I've lived in Miami for over 20 years - these are the best neighborhoods to live in right now

Miami's urban core is great for young professionals

For recent grads and young professionals, Miami's urban core is where it's at. Made up of edgy neighborhoods like Wynwood, Midtown, Brickell, and Downtown, construction here has grown 66% since 2010, surpassing other major cities like San Francisco, D.C., and even Los Angeles.

There's a host of newly developed offices and apartment buildings, as well as a multitude of restaurants, bars and other spots to hang. You'll get a bustling city feel with the beach a short car ride away.

One-bedroom apartments here start at around $1,200 a month, but it's worth it if you work in the area (with a moderately high-paying job) — especially if you can walk to your office and avoid Miami's gridlock.

Coconut Grove is the best neighborhood to raise a family

There's a lot of charm packed into this seaside village. Though Coconut Grove is Miami's oldest neighborhood, living here will make you forget you're even in the Magic City. Roaming peacocks, massive aged oak trees, and parks aplenty, this part of Dade County is one of the most peaceful. It's got great schools, gorgeous single family homes, a budding restaurant and arts scene — and low crime rates. Compared to other areas, it's also pretty walkable and bike friendly.

But all this charm doesn't come cheap: The current median home value is over $627,000, and rental costs for one-bedroom apartments start at $1,350.

The best place to buy property is Aventura

Miami is not the most cost-friendly in the country. But if you're set on owning property, try Aventura. At the time of publication, the median price of homes on the market was about $425,000, while the average sold price is just above $317,100. Right now, Zillow lists the suburban city as "Cold," which means it favors buyers versus sellers.

As someone who lived in Aventura for more than a decade, I can attest to its appeal. It's only about a 10-mile drive from Miami's urban core, is conveniently located to Miami's interstate highway, I-95, and falls in the center of major hubs like Miami Beach, Downtown, and Fort Lauderdale to the north.

The city is also home to the Aventura Mall, which recently underwent a multimillion-dollar expansion, adding a slate of luxury shops including Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Tesla, along with a handful of restaurants and a gourmet food hall.

Miami Beach: Where vacation never ends

This list would be incomplete without a mention of Miami Beach. And interestingly enough, despite rising seas and an increase in major flooding events, the housing market continues to improve. A blend of modest homes and mega waterfront mansions, Miami Beach is South Florida's epitome of paradise — and the cost of renting a one-bedroom starts at $950 a month.

Replete with hotels, restaurants, beaches, Art Deco, and nightlife, Miami Beach has got no shortage of things to do. Even for those who call this place home (including myself), this area of Miami has a unique way of feeling like a getaway.