Coral Gables

Grab your own piece of paradise with a home in Gables By The Sea. This community reels in residents because of its spot right on the water. The neighborhood’s impressive homes are surrounded by top-notch amenities — attractions on both land and sea. <br><br>“The majority of the homes here have ocean access with no bridges,” says local Realtor Ernie Bascuas, of Compass Florida, LLC, noting the unrestricted path many boaters have here. “For those that are looking for the boating lifestyle, it offers them that advantage. As well as proximity to some of the best schools in the area.” <br><br>Gables By The Sea comes with a measure of privacy, gated and guarded at all hours. The homes within the neighborhood represent a cornucopia of expansive properties. All of the homes here are custom-built, constructed across multiple eras, from the mid-20th century to recent years. Architectural styles range from Mediterranean to contemporary. “There is a mix of different styles here, and it’s also an area where a lot of developers are scooping up older homes, knocking them down and building more modern homes,” Bascuas says. <br><br>Many of the houses in Gables By The Sea line canals that open up to the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, and feature their own docks out back. A lot of residents here have their own boats that they can launch right from home. The houses themselves are typically at least 2,000 square feet, but some push 7,000 square feet. The lots these homes sit on stretch about 13,000 square feet on average. Sale prices in this neighborhood start at about $1.5 million to $2.5 million for the properties that don’t border the water. Options with full, unrestricted sea access sell for $5 million to $10 million. <br><br>Gables By The Sea residents have their pick of top-notch schools to send their kids to, both public and private. Gulliver Prep is a highly rated private option, one of the most competitive academies in all of Miami-Dade County. Gulliver Prep’s prekindergarten through eighth-grade campus is located right by the homes of Gables By The Sea. The average student-teacher ratio at Gulliver Prep, across levels, is 8-to-1. From the prekindergarten to Grade 8 campus, students move on to Upper School. Gulliver Prep has two Upper School campuses. Students at both can take advantage of Gulliver Prep’s signature academic programs, which include architecture and engineering. The Upper School Miller Campus offers the EDGE Program, an advanced academic track with a college prep curriculum. The Gulliver Prep system boasts an A+ overall Niche rating.<br><br>Westminster Christian School is another top-rated private institution near Gables By The Sea that has its own A+ Niche grade. This school supports preschool through 12th grade and is a perennial winner of the Microsoft Showcase award, which recognizes institutions that emphasize the use of technology in education — all students here utilize Microsoft Surface Pro tablets. <br><br>The public schools in the area are all rated well, too, and are part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools system. Pinecrest Elementary, which supports prekindergarten through fifth grade, offers the Global Tech Program for students in Grades 1 to 5. This program encourages global perspectives, including networking with other institutions around the world. Palmetto Middle School, which contains Grades 6 to 8, features the Forensic Science Academy, offering hands-on experience in the forensic field. Students then move on to Miami Palmetto Senior High School, which has an A grade from Niche for its college preparation and a list of alumni that includes Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. <br><br>Plenty of green space surrounds Gables By The Sea for residents to explore in their free time, when not enjoying the water. Coral Bay Park is a neighborhood spot with a half-court basketball area and open field space perfect for a picnic. R. Hardy Matheson Preserve is a nearby hotspot for hiking, with miles of trails within its 813 acres. The preserve is close to Matheson Hammock Park, a sandy beach by the bay. There’s a marina at Matheson Hammock Park, too, which is convenient for some Gables By The Sea residents. “Those who have lots that are landlocked have the opportunity to put boats in the Matheson marina,” Bascuas says. The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is another option, where you can spend an afternoon perusing the 3,400 species of plants on display. <br><br>NOMA Beach at Redfish is a close spot to grab a meal after enjoying some time outdoors, right by Matheson Hammock Park. This is a relatively new option created by celebrity chef Donatella Arpaia, an Iron Chef America and the Next Iron Chef judge on The Food Network. The scallops here are among patrons’ favorites. <br><br>Gables By The Sea is what Bascuas considers to be one of the premier neighborhoods across South Florida. It’s a place with multifaceted appeal in a dream setting.

From gated communities on canals with direct access to Biscayne Bay to large estates tucked away on quiet, tree-lined streets, the Gables Estates area of Coral Gables is known for its luxury and sophistication. “Gables Estates is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in Miami,” says Andres Morales, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty, who lives 10 minutes away in Pinecrest and has been selling real estate in Miami for the past several years. “Some of Miami’s top billionaires live here. They like the privacy and security. Plus, Miami is only a 10-mile drive north.” With top-rated schools, upscale shopping and fine dining nearby, Gables Estates has all the trappings of an elite enclave. Old Cutler Road Trail, a 13.5-mile bike path, cuts through the neighborhood and is shaded by centuries-old fichus and banyan trees. Residents can bike it to Matheson Hammock Park and Marina to the south, which offers a picnic pavilion made from coral rock, a full-service marina and a beach featuring a manmade atoll pool that replenishes itself with the tides. The coast here is ideal for kiteboarding because the waters are calm and shallow, and the ocean breezes are always active. Right below the park, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden features 83 acres of walking paths, lakes, rare tropical plants and a butterfly garden with over 40 species exhibited throughout the year. Homes in Gables Estates are meticulously maintained, selling for between $4.5 million and $70 million. Architectural styles range from Mediterranean to contemporary, with lush and mature landscaping and resort-style amenities like pools, tennis courts and private docks. “The lots here are large — at least a half-acre to over a full acre of land in many cases,” Morales says. “It’s rare to see properties this large in Miami or Miami Beach. You can also keep up to a 100-foot boat docked at your home if you live on a canal with access to the bay.” Carnival on the Mile is an annual two-day street festival along the Miracle Mile in Downtown Coral Gables, with local art, live music, food and children’s entertainment. Even closer, Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden hosts events like the International Mango Festival and A Festival of Chocolate, each with cooking lessons, tastings, entertainment and samples. On the beach at Matheson Hammock Park, visitors can walk over to Noma Beach at Redfish, a waterfront restaurant known for its rooftop dining and coastal Italian cuisine. Glasshouse Café in the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden serves organic food made from local ingredients and boasts gorgeous views of the gardens. Whole Foods Market and Publix are about 3 miles east, and The Shops at Merrick Place, about 4 miles north, is an outdoor mall with stunning architecture and luxury brands, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The schools that serve the community all received above-average grades from Niche. Sunset Elementary scored an A-minus and was designated an exemplary high-performing national blue-ribbon school by the U.S. Department of Education. Ponce de Leon Middle, a B school, features an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Magnet Program and is a designated gold STEM school. At Coral Gables Senior High, another A-minus school, students can choose from several career academies, including finance; business, management and information technology; and visual and performing arts. Gables Estates offers easy access to the Miami International Airport via the Palmetto Expressway, about a 15-mile trip. Downtown Miami is about 10 miles up Route 10/South Dixie Highway, passing the University of Miami, just 3 miles north en route. Miami-Dade Metrobuses stop in Gables Estates, such as the 73 and 136, and the closest Metrorail station is Dadeland North, 3.5 miles east on Southwest 88th Street. The nearby University of Miami enrolls over 19,000 students, bringing a vibrant energy to the area. St. Thomas Episcopal Church at the corner of Southwest 88th Street and 57th Avenue offers weekly mass, socials, and men’s and women’s groups. The closest hospital, Baptist Health South Maimi, is less than 3 miles away. According to the CAP Index, Gables Estates is one of the safest communities in the country, although it's also very susceptible to flooding due to its proximity to major bodies of water, such as Biscayne Bay.

Seclusion and nature play the starring roles in Snapper—also referred to as Snapper Creek—a scenic, gated community in the south side of Coral Gables. “Most homes here sit on 2-acre lots, and there’s not just one architectural style—each home is unique,” says Ashley Cusack, a Broker Associate at BHHS EWN Realty with 35 years of experience in the area. The exclusivity of this suburb can also be seen through residents’ access to private marinas on Biscayne Bay and their proximity to flora and wildlife at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens. “It’s hard to find boat dockage in this area, so it’s a big deal that community members can usually get a spot in Snapper Creek,” Cusack adds. Palm trees and green foliage line the residential streets, filling manicured front lawns that lead to modern estates, many with floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor pools and multicar driveways. While there are several 5,000- to 10,000-square-foot Neoclassical builds, Greek Revivals, Colonial Revivals, and Mediterranean-inspired homes—as Cusack says—the housing styles in Snapper Creek are all different. “The starting point for a 1-acre property is around $4 to $5 million,” she adds. Prices can rise upwards of $25 million for newer constructions, where some properties boast outdoor basketball and tennis courts. Miami-Dade County Public Schools—ranked the No. 1 best school district in the Miami area, according to Niche—serve students living in Snapper. Learners can begin at the No. 4 best public elementary school in the county, Pinecrest Elementary School, which receives an A Niche grade. “Families can actually walk to Pinecrest, which is in a unique location with a path around the backside that leads to a bridge over the canal on 57th,” Cusack says. Students can progress to Palmetto Middle School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche. High schoolers can attend Miami Palmetto Senior High School, which Niche grades an A-plus and ranks among the best public high schools in Florida. Also in the area is St. Louis Covenant School, a private Catholic school for kindergarteners to eighth graders. Locals take advantage of the shaded Old Cutler Trail, an almost 14-mile path that weaves through Coconut Grove and Snapper Creek. "There's an entrance on the backside of the neighborhood, so many people run and bike through Snapper Creek,” Cusack says. On the east side on Biscayne Bay is Matheson Hammock Park, where beachgoers enjoy the man-made beach and fishermen launch and fuel up their boats. “Kite-surfing is popular at the bay, and there’s a high-and-dry for the smaller boats that dock here,” Cusack notes. “And another path leads to NOMA Beach, formerly Redfish, a nice seafood restaurant with waterfront views founded by Donatella Arpaia.” Next to Pinecrest Elementary, Wayside Market is an extensive fresh produce stand that also offers shakes and smoothies. With NOMA Beach and Wayside Market as the sole local eateries, residents head west to U.S. Route 1 to check off items on their grocery list or try new dining spots. “Being this far east in such an exclusive area, most of the restaurants and shopping are in nearby South Miami or Coral Gables,” Cusack says. Grocers like Publix, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are just a 5-mile drive away. Also conveniently located in this retail area are the Dadeland Mall and Target. Snapper neighbors Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, where residents and visitors alike can admire the ample collections of tropical plants and local wildlife habitats, including a butterfly exhibit. “It’s right across the street—it's not a public park, but everyone goes there,” Cusack adds. Several Metrobus stops line 57th Avenue, and U.S. Route 1 is just a short drive inland where locals can catch the Metro train. Residents can also take the picturesque Old Cutler Road for 9 miles to get to the heart of Miami, where nightlife, sports games, beach access and other excitement await.

South Miami isn’t known as “the city of pleasant living” for nothing. Realtor Karl Fong Yee, with The Keyes Company, says the slogan is especially true of this neighborhood. “You’re 10 minutes from the beach, close to tons of shopping, tons of restaurants, even hospitals. The University of Miami is right there, too, and the homes are beautiful,” he says. “South Miami-Kendall really epitomizes South Florida living. You can’t get much better than this in terms of convenience and luxury homes.” <br><br>You’ll find everything from one-bedroom condos and single-family ranch-style homes to palatial European castle-inspired estates in South Miami-Kendall. In true Miami style, many of these homes, regardless of their size, feature Spanish design influences like red tile roofs and cream stucco façades. Fong Yee notes that prices here vary widely, from about $380,000 to well over $10 million. “It really depends on which subdivision you’re looking in, in this area, and the size of the house,” he observes, noting that one and two-bedroom condos tend to fall on the lower end of the spectrum. “You’re looking at the low $400,000’s for a condo here, but that price includes the amenities it comes with, like the community pool. And they’re usually pretty updated,” he adds. On the other hand, for a single-family 1950s ranch-style home in this area, with three bedrooms, and updated fixtures and flooring throughout, you’ll pay closer to $1 or $2 million. “There are also some really nice, huge houses around here, with towers and vaulted ceilings, the works, and those will be in the $10 to $15 million range,” says Fong Yee. <br><br>Neighborhood students are served by the Miami Dade Public Schools system, the country’s fourth-largest district. As a whole, the district boasts a 94 percent graduation rate and has earned an A grade from Niche every year since 2020. Between preschool and fifth grade, many youngsters go to Sunset Elementary School, conveniently located less than a mile from most homes off 72nd Street to the north. The highly sought-after elementary school boasts an A-minus grade from Niche and a 10/10 GreatSchools Summary Rating. It’s also known for offering the very first International Studies Magnet Program in South Florida, in which students are immersed in official Spanish, French or German curriculum. Older students between grades six and eight go to Ponce de Leon Middle and teens in grades nine through 12th go to Coral Gables High. Both schools earned B grades from Niche and 5/10 GreatSchools Summary Ratings in 2023. Beyond grade school, students pursuing higher education degrees a quick commute to classes at the University of Miami, just a mile and a half north. <br><br>Less than 3 miles west of the Atlantic oceanfront, residents enjoy easy access to salty sea air. But even closer to home, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, too. On the banks of the Coral Gables Waterway just a mile and a half away, you’ll find Cartagena Park. The coastal park offers visitors the opportunity to relax on shaded benches or get out on the water in a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Take your bike home along the Old Cutler Trail, a banyan tree-shaded, paved bike path following the scenic Old Cutler Road heading south from Cartagena Park. And within a mile of most homes, in the neighborhood’s southwestern corner, residents of all ages can enjoy a variety of recreational activities on land at Dante Fascell Park. The sprawling park offers everything from tennis and beach volleyball courts to a neatly manicured sculpture garden and playground. <br><br>With Route 1 and Southwest 73rd Street both less than 2 miles from home, South Miami-Kendall also offers easy access to a myriad of shopping and dining options. “Along the highway, there’s a ton of restaurants and retail, it’s a bustling part of town with basically everything you could want,” says Fong Yee. With metrorail stops along nearly its full length, one less than a mile and a half from the neighborhood, the main road is also convenient for anyone wanting to avoid hopping in the car. For their groceries, many residents visit Publix or Whole Foods, off Route 1 just a mile northwest. Treat yourself to a donut and a coffee on your way to run errands by visiting The Salty, off Route 1 just a mile and a half west. The small-batch, artisanal donut shop has been featured in publications from Forbes to Conde Nast Traveler for its chef-made, craft donuts, and offers a constantly rotating menu of scrumptious seasonal flavors.