Moving to Miami
 

Mid twenties professional couple moving to Miami from Phoenix. Is there a website to scout out neighborhoods? One will be working in N. Miami Beach and the other doesn't know yet. Do most young people own homes or go the condo route?

Coral Gables is a very nice mid-range older neighborhood that is close to everything. If you want to live at the beach, condos are a good way to go, but in general, I think older people live in condos.

A lot of young professionals live in the high rise condos on Brickell Avenue downtown, which would be fairly convenient to North Miami. I strongly recommend you rent first here, Miami is quite large and the neighborhoods are vastly different - plus the traffic is very bad and you don't know where one of you will work. It is also very expensive, recently 3rd on a national housing unaffordability list, so you do not want to purchase before you're sure. We hated Miami when we first moved here, primarily because we made a bad choice - for us - of neighborhoods (Miami Lakes) based on well-meaning advice from a new colleague. When we moved to Coconut Grove, we loved it. I'd rent in downtown, the Gables, Coconut Grove or Miami Beach, get to know the town, and find out where you both work before making a permanent commitment. (P.S. North Miami's condo canyon has been described as "God's waiting room")

An early 30's friend of mine relocating to Miami just rented an apartment in South Beach. The place looks very nice although not inexpensive. www.flamingosouthbeach.com

My sister and her husband are thiry something professionals that live in Miami Beach. They are considering a move downtown. Agree with anniemac's advice. Rent first.