Best Neighborhoods in Miami: Beaches, Bay & Blessed

From the pastel skies of Biscayne Bay to the soft groove of salsa in Little Havana, Miami is as dreamy as it sounds. The city is the perfect cocoon with pomp and show, culture, creativity, and all things happening.

Beyond the beaches and breeze, there also lies shining academic energy and global significance in the best neighborhoods in Miami. The same energy that attracts over 16,000 students to its shores every year from more than 60 nationalities.

Let’s unfold the best neighborhoods to stay in Miami for an A1 experience!

10 Best Neighborhoods in Miami

With world-renowned events like Calle Ocho Festival and Art Basel Miami Beach, here are the best neighborhoods in Miami:

1. Brickell

Average Rent: $3,090 – $3,900/month

Crime Rate: 40.3/1,000 residents

The designated “Manhattan of the South”, the Brickell neighborhood Miami is a place bustling with business, long skyscrapers, and whatnot. Harboring around 40,000 people under its abode, the place has grown to attract a huge population over the years, as it's also one of the safest neighborhoods in Miami.

The Brickell City Centre, a $1 billion mixed-use project, is a reflection of the neighborhood's expansion with high-end retail outlets, restaurants, and jaw-dropping homes. Although Brickell doesn't have a beach of its own, residents can enjoy the breathtaking bay views and closeness to surrounding coastal destinations in the neigbourhoods Miami.

If you’re visiting Brickell neighborhood Miami Florida, make sure to pay Cafe Vice City Bean a humble visit while also making a swift stop at the Louis Calder Memorial Library.

2. Coconut Grove

Average Rent: $2,800 – $4,200/month

Crime Rate: 26.4/1,000 residents

Famously known as “The Grove”, Coconut Grove is one of the oldest neighborhoods Miami, with residents flocking in since 1873. The Darbar Coconut Grove is uniquely recognized for its breezy streets and all things bohemian, offering a perfect escape from the rush of urban life.

Coconut Grove Miami also has a lot of parks, marinas, and outdoor cafes, like The Kampong, Coconut Grove Bike Path, and Dinner Key Marina. For students and scholars, the Grove provides proximity to a number of educational institutions and cultural institutions, while also ensuring comfortable student housing in Coconut Grove.

3. Coral Gables

Average Rent: $2,700 – $4,000/month

Crime Rate: 18.7/1,000 residents

“The City Beautiful” of Coral Gables homes stands true to its nickname with its Mediterranean Revival architecture, boulevards lined with trees, and carefully designed streetscapes. The homes in Coral Gables Florida are mixed, with a variety of properties ranging from historic mansions to modern-day luxury residences.

At the heart of the district lies the ever-growing University of Miami, one of the finest schools in the best neighborhoods in Miami.

4. Wynwood

Average Rent: $2,600 – $3,800/month

Crime Rate: 42.5/1,000 residents

Wynwood, another one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Miami, was once a district of warehouses. Globally famed for its murals and graffiti, the Wynwood Walls bring artists and travelers from all over the globe into the fold of the city that never sleeps.

From finding student housing in Wynwood to a staycation resort, this neighborhood is one of the safest in Miami. Wynwood's diverse blend of boutiques, cafes, and breweries, like Casa La Rubia, Temple Wynwood, and MIAM Cafe, contributes to its uniqueness, attracting young professionals and creatives from all walks of life.

5. Little Haiti

Average Rent: $1,800 – $2,700/month

Crime Rate: 48.9/1,000 residents

Apart from being one of the best neighborhoods in Miami, Little Haiti is known for reflecting the rich legacy of Haitian people by being the center for Afro-Caribbean culture and arts, often celebrated through music festivals, poetry nights, and Caribbean dance showcases like "Big Night in Little Haiti."

Formerly known as Lemon City, the good Miami neighborhood of Little Haiti comes with decorated storefronts, street murals, and open-air bazaars, all excited with the beats of Konpa music and Creole language. The neighborhood is close-knit, humble, and now gradually attracting attention from artists, activists, students in search of student housing in Little Haiti, and even tech entrepreneurs in pursuit of spaces that merge culture with creativity.

6. Miami Design District

Average Rent: $2,700 – $4,100/month

Crime Rate: 41.2/1,000 residents

The Miami Design District is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Miami, with its amazing blend of design, technology, and culture. Previously just a mere warehouse district, this neighborhood was strategically transformed by urban designers, artists, and visionaries, most importantly Craig Robins.

The planning and designs of the city are owed to the great names of Zaha Hadid, Marc Newson, and others, beautifully showcasing bold, sustainable, and post-modern architectural styles. The student housing in Miami Design District is also comfortable and in demand because of its proximity to esteemed universities like FIU.

7. South Miami Heights

Average Rent: $1,247 – $2,416/month

Crime Rate:  26.97/1,000 residents

South Miami Heights is another one of the good Miami neighborhoods with its notable cafes like El Floridano Café Cubano, La Quebradita, Empire Coffee Co., and natural attractions like Biscayne National Park and Black Point Marina.

Due to its proximity to Florida International University (FIU), one of the best colleges in Florida, it subtly adds to Miami's rich academic system, particularly in environmental science, community planning, education, and cultural studies-related subjects, while also making finding student housing in South Miami Heights an easy experience.

8. Buena Vista

Average Rent: $3,314 – $3,700/month

Crime Rate: 34.1/1,000 residents

Are you someone who prefers their 9 to 5 but without compromising the peace and quiet? Perhaps, Buena Vista is the answer to all your prayers.

Founded in the 1920s, Buena Vista is defined by early 20th-century Mediterranean Revival houses, covered streets, and a close-knit community, and is thus among the best neighborhoods to stay in Miami for those who enjoy a blend of culture, serenity, and creativity. Whether you’re a student finding student housing in Buena Vista or a young professional, the place is ideal for all.

9. Fisher Island

Average Rent: $30,000 – $36,500/month

Crime Rate: 26.9/1,000 residents

With the best beaches in Miami to have fun, Fisher Island is another one of the best neighborhoods in Miami, completely surrounded by the ocean, and can only be reached by ferry, yacht, or helicopter. Created in the 1920s by Carl Fisher and often cited as one of the richest zip codes in America, this isolated paradise features Mediterranean-style mansions.

While it's mostly a resort society, residents enjoy convenient proximity to institutions such as the University of Miami, Florida International University, and Miami Dade College — all within ferrying distance, which also makes it easy to find comfortable student housing in Fisher Island.

10. Venetian Islands

Average Rent: $3,293 – $3,477/month

Crime Rate: 34/1,000 residents

Closely linked to the Venetian Causeway, the Venetian Islands are a series of man-made islands elegantly stretched across Biscayne Bay, connecting Downtown Miami to Miami Beach. With the Adrienne Arsht Center, Perez Art Museum, and Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus within a hop, skip, and jump away, student housing in Venetian Islands provides a serene sanctuary to academics who desire access to amenities without sacrificing the tranquility of island life.

Safe & Reliable Student Housing in Miami

Miami is more than just a fancy postcard; it is one of the most beautiful places with the perfect blend of learning, a silent corner for those who seek quiet, and a lively street for those chasing fun. Top student-friendly areas like Coral Gables, University Park, and Downtown Miami provide great access to major universities, public transport, and everything from cafes to coastlines.

Are you in search of a perfect home in the best neighborhoods in Miami? Let amber help you make that possible in just 3 easy steps. Find off-campus student housing in Miami through amber, from a pool of options including studios, shared apartments, and dorms. Here are some top picks for student housing in and around Miami:

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