littlenySTOCK/Shutterstock Ocean Drive in the Art Deco district of South Beach, Miami.
- Miami is home to many diverse neighborhoods and over 2.5 million people.
- Miami's downtown area is best for young professionals who rent, while those looking to buy could get the best value in Aventura.
- With low crime rates and a number of parks and schools, the historic seaside village of Coconut Grove is ideal for families.
Miami is the nation's juggernaut for year-round sunshine, raging nightclubs, and Cuban sandwiches. It's a city continually ranked among the globe's leading travel destinations and is known as a tropical playground for the rich.
But beyond Miami's association with South Beach, nearly 2.5 million people call the city home. There's a place for everyone, with pockets of culture like Coconut Grove, Little Havana, and Wynwood. It also boasts a booming restaurant industry and seemingly non-stop luxury development.
But living here doesn't come cheap. Miami renters are some of the most cost-burdened in the country, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. The median rent here is about $1,800 per month.
As someone who's lived in Miami for more than two decades, I've watched this unique part of the country grow leaps and bounds. A decade ago, roaming Wynwood, Midtown, or Brickell was out of the question. Today, they're among the hottest neighborhoods.
While I'm certain other areas will spike in popularity soon, here are the city's best right now.