much more. It’s truly a favorite of many Key Biscayne residents ### 3\. Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne **Address:** 455 Grand Bay Drive **Average List Price:** $2,134 The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne is one of the most luxurious complexes on the island. Besides the condo-hotel, the 12-acre property houses a 20,000-square-foot spa, fine retail shops, and dining options, plus the highly regarded Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center with 11 courts—including Har-Tru, padel, and pickleball courts—where both professional athletes and recreational players regularly train. Residents of this 12-story, 188-unit condo-hotel finished in 2001 get the unique benefit of owning a unit in a condo-hotel, along with access to a private beach with two restaurants, a beachfront kids' playground, two oversized pools facing the ocean, and many other signature services from the hotel known for its sumptuous luxury—all while being pet-friendly! The property is also completing a massive renovation, giving residents and guests an entirely new luxury experience. If you would like to learn about other Ritz-Carlton Residences in South Florida, check our in-depth guide where we list all properties. ### 2\. Grand Bay Residences **Address:** 445 Grand Bay Drive **Average List Price:** $2,183 per square foot Sitting right next to the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, The Grand Bay Residences is known for its 137 luxury residences spread across three, 13-story towers. Part of the same gated, Ritz-Carlton community, it is a residential-only tower, with no hotel component. Thanks to its exceptional water and lush nature views, this 12-acre complex is where you’ll want to look for the best Key Biscayne oceanfront condos for sale. As a resident, you’ll get top-of-the-line amenities, including access to the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, a 20,000 sq. ft. spa, a luxury gym and fitness center, two oversized pools facing the ocean with two restaurants, and a sophisticated social room. Living here, you’ll find lovely outdoor gardens and scenic walking paths, a 24-hour concierge service, valet, conference/meeting room, as well as being just steps away from all of Key Biscayne’s shops and dining. ## — And the Best Condo in Key Biscayne Goes to… ### 1\. Oceana Key Biscayne **Address:** 350-360 Ocean Drive **Average List Price:** $2,312 Here we have it: the best condo in Key Biscayne! This coveted beachfront building is one of the newer additions to the island, finished in 2015\. Designed by prestigious Miami firm Arquitectonica and overlooking the ocean, this LEED-certified structure houses 142 ultra-luxury condo units in its 14 stories, as well as private villas. Residents of this oceanfront mid-rise enjoy high-end amenities such as gated living, private access to 500 feet of oceanfront with beach service, a tennis court, putting greens, relaxation and lap pools, a poolside restaurant, a media room, a children’s center, a party room, sprawling lawns, underground parking, and more. If you are looking for the best of luxury living, on the beach, in a community that’s safe and friendly, this is one of the top Key Biscayne luxury condos you will find. ## — The Best-Located Condo in Key Biscayne Oceana Key Biscayne, the newest condo on the island, stands out as the best-located development, with people preferring it when looking for Key Biscayne luxury condos for sale. Here’s why: Like most condos on the island, it sits directly on the beach, allowing residents to enjoy endless ocean views and a pristine waterfront. It’s also a short walk/golf cart ride from the village’s parks and top dining spots along Crandon Boulevard. But what sets it apart is its closeness to the island’s northern end, which allows residents to exit the island quickly to get to work/entertainment in Brickell, Coconut Grove, or Downtown. If you’re loving this neighborhood, use our exclusive search engine to find out more luxury condos for sale in Key Biscaayne. ## — Quick Facts About Key Biscayne ### How Safe Is Key Biscayne? Key Biscayne is one of the safest areas to live in all of Miami and Miami Beach. It is its own village, where children freely ride bikes after school and play soccer in the parks. Areavibes.com gives this island community an ‘A+’ in terms of safety. It also ranks #4 on the ‘Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in Miami-Dade County’ and #5 on the ‘Best Places to Live in Miami-Dade County’ according to niche.com. Key Biscayne is also a very popular place to retire, ranking #230 in the ‘Best Places to Retire in America’. ### Best Restaurants in Key Biscayne Besides being a tropical paradise, Key Biscayne can also be counted as a foodie’s paradise with its variety of casual to fine-dining spots. Some of the best ones include: * The Rusty Pelican, which also made our list of the most wonderful restaurants in Miami to dock and dine. * Narbona offers Italian fare with an Uruguayan twist. The pizzas are especially delicious. * Flour & Weirdoughs is where you’ll want to get your daily loaf and other delicious baked goods. * Costa Med Bistró + Wine is a traditional favorite, run by a Key Biscayne local with a great selection of wines and fine food. * The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne Resort's selection of restaurants, which includes favorites Luma and Paralía. * El Gran Inka does authentic Peruvian right and is known for its lip-smacking Lomo Saltado. * KeBo Restaurant is popular for its fresh take on Spanish and Mediterranean delights. * Vinya Wine & Market has a wide selection of wines and bristró-style food, mixing Latin roots with European travels. * Sir Pizza is the top spot for pizza on the island! * Donut Gallery Diner is the best spot for a high-energy breakfast or brunch, but oddly, no doughnuts. * La Boulangerie Boul’Mich is a French bakery and cafe known for its delicious brunch, coffee, and Croque Madame with a Latin twist. * Ayesha Indian Fine Dining is the go-to spot for Indian, especially its chicken tikka masala. * Novecento is a meat lover’s paradise (with four Miami locations) serving Argentine classics in a casual, European-style bistro setting. ## ## — Shopping in Key Biscayne All of the shopping in Key Biscayne is centered around its main road, Crandon Boulevard. The Square Shopping Center is the main mall, with its collection of boutiques, banks, markets, and restaurants. Moving further along the boulevard, a short golf cart ride delivers residents to additional eateries and conveniences available at the Arcade Mall, Key Biscayne Shopping Center, Harbor Plaza Shopping Center, Galleria Mall, and L’Esplanade Mall, including a Winn-Dixie, a CVS, a Starbucks, and a local Post Office. Also, not to be missed at the beginning of the island is the gourmet Golden Hog market. For more mainstream options and popular retail, a quick 20-minute car ride will take residents to CocoWalk in Coconut Grove, or the fabulous Brickell City Centre at Brickell. That rounds up our list of the best condos in Key Biscayne and all their conveniences! If you like any of the projects listed here, feel free to contact us directly, and one of our Key Biscayne real estate agents will be happy to give you more information. We’re a brokerage with over 20 years of experience in Miami’s luxury condo market and will be happy to help you find the property you’re looking for. **LET'S GET SOCIAL!** Connect with us on Instagram and Youtube.