South Miami-Kendall

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

Written By

Megan Quintin

Photography Contributed By

Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio

Video By

Austin Lewis