What are some of the affordable, safest areas around Miami?

@Amused Contestant that maps is outdated and inaccurate!!! and it says it was created in 2009. Proof in case, everyone knows that Homestead has drastically changed and has been drastically rebuilt since 2009. it's a completely different world in some parts since this map was created. It's way off base, for ex: Modello was a bad pocket but it doesn't even exist anymore!!! It's rebuilt into a beautiful string of new complexes. There's almost a completely new city built starting immediately East of the Florida turnpike south of 288 st going pass Homestead-Miami speedway area and down from there in case no one knows it exist. Also Miami Lakes is not a nice area (really that's just hialeah)!!!!

@sp - As for Miramar/Pembroke Pines, west of I-75 is OK... maybe just remember, other parts are too close to nasty areas like hialeah/miami lakes/miami gardens/coral city. I'd stay away from them like the plague.

@Ashley L - Nice spots can be found in:

Broward: Margate, Weston, Davie, SouthWest Ranches, Dania Beach, Coral Springs, Cooper City, Sunrise. Most Beach cities. Boca Raton (Palm Beach county)

Miami-Dade: The Redlands, Princeton, Miami Shores (extreme contrast to it's surrounding areas), Aventura, Homestead (some parts), Pinecrest, Villages of Palmetto Bay, Richmond heights (some parts), Old Cutler area (if you can afford it), key biscayne (if you can afford it) most Beach areas (if you can afford it).

Saga Bay is sweet. Cutler Bay, coral gables, coconut groove like a lot of areas you may have to take the good with the bad.

Please bare in mind, the closer the neighborhood is to Alligator alley, US 27 or let's just say "The everglades", the more danger there is of gators just crawling into your pool or backyard, happens everyday. Weston has a huge problem with this type of thing. Kids are the most vulnerable. Weston is a very beautiful suburb but it's built literally on the edge of the swamps, like a lot of neighborhoods near alligator alley (Davie, far West Fort Lauderdale, etc.).

Kendall/the Hammocks is a hot spot but it's some what over rated, yes it's pretty at first sight but I find it the rudest and has the nastiest attitudes and the most aggressive/dangerous drivers literally.

Additionally most areas you have to pick and choose very carefully in miami-dade.

Broward is better.

Most beach cities have a mandatory evacuation every year when a hurricane presents danger.

if you can get something off Old Cutler Road that's a sweet spot, very costly though.

If you wish to sense special within an unique holyday then Miami is the place, exactly like you will see with hotelbye . The accommodations and the ancient hideaways of Coral Gables from Miami will certainly impress you just like the famous Ocean Drive. Ocean Drive runs along the oceanfront in Miami Beach, passing the historical Art Deco houses and the popular reel of sand called South Beach. In Ocean Drive you are able to move equally to your day and to the night for a slow cruise and some get by sightseeing. Yet another place worth visit is the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The structure, the grounds, and the art it includes are worth the journey to go to that beautiful place.

Even though that might be a healthy budget somewhere else it wont get you a decent house in Miami big enough for your family. Miami real estate has been getting more and more expensive. My mother just purchased a house in a decent neighborhood and the house was 250k (the house looks like a doll house b/c of its small size). its definitely not fit for a family with young children. The likelyhood of you getting a house within that budget big enough for your family is slim to none. I'd also like to mention that the schools here are not too good. Miami-dade county has an extremely high drop out rate. I really don't want to discourage you but i suggest you pick another place. Miami is defnitely not a good place to raise children.

Miami isn't safe. I'm originally from Miami, FL. I now live in Pennsylvania because I go to college here. I moved from Miami to Pembroke Pines prior to moving to PA and Pembroke Pines was the most amazing experience for me. It has great schools, finding apartments that are within your range is more doable that Miami (considering you want a decent area) and there's a lot to do for the kids. Look into Pembroke Pines. It's in Broward County.

A year or two ago, somebody was good enough to create a Google map showing the good/bad areas of Miami. It should make your search easier.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UT...