Homestead

Right off U.S. 1, East Homestead offers quiet suburban living with single and multifamily homes. <br><br>Despite its name, this area is actually split between the town of Homestead and unincorporated Miami-Dade County. "The price point is one of the main reasons people move here," says Florentina Moncada, a local Realtor with Sun Realty Investments Inc. "It's lower than in surrounding communities. The area is also just nice and safe with a mix of homes. There are schools nearby, shopping's nearby and the Turnpike and U.S. 1 are close." Shopping strips for daily errands with big-box stores, including Publix and Marshalls, sit conveniently along U.S. 1., also referred to as North Homestead Boulevard or South Dixie Highway. Curious about local flavor? Well, from well-known chains like Chili's and Sonic to more local restaurants, such as Portofino Coal Fired Pizza, Cuba Bakery and Red Crab Juicy Seafood, there are plenty of eateries to turn into your neighborhood haunt. <br><br>You'll predominantly find single-family houses in East Homestead, some of which were built in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, while others only date back to the early 2000s or are new construction properties. As is typical in much of South Florida, the ranch-style home is the most popular build in this area, typically inspired by Spanish Revival architecture or utilizing the simplicity of Minimal Traditional designs. That said, you'll also see some bi-level charmers borrowing aspects from the same styles. Single-family houses in East Homestead range in price from the low-$300,000s to around $600,000, with the exception of some HOA-managed communities on the east side, which can be a little pricier. With that in mind, a budget of $350,000 could land you a 1959-built ranch-style home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms on a 14,227-square-foot lot. As for multifamily homes, town houses and low-rise condos cluster around the area's south side, ranging in price between $100,000 and $350,000. HOAs are typical in these complexes. <br><br>Now, when it comes to schooling in East Homestead, there are a few different academic pipelines students may go down, depending on where in the neighborhood they live. Those living in the southeast corner of the community can get their start at Campbell Drive K-8 Center. From there, they can either attend Homestead Middle for grades six through eight or remain at Campbell Drive until moving on to their secondary school, Homestead Senior High, with students from the west side. Featuring a handful of magnet programs and academies, this high school has several academic programs to choose from, including a magnet program in veterinary science. Operation P.A.W.S. was designed to educate future veterinarians and vet assistants. Students in this program are offered hands-on learning experiences in healthcare and dog training via the school's veterinary medical lab and onsite dog park. Students living on the northern tip of the community, and those on the upper east side, can attend Redland Middle before graduating from South Dade Senior High, which offers dual enrollment classes through Florida International University, as well as criminal justice and law studies programs. <br><br>There's no shortage of green space in and around East Homestead. Right in the neighborhood is a county-managed passive park. Seminole Wayside Park spans almost 28 acres, cultivating a healthy pine rockland habitat. This park is ideal for scenic picnics and hikes. Due south, Harris Field Park offers more recreational options for fun under the South Florida sun with baseball fields, basketball courts, football fields, soccer fields and even the Homestead Rodeo. <br><br>With accessible commuter routes, nearby strips for casual shopping and reasonable prices and lot sizes, East Homestead is a quiet residential area that's more than worth considering if you're looking to move to South Florida.

One of mainland Florida's southernmost neighborhoods, Keys Gate comprises several smaller subdivisions and gated communities, offering a mixture of freestanding homes, town houses and condos. The area sits right on the edge of the city of Homestead and leans into this frontier spirit. Subdivisions such as Villages of Homestead honor the local wildlife with neighborhood streets named for birds, like Egret Road, Loon Court and Hummingbird Drive. <br><br>Homes in Keys Gate generally offer a Spanish-influenced style, with clay roof tiles, ornamental arches and a stucco exterior. While these design elements are seen on classic houses throughout the neighborhood, they are also used in modern interpretations of that Spanish style in newer developments. Three-bedroom homes are priced from the mid-$400,000s to low $500,000s, with larger models reaching the low $600,000s. For a more affordable option, communities like San Remos and Towngate Arbor Park offer beautiful town houses in the $300,000 range. <br><br>Students in Keys Gate can attend Maimi-Dade County public schools such as Gateway Environmental K-8 Learning Center, before heading to Homestead Senior High School, where students can enroll in one of the school’s nine specialized magnet programs like Operation P.A.W.S for veterinary science or the Culinary Arts Academy. <br><br>Everglades Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free charter school serving grades 6-12, and it offers specialized programs in legal studies, business & finance and marine sciences, along with internship opportunities beyond the traditional high school curriculum. Students can attend Keys Gate Charter School from kindergarten through 12th grade and earn an internationally recognized diploma through a curriculum designed by the University of Cambridge.<br><br>East of the neighborhood’s residential areas, Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts NASCAR weekends and local racing events, filling over 50,000 seats with fans from across Florida and the Southeast. The speedway even includes a small beach on the interior of the track, so fans to enjoy the race by the water. There are also specialized tracks for RC cars and go-karts for a different scale of highspeed action. <br><br>To enjoy Florida’s sub-tropical climate, take a stroll through Tim & Dr. June Craig Butterfly Park, a private park full of flowering plants carefully curated to attract dozens of butterfly species and other native pollinators. For a more active outdoor experience, head to Mayor Roscoe Warren Municipal Park for the sports fields, playground and dog park or Audubon Park, which offers basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground and paved walking paths for residents to enjoy. <br><br>As the name suggests, Homestead Bayfront Park offers waterfront access to Biscayne Bay National Park and the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary, with a large marina and boat launch. Head out from the park into Biscayne Bay to explore the coral reefs or spend a day looking for dolphins, manatees and other native wildlife. If you’re staying on the shore, the park features its own oceanfront restaurant and natural atoll pool, a protected swimming area complete with beach and palm trees. Learn more about the neighboring 173,000 acres of Biscayne Bay National Park at the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, with exhibits about the local environment and regular kayak, snorkeling and scuba tours of the park’s natural wonders.

Established in 1913, the city of Homestead is the second oldest city in the county, but the area is far from old-fashioned. On its east side, multiple gated communities feature new contemporary homes. The downtown area is booming with new amenities like an IMAX theatre and a state-of-the-art library. And the west side, which includes the neighborhood of Southwest Homestead, is starting to see the same growth as the rest of the city. “Builders are coming in and offering incentives to buy, and so a lot of families are moving in because of the affordability,” says Michael Valencia, a Realtor with Lamacchia Realty who sells throughout South Florida. “There’s a lot of development happening.” Southwest Homestead's residents are a mix of owners and renters, with renters making up about 73%. They live in single-family homes and small apartment complexes that line the residential streets. Ranch-style and bungalows are the most common of the single-family homes and feature two and three bedrooms. They sit on compact lots with grassy lawns. Most homes have driveways, giving residents a place to park, and feature low gates around properties. Some homes have security bars over doors and windows for added security. Prices range from $240,000 to almost $500,000. New townhouses offer three and four bedrooms and are priced between $300,000 and $400,000. Regarding crime, Southwest Homestead scores a 9 out of 10 on the CAP index, five points higher than the national average. The city has an active police force that heads up several programs aimed at taking a more holistic approach to serving the community. These programs include the Police Athletic League (PAL), which gives area kids ages eight through 14 years old basketball and wrestling teams to join; Start Off Smart (SOS), which helps at-risk children and adults access services to help them avoid becoming repeat offenders; and Police Explorers, which gives middle and high schoolers opportunities to learn from officers about the basics of police work and explore careers in law enforcement. Students can attend Miami-Dade County Public Schools, starting their journey at West Homestead K-8 Center, which scores a C on Niche. They move on to Homestead Middle School, which has a C-plus rating, and South Dade Senior High School, which has a B rating. South Dade Senior High offers magnet academies like the Professional Services Program, where students earn certifications in construction, culinary arts and automotive repair, or the Visual & Performing Arts Academy, with pathways for traditional art, music, dance and theater. It also offers over 50 clubs and organizations, including Robotics Club, Dance Team, and BUCTV, a student-run TV channel on YouTube. Kids who want to stay close to home after graduation can attend Miami-Dade College in next-door Downtown Homestead. Miami-Dade College is one of the largest public colleges in the state, with more than 300 degree pathways, certifications and apprenticeships. Blakey Park is a go-to for fresh air, where adults work out at the outdoor fitness stations, and kids enjoy the shaded playground. Robey George Park is another popular spot for its tennis courts, baseball diamond and community pool. Nature lovers have easy access to Biscayne National Park and Everglades National Park. Fans of the water also have quick access to Key Largo, located just 30 miles south of the neighborhood. “You can plan a Keys getaway every weekend,” Valencia says. For indoor activities, the city's Cybrarium, which blends cutting-edge technology with traditional library services, is a big draw in nearby Downtown Homestead. It opened in 2021 and includes a wide variety of resources like a Steampunk Lounge with an 1896 Chandler and Price letterpress, a makers' space with a 3D printer and VR equipment, and traditional library offerings like books to borrow and storytime events for little ones. Homestead Station is another downtown draw for its IMAX theatre, bowling alley and arcade. Residents pick up groceries at Azteca Supermarket off West Mowry Drive or Publix and Sedano’s in nearby East Homestead. Most dining is downtown, but Southwest Homestead does have its own neighborhood favorites. Claudie B's is a laid-back, casual spot serving southern classics and breakfast favorites, while New Corralito Café offers authentic Cuban dishes and outdoor patio seating. Route 1 and the Ronald Regan Turnpike are easily accessible and connect to Miami to the north about 40 miles. However, commuters should note that the drive can take over an hour or more with traffic.

Tucked into the northeast corner of Homestead, Waterstone offers private, luxury suburban living close to schools, parks and main thoroughfares. <br><br>Moving to Homestead is an excellent idea for those who want to stay close to Miami but aren't too fond of that Miami price tag. "These Homestead communities are hidden gems that people are now discovering because of Florida's sudden population growth," states Trent Alvarado, a Keller Williams Elite Realty realtor. "It's an up-and-coming area that's really nice regarding interior and exterior amenities. Great family environment, too." <br><br>In Waterstone, you get a lot of bang for your buck. An active HOA comes with the benefit of constant improvements, updates, events and strong community ties. This 24-hour guard-gated community boasts two clubhouses along the neighborhood's main road, Waterstone Way. Amenities of these clubhouses include pools, a playground, a spa and a gym. The neighborhood's glittering lakes, pristine landscaping and abundance of sidewalks invite folks to take advantage of that balmy South Florida weather and get active by walking, running and biking around the community. Furthermore, outside of either clubhouse, you can find a listing of current events, making it easy to join in on community fun, which is especially grand during holidays. From lighting ceremonies to parades and talent shows, many residents in Waterstone take their festivities seriously.<br><br>Several subdivisions comprise Waterstone, such as the Portofino Lakes and Floridian Bay Estates, so there's quite a selection of home types, including single and multifamily properties. That said, across the board, the neighborhood adheres to Spanish eclectic and Mediterranean Revival architecture, with characteristics like stucco siding, barrel roof tiles, arches and earthy tones. Additionally, Waterstone was originally built in the early 2000s, so many homes here date between 2004 and 2007. Single-family homes range between the low $400,000s for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom bungalow to just under $700,000 for a newly renovated five-bedroom, three-bathroom bi-level home with a three-car garage. As for the community's town houses, prices range from $300,000 to $410,000. <br><br>Since Waterstone has immediate access to the Ronald Reagan Turnpike, many folks in the area commute to Miami or farther north for work. However, there are a couple of major employers around the neighborhood as well. Practically next door is the Homestead Air Reserve Base. "Since the base is so close, a lot of military folks live here," says Saud Rai, CEO of Skywalker Group Realty of Keyes Company and Homestead resident. "Surprisingly, we don't hear too many planes. Once in a while, you see jets flying, but they do a good job of not disturbing the residents." Furthermore, the city's newest hospital, Baptist Health Homestead Hospital, is just a 5-minute drive away for most residents.<br><br>As for shopping and day-to-day errands, Publix, Presidente Market and Walmart are each short trips away; just follow Campbell Drive. This main road is also a direct route to nearby green spaces, which Homestead has in spades. "There's plenty of parks around," Rai says. "We have Mayor Roscoe Warren Park, we have Palmland Park, and if you go west, it's all green space." Mayor Roscoe Warren Park is popular for its sand volleyball courts for casual pickup games under the South Florida sun. It also features lush lawns, soccer fields, a dog park and more. And if you're willing to go on a bit of a drive, Black Point Park & Marina is a hotspot for outdoor activities, from fishing and diving expeditions to bike rides and scenic strolls. The park's on-site restaurant, Black Point Ocean Grill, is another draw to the area, serving up classic American fare and fresh seafood. You can even bring your own fresh cleaned fillet and get it flash-fried, grilled, blackened or sautéed with two sides of your choice.<br><br>Students may begin school right in the community at the Charter School at Waterstone, rated with a B-minus on Niche. Alternatively, they can start school at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy before graduating from Homestead Senior High. This high school is home to a veterinary science magnet program, perfect for students looking to pursue a future in animal care. <br><br>Not too far from Miami, Homestead's Waterstone community continues to garner attention as a great place to live in sunny South Florida.

Nestled in the northeast corner of Homestead, Malibu Bay is a guard-gated, master-planned community that offers convenient and secure suburban living.<br><br>Say you love Miami but don't necessarily want to live there, whether due to the cost or the traffic. Homestead suburbs, especially Malibu Bay, are ideally situated for that predicament. You'll find this community right off Ronald Reagan Turnpike, practical for commutes to Miami and anywhere else due north or south. "This area's located at a perfect spot where you can access the turnpike in a few minutes — no inside roads, no traffic," says Saud Rai, CEO of Skywalker Group Realty of Keyes Company and Homestead resident. "So, a lot of people here work in Miami. How long the commute is depends on how heavy traffic is, but without traffic? You can get out of Homestead and into Miami within 15 minutes." Additionally, Malibu Bay sits next door to Baptist Health Homestead Hospital, a local major employer.<br><br>As for homes, this neighborhood is a resort-styled community composed of Spanish- and Mediterranean-inspired residences originally built in the early 2000s. "It's well-maintained, and the security is top-notch. You're close to all of Homestead's new development, too," Rai says. Single-family properties here come in a variety of builds. From quaint, single-story ranch-style houses to six-bedroom, bilevel estates with double garages — you can find it all in Malibu Bay. Prices for these homes start in the low $400,000s and go up to the mid $600,000s. For $510,000, you can land a four-bedroom, three-bathroom, 1,921-square-foot ranch-style home with a two-car garage on a 6,000-square-foot lot. As for multifamily homes, including town houses and condos, prices range from $240,000 to the mid-$400,000s. All of Malibu Bay, including the Monterey subcommunity, is managed by an HOA, and residents have access to the neighborhood's clubhouse. "They do holiday events at the clubhouse," Rai says, "Like for St. Patty's, Easter, Halloween and Christmas. The kids and families love that."<br><br>Campbell Drive runs through Malibu Bay's south side, providing folks with a quick and easy route to nearby commercial areas with pharmacies, banks and grocery stores. Fast food options are aplenty as well, but if you want to dine in somewhere, head to El Coquí Is Here for some mofongo or other authentic Puerto Rican entrées. Another option is Taqueria Morelia, a neighborhood favorite with traditional Mexican dishes like huevos rancheros, flautas and tortas. "We have big chains as well as small, independent mom-and-pop restaurants," Rai says. "You really don't need to go out of Homestead to look for anything. We have everything." <br><br>Local students can start school at Mandarin Lakes K-8 Academy before graduating from Homestead Senior High, which has magnet programs in veterinary science, nursing and hospitality management. Alternatively, the city is also home to some respected charter schools that students can attend, such as Somerset Academy's Homestead locations and the Charter School at Waterstone. Educating students from kindergarten through fifth grade using Project-Based Learning, the Charter School at Waterstone encourages students to apply knowledge and skills learned to in-class projects and real-world experiences. <br><br>While no public parks are immediately within the neighborhood, a handful are within a 5-mile drive, including Mayor Roscoe Warren Municipal Park. This recreational hub is a popular spot to play volleyball on the sand courts; it also totes picnic-perfect lawns, playgrounds, soccer fields, basketball courts and a dog park so your four-legged friends can enjoy the South Florida sunshine. <br><br>"Homestead is the bridge between Miami and the Florida Keys," Rai says. "To me, the quality of life in Homestead is better than Miami since you're not fighting traffic and you don't have Miami prices. People used to say Homestead was too far away. Now? Everything is here." Convenient for day-to-day life and not too far from Miami, this is Malibu Bay.