Leslie Estates

Strolling along the quiet sidewalks of Leslie Estates, shaded by red-flowering royal poinciana trees, you’re reminded of what makes Florida so special. Reminiscent of a Caribbean island paradise, modest ranch-style houses painted in vibrant colors line the streets, palm trees tower overhead and the faint scent of the ocean wafts through the air. Thoughts of how to pass the day may cross your mind: You could spend time at Lester B. Brown Park, walk the shores of Miami Garden Lake, get some exercise at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, cheer on the hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers at nearby Hard Rock Stadium, or maybe grab some takeout from Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill. You might even choose to make the 30-minute drive to Sunny Isles Beach and relax in the sand. Because the neighborhood is so ideally situated, you have easy access to all of these amenities, and more.

Despite all these advantages, you still have access to some of the most affordable real estate in the area. With so many options available to residents of Leslie Estates – plus convenient access to major highways – at a price point far below most of the surrounding area, this South Florida neighborhood is definitely worth a look. “It’s a great, up-and-coming neighborhood,” says Realtor Robert Jones of Blue Waters Realty. “It’s convenient to everything – the stadium, the turnpike, the airport, shopping. It’s all close by.”

The median price for homes in Leslie Estates is $381,000, well below the $460,000 median price of the greater Miami Gardens area (not to mention the $650,000 median of Miami). Ranch-style homes predominate the neighborhood, and many are painted in tropical hues that give the neighborhood that quintessential “Florida feel.” A two-bedroom/one-bathroom ranch-style home can sell for around $245,000, and a spacious four-bedroom/two-bathroom townhouse lists for up to $410,000. “The whole Miami Gardens area has gotten much more expensive, and Leslie Estates is one of the last neighborhoods to see the price increases,” says Jones. “But the prices are going to go up there, too.”

Students in the neighborhood can attend Brentwood Elementary, Carol City Middle and Miami Carol City Senior High School. All three schools earn a C+ rating from Niche.com. Parents also have the option to send their children to several private schools in the area, including Robert Morgan Educational Center.

Outdoor recreational opportunities abound in Leslie Estates. Lester B. Brown Park, featuring multiple sports fields, an outdoor fitness area, walking trail, playground and picnic areas, is in the southwestern portion of the neighborhood. Nearby is the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, offering visitors access to a swimming pool, running track, indoor courts for both volleyball and basketball, a fitness center and a walking trail. And just across 199th Street is Miami Gardens Lake, perfect for a quick swim or a little lakeside relaxation. If you’re longing for some beach time, you’re only 30 minutes from Sunny Isles Beach, and about the same distance to downtown Miami and the beaches nearby that urban center. And when the Bucs are playing at home, you can almost walk to the games, with Hard Rock Stadium less than two miles from the neighborhood.

Adding to the convenience of Leslie Estates, Aldi is located within the neighborhood for groceries, and Walmart Super Center is a few minutes’ walk from the neighborhood for all of your home necessities and other shopping needs. Stadium Corners shopping center is just across the street from the eastern border of Leslie Estates, offering plenty of shopping opportunities when you feel the need for some retail therapy. And for those times when you just don’t feel like cooking, check out Captain Fish and Chicken where you can get local red snapper, grouper or conch in addition to fried chicken.

What makes life in Florida so special? There’s the weather, of course, but there’s also the plentiful amenities and that hard-to-describe essence of life in the Sunshine State. Finding both of those things in a single neighborhood can be challenging; finding both of those things at a price point that is accessible to a lot of potential buyers can be next-to-impossible. But Leslie Estates brings them all together in one conveniently-located neighborhood.

Written By

Andrew Spencer

Photography Contributed By

Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio

Video By

Victoria York