Vanderbilt Park

“How sweet it is!” is one of the late Jackie Gleason’s best-known one-liners, so much so that it was the title chosen by one of Gleason’s biographers. Given the attachment of the phrase to Gleason, it’s only fitting that he chose the Vanderbilt Park neighborhood of Doral as his final resting place. Vanderbilt Park is also home to a vibrant and active community composed of residents who know first-hand how sweet it can be. Gorgeous homes with immaculate lawns flanked by tall palm trees line the quiet streets – streets that lead to countless amenities for residents to enjoy. From neighborhood parks to golf to the relaxing shores of Miami Beach, it’s all right there at your fingertips. Realtor Lina Nasser says of the neighborhood, “It’s very centrally located. Everything is close by, including Okeechobee Boulevard and other major roads. So you can get anywhere in the Miami area easily.”

The median price of real estate in Vanderbilt Park is $570,000, and buyers should expect to pay about $325 per square foot. Housing options are quite varied in the neighborhood, which brings together areas of single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and gated communities. “It’s a very family-friendly area,” says Nasser. “There is also a good mix of younger and older people. The price range in the neighborhood means a lot of different buyers can afford the area.” A comfortable three-bedroom/two-bathroom Mediterranean-style home lists for about $640,000, a typical two-bedroom/one-bathroom condominium can list for around $350,000, a three-bedroom/two-bathroom townhouse sells for $534,000 and a stately three-bedroom/three-bathroom Mediterranean-style home in a gated community can go for up to $765,000.

Students in the neighborhood can attend Dr. Carlos J. Finlay Elementary, Paul W. Bell Middle and School for Advanced Studies. Finlay Elementary earns a B+ rating on Niche.com, Bell Middle earns a B- and School for Advanced Studies earns an A+. School for Advanced Studies has the distinction of being ranked as the #1 public high school in the state of Florida and the #3 public high school in the United States.

Veterans Park provides neighborhood residents with an outdoor recreational area that combines play and remembrance. The wheelchair-accessible park offers a playground and picnic area, as well as a veterans memorial honoring those who lost their lives while serving in the United States Military, and benches surround the park, inviting visitors to reflect on the sacrifices made by those brave men and women. Golfers in the neighborhood can tee it up at the Costa Del Sol Golf Club, which features a challenging 18-hole course, a fully-stocked pro shop and a restaurant. Area gymnasts can join the Tumble USA Gymnastics Club and gun enthusiasts can take their best shot at the Warrior Gun Range. And as this is South Florida, it’s best not to forget that Miami Beach is just 45 minutes away by car. If for some reason you still feel the need to go even further, Miami International Airport is less than 10 miles from the neighborhood.

All that activity is bound to make you hungry, so it’s a good thing that Publix is located just across 41st Street. And when you realize that you need a few household necessities, Target is just 10 minutes away by car. For those times when cooking just isn’t on the menu at home, you can take the family to Fuddrucker’s for some old-timey fun, amazing burgers and incredible shakes. If you’re more in the mood for some Florida seafood, hit Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill, where their signature mahi-mahi takes center stage, along with other seafood, pasta, steak and chicken options. And with both Dolphin Mall and Miami International Mall nearby, your retail therapy needs are easily met. Just remember what Jackie Gleason used to say: “The worst thing you can do with money is save it.”

The search for a new home can be a bitter experience. But it doesn’t have to be. Check out the Vanderbilt Park neighborhood and see how sweet it really can be.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Enrique Rios

Video By

Alexander Wong