Studio apartments in South Miami Heights -options?
Hey everyone, I'm a teacher here and Median household income is $64,657, which feels about average for the area. Poverty rate is 12.4%, which is around average. Crime rate is something to consider -South Miami Heights sits at 288.1 per 100K. The median home value here is around $357,000, which seems about average. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The weather takes some getting used to. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
2 upvotes
26 Replies
austin_evelyn
great question, following
37 upvotes
Amelia Young
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Highland for 3 years. Moved from Portland for cost of living. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Highland schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And dating scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
37 upvotes
Bella Ramirez
couldn't agree more
36 upvotes
Oliver Roberts
honestly same experience here
35 upvotes
Owen Walker
yep
35 upvotes
jaxmind2021
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 35, moved here 5 years ago from Charlotte. I've lived in Springfield and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The traffic situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Springfield: Great for couples. decent vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Charlotte, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
33 upvotes
Nora Price
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 4 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is housing market. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is tough.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Sunset side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
32 upvotes
Isabella T.
following this thread
31 upvotes
Adeline Scott
facts
23 upvotes
Doris W.
I work in government here and I genuinely enjoy living here. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
21 upvotes
Brooklyn Rogers
Weather-wise, the summers are pretty good and winters are growing. You get used to it after the first year.
19 upvotes
Eleanor Clark
couldn't agree more
17 upvotes
Isla
accurate
17 upvotes
Adam Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 9 years. Moved from Austin for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's been a really good experience overall. The outdoor scene is average - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are hit or miss. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Chain restaurants dominate. Dating scene is rough. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
14 upvotes
Evan Rivera
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Roman Thomas
literally same
11 upvotes
Hudson Myers
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Oak Park for 10 years. Moved from LA for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is solid - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Oak Park schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Urban sprawl is real. Far from beaches/mountains. And nightlife can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Audrey Campbell
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Austin about 11 years ago. The main reasons were weather and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- Active local events and festivals
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Financially, we've found it hit or miss compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are affordable, gas is pretty good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. No regrets on my end..
11 upvotes
Luke Martin
I've been living here for 1 years and I'd say the quality of life is solid. The cost of living is tough compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Elijah
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely excellent and I've found I genuinely enjoy living here. My neighborhood (Highland) is developing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Salt Lake City, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
10 upvotes
Adam T.
good to know, thanks
9 upvotes
Jonathan P.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is food scene. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Worth doing your research before committing.
9 upvotes
Kinsley Stewart
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 4 years ago from Austin and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's better than expected for what you get.
Jobs: The market is established right now, especially in education. If you're in consulting you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like BBQ.