Biscayne Gardens

As a Captain in the United States Coast Guard, William Fulford became enamored with Florida’s southern coastline, and when the federal government began offering free land in the area under the Homestead Act, he jumped at his chance. Fulford acquired 160 acres of land in what is today the North Miami Beach area and established his own township. Fulford’s legacy lives on in many facets of the area, including the North Miami Beach that bears his name, Fulford Highlands. Conveniently situated close to I-95, less than 10 minutes’ drive from North Miami Beach and 15 minutes to the beach, Fulford Highlands offers residents the combination of well-built, comfortable homes and easy access to world-class amenities. “The neighborhood is close to shopping, restaurants, parks and the beach. It’s all easy to get to,” says Miami-based Realtor Andres Maldonado.<br><br>You’ll find a variety of architectural styles in the neighborhood, with homes ranging from Mediterranean-inspired ranch-styles to sleek contemporary. The median price of real estate in Fulford Highlands hovers around $479,000, and the average price-per-square-foot is $479. A cozy two-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home can sell for around $370,000, and prices can go up to $700,000 for a spacious four-bedroom/three-bathroom Mediterranean-style. “The prices in the area are competitive for the area,” says Moldonado. “And if you’re patient, you can find some real bargains, too.” <br><br>Students in the neighborhood can attend Oak Grove Elementary, John F. Kennedy Middle and North Miami Beach Senior High School. Oak Grove earns a C+ rating on Niche.com, John F. Kennedy Middle earns a B and North Miami Beach Senior High earns a B-. In addition to the rigorous academic curriculum offered at the high school, students at North Miami Beach Senior High have the option to participate in the school’s dual-enrollment program, allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school. <br><br>Two nearby parks provide Fulford Highlands residents with plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities. Oak Grove Park features both tennis courts and soccer fields for the sports enthusiast, along with fitness zones and a walking path. You’ll also find a lake at the park, where you can spot turtles and various species of wading birds. Adjacent to Oak Grove Park is the Father Gerard Jean-Juste Community Center, which offers visitors a pool and splash pad. To the west of the neighborhood is the smaller Biscayne Gardens Park, with a walking path and plenty of open space to stretch out and relax. And don’t forget that the neighborhood is only a 15-minute drive from the beach, so it’s easy to take advantage of those beautiful Florida days by sitting oceanside. <br><br>Because we humans can’t exist on just having fun, it’s good that Fulford Heights is so conveniently located to so many amazing restaurants. Start your day right with some fried dough and coffee from Krispy Kreme. Chinese dumplings are the star of the show for lunch or dinner at Dumpling King. Or feast on authentic Peruvian cuisine at La Peruanita. And when it’s time to stock up the kitchen, Publix Supermarket is conveniently located nearby, so grocery shopping is a breeze for neighborhood residents. For those times when you feel the need to shop, head over to the Mall at 163rd Street, where you’ll find Home Depot, Walmart, Ross and other retail stores. <br><br>If you’re on the hunt for a home in the greater Miami area, be sure to check out Fulford Heights. With comfortable homes and nearby amenities, great schools and easy highway access, it might just be the neighborhood you’ve been searching for.

Not far north of Miami, the Golden Glades community offers a relaxed suburban lifestyle that seems worlds away from the hectic pace of big city living. “Most people find Golden Glades so appealing because they know it’s an up-and-coming neighborhood,” says Sasha Goldsmith, a Realtor with FIP Realty Services, LLC, with more than 22 years of real estate experience. “The homes here are quaint, and the neighbors are amiable. One recent seller in the neighborhood told me they never lock their doors.” Homes here sit on good-sized lots and back from quiet, sun-dappled streets. Mature shade trees and palms provide relief from the Florida sun. Several homes in the neighborhood boast inground swimming pools. Most single-family homes in the neighborhood are ranch styles or reflect the Spanish Eclectic or Minimal Traditional styles. But one also finds the occasional two-story home and Modern Revivals. In fact, many residences combine architectural styles, and every street may offer a different look. Townhouses and condominiums are available. Home prices here range from around $89,000 for a 1-bedroom, 620-square-foot condo to more than $1.7 million for a 7-bedroom, 2,100-square-foot home with inground pool. Children in the community may begin their public-school education at North Miami Elementary. The school rating website Niche gives the school a C-plus rating. The school has 469 students and a student-teacher ratio of 15-1. North Miami Middle School has a C-rating, 812 pupils and a student-teacher ratio of 18-1. North Miami Senior High School also has a C-rating. It has 1,800 students and a 19-1 student-teacher ratio. The school is unique because it is both a traditional high and an all-magnet school. In addition to offering the usual sports and clubs, it also provides a host of magnet classes including culinary arts, engineering and an International Baccalaureate program. Kids and grownups alike frequent Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park. The green space incorporates nature and greenery into its playground. In addition to the standard jungle gym, slides and swings, the play area includes large boulders and reclaimed sinker logs for climbing. Joggers and walkers appreciate the .7-mile loop and dog owners frequent the 6-acre fenced-in area where Fido can run and play off-leash. Uleta Park Community Center offers basketball and volleyball courts, playgrounds, a swimming pool and indoor facilities that include a computer lab, teen lounge and after-school programs. Though predominantly a residential neighborhood, Golden Glades includes a few commercial areas along Northeast 167th Street, so it's convenient for running errands. Shoppers may make grocery runs to Publix, Walgreens or other local retailers just over a mile away. With merchants like Ross Dress for Less and Foot Locker, The Mall at 163rd Street is a great spot for a shopping trip. If all that shopping stirs up an appetite, consider lunch or dinner at Merkado 31. This Peruvian restaurant serves traditional Latin American fare, and its creative menu shines. The Lomo Saltado Risotto combines a classic Peruvian sirloin dish with the Italian rice standout. In February, dancing shoes and lawn chairs are encouraged when locals head over to nearby Cagni Park for the NOMI Music Festival, North Miami’s biggest event of the year. This musical extravaganza includes a line-up of Hip Hop and R&B artists, vendors and food trucks. In October, check out the area’s best wines and dines at the Miami Shores Food & Wine Festival. Golden Glades is a walkable neighborhood just a tad over 10 miles from downtown Miami and the Miami International Airport is 12 miles. Both locations are accessible via Interstate 95, which intersects near the community. The Miami-Dade Transit Agency provides bus routes throughout the area. NoMi, a free local trolley service is provided by the City of North Miami.