I am a second generation Miamian. I have lived here for 42 years and I have lived very close to the Shores since 1996. I like the Shores. The houses are not cookie cutters and the people are friendly but the milage rate for property taxes are very high in Miami Shores and the surrounding areas. This means a property assessed of $300,000 will have an $8,000 a year tax bill. When you factor in house insurance, east of 1-95 which is higher than the west and the Shores is east, you could be paying for the 3 main insurances flood, windstorm and homeowners over $7,000 per year. The other insurance that is very high is auto, you should check those rates with your current company. The salaries in Miami do not reflect the cost to live here. Your son will not have much to do here. Miami is an adult playground and that is why so many youths get in trouble here. As far as renting to experience the Shores, unless you are going to rent a house there, there is really no quality rental places very close to that area. There are a couple of condos like the Jockey club on Biscayne Blvd and NE 108 St but many condos down here are having a hard time operating since many investors pulled out of the units they purchased over the last couple of years and no one is paying the maintenance fees. Traffic is terrible in Miami and people are rude. My husband and I plan to move as soon as we find a place the grass is just a little greener. I have a four year old son and refuse to bring him up here. The public school system is a travisty and in the Shores area your son will have to attend a private school so that he may be safe and have a good education. It pains me to have to say these things about a place I have called home for so long but Miami has shown no ability to respond to growth. Dade County puts out fires they don't prevent them and as a result of severe mismanagement on the part of the local government they have caused the large tax burden, urban sprawl and lack of any viable transportation system. You will pay a lot of taxes here and see very little returned to you in the way of services. Please do more research before you make your move.
Michelle | Miami, FL | Report Abuse

DUMP! You must be VERY wealthy and live on or REALLY close to the beach to enjoy this entire area. Otherwise, it's like living in third World Cuba or Haiti. NO THANK YOU!
craig | Chicago, IL | Report Abuse

So what about Miami Shores? I am considering a position in the Shores and trying to find info on a fairly inexpensive place to rent until we get settled in and figure things out. Married with one 16yo boy. Any advice would be appreciated
Tom | Mechanicsburg, IL | Report Abuse