The 5 best neighborhoods in Miami

The Magic City is an amazing destination, whether you are visiting as a vacationer or planning to live here. Thousands of people move here each year, and most of them are targeting their housing searches to the best neighborhoods in Miami.

In other words, the competition for apartments can be stiff! Are you planning to move to Miami by yourself? It’s possible you want to relocate with family or friends. In either case, finding a high-quality apartment can be a challenge. Opting for a flexible-term furnished apartment in Miami from Blueground instead of a traditional year-long lease is a truly seamless way to relocate.

We carefully select apartments in the best places to stay in Miami, including the best neighborhoods for young professionals. Going this route also saves you a lot of guess work! That’s because short-term housing providers like Blueground have apartments available in all of the best places to stay in Miami. The best neighborhoods in Miami can also be the most costly. We have created this guide to help you save time and money.

We will cover the areas with the finest hotels, best attractions and museums, and most coveted dining experiences. Here’s a look at some of the best neighborhoods in Miami.

1. Coral Gables

This neighborhood is located in Miami Beach, Miami’s  hipper cousin. Stunning Coral Gables is one of the greater Miami area’s most upscale neighborhoods. Locals love the vibrant dining and shopping scene and the area’s chill, beachy vibe.

Coral Gables’ stunning Mediterranean Revival architecture makes it one of the best neighborhoods in Miami for your “just basking in the Florida sun” selfie. This is also one of the safest neighborhoods in the city, so it’s a popular choice for anyone moving to Miami. Be sure to make time to visit the gorgeous Miami Beach Botanical Garden! (For even more to do in the Magic City, check out our weekend guide.)

2. Downtown Miami

Hip Downtown Miami needs no introduction. It’s not just one of Miami’s best neighborhoods, it’s one of the most glamorous areas in the world.

The area has recently experienced a cultural renaissance. Check out the cutting-edge Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Adrienne Arsht Center, home of the Miami City Ballet. There’s also American Airlines Arena, where you can attend a concert or a Miami Heat basketball game.

Downtown Miami has an incredible array of restaurants. You will find Michelin-starred dining as well as wonderful cheap eats. Flagler Street, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, is the ideal place to start exploring.

The neighborhood’s shopping scene is fantastic, with outdoor malls, upscale department stores, and high-end jewelry shops.

If you are moving to Miami for work, this area is a practical choice. Downtown Miami is filled with financial and business HQs.

3. Midtown

The Midtown corridor is the perfect spot for young professionals who are moving to Miami. It combines the best of arty Miami with a fast-growing crop of offices, shops, and restaurants.

Midtown encompasses both Edgewater and Wynwood, another of the best neighborhoods in Miami. Home to high-rise luxury developments, ritzy Edgewater sits directly on Biscayne Bay.

Locals flock to Biscayne Boulevard to shop for designer apparel or relax at a waterfront restaurant.

4. Upper Eastside

People moving to Miami love Upper Eastside. It’s one of the city’s most exclusive waterfront neighborhoods.

Located north of downtown, this high-end neighborhood is known for its dining and shopping.

Expect to find prix fixe menus at white-tablecloth restaurants, fresh fish tacos from a food cart, and everything in between.

Upper Eastside is also one of Miami’s best neighborhoods for short stays. Cruise Biscayne Boulevard and check out all of the fabulous mid-century hotels and high-end boutiques and designer shops.

5. Wynwood

Another one of Miami’s best neighborhoods is hip Wynwood. This walkable neighborhood is located just north of downtown Miami.

This chic district is known for the Wynwood Walls, and its colorful street murals. There is also an abundance of bars and clubs, making this neighborhood a good choice for scenesters.

Wynwood also has understated cocktail lounges and several craft microbreweries. as well as swanky warehouses that have been transformed into art galleries. The culinary scene is all over the map, with everything from raw seafood to fast food to five-star regional Mexican cuisine on offer.

What are the best neighborhoods in Miami for apartment hunting?

If you’re moving to Miami, now is a great time to start looking for a place. There’s no need to wait until you arrive in town!

The five best Miami neighborhoods mentioned above are ideal for new arrivals. If you can afford to, start your housing search in these areas.

Beyond the beautiful beaches, fabulous restaurants, and cultural landmarks, Miami is simply a welcoming place. It’s hard to go wrong when you decide to make it your home.

In addition to location, there are other important factors to consider while you search for an apartment. Here are other things to think about as you begin your Miami housing search.

1. Set your budget

First, figure out your budget for housing. We hate to say it, but Miami is on the expensive side! Plan accordingly.

If you want to live in one of the best neighborhoods in Miami, you might need to find a roommate.

Be sure to also factor in the cost of utilities (Internet, electricity, gas, water, etc.) into your initial estimated housing budget.

2. Create a list of your top neighborhoods

After you finalize your rent budget, target 3 to 5 specific Magic City neighborhoods to begin your housing search in earnest.

Don’t forget, the best neighborhoods in Miami are also some of the most expensive!

You will want to look in the best places to stay in Miami, of course, but may want to consider a few less expensive areas, too.

3. Time your commute

After you move to Miami will you be commuting to work several days a week? If so, it’s imperative that you time your commute to get a reality check.

If you don’t own a car or plan on renting one, you will also want to find a Miami apartment with good access to public transportation. Of course, if you will be working from home this is less important but still a factor. On the one hand, a walkable neighborhood is ideal.

However, you could save on rent by choosing an apartment that isn’t located near a bus or train station.

4. Make a list of your must-haves and nice-to-haves

Once you are at the point of looking at apartments in Miami, the choice of where to live depends on your needs and wants.

Maybe you’re a lifestyle influencer who wants to live near the city’s gorgeous beaches. Or are you an electronic music aficionado who wants to live near all the best clubs?

If you’re traveling to Miami on business, you may want to live right around the corner from your client or company’s office.

The bottom line, the best neighborhoods in Miami vary from person to person. All five of the areas above are ideal places to look as you commence your housing search.

A short-term furnished apartment in Miami is also the fastest way to move to the city. You can take advantage of our virtual home tours and book a Blueground apartment online or from your phone.

We hope this guide to the best neighborhoods in Miami helps you with your upcoming visit, however long you plan to stay.