:) I will shortly be moving to Miami from the uk and will be working around the Dadeland mall area. I don't drive and understand that public transport is not fantastic in Miami. I am looking for a nice area near to Dadeland mall or somwhere that has easy public transport access to it. I will be renting. I've had a look on the internet and it seems the best areas would be Kendall, coral gables ( expensive? ) or coconut grove ( some nice areas some not so good? ). Please advise as to where I need to be looking and if you can tell me a little about the place that would be great! Also, anything else that you think I might want to know about Miami!! Thank you

Im not in any way an authority on Miami real estate. However, I recommend that you take a look at the "Downtown Kendall" developments. They're as close to dadeland as you are going to get. This site describes some of the projects in the area:
http://www.miami-condo-lifestyle.com/dadeland-baptist.php

dadeland mall is accesible via metrorail transit

you can look anywhere along the metrorail line and choose a location to live that best suits your budget....

Thank you. Are coral gables and coconut grove on the metrorail line there and how far are they from Dadeland in miles/minutes??

I strongly suggest you get a driver's license once you move here and a car.

Not having a car in South Florida is very limiting to the things you can do. You will see when you get here. This is not like the UK where there is a very extensive public transportation system and people don't need cars.

I won't go as far as to say you absolutely need a car, but aside from south beach, nowhere in south florida does a significant number of people go without cars.

South Miami is a great area and it is right next to Dadeland. It is actually between the University of Miami and Dadeland. THeir is alot to do in that area (shops, restaurants, big mall with theater). It is a fun area with alot of families and students. It is a nice area and I think you can get decent rental rents. It is also very centrally located to Dadeland, Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Coconut Geove and no more than 10 to 15 minutes to the Beach and Downtown. Good luck !!!

P.S. In all honesty you may want to come here a week early and check out all these areas. If you are young and want to live in the most happening area, I obviously suggest South Beach. Living in the Beach you will truly enjoy yourself because their is always something happening. Obviously rents can range from extremely high to moderate. Eventhough the Beach is not next to Dadeland you will be going against traffic and it may not be too bad - 20 minutes. However, you may need a car because other than in the Beach, public transportation is not very good.

If you give us an idea of your age, marital status, likes and dislikes and budget we may give you a better suggestion. One thing I do suggest is that you do not move to West Kendall or South Dade (East Kendall is OK) because their is alot of traffic and while the rents may be a bit cheaper, you will lose lots of time daily stuck in traffic and the public transportation is not good. You may be surprised at the decent rental rates you can get in more popular and centralized areas. So far the rents have remained pretty moderate because as everyone knows their are alot of investors buying condos and many people are trying to rent them out. Some say that too many units are getting built and this will cause a glut. Meaning that peoplw will rent them at what they can get just so that they are not empty and they at least get some money for their units. My last bit of advice is that get here and see the areas before you rent. No matter where you go in life, DO NOT enter into any rental agreements before you get their.

This likely comes totally late...however, you may already have learned that the DADELAND area is booming and is becoming a "Village" of sorts with several new condo/apartment building structures directly across from and very near to the
Dadeland Mall...I hope you were able to find a nice place near your work...
and welcome to the USA! We love the Britts and appreciate your alliance in
the Iraq circumstance...(no political endorsement or opinion...just sincere
thanks).