Biscayne Gardens

The beauty of a neighborhood like Biscayne Gardens East is its age and location, resources being tapped by homebuyers and investors alike, says top-producing Realtor Paul Ackerman of The Keyes Company. “Biscayne Gardens is close to the beach and an easy commute to Miami.” Interstate 95 runs along its edge, and Miami and Fort Lauderdale are only 15 to 20 miles away.<br><br>Because the homes in Biscayne Gardens East are older, built mostly in the 1950s and ’60s, properties are often larger, some as large as a full acre, and investors are taking advantage of lot size and price points to purchase in order to build new houses, Ackerman says, some selling for as much as $2.2 million. But most homes in this well-established neighborhood sell for under $1 million or as little as $400,000 — midcentury modern homes with large, covered patios for entertaining or ranch-style houses with wrought iron railings, low gabled roofs and beautifully landscaped front lawns. Closer to the Golden Glades Interchange, where I-95, Florida’s Turnpike and the Palmetto Expressway meet, high-rise condominiums offer one- and two-bedroom units for $150,000 to $235,000 with community pools, gyms, tennis and basketball courts, and clubhouse amenities.<br><br>“The market is changing in Biscayne Gardens,” Ackerman says. Older residents who have lived in the neighborhood for 30 years are moving out. “My clients are young with two kids and work in Miami.” So the community here offers a nice mix of older, retired folks with new buyers moving in with families.<br><br>The schools that serve Biscayne Gardens East include Arch Creek Elementary, which offers a unique academic model where students learn in two languages and become fully bilingual and bicultural. At Thomas Jefferson Biscayne Gardens K-8 Academy, faculty build strong relationships with students and challenge them to take ownership of their educations and grow academically and socially. Students at North Miami Senior High can choose from several academies and magnet programs, including an aerospace and engineering academy that provides a rigorous curriculum in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as summer internships before their senior year.<br><br>Safe and walkable, the neighborhood is an inviting place to stroll or ride bikes, and a great destination is Biscayne Gardens Park. This small green space features walkways, open grassy areas and clusters of palms, palmettos and native trees. In addition, the Biscayne Canal cuts through the center of the neighborhood, providing many homes with waterfront access. It’s not uncommon to see small watercraft on the water, such as boats, canoes and kayaks. The canal gives boaters direct access to Biscayne Bay, which is only 5 miles away. And less than 8 are the Atlantic beaches of Sunny Isles and Haulover.<br><br>For families in need of preschools, the Biscayne Bay East offers a good selection. At Thumbelina Academy, children are supported emotionally, socially and academically as they explore and discover. Rising Star Preschool Academy is a place where English and Spanish are spoken, teachers invest in their students, and activities, especially around the holidays, stimulate passion and creativity. For everyday needs, you’ll find small convenience markets, like the Kwik Stop on North Miami Avenue, around the neighborhood, as well as restaurants like Dumpling King, which offers the savory treats as well as other authentic Chinese dishes. There’s also a Winn-Dixie at the Norway Shopping Center and dozens of businesses along the Northwest 7th Avenue business corridor. And for a total day of shopping, head to Aventura Mall, less than 7 miles away, which offers over 300 luxury boutiques and over 50 dining options.<br><br>If you’ve thought long about shortening your commute or setting down roots in a neighborhood that feels like home, consider Biscayne Gardens East. With large lots and single-family home prices starting in the $400,000s, it’s easy to see why this neighborhood is so attractive.

As a neighborhood of older, single-family homes, Biscayne Gardens West is a mecca for redevelopers and first-time homebuyers. Because prices can be considerably lower here than in surrounding communities — as much as $700,000 lower — first-time homebuyers are jumping at the chance to purchase turnkey properties, says broker Louis Tamayo with Grass Tamayo Real Estate Group LLC. Even homes that need updating are selling well because there’s “not a lot of room in Miami,” he says, and buyers are “looking in new areas to diversity.”<br><br>Many of the homes you’ll find in Biscayne Gardens West are sleek, midcentury-modern houses built in the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s that sell for between $190,000 and $565,000. Some offer waterfront views, beautifully tiled pools and back patios or decks for entertaining. Remodeled interiors might also feature gleaming 24- by 24-inch floor tiles or gorgeous cedar ceiling planks that add a rustic touch to living rooms. High-rise condos with balconies near the Golden Glades Interchange, where six highways come together, are priced even lower, under $180,000, and offer amenities such as pools, saunas, elevators and secure parking. Because the neighborhood is so close to the interchange and east of a commercial/industrial area, you’ll find “more working families and less out of towners” who live here part-time, Tamayo says.<br><br>Quality public schools serve the Biscayne Gardens West community, including Benjamin Franklin K-8 Center, which unveiled a new nine-classroom building addition in 2020 and has been remodeling the remaining buildings with new windows, new HVAC units and other facility upgrades ever since. North Miami Senior High offers six academies and magnet programs, including an academy of finance that covers entrepreneurship, banking and credit, financial planning and other topics. A private school alternative is Betesda Christian School, which received an A-minus from Niche. This school includes grades K-12 and offers a student-teacher ratio of 9 to 1. After graduation, 80% of Betesda students go on to attend four-year colleges.<br><br>Athletes in the neighborhood will appreciate the tennis courts, basketball courts, softball/baseball fields, and large green space for soccer or football at the recently upgraded Claude Pepper Park. Tennis lessons from beginner to adult are taught here on the park’s 12 courts, and the recreational space features a playground for young children and a member-driven community center, the Joe Celestin Center, where local events and fitness classes are held. In 2022, the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department began redevelopment of the 1.5-acre Jeb Estates Park, which will feature a new playground made to look like a sailing ship, as well as walkways, park benches, a bike rack and nature trails for residents to enjoy. <br><br>The neighborhood’s main shopping district runs along Northwest 7th Avenue (or the 441), where you’ll find several grocers, including a Winn-Dixie at the Northway Shopping Center, Market Plus a few blocks down, and Papi’s Supermarket near Opa-Locka Boulevard. Among these businesses is King Jerk Miami, a down-home, mom-and-pop establishment, where you can get anything from spicy oxtail to tender and juicy brisket, with steamed cabbage, sweet potatoes or collard greens on the side. The Golden Gates Interchange, where Florida’s Turnpike, the Palmetto Expressway and Interstate 95 meet, connects residents to destinations such as Brickell to the south, Sawgrass Mills to the west and the beaches of Sunny Isles to the east. Commuters also have access to the Tri-Rail train system at Golden Glades Station, which links the neighborhood to other parts of South Florida. The train goes directly to Miami International Airport and requires only a 10-minute free shuttle ride to get to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. For sports and music lovers, the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins, the Florida Marlins, Super Bowls, concerts and more, is less than 7 miles away.<br><br>Whether you prefer a turnkey property or want a fixer-upper for less, Biscayne Gardens West has not only the homes for sale but also the price points that make it one of the best up-and-coming neighborhoods in North Miami.

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.